How to organize sewing space - out of control fabric, UFO's
02-09-2011, 05:58 AM
#32
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: altamont NY
Posts: 1,249
Originally Posted by Kappy
Do you vacation in Minnesota by any chance hmmm????
I'd gladly supply the coffee, hot chocolate, tea, pop, and goodies..I had to sit down and rest after just reading how you get organized! LOL Good for you, I have such good intentions and then......
I'd gladly supply the coffee, hot chocolate, tea, pop, and goodies..I had to sit down and rest after just reading how you get organized! LOL Good for you, I have such good intentions and then......
02-09-2011, 06:03 AM
#33
Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Grand Rapids, Minnesota
Posts: 58
Thanks for all of the wonderful advice! I'm in the process of organizing my area too. I have a huge sewing room and it looks like a bomb went off! We added an addition onto our house, which consists of a new living room and dining room. Our prior living room is my area! Hubby gets the garage and I get a huge room. How to get busy!
02-09-2011, 06:24 AM
#34
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,536
Hey - that would be a terrific job to start - "Stash Organizer" travel around and help everyone organize their treasures, a film crew would come in - it would be another tv program - would win awards, etc etc............sorry
02-09-2011, 06:26 AM
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: El Paso Texas
Posts: 987
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
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
02-09-2011, 06:28 AM
#36
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Rosedale, Indiana
Posts: 2,003
I have never been happy with the way I stored my stash - in plastic totes. I could never find anything and when I looked for something, the stacks always got all messed up. So this weekend I bought 75 fabric organizers from www.the fabricorganizer.com. It's enough to get me started. They come in 2 sizes and have tabs to hold the fabric on the bolt. Can't wait for them to get here. It'll be a chore wrapping all the fabric on the bolts but once it's done I'll have my own little fabric store to shop from.
02-09-2011, 06:40 AM
#37
Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: League City, Texas
Posts: 79
This topic about organizing has really hit home to me. I am really fustrated with myself and my sewing room(actuall 3 rooms, I have a long arm in one. I love the plastic containers but I thought it wasn't good to leave fabric in them to long, that it will rot over time or is this not true. I have thought about the bags you put small items in to wash them. I think they come in large sizes. Thank you ladies,I have found the best new friends.
02-09-2011, 07:09 AM
#38
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 1,666
I keep my stash in plastic tubs also. Each tub has stripes,solid colors, checks,plaid. flowers,batiks etc. The tubs do make my back act up when I am looking for something & have to move them around. But it is worth it!!
02-09-2011, 07:15 AM
#39
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Arizona
Posts: 407
Thank you! thank you!
Your post was extremely helpful. I am challenged when it comes to organization so I have made a copy of your post and will arrange your methods into steps.
Can't wait to get started now that I have a plan! Yippee!!! :lol: :lol:
Your post was extremely helpful. I am challenged when it comes to organization so I have made a copy of your post and will arrange your methods into steps.
Can't wait to get started now that I have a plan! Yippee!!! :lol: :lol:
02-09-2011, 07:20 AM
#40
Super Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,183
Everyone here inspires me so much! My problem is that I have no funds to purchase any of the nice organizational tubs, drawers, bookcases, etc. I've wracked my brain trying to figure out ways to do this without putting out any money.
My mom gave me a few clear recyclable containers that cookies from Sams club came in. They work nice. But I don't buy these kinds of things. I've tried looking at the cardboard boxes of packaged food but we don't eat much of that stuff either?
Any hints to help me out?
My mom gave me a few clear recyclable containers that cookies from Sams club came in. They work nice. But I don't buy these kinds of things. I've tried looking at the cardboard boxes of packaged food but we don't eat much of that stuff either?
Any hints to help me out?
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DonnaC
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