I too am organizing my magazines, books and patterns. When I moved in the new space, I just put them on a bookshelf. Also redoing the FQs!

My favorite part of organizing is separating all of my straight pins and putting them in their proper containers. The whole place can be falling down around me, but I feel better if my pins are where they belong. The right pin for the right job. Hummmmmmmm............???????????

Magazine organization is the bane of my existence!!! Mine go back to the last 1970s and I WILL NOT get rid of them. Pre-2003 quilt magazines are in magazine sized boxes in storage, but I have 2003 onwards here in my home - stacked every which way from Sumday. I love going through the back issues but get sidetracked and totally forget what I'm looking for! Think I may go back to the binders - I emailed myself the link so I wouldn't forget where I saw it. And Annie's has a really good price. Luckily I have a couple warehouse type stores near me to get the larger binders for a decent price. Now I just need to figure out where to store them - that is the next organizational project, or at least one of the next!!!

Sandy in Mooresville, NC

I'm thinking of photocopying only the ones I may actually make, and give the whole magazine to charity thrift shop. Then put that photocopy in a binder. Lot less paper stored.

I'm thinking along the lines of Mrs Finch, but i tear out the pattens that I think I might make and that interest me. I throw away the rest. The ones I save are in plastic sheets in binders by catagories.

My plan is just to scan the patterns I like into my computer and get rid of the mags. Just take up too much space and then having to go back through them is such a waste of time.

I am in the process of re-organizing my room also. It's never ending. I recently acquired a sewing desk on Craigslist for $50 with an extension table lift on the back. The daughter told me her mom used it for sewing over the years. It's very sturdy and nice. It has a cut out for the machine. My machine fits but sits out about 1/2" but it's ok to quilt with It's great for holding the quilt.
I had the room set up with the plastic folding tables but this is much nicer and more stable.

I went through all my fabrics that I had put on foam core boards and took them all out for they take up too much room. I folded the matching fabs for a quilt and rubber banded them (have at least collections for 45 quilts) and re-organized the shelves. Now I have lots more room. I bought containers ($3.97) from WalMart to put all my FQs in by colors. I had them on shelves and they were always falling when I need one on the bottom of the stack. I bought 10 containers and went back today bought 12 more to begin putting thread, rulers, etc. in. Maybe I can take pics when I get finished this re-organization. I can't sew or be settle with things so messy. I have never been a messy person but this sewing room has kicked my "hinney" with organizating...

I, too, like the idea of binders. I don't have a lot of quilting magazines (yet) but I have boat loads of food magazines that I have a hard time parting with.

I am doing the 3 ring binders too and my neighbor came up with a wonderful idea. She has lots of extra file cabinets and she sets the binders in the drawers with tops up. I am going to do that since shelf space isn't working.
Lynda

I weeded my quilt magazines last year and kept the ones I thought I might use by just flagging certain patterns for possible future use. I stand them in magazine holders and keep them on shelves. I still have a lot more than I think I really need - because, I really don't refer to them or use them much so probably don't need them except for inspiration from time to time.

Good job....