Setting an Organizing Goal for this Coming Week
 

Hi Happy Quilters,
Anyone up for this? It can be small and do-able or ambitious and far reaching! Anything goes.
Speaking of anything going, that will be my goal. I will take a bunch of perfectly good but cast off fabric to my sewing group on Tuesday and watch as it magically disappears! Then I will have some more space to continue sorting into three categories: keep here in Maine through the winter, fabric to take back to Florida and more fabric to give away. I don't anticipate that much more being given away but I am trying to be more practical.
So, add your plans to this thread if you wish to join me. We can report about our progress any time we wish to.
Happy Organizing,
lots2do

I need to organize my unfinished projects so I will know what I can work on next.........Yes that is what I will do as soon as I finish my 2nd cup of coffee.....lol I need this thread!!

Last week I deconstructed jeans, then started cutting strips from the legs...got a donation quilt made with some of the strips.

I love this idea of a weekly organizing goal. And it's perfectly timed because I should be getting a couple more Art Bin storage bins delivered tomorrow. My plan (yes, I will make it a GOAL, thanks to you) for the week is to organize all the birthday candies (2.5" squares) by color.

Approx 1500 of them.

I had started, but was using an old medicine cabinet lying on its back. Looked clever and plenty big, but truth is, the door doesn't lift up easily and it's heaVEE, so impractical.

Does anyone know about how many candies will fit into one 14" Art Bin (the kind designed for 12" scrapbook paper)? I think it's 3" deep.

I just got several of those art bins and plan on sorting my scraps into them by color as my scrap tote that I keep under my cutting table is way over flowing. I have been sorting and purging for the last couple weeks I don't like doing it but my room is becoming more organized and I like being in my room more now so worth it.

No, I don't, but I bet you will know soon:D

I have two organizing goals for this week. 1. come up with a better way of storing the bolt of black felt and the bolt of fusible fleece that are laying across the guest bed--I use these a lot, so they can't go into deep storage, but it would be nice if they could go somewhere else. 2. Find homes for all the little things that seem to have decided to take up residence on the various horizontal surfaces in my sewing area. I'm not sure where most of them came from, which is why I need to find homes for them.

Rob

I am in the process of moving my quilting room from our upstairs bonus room to our down stairs guest bedroom which never gets used. I took the queen bed in that room and put it my grandsons room (yes he has his own room at our house) and now the room is all mine. As we are moving things down I am purging before it comes down. It is amazing how much stuff I am finding that I have no use for. All my extras will be shared with my quilting buddies. I will post some pics once we are all done with it.

Oksewglad--LOL! I bet I will, too! Just so happens the Art Bins came TODAY, so ....let the sorting--and counting-- begin! I don't really ENJOY counting, but my inquiring mind wants to know the answer to my question!:o Not sure WHY I want to know, but I do. Kooky, right?

I'm glad you started this, as it seems if there is a flat surface ANYWHERE, it becomes a place to put ANYTHING! I have so many machines everywhere that It looks like a machine shop. So I'm going to unload some stuff into a basket or something and see the table tops again.ha Then go through all the stuff I unloaded and throw or put away where it belongs. Have fun! And let's get things more in order. Barny

I am slowly working through the piles and piles of sewing "stuff" that has accumulated in our basement and I am hoping that by the end of Fall I will have a nice space to actually work in.

Problem #1- Right now I use the dining room to sew in because it has wonderful light and the large table but I am always dismantling eveything and stuffing into bins becuse the dining room is used at least twice a week for dinners with our senior relatives or when family comes for visits (about every other weekend). Our kids and siblings have moved to the "big city" 4 hrs away and we are the "Inn" with the "Revolving Door". The 2 spare bedrooms are not an option to use because we are the ones still living in town that family comes back to stay with when they are here.

It would be terrfic to have a space where I can just leave everything out, waiting for me to come back to it. It is frustrating looking in the bins to find my stuff to catch a bit of sewing time.

Problem #2 - OMG there is sooooo much to go through!!:shock: Not only do I have the things that I have purchased after 40 years of sewing/quilting but I have also inherited a "life time" of sewing stuff from my Mom and 4 Aunts when they moved out of their homes into retirement or nursing homes. Should have done some sorting all along but we have moved 4 relatives out of their homes each summer - one each summer for the past 4 years and I just haven't had time or energy and now I am drowning in "stuff"!

