How do you store it? Help would be apprciated.
 

Question on how you store all your small items, such as thimbles, markers, little screwdrivers, you know all those little things. Trying to organzie my sewing room and I am just at a lost as to how to organize them to make them useful but yet put them away when I am done. Any ideas?

Those small plastic drawer/cabinets that are available in many places work well for some of the clutter.

I found one of those tall jewelry armoires at Salvation Army. It has 12 shallow drawers and 2 'wing' compartments with hooks. I added wheels and and also put hooks on the back for long rulers.

I have a large collection of Whitman Sampler tins in all sizes that I've saved over many years. The little ones are good for packs of sewing machine needles or thimbles, or marking pens. The larger ones I use for thread, perle cotton, beads, buttons, you get the idea. The best part is emptying the tins of chocolate every Christmas. :)

Any kind of tin would work and you'll quickly learn to remember that your thimbles are in the Oreo tin, markers are in the Whitman tin, and so on like that.

The things I use at the sewing machine desk are stored in a tray in the top desk drawer. Long things like seam rippers, turners, nail files (yep - hate to get up if I get a chipped nail)...needles are in another small box...odd shaped are in another small box.

The boxes check books come in are great sizes for holding like with like in drawers.

One year after Valentines Day I went to Walmart and got some of the smaller covered round containers - cheap and pretty :) store all the feet/ accessories by machine in them , label the top with what machine they go with , can stack them up.

I like to keep mine in either little baskets (Goodwill has them all the time) or trays & my other favorite is coffee mugs (also from Goodwill). I'm not really picky plus they liven my space up.

I bought a clear plastic stand that is about 14" long and about 5" wide and has pockets along the outside of both sides. I store so many things in it. In the middle part I store larger things. Some quilter made it for quilters and I bought it about 3 years ago. I can't remember the name of it. It even has a strap on it. It has binding all around the edges. It looks very professional. I keep so many of my items in it. All my pens, my glues, my needles, pencils, feet, some smaller rulers, etc. I can see everything since it's clear plastic. Wish I would have kept the receipt so I would know the name of it. I saw it in a magazine back when.

I have wicker baskets that sit on my cutting table.. in the wicker basket it has:
a mini scrapbook organizer that stores my Scissors handles up..
A Pencil caddy that stores my parking pencils and makers upright..
A plastic box that stores my thimbles, needle threaders and any small thingys
and still has enough space to hold four rotary cutters.. One of each size and one to cut paper..

By each of my sewing machines I bought short rectangular interlocking trays at the thrift store it holds:
Mini nippers
tiny scissors
Few spools of thread and appropriate bobbins for that machine..
Marking pencils and markers
Jean-a-ma-jig ( by main machine)
Binder buddy (by main machine)

all my bulk items- as I cannot have one of anything- is in clear shoe boxes, small sterilite organizers, clear boxes- Basically anythnig see thru so i can see at a glance in my walk in closet.

I have a clear over the door shoe organizer to store my thread
Another one to hold misc quilty items:
rotary blades of all sizes
Specialty rotary blades
Elastics of all sizes
Hand quilting thread
and whole lotta other stuff..

I use the small Steri-Lite 3 drawer units. http://www.bing.com/shopping/sterili...awer&FORM=HURE They will stack 3 high and are tall enough for thread spools and king cones. I have 4 units now and wish I had room for more. I have 2 of the 3 drawer rolling carts under my counter for serger cone thread, larger items like stabilizer rolls and some yarn and knitting stuff I will NEVER use, but can't find anyone to pawn it off on.

I have a fishing tackle box (pink and purple) that have drawers on the bottom and 2 thingys inside the top that fold out. Then, the larger things go under the fold out things. I have a large metal sculpture on the wall above my sewing machine. I put lots of "S" hooks on it and use it for my scissors, rotary cutters and rulers.

I use shoe and boot boxes but like the idea of the clear boxes to see at a glance

I have a Bernina "tackle box" that I keep most of my basic supplies in, as well as a good selection of thread colors. I work out of the box at home, and it is also ready to take with me on retreats/sewing weekends. I also have drawers with plastic dividers that hold some supplies, and mugs on my table for pens,pencils,sewing awl, seam ripper, etc. Then I have a ruler holder for all my rulers...I think it is called a ruler roundup. I still could be more organized, but it keeps everything pretty well in a place.

