major clean up!
 

Previously my tiny sewing room (that I have to share with my husband who stores a bunch of stuff in my closet) had a huge computer desk and open shelving that was way too full. It worked to a degree but it was always cramped and hard to find things. It was impossible to keep it from becoming a disaster every time I started a project. Plus with no open space I was always dragging stuff out to the livingroom or bedroom to work on it.

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So I decided to purge and clean and get rid of a lot of stuff and rethink how I stored what I decided to keep. I ditched the desk and shelves. I bought an old dresser and small shelf from a yard sale and painted them white. I purged fabric until it all fit in the dresser. New rule: no more fabric if it doesn't fit in the dresser. I used jars to store buttons, zippers and rick rack and put them on the shelves.

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I painted an old microwave cart we had in the garage and put peel and stick linoleum tiles on the damaged surfaces. I have a TV and VCR on it, and baskets holding scraps on the lower shelves. I now have a folding table with adjustable height legs as a work table and its tall enough to have my trashcan, rolling drawers that holds thread and notions and another scrap bin under. I got a peg board for rules and scissors. I made a "button clock" and curtain tie backs.

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You did well.

The hard part for me would be to purge fabrics. Those are my "children"!!!

I like my button clock!
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My husband helped me convert an Ikea table to a drop in for my Juki:

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Lots of room now!

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Which I need for my helpers:

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I will eventually do a freestanding design wall from 2 4x7 sheets of Styrofoam, and they can lean on this wall. In the meantime I have a small one and everyone can easily get to the iron.
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WOW! really nice love your helpers

Very nice sewing room! You made quite a change and soon you can reap the benefits- you and those cute helpers.

Wow, you have been very busy. It looks great.

:thumbup:Looking good!

I love that clock too! Awesome job. And you "babies" look quite comfy in there too.

Good job! I work better when the area is neat and not cluttered. I am up for some purging too!

Inspiring! Enjoy your new 'spot.'

Your room looks awesome. Great job!!!

Great transformation! Cute helpers too!

Thanks, me too! They love to hang out wherever I am...

The helpers approve! Looks great.

You did a great job on fixing up your sewing area.

Congratulations! It's not easy purging and cleaning and straightening, is it? Your final product makes all the "w-o-r-k" worth it, though.

I am color-challenged and have fallen in love with the paint you chose. Matching puppy fur was brilliant. I also applaud your creativity in rearranging and refurbishing! And it takes a strong person to purge fabric. Every time I even consider it, some crucial need turns up and there I am, dead in the water.

You have a great deal of wall space. The next time you need space and it can be vertical space - like hooks on a wall - consider Command hooks. I think, between the house, my sewing space, and the rv, I personally keep the stockholders happy. The hooks come in different versions. Even the ones that are supposed to be for pictures can be used for other things. And they hold more weight. I used two sets of the picture ones to affix a surge protector to the rv wall. No, I am not one of the stockholders. Just like the uses to which I can put the products.

Excellent job on your clean up, ma'am.

Pat

Sometimes it feels so good to purge and organize. Even though you got rid of some fabric and other stuff you feel so much better in your creative place. You know I really feel like we gather too much stuff in our homes and dont realize what we are doing until one day we our eyes are opened. Good job!

Very inspiring job. It looks great and clutter free. Enjoy!

Wow! You did a great job organizing and of course you had great help from you beautiful four legged friends.
Happy quilting.

Well done, Small places can be great! It looks wonderfully cozy and spacious at the same time.

I couldn't have purged my fabrics either. I start purging, and months later I usually regret it. You've don't a wonderful job on your little space. Love the helpers. so cute.

Beth you did a great job. My hint here is when you finish sewing put things back where they belong. I do that now with the studio. I can't leave it a mess like I did when it was in a small room. Luann

Great job ,bet you feel so good to work in your room now.

Can you come and redo mine? ;)

That was a courageous move to purge your fabrics! Now if I could just do the same. LOL! Congratulations!

I am hoping to do the same thing but - giving away most of my fabric will feel like a kicking my children out of the house.....

Looks so much better. I would have gotten claustrophobia in your other space. We all have to make do but thank goodness you were able to rearrange. Looking good.

Well, for purging chickens, here is what I did that made it easier:

I had a lot of leftover non-quilting fabric from old costumes and dog crate cover stuff. That was pretty painless. I donated it to a place that does crafts with folks at nursing homes. There was some faux fur etc so they were happy to have it.

Then I started dividing by fat quarters, scraps, 3+ yard cuts and smaller cuts. I had a lot of duplicate because stuff was stored in boxes and not visible.

I critically eyed a lot...for example I show my dogs in obedience and in the 90s I made matching vests and scrunchies and I had a lot of dog fabric. I was sentimental, but I knew I no longer wear vests and I already have a dog quilt. So that bunch went to someone who makes belly bands and crate pads. I had some fabric I was gifted in the late 90s that simply wasn't my taste anymore.

Anything small I cut into strips and squares for scrap quilts. FQ were organized by color and pattern and take up less space on edge in the top drawer. Anything big had to be either a blender, a neutral back or in mind for a specific project. I put fabric for projects together in the drawers tied together with string.

Once sorted, folded nicely or trimmed into useable sizes it took way less space that it did.

The rest I ruthlessly donated to the Goodwill and now its gone and if I miss it, well, I am happier having a calm, open space.

I also got rid of materials for crafts I seldom do (polymer clay, crochet, drawing) and only kept tools which take up much less space and are the most expensive bits.

I walk in my room like 3 times a day just to look. :)

Yep.

I do that everywhere else but it was hard to do in there because there just was no space!

Haha! Actually, when I painted that room 8 years ago my puppies mostly black and white!

I chose that color because it made me feel cozy but it wasn't dark or somber. I have a lot of sage green stuff and I love the way it coordinates. Thanks, Pat!

Great room. I would have trouble purging but I am getting better

I really like the peg board for your sewing tools -- great idea!

Love reading all your organization tips. Makes me motivated to get in and start a "work of fixing a better sewing nest."

Thanks for sharing! Wow you are brave--loved how you made reasonable choices to make very reasonable decisions. You give courage to the "I may need that someday" crowd. Maybe I can get to this point some day.

Congratulations! That's a LOT of work , but it really looks nice and I"m sure you get a lot more accomplished now that things have been purged, organized, and prettied up.

Good job!! Love your little helpers. I wish my "helper" would stay and help me. He doesn't like the sound of the sewing machine. I can iron, and cut, and pin baste, but when I turn on the sewing machine, he gets up and leaves the room. :(

Thank you for clarifying how to let the fabrics go, I am at the planning stage of clearing things out. Had to clear out my attic that contained over 50 bags of kids clothes from 25-30 years ago, they put their most LOVED things in paper bags and hid them up there. Now I am on task to do my quilt room to let go of crafty stuff not being used. Salvation Army will make a visit and hope to make them very happy when the leave.
You are an inspiration to a lot of us, we can have a neat room and feel good in our rooms.

Great ideas for repurposing and storage. Really like your space.