Hello all. I'm just trying to get some tips on a subject that has me completely flummoxed.

Recently we've moved into a new home (YAY!) and my quilting space has grown exponentially. The problem being is that I have absolutely no idea how to organize said space. I am used to having everything shoved away in bins out of sight, and the sewing space I've always dreamed of is now upon me, and I"m completely overwhelmed.

How does one organize five years of quilting stuff (in boxes and bins) into an organized at your fingertips room/space? I don't even know where to begin so any tips you have would be very much appreciated. I've attached some pictures of the space I have to work with and hoping someone can give me a jumping off point. Thanks!

How I would love to have your problem!

The only thing I see that you need is shelving, shelving, shelving in the closet. Then you will be able to organise your fabric if you fold each piece the same size. There is a tute here on the board on folding fabrics using cardboard. I got a ton of boards from JoAnn's, cut them in half and they're perfect for folding. Hope this helps. Good Luck!

Thanks, that does help me! Shelves would be good! LOL

Well, decide what you would need to work on a project: your sewing machine, cutting table, a pressing area. Do you want them where all you have to do is swivel your chair to get from one to the other, or do you want to stand up to cut and/or press? It looks like your sewing area is part of a larger family room. What do you want out visible for the world to see? What would you prefer hidden, and/or out of the way of prying little fingers (or even big ones). You will need certain tool at your fingertips. Do you want a rolling cart, a set of drawers on a table top, a basket? How do you want to arrange and store your fabric? Do you want to be able to watch TV or something while you sew? That will determine how you situate your sewing table. Go to the search feature and enter "sewing area" and see what other people have done. And good luck!

me too ;-) ;-)

What a great space. What ever you do, know you will rearrange the space several times before you are satisfied.

Will you have a spot for a design wall. This and the sewing station should be near to each other. Ironing station to the right or left of s-machine depending on being right or left handed. Fabric near to the iron station. Cutting station near the fabric . I like to have the iron so I can work from both sides. It really doesn't matter where you place things as long as related things are close at hand as you set the room up. Hope some of this helps. It will be great!
peace

:D

Shelving, shelving and more shelving... if you can afford it get even more shelving, lol.

Pegboard on the wall with some hanging do-dads for garages work good. Good for hanging your rulers, scissors and other items within reach.

Keep your one big wall open for your "design wall" and have a way to hang your design wall backing on it

Folding tables are great for extra work space (and for family dinners) and can be taken down if you don't want them up all the time.

Radio / TV / Computer / Printer area would be great so you can give yourself a break and read the QB during your breaks, lol.

I love little boxes that I slide in and out of my shelves for scraps and fat quarters...I use the used medium size flat rate boxes and cut off the "flaps".

I like having to "get up" every once in a while just so I don't get overly stiff from sitting too long so I have my ironing board out of finger reach.

Be sure your fabric can be covered up to protect it from sun if you have windows in your area without curtains.

Have fun...look forward to pictures

everything that she said.. :thumbup:
draw out what you think would make 'sense' - anything to avoid any unnecessary steps, move this to get to that, etc.. find a way to make your movement around the room flow..

but storing my fabics is a different story:
I keep everything but selvages.. This is how my room is organized..

These are in 30 gal tubs no matter what size pieces they are:
Holiday- each holiday (xmas, 4th, halloweenie, easter, etc) have its own tub
Flannel
Vintage fabric (35in xWOF)- all goes in one tub
Authentic 30's feedsacks

All my Bolts (3+yards) are on the bookcase and in walk in closet.
All my 1-2 yards cuts are ruler folded, then separated by theme (floral, kids prins, asian, etc) and solids, blenders, and the rest are seperated by color on bookcases

Batiks are in a see thru sterilite three drawer separated by light med dark..
Fqs are separated by color, floral, novelty in it's own sections on wall cd racks, closet maid 24/36 bin shoe organizers.. Each area has its own 'theme' so i can find what I'm looking for.

My scraps are in specific see- thru bins, tubs and drawers depending on size..

Each Accuquilt Die cut shapes have a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own- I do have most if not all the dies already.. lol..
strips less than10 inches but longer than 5 inches of has a a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own
Strips longer than 10 inches but less than WOF has a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own
2 inch strips are hanging on the back of the door
1.5 x wof has a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own
2.5 x WOF strips has a a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own
3x WOF strips have a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own
5x WOF strips have a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own
all other strips x WOF are separated by colors and has a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own
Crumbs have a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own
Scraps less than a fq but larger than 6x6 has a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own- these are waiting to be cut with my Accuquilt
2 in sq have a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own
2.5 in sq have a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own
3 in sq have a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own
3.5 in sq have a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own
4 in sq have a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own
4.5 in sq have a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own
5 in sq have a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own


And that's how my room is organized..

