organizational challenge!!
 

So, I have gone from a 5 bedroom house to a one bedroom apartment. And it's not a big apartment either. I have room in the bedroom for one desk for the machines. One machine has to stay in the tote while the other one is in use. I figured out if I take the little shoe shelf out of the bottom of the closet and buy an over the door rack for shoes I'll be able to store some of the scrap bins in the closet.

I have room for one bookcase behind the front door for my fabric stash. My stash took up two and a half bookcases plus two dressers in my sewing room so I'm going to sort thru it and only keep the fabrics I'm most likely to use. There's a lot of it that I bought years ago for various quilts that I'm just not likely to make anymore. I'll get a couple of under the bed bins for fat quarters and half yards.

The fabrics I don't want anymore will get sold or donated.

Don't forget to post them on this site. DH and I are seriously considering downsizing by this summer so I'm trying to use up all that I can.

Glad you got it all figured out, SQ. It sounds like it's going to work great. Good for you!

Agreed,it sounds like you have a plan!
I have lots of room and struggle to get organized, so I am envious of you!

Sounds good. DH and I are taking a year to downsize: his stuff, my stuff and our stuff! We haven't set a deadline; just a goal.:D:D

It must be really hard to downsize this much but, in a way, it must be liberating to finally cull out the stuff you know you'll never use. Good luck with your move.

*** Sounds like a good plan to me. ***

I know things should be in their own place, but I don't feel like downsizing. We are in our 70's and I want to go into a home that has no steps, but I want large rooms, and a quilt room all for me. And I think it should be really big, like 20 x 40 or more, with TV, computer, phone, bathroom, tea and munchies nearby, and not too far from the laundry because of washing fabric, etc. My hubby said yesterday all he needs is a bedroom, kitchen, bath and his chair with TV and computer. That leaves all the rest for me. Yea! Until the kids and grandkids want to come home for a visit and then what do I do? Dreaming.

Sounds like you really have it under control, great job!!!!

Sounds like you have a good plan in place for your new apartment!. Use your stash as a decorating element- course you will have to keep it neat but I've seen so many shelves of fabric beautifully arranged and it can be stunning. Sometimes getting rid of what you know you won't use is liberating!!

Sounds like you have things under control. When we sold our home and moved into a 38 foot motorhome we really had to downsize. You learn you really don't need all that "stuff". I did not quilt at that time. Shortly afterwards I started and now have 5 years of finding a place for everything which includes lots of fabric, things made for craft sales and current projects. You become very creative. Good luck in your new place.

It sounds like you have a good handle on downsizing. I love the idea of the totes on the bottom of the closet. It sure beats dirty clothes and shoes.

Sounds like you have a great plan. Lots of ways to make more room.
We already live in a small place so downsizing is not an opposition. I have the largest room for my sewing room. I am trying to use as much of my fabrics as I can. After all I bought it to use it. Even trying to use up my scraps.

Maybe if you have a bookcase with glass doors you could use your fabric as decoration, I have an old china cabinet in my sewing area with glass doors that looks really neat with my fabric on fabric boards, it make our quests look and ask questions about quilting, so I have to bring out finished quilts and tops for them to admire

Nice job of downsizing. We did it and it's really tough to make all the decisions. Let us see some of your work when it's finished...and whoever gets the fabrics you no longer want will be thrilled. :thumbup:

I know it must be a real challenge for you....Good luck with your organization....

I had another idea to get more of my fabrics here. I'm going to take all of the summer clothes out of the closet and put them in storage. Then all of the jeans can hang in the closet and I can use those drawers for fat quarters and pre-cuts. Then when the seasons change I'll swap out winter clothes for summer clothes. I don't have to have a huge wardrobe anymore since I have to wear black or khaki slacks and a company shirt to work. This will definitely clear out some more space for fabric.

Now if I can just get my kid to haul another book case over here from storage.

I feel for you! We downsized last summer, so I am well aware of what is needed to feel organized. I have spent the last couple of weeks rearranging everything sewing-related & I finally came up with something more workable. I was able to reclaim the living room. I had been sewing in front of the fireplace. We have 3 window seats that, to me, are nothing more than waster floor space, so I moved all my fabric shelves up into them & regained order. Even have one set in master bedroom. I moved sewing center in there. Now I have a door I can close on all the chaos if I need to. I never know when company may come calling.

Good luck with finding the right fit for you & your sewing center. It may take a couple of tries.

I gave away a lot of fabric and magazines a few years ago. It was very liberating. My problem is I have the same amount of fabric as before. I don't know how that happened!! I made 4 donation quilts last year to use up some of my stash. They were kind of scrappy, but can't see any difference in my stash. I think it is multiplying at night.
Sue

If I had to downsize to a one bedroom, ALL the kitchen cabinets would store stash, machines, tools, etc. I would live on cheese, crackers and wine. Most of all other space could also be used. I would minimize clothing, bathroom & kitchen supplies. Yep, if I had no hubby or cats, I could do it :)

I AM a true minimalist at heart. A big house is just a gathering place for STUFF :(