Solution - Ok I know some of "the stuff" has to go and I already have most of the good cottons sorted in bins according to colour and type of fabric. I love bins of all sizes and they seem to be so helpful for storage. I will downsize this more in a few months.

Goal for this week - I am sorting through miscellaneous "sewing" fabric that I will be donating to a charity group that makes dresses for girls in Central America and Africa - it will be a win-win situation and I think there will be a few fabric filled boxes to go along with lots of zippers and a variety of snaps.

Also, I am going to try to begin to organize the boxes of sewing machine attachments that I have inherited. Some go with the machines that I was given and some were just random boxes of parts that was mixed in with the sewing stuff when the moves occurred.

:) Thanks so much for posting a "Goal of the Week" thread!!! I am determined to get through this even though it could take many hours so that I can have a space to call my own! :)

costume girl...I thought I was reading all about me as I, too, am in a similar situation with the revolving door. Our closest is a half mile and a hill and the 5 Grands are in and out daily in the summer...wouldn't have that any other way.. :-)... the others are 5 hours and much further apart. When they come they spend a week, wouldn't have that any other way either...but it does change things doesn't it?

After sorting for my neighbor after she passed, I am on a mission to get my mess in order as well...wish us both luck...

oksewglad - LOL!! We can cheer each other on!! :)
I really do love having family here and I agree I wouldn't have it any other way! This weekend we had DS and DIL with a few of their friends and it was so much fun! Keeps us young!!

We are still in the process of clearing out a relative's house and then will be putting it up for sale - we were there this morning giving stuff to DS. DS asked me to please clear stuff out at home so that they will not have to go through what we have had to do these past 4 years.
LOL When I have the time, I am trying......no, LOL I will!! :)

I like this thread! I plan to store all non quilting things elsewhere. Somewhere more appropriate. I have a twin bed, crib (both in pieces), all the trappings for a nursery and a baby swing currently living in my sewing studio.

Love this idea. My sewing room can always use some organizing. Maybe I'll get my cutting board table organized. Right now about 1/3 of it is a pile of stuff.

Figuring out where and how my sewing/work station will be set up while I recuperate from knee replacement later this month. I anticipate being on this floor for another two months... Have been stuck here since late January...
Need to decide exactly what I will focus on.., could be making quilts for my DH, scrapbooking or just organizing pictures or scrap fabric (many totes worth) Could also focus on completing the quilting project I'm writing for 4-H...
So much to do...

I am trying to do a little organizing in my sewing area each day - at least 30 minutes but it usually turns into one hour, which in turn cuts out my time to work on my projects. However, I will say the organizing has helped a lot and not only makes me feel better, but it all looks better.

I will be going on a 4 day retreat the end of Sept. I want to organize the projects I will be taking with me. My goal is to have 3 projects pre-cut before I go. It is always hard to find time at the cutting stations during the retreat. If my projects are pre-cut, I will have more time to spend sewing. I actually have one of the projects already cut. Cutting out the other two will be my goal this week.
I actually would like to go ahead and pre-cut all projects that I have "waiting in line". That way when I have a spare few minutes I can grab a project and start sewing! But, baby steps first - we will see how my goal this week works out!
We should make this a weekly thread: My goal for the week of______.

While going through my "stuff" I found a couple other hobbies/crafts from the past; embroidery, crewel work and of course a few other sewing projects like some darning work. Last time I was in Michaels they had the scrapbook project boxes on sale for $3.99. I also saw at "Tuesday Morning" they had an inexpensive sewing machine carrier for $29.99. If I ever join a guild or go to a group sewing, I can put my irons and few other items in that carrier. My 6' table is still up so I put the project boxes on top and put a temp/sticky note label on each one for embroidery, etc. I just started sorting into the individual boxes. I have to tell you I got a lot done in 1 1/2 hours. Those boxes are 3" deep and really hold a lot. Hubby got me a couple battery operated led lights so I put one in each box. If I want to trace anything I can go to either box pull a pic or photo and begin tracing. These are all clear containers with lock snap closures and handles. Point is I got a lot sorted out. Also with each project I've put the different needles and hoops that are required for the different crafts into "dollar discount" zippered pencil bags. Patterns fit into the bottom and even a couple magazines into a manila envelope.