I followed Bonnies method.. www.quiltville.com.

I wish I had your problem. Maybe as you settle in and start sewing there the space will become more familiar, and you will know how you want it set up.

SHELVES!! What I have found to work best for me, is wire shelving that is no deeper than 12" deep for the fabric. I also want to find some baskets the same depth, as my stacks of fabric can get wonky after pulling them out and putting back. I keep all of my packaged patterns in a cheap little file cabinet, which can double as a small pressing area (Walmart). I found a large kitchen island with casters and tons of storage for $30 (Craigslist or yard sale)..I use it for another cutting area/ multi-purpose surface/ storage, plus I can move it closer for extra quilt stability. I would also buy shelving for your closet...perhaps one of those closet organizers from Lowes/ Walmart, or the wire shelving that you can design/ install yourself.

Hope this helps you get started. Have fun! You will no doubt change it a few times, as you will learn what/ where you need things as time goes by. I can't get mine perfectly efficient and it's been nearly 2 years! lol

I recently realized that the way my sewing space is organized is simply not working. My space is less than 11'x11' so I drew a scale outline of the space on grid paper, made "paper doll" cutouts of all the parts that I know for sure (table, chair, ironing board, etc) and started playing with the layout.

I want a few dedicated spaces: Sewing table, ironing area, cutting area, library, stash, tv and guest chair...... That really helped me define what goes where.

For me, it will be a while because I will have to empty everything and have DH cut down the depth of my cabinets. I want them smaller and no doors (or glass doors) so I can see my stuff (visual person to the max).

Don't look at it as ONE project - break it down into sections and steps.

Shelves with doors, baskets with covers, curtains around the cutting table to hid fabirc, mats...that will make the room look neat.

I agree, although you will probably need a minimum of things to get started. I first started in a little corner of the basement, next moved to about 1/3 of the guest room, now I have my own room and although it isn't large--it's about 12x14--I have rearranged it until I have everything I need. One thing I do recommend is keeping your fabric in a closet with closing doors to protect your fabric from sunlight. I think over time you will find what you need. Why buy alot of things you'll never use, IMHO.

Behind me I have a large piece of peg board. It holds all my rulers, needles, rotary cutters and blades, scissors anyhting that can be hung up it's at reach. I have 2 seperate thread holders for my thread which hangs on the wall too. My cutting table doubles as my ironing space too. I don't like alot of things sitting on tables. I need the space.

I also have a large pegboard and it holds all kinds of goodies!
I think we have a section on sewing rooms, don't we???
It could give you a lot of good ideas :)

So happy for you! New house!! :D

Google "quilt storage" and get ideas from some incredible rooms. Some are even on utbe. Here's one: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkTlaMqRlwo

I googled sewing room designs for ideas. Try this website. You will arrange and start sewing and then rearrange to fit you better. Good Luck and have fun.

http://www.aprairiehomequilts.com/qu...ing-studo.html

Thanks for all the great replies! I am so overwhelmed that all these suggestions are good ones! Thank you so much, and I"ll make sure to post pictures as I get this done

i had the same problem it took me several months but here is some pictures of after http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-87898-1.htm I had to make my self a promise and i unpacked at least one box or container a day.

What wonderful ideas and suggestions! The main thing is to be flexible ... try something, then try something else. As you work in your room, you'll begin to make changes. Give your self time to enjoy setting your room up. Have fun!

You lucky girl. Just start putting things on shelves. If they aren't to your liking you can soon move them. Put the things you use most often nearest to hand and go from there.

I think this is the best advice! Don't stress out about it. Try to incorporate the ideas here that work for you. If you try something and it isn't working for you, try something else!
When my DH built my new sewing room, he put in a pull-down attic stairs, then spread plywood on the joists in the attic, and helped me haul my totes of stash up the stairs! Keeps me young having to climb the stairs when I need a piece of pink or orange! :)

Peg boards worked for me. I'm a real "gadget" person.

