Fizzle

So, i responded yesterday to some comments and again now. But neither are posted. So i am rewriting now but just so you know. My first posting today was beautifully written and really a great read!

so. First off. Thank you everyone! I appreciate the support

i started yesterday, with the help of my sis, to pull out some fabrics and start wrapping on to magazine boards. It looks super nice and so much easier to find and see what you have!!

i am going to pull everything out, see what i have so that i can HOPEFULLY get enough and the correct size storage.
Checking out the Depot and Lowes (have both right up the street). No IKEA here but nothing wrong with a road trip!

Sewgood, my best quilting friend and organizing guru is in Seattle area. She is helping via text!!! If YOU ever come to my area!!

oh, there is a She Shed event today at a Sew and Vac here in town so i will swing by and see what they offer for ideas also.

And i will check out the FB group!

So i dont want to be a QB hog, but it is so helpful to post a problem here and find support and advice. You all may not know, but it is so helpful. Sometimes we need the extra encouragement and friendship! THANK YOU

Julienm1

Once I started quilting seriously, I acquired fabric that no longer "works". I donated those "blunders" to local quilt groups. Just tossed them into plastic bags and never looked back. This process helped me to control my fabric and spending. When NM opens up again, I may do this again. Maybe this will help you to get a handle on what you have.

I've watched hoarder shows and they all started with three containers...keep, donate, toss. I also noticed that she/he had to make a quick decisions and can't change their mind. Start in a corner of the room, work your way around. Set a timer to work. Maybe only 30 min to start. Soon you will have a beautiful sewing room you can enjoy.

Keep your eye on the prize! You can do this and we are all here to help you to stay motivated.

craftiladi

Fizzle...its very hard when you have so much staring back at you when you look at it as a whole. Break it down to small groups. All sewing tools together, all rulers together, all books together , all thread etc. Your fabric & UFO & currents project are the hardest to organize. You have to be a little tough on yourself & face reality. As in are you really going to make the satin wedding dress? lol just a example but that's what I am talking about. Our tastes change so we end up with STUFF. Once you clean out it will be a little easier. Now decide how you are going to store your fabric, this is where a second room might come in handy-so you could use the closet but if that isn't a option look around and see what other piece of furniture you might have or can p/u fairly cheap. The fabric is the biggest chore , Once that's done it's time to figure how you flow when working on a project. I like to think of stations..I have desk w/ machine and everything in my desk I would need notion wise so I am not hunting down items I need & getting off track rom my project I am working on. I have a tower plastic container for all my thread & its labeled according to what kind of thread& that' close by my desk. It might take a few months of working on actual projects to figure out what works best but at least you will be organized & hopefully just have to tweet a few things. Hope this helps. I hope I didn't totally confuse you.

fatsewcat

I have used wire closet shelves in the past especially for my fabric. My new house didn’t allow for those to be hung up so I resorted to milk crates under my long arm. Color organized creates a wonderful display. I can move them as needed to dig for the right fabric, add to them or just rearrange them. And they hold several yards of fabric. And are sturdy. The majority of what is in my creates are a minimum of one yard. As for ruler and gadget storage I doubled up by using closet drawer systems with metal frames topped it with a top to create a desk. built a 2x4 frame with a peg board ironing top that I can remove to use the smooth table for other projects such as a cutting table (excuse the mess- it’s how I keep the cat hair off my ironing space). It’s your space. Just remember to have fun with it.

Fizzle

Fatsewcat ~ I love the look of the fabric under your longarm. Milk crates? Maybe Hobby Lobby. Or BedBath and Beyond?
I have been folding small cuts of fabrics onto boards and putting on shelves. I love the look of those on the shelf. Actually seeing what you have!!! The crates might work for my larger pieces.
Craftiladi ~ yes, fabric is a big problem. My husband seems to think that I really only need to take over ONE room in the house so no bedroom closet for me!
going to try some of the tall shelving with doors. Maybe organized but also out of sight? And concentrating on work stations is good. Will be nice to not have to search for supplies. Keep them by where you need them.
Lots more great ideas!
Thanks ladies! Much appreciated!!!
Have an amazing SATURDAY. I am spending the bulk of my day in my studio!!!

fatsewcat

inhave always wanted to try the magazine boards. Love the crisp clean look they create but haven’t been able to venture there yet. As for the crates, we got ours at Menards. They sell them, sometimes in fancier colors at the chain stores too, Walmart etc. I am going to in my studio today finishing a quilt. Fun! Fun!

Julienm1

I finally bought the comic book boards on Amazon and folded my yardage. Just thrilled I took the time to do it. Was able to empty out a few containers and containers only have scraps. Next step will be to start cutting scraps into usable sizes but need to figure out how to manage them. They have a tendency to get rowdy when left unattended.

jmoore

Fatsewcat, what a nice display of fabric...your beautiful stash confirms that I have a modest stash but I’m okay with that.
I'll try to post a photo later of a shelf storage I purchased from the Container Store and DH and I installed.

Fizzle

I guess this will be a bigger project than I originally planned. Went to the She Shed event and came home with furniture! New cabinet for machine and drawers!!! Wont be delivered for another week but that’s not much time when you need to clear everything out!! Will still need some bookshelves but could not find any at the Depot!!!
Really loving the fabric on the boards. Ran out of the magazine ones and cut those empty fabric bolts from store in half. More of the magazine ones arriving today! Gotta love Amazon!

Rhonda K

Congratulations on your organizing progress. It's great to find furniture that fits our sewing lives.