I went to the my Post Office and got 8 large priority mailing boxes, on every fold I cut them, with a box cutter...ot I get 12 same size boards out of one box, perfect to roll my fabric on and stand in a cabinet with glass doors....that makes 106 boards, so I went yesterday and got 8 more, cut them..now 212 boards, all free...I have my fabrics sorted by color in roll around carts...so getting those all rolled is my plan, if I don't have enough boards, I'll go get some more...pretty neat idea, I think....it's raining here in Texas, so good day to stay in and play....

I need to go through my quilting notions/sewing/crafts/etc. drawers and reorganize them and make a list of what I have where.

Thanks for the push - I have been putting it off for about 3 months now.

Sounds like we all have a good idea where to start! Glad you liked the idea. We can support each other!

Yesterday, I put a double sorter with ironing board together from Aldi's. I bought it because it was 33" tall and 16" deep by 31" wide. So today I rearranged my ironing area and put my homemade ironing board on top of it and it is a perfect height for me to iron on. It has wheels so I can just push it against my cutting tables when I have bigger pieces to iron. I think I will store extra bags of batting in the hamper part.

Tomorrow I plan to drop off donated batting that I intended to use in donation quilts but never got around to it so they will go to my church group as they are running short of batting so it will go from my house to my friend Delores' house. A win-win situation. :)

My other goals are to figure out where to place boxes, etc that got displaced after I rearranged for my ironing board set up. I also need to go through my leftover 2.5" pieces and put them away from a project I am hoping to finish yet tonight.

Connie

I completed a Dr. Seuss quilt this week and had some pieces left over. Offered them up for sale on a web site and within 30 seconds someone wanted them. I'm mailing them off today....talk about quick!!

I exceeded my my goal the first day! I now have 4 kits cut and ready to sew! No time to work on it today, but have about 4 more bigger kits to cut, so I plan to try to do one a day starting tomorrow! When the snow is flying this winter, I will play "pick a kit" and start sewing!

Oh boy, do I need a challenge like this to get me motivated. DH and I were just discussing the need to replace the carpet in my sewing room with something else but I balked at the idea of cleaning out all the stuff. I do have some immediate goals:
1. Finish some UFOs so I can start some new projects that I'm excited about.
2. Organize those scraps that just seem to multiply like rabbits. And use some of them!
3. Kit up a couple of projects to take to retreat. One thing I have decided to do for the next retreat is to finish all the blocks for a couple of quilts, get them all labeled in order and take them along to assemble the tops. Then I'll feel like I've accomplished something while I was there and I won't have to concentrate so hard on what I'm doing so I can socialize more!

This is a great thread. I am soooo ready to embark on a goal-centered program in my sewing room.
My first goal is to reclaim one of 4X6 cabinets for fabric. I have sweaters that I haven't worn since I moved to a warm climate in 2005 stored there. Time to get rid of the clothes and put my fabric away the way I want to. I've even gotten DH on board. He has agreed to add more shelves to my cabinets to make organization and removal easier.
This project may take a week or so. Let's keep this thread alive and set new goals weekly! Somehow it helps to state my intentions publicly.

Turned a bedroom into a sewing room. Seemed so BIG before I started. Now I don't know where to put all the stuff! Got more bins for layer cakes and jelly roll. Need to find a way to get my yardage out of tubs so I can see it.. Have seen some nice shelving hanging on walls on Pinterest??. WIP

I have some goals for this week as well...not sure if they count as organizing goals or not though. Here they are:

#1 Quilt baby quiltand sew on border so I can take it to the coast next time we go (in 2 weeks) todo the hand sewing of the border on back.(I did this yesterday and have it ready to load in the coast bag).
#2 lay out blue quiltsquares on design wall.
#3 Cut batting for 2quilts and iron the tops and backing for them.Load and quilt 1 of the quilts.
#4 Prep work for r/wquilt yo-yos and applique for 2 more borders so I can take them w/me to thecoast to do hand work.

Since I work FT and have things going on 2 nights this weekI think this list will keep me busy until after the weekend!