Oops!! Guess I hit sent two times

I don't have as much space as you but I like my fabric organized with fat quarters in one place and yardage in another. I organize my fabric by colors. There is also a spot for fabric that doesn't fit into the specific color category theme. Rulers in one space, I need pegboard for them. There is an area for each different thing. Love having room. We are discussing downsizing. I told my DH I won't move to a house without a sewing room.

Here's a link to the QB Sewing Room Gallery. Maybe looking thru pictures of other's rooms will give you some ideas. I know it did for me!

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-136076-1.htm

Wonderful space! Just start.....put thing wherever. When you begin to live in the room and actually begin sewing you will rearrange as you see the need. Lots of shelves would be a great start :-D

I think the ladies have given you amazing ideas. The only thing I would suggest is that before you move furniture, etc. perhaps sketch it out on graph paper to make sure you like the layout first. Good luck and enjoy your new space!

Keep those pictures. One day you are going to ask your self what happen to this room. Go slowly at putting you room together shelves and clear plastic containers are a big must.

Wow ... some great suggestions here! My only thought to add is don't stress over it. Get your sewing area set up so you can sit down & sew! As you begin to enjoy the area, you will realize what needs to be where, and you can do it in baby steps. It doesn't all have to be done today! :)

I will certainly take note of some of the storage solutions offered here too. But for your "new" sewing world.......just begin working in it and you will arrange and re-arrange a dozen times before things get comfortable for you. You certainly have a great space to play in........along with shelving units........remember under tables are great places to store too. I think I need to go shopping for more clear plastic bins too!!!!!! Since I purchased my GO cutter, scraps are now taking great shapes!!!!!!!and a reason to be in my sewing cave....

I agree - a quilter can never have too may shelves. I keep all my books in large, clear storage bins w/the lids on so they can be stacked. I find I don't need those as much as I do the fabric so if they are more out of the way, that's OK for me. I stack the books in the bins w/the ends showing & all turned the same way so I can quickly see the title/author. I use smaller boxes/bins for projects in process or "smaller" scraps sorted by sizes. Also have bins for selvedges & pineapple strips. Hope this helps.

Your space is wonderful. If, perhaps, you are like me you will find that even after you organize your spaces, i.e. kits, yardgoods, FQs, trim & lace, you will find that after you begin your sewing projects you may want to make some changes in your storage. I find that as my interests change so do my storage needs. I have jewelry making spaces, I have tote and bag storage places, I have oil painting and water color spaces, I have my picture frames, which I use to frame my Gchildren's art, I need an ironing station for napkins and placemat ironing, I need graph paper, tracing paper, note cards (for printing), and many times these interests overlap each other. So my storage needs change as my priorities change and I don't get to flustered if I must make changes. Change means getting more organized and I can say I always find something that I forgot that I have.

Another important part of my "arts and crafts" room is my peg board, which hangs in front of my sewing machine. This helps me keep small items out where I can see them and replace them as needed.

I hope all our input helps you and I wish you happy sewing and crafting. Yolanda Wood River

First thing I'd add would be a pegboard. Think shelves and drawers. IKEA is the best source for repositionable furniture for office use. Your cutting surface doesn't have to be large....a 24x26" cutting mat will serve you well plus a couple smaller ones to use in other places.

First, turn your sewing machine around so you can sit in the chair and sew! As you work, you'll find what you need closest to you and what can/needs to be further away. The ironing board away from sewing area is a good idea; as is cutting area. I set up my new sewing room by working in it and it has worked well for 3 years now. Have fun!

To me, light is the most important thing. so I always put my sewing machine near a window with it either in front of me or at my left shoulder so I get good light at the needle. I like a nice view as well. I put my cutting board at a height that is good for me, so I am not breaking my back doing cutting. Then I organize my fabrics, by using my closet with movable shelves for maximum storage. You have a good shelve for your books. Go either by author or kind of quilt book. I try and have a good design wall and it looks like you have one available. Jan

Wow so many good suggestions! Thank you so much! This is wonderful!

there is a website called container store.com they have a place that they will design a space for you based on your answer to a few questions I think it's under the closet design then they will process info immed and you can down load the design for free. they did my closet and it was easy to go to the store with their design in hand and get the stuff they recommended (I did not make final purchase at their store since it is too far away) Might want to try it out

This is just a tip I found to store my FQ's in. It is shelves to store DVD in and it is just the right size. I put them on cards . I buy the cards for $10.00 a 100 but you cut them in half so you have 200. It is so easy to see what you have.