jrhboxers

I ruler fold all of my pieces over two yards and hang them with skirt hangers. Works wonderfully for up to 8 yards. And less wrinkles to iron out when I want to use it. I have double hanging rods in the closet of my room, and all of my large stuff lives there along with out of the ordinary fabrics.

kbonafede

Hi there!! Organizing your quilting supplies, stash of fabrics, scraps and books impacts your "creative juices" because you have everything at your fingertips when the urge arrives to quilt, with little amounts of time (because you are so busy as a mom). This is very very important!! I have a "u" shaped space. One side is the cutting table/ironing on BIG board/rotary cutting mat space. This table has drawers just below the table top and it holds my rotary cutting stuff and a few supplies. The next table is my sewing table, set at a right angle to the previous table. I use a smaller desk, about the size of an old fashioned school desk for a student. The next table/sewing space is my storage/supplies/cut-out strips/pieces of the project so that they are at a right angle to my sewing table. It totally works. I have extra fabrics stored in furniture from the Goodwill Store... a dresser or two, a tall china hutch with drawers on the bottom, a couple of plastic drawers stacked in the frame from Walmart. It all works together. I sew every single day, and just finished three quilts which were UFO's from last winter. I think it is because of my organization that I can be enormously creative and sew during lots of interruptions. Just go for it!!! You are totally correct in paying attention to the organization of your space and also organization of your time.....because you are a busy mom!

carolynjo

Enjoy your new space! You'll find what works for you; it doesn't have to be done all at once. Stack your totes, put a board over the top of them and you will have a nice work area.

PKGranny

I have some shelving units that are deep (36 ") in my basement sewing area and have fabric in clear tubs, as well as ribbons and other trims. Also I have a large two door wooden closet that holds most of my ruler & foam board folded fabric standing. One of the shelves has solids only. I purchased one of the 3 drawer storage units to keep under my cutting table that holds all this "stuff" we accumulate. My cutting table has PVC pipe extensions to raise the height. Good luck with your project.

quiltmom04

I've found that keeping stuff in clear containers works better than bags, because they are easier to stack. You need a bag on the bottom and they all come falling down. I do have a open top bin that I keep zip lock bags with projects that are in progress, so I can see them, and maybe get motivated to get back to them.

mpeters1200

You are right, I am a busy mom! I agree in the U-shaped work space. I am going to have to buy at least one table so I can set up a cutting station and I think a regular sized ironing board because I can't find a jumbo one I can afford. I've made them before out of wood and teflon fabric and have no big desire to do that again. I stood on my feet for 2 days straight pressing and organizing. I went through 3 boxes and have 2 more to go through next weekend. I agree that I'm getting itchy to start working again. I've been in a creative slump for a while now and it really seems like organizing all this stuff has helped!

topstitch

All I seem to do with my stash is make it bigger.

kay carlson

I purchased one six foot long plastic banquet type table which folds in half and has a carry handle. The height has been raised by repurposing a set of bed risers. Depending upon the style, you might also be able to raise the height with PVC extensions.

This format is great for me to use as a cutting table, design wall and pressing area with appropriate pad. Underneath the table, I am able to store plastic boxes for scraps, flannels, and UFOs. Since I have moved so many times, I look for items which provide flexability in usage, storage and placement. Good luck and enjoy your new creative area!

mpeters1200

That plastic banquet type table is exactly what I'm looking for. I didn't even think about bed risers! That's a good idea.

cwessel47

I wouldn't hang cutting mats. They like to be stored flat. Under the couch would work -but you really do need a cutting table to put them on! That would certainly be my first investment. Once you have the big pieces in line ( including the ironing board) your room will "speak" to you as to how to fill it out. It may take a while, but all good things take time. Have fun with your new space!