Thanks for starting this. I cleaned up and sorted "leftovers" from my last couple of projects then I organized my quilt patterns in a notebook. I put each one in a clear page protector so I can just flip through to the one I want. Also, organized my next project into a plastic box to take to the cottage. The fact that we're have a party here Saturday doesn't hurt either!

My organizing goal for the week is not in my sewing room. My shoe storage is a mess. They usually seem to end up in a pile on the floor of the closet. I am in the process of installing a new shoe storage system. I have it part;y installed and hope to do some more work on it tomorrow night. I get home from work at 3;30 I need to quickly make dinner and be out the door by 4:40 for my spinning class. I plan on throwing a meatloaf in the oven and getting something accomplished while it is in the oven.
Things have been pretty crazy around here lately. I am having a hard time getting things finished that I need to do. I also need to finish a baby quilt by the 18th. Gotta get off of here and get to work. I also need to freeze a bunch of corn.

I wish you lots and lots of happy productivity. I just spent the last 4 days doing a huge purge in my sewing room. I plan on doing a mini PIF her on the board next month. And, I sent some choice fabric off to a quilty friend. And, I probably took 50 lbs of fabric to the local thrift store. There proceeds benefit hospice care. And, I'm sure they will get the word out to lots of quilty crafty people. And, I still have lots and lots to play with. I also went through patterns, rulers, sewing gadgets that seemed like a good idea at the time. Maybe somebody else will think it's the next greatest thing. I will probably do a final walk through in the next few weeks and see if anything else can be passed along. I felt like I was drowning in a sea of scraps and what was I thinking, and fabric I've used over and over and over again. It needed to be passed onto someone else to enjoy. (All of that was stifling my creativity.) I'm starting to feel like I can breath again. I was brutal and made the rule that once it went into the donate bin, it stayed there. And, lol, this was over a holiday weekend. So, I had lots of time to think about my actions. And, so far, absolutely no regrets!

I too am working my way through my UFO's. Little by little, I'm at least getting them into finished tops. I have found that some of the first tops need borders and I have used the fabric up for other things that went with these quilt tops. But, I'm just having to be a bit more creative to finish them. (lol, no problem, I can do this. :D)

What about rolling them and using curtain rods either hung from the wall or ceiling and then you can just pull off what you want to use.

judith...you are sew inspiring...right now I am in a where to begin stage..I get scraps under control and then wham another bag is left by the gremlins..I must get reorganized...
But first plan to work on guild historian book tomorrow...in between will put away messy piles when I need a break...

Just moved, finally organized my sewing room, am working on 3 quilts and now must get the sewing room ready for a visitor. We will go to a craft fair & I usually make us tote bags to take along. So my goal will be to finish these items while not creating the usual creative mess!

How is it going, everyone? I took the fabrics, some felt and some cookie cutters to my quilt group and only came home with one of the fabrics, one little scrap, a few cookie cutters which went right into the thrift box and two ripe tomatoes from a grateful friend. That felt good.
Then hubby and I dropped off a car load to the animal shelter's thrift store including two big boxes of stuff I decided to pass along. That felt really good, too.
And today I spent some time working on a long overdue baby quilt. Even though I had to search for a piece of batting, it felt great to make some progress!
And hubby has a fishing day on Friday so I can sew, sew, sew! I really hope it doesn't rain.

Thursday I got all my donations dropped off at the Thrift store. And, nothing came home with me. I still have a few more things to go through. But, that is going to have to wait till late next week. I need to get a baby quilt quilted for my new grandbaby that will be here soon. The top is all finished. I've been pulling and cutting fabrics for my Hunter's Star Blocks. All from stash. I do need to go purchase a new cutting mat tomorrow. Mine is toast.

All of your candies should fit into one box. I take a piece of firm plastic to separate colors in one stack. Hope this helps.
trish b

You know what else works great for storing and sorting scraps......

I bought a couple and also recycled a couple of the Christmas boxes that store ornaments. Mine are clear and each bin is about 3 inches deep. And you buy them in a stack of 2. They were a really great deal last year right after Christmas. I had to buy a couple of new ones due to a couple of them breaking. (My fault they broke, I dropped something heavy on them by accident.) I save, 2 1/2", 3 1/2", 4 1/2" and 5 inch charms in them. (The sizes I use the most.) And, they fit 2 stacked, perfectly with room to spare in my IKEA Shelving unit.