I try not to get too messy, notice I said try? When I finish ironing, or cutting for the day I tidy that area, When done cutting I deal with the scraps before going to the next step. my problem is once I start a project I keep all the fabric, out on one of my side counters until the project is done. if I put it away I just know I will need it again, you can just imagine how bad my space can get if I have several projects going at the same time. If one of those projects becomes a UFO all fabric, pattern, thread, specialty rulers, and project goes into one box to be set aside till I can get back to it.