Artbin Super Deluxe Super Satchel, divided top and divided bottom

Gladware (or similar) containers!! They are see-through, uniform-sized, stackable and available everywhere. The lids stay on nice and tight so when they get knocked over they don't spill ... and they are cheap.

Laura

I have several of the small rolling cart office organizers that i got at an office supply store on sale. I have one by my computer desk with paper, labels, statioary, stapler, etc. most of the drawers are shallow so thing dont get lost. By my sewing machine, in the top drawer, i put a divided tray in it. Thats where i put my tape measure, seam ripper, needles, etc. another drawer has my quilting accessories, like gloves, 120" tape. Another drawer hold my cutting implements. The best thing about it , is it fits under my sewing table so it can be rolled back out of the way when not being used. The only bad thing about them- th drawers dont pull ALL the way out so things in the back are a little harder to get to.

I keep stuff in tins, a tackle box, and the snap together plastic boxes I got from JoAnn's. They are really nice because you can mix and match and then I choose which ones I want (I have one or two with handwork tools, one with feet, etc.) when I go to a class, hook them all together, and I'm ready to go! They're exact name is right on the tip of my tongue!! Snap-fit?, snap-tight? Grrr! Anyway, they have little ears on each section that snap on to the next section. You can get with or without dividers. Great for small stuff, scissors, thread, needles..

thanks for the great tips! It was helpful, I got some ideas now to put into place.

I have one drawer in my sewing table and it stores all the machine pieces and parts. I would love to be able to just toss things on the table to my right and be able to grab them later, but my cats are notorious for finding little items and making them playtoys. Bobbins are the worst - so I've had to find a small plastic container with a snap lid. I have a large mug with all my markers and pens, and a big basket for miscellaneous things. I use the pink hospital tubs (I have stacks of them) for my scraps - all color coded. The rest of my sewing room is a disaster and desperately needs help (I'll squeeze that in between orders for 11 bow tucks and the kitchen remodel....LOL)

My bobbins, screwdrivers, sewing guage and sewing machine oil go in the desk drawer organizer- a large plastic one I have had for years. It fits the enter drawer so there's lot of cubby sections. In the large pencil section I have my scissors. I liked the idea of a tackle box too so you can take to classes- my first aid kit is a tackle box.

Could/Would you post a photo of it? Sounds very useful - but I'm not quite visualizing what it looks like.

Whatever you do, make sure you can easily see what's in it, or label on the outside. You KNOW you will forget where each item is, and who wants to go opening a million drawers and boxes, however cute they are. At least that's how it is with me.

DH is a woodworker and has made me several beautiful wooden boxes with closures so if they fall over, nothing spills out. I love them! The main one has a little tray in it so I have lots of storage for those little things that get lost elsewhere.

I went to Harbor Freight and bought one of theose 3 tiered things that spin. there is a small tray on top, a med. size one then a larger one. the things I don't use all the time go in this, and the things I use more often I keep in a container near my sewing machine.

Silverware divider, ice cube trays put in drawers

Darn....what great ideas!!My stuff is so scattered that at times it is easier to go and buy than find what I am looking for!! The basics I keep in a sewing box, and then have a seperate container for the supplies for the current project I am working on.

Stackable containers here. I have a couple on rollers, one for my longarm & one for the sewing machines. Each machine has their own drawer for instruction manuals & accessories. I use the smaller ones (3 drawers high) for cutting, marking, glues, beads, etc. the smaller stuff, next to my cutting table on a bookshelf. You can find them cheap enough at the discount stores like Dollar General, Walmart, etc. I have bigger ones stacked under my cutting table to hold rulers, templates, etc.

