First of all...you need a HUG! You and I must be clones of one another....I have wished all my life to be organized...you know, some people just ARE. Well, I am NOT. I have to WORK AT IT. Usually I have to organize something 2-3 times to get it to make sense. The big thing, don't give up...
Now...I just came off a 4 week, yes...WEEK, stint of organizing my sewing area. I told myself that until it was complete I would not sew anything....I did not keep the promise though, I just HAD to sew something for my sanity, twice in those 4 weeks.
I began by using Bonnie Hunters Scrap system, which can be found on her website, quiltville.com. It was a start. I came up with my own little tricks as I went along and I will share those with you. I purchased three of the three drawer plastic rolling drawers from Wally world and lined them up under my window and placed a left over laminate flooring (2) board together on top and duck taped it on to make a table top. I began going through scraps...this can be fun and a nightmare at the same time. I labeled my drawers...for example 2.5" stirps light color, then a dark color drawer, a brick drawer (brick being a 3.5 x 6.5 piece. I have a left over drawer wtih all those extra blocks or pieces of blocks not used. Then the fat quarters are organized according to color. It sound laborious and it is...believe me...but so worth it...just persevere and you will love your sewing room so much when you can lay your fingers on the exact fabric you need in a second!
The the larger pieces, 2 yards and up. This is my own invention. I took a 12" x 6" ruler and I folded the fabric selvages together and then in thirds. I used the ruler to fold it over and over. This goes on its side in a drawer and by counting each 12" fold, I know how much fabric is there without taking it out and making a mess only to find out it is not enough or what I need.
I found more fabric I did not even know I had when I did this, seriously...I have probably saved myself 4 trips to the fabric store!
Now I am into using what I have...finding quilts and projects in which I can use only what I have and buy only minimal fabric.
This purging is good for the soul. The other thing about not being naturally organized is I also do not "naturally" put things away after I use them and I am trying so hard to be better about this as well.
I hope this helps someone as much as it has helped me. I find my creativity soars when I have a clean, organized environment to create in.
Blessings to all my messing, unorganized friends out there!
Michelle G. in El Paso