I have a tackle box for general sewing supplies. I use a small tote, about the size to hold 2 pairs of shoes, to hold all small quilting supplies. I love my quilting box, so good to know it's all in one place.
Robin in TX

That's what I use - find them at garage sales (Now why would anyone want to get rid of such an important piece of whatever you want to call it. I just got three the other day, stackable, 7"wide, 9" long and 1-1/2" deep (three drawers - total 9 drawers to play around with. I also got a six drawer cabinet (plastic) for my fabric that I keep in the basement in my "other area". You can walk down an alley and people get rid of stuff like a four shelf wooden bookcase I got for stacking my fabrics in my sewing area for nothing. People write free on it and away it goes. I know of a lingerie cabinet that is going to be put in our alley at any time now. I am really thinking about that one - seven drawers - wood - the only bad thing is that some of the veneer is off of one of the drawers. Doesn't hurt the fabric any, or patterns or general storage. That's how I get my stuff!!!!! Old, el cheapo me. You should see the beautiful torchiere lamp I got from a neighbor just before it was going to go out in the alley. I has a high density light in the middle of the floor lamp that is like a gooseneck lamp only more pliable and I can see so much better with my sewing machine (sewing machine lights are for the birds)!!!!!!!

Keep your drawers clean and full!!!!!!!!

Edie

I have a clear - over-the-door shoe storage on the inside of my door for all types of things: pens, pencils, extra rotatory blades, used rotary blades, needles of varying sizes, tape, tape measures, - you get the idea . . . I also have a bulletin board where I hang up my most frequently used rulers, scissors, and rotary cutter - also have a swiffer on there which I use almost every day, to reduce the dust which seems to be generated. hope that heps.

i go the cheapest route i can and use the savings for material... however i use ice cream tubs...they have a handle and a lid....and you can tell what is in the tub.....and they will stack out of the way as well...

I have been changing my stuff around and want to either combine or something my stuffs.. lol I have embroidery thread things to go along with it. I have bits and bobs in drawers of things I might use someday. Crafty stuff, clothes sewing stuff, jewerly stuffs. And it all has to fit in one room. ACK!! I have slowly been getting rid of things and not buying new ones but it still isn't comfortable ... I need a room organizer to come in and do it so all I have to do is grab. LOL I have 10 of the drawers on wheels, two tall book shelves and a big closet. And I still can't manage to get organized... oh and then there is my vintage laces and trims and linens... SEE I NEED help! LOL

I also have the stackable small drawers all labeled. They work great.
My sewing machine cabinet has lots of cubbies in the doors where I keep items I use alot.

I buy utensil drawer organizers when they are on sale, or find them at thrift stores. I was lucky to find a used hinterberg quilt rolling cabinet years ago and it has lots of drawers. Helps keep some of the stuff in one place. I just have to figure what to put with what and where.

I use Crystal Lite containers.....I find they are great to store all those little things......Easy to see through and easy to
stack if need be.....Best of all I love crystal lite.......I have been throwing the containers away because I am
over run with them.....

I use tackle boxes they have so many to choose from and the compartments can be adjusted for longer items and they are stackable -easy to see whats in each one.And they are more reasonably priced then something that carries the for crafts tag on it

I went to Staples and bought about a dozen small clear plastic storage containers, about 3 1/2" X 4 1/2", that I use to store various pins, thimbles, safety pins, sewing machine needles and other smaller things. Then, bought the same style of clear plastic container slightly larger at Walmart for different colors of thread. I tend to use white, black and cream most often. I have a larger one I store the assorted colors of thread in. We had a wall of cabinets put in our sunroom where I sew. There's a large stack of drawers that are just perfect to hold my little containers. Makes it sew much easier to find what I need.

I saw this at a friends studio....I want one now!

A magnetic knife rack holds a multitude of small items, sewing feet, screwdrivers, scissors, seam ripper, tweezers, etc. All stuff that gets buried all too easily on your work surface. I have mine on the wall behind my sewing machine and this keeps these tools visible and within easy reach.

I like to use the long skinny plastic "desk" baskets they usually come 3 to a pack at Walmart. They are the perfect size for pens, pencils, scissors, ect. I also have a little sterilite container that has three little drawers. Another thing I use a lot are the glass bottles that chicken and beef boullion cubes come in (empty of course). They have a screw top so they are good for sharp things.