You are right, zozee...trimming as I go works best for me as well. Any more if it's smaller than a FQ it gets cut. I do like to keep chunks of widths of fabric that are suitable for binding on table runners or mini quilts intact...think fabrics that read solid...browns, reds, blacks etc.

MsMorgan as you are a new quilter...figure out what kind of quilts you like. Do you like scrappy, controlled scrappy, or not at all? Will you make table runners or small wall hangings? Answering these questions will help you decide what kind of system you want to use. zozee has a good suggestion on mixing colors until they get a bin of their own...kind of like roommates!

Thanks for your help. Where do you find clear shoeboxes or you just mean a tote about that size? I like the idea of keeping them separate!

Walmart and Target both have a variety of plastic storage bins such as shoeboxes. I keep most of my scraps sorted by color in a six-drawer plastic rolling cabinet (colors with larger amounts have gone into larger drawers at this point). JoAnn's also has some good plastic storage that's often on sale.

Take a few minutes before you sew to straighten and put away. You are fresh and it makes you feel like you have accomplished something and it seems easier than to do it afterwards.

I quilt in a semi-organized room---lots of plastic shoeboxes...and rolling plastic drawer units from Walmart ...the only idea I use that is not mentioned here....a plastic ice cube tray---put all my little needle boxes in it---they stand up nicely and are easy to find--one *cube* for Jeans needles--one for Embroidery needles--one for sharps..one for all purpose ones---etc...

Be willing to purge your fabric if it isn’t something you think you will work with in the future. I have seen people get bogged down by having too much and not enjoying it anymore.

The Tree Did Not Win
 

Morning. Now that Thanksgiving 2018 is leftovers in the refridge, breathing space for Christmas 2018 exists. As I put away dishes and admired the leftovers in the refridge, it came to my attention that I was about to have a few quiet moments to sew.

First a confession. For me function is the day to day do-all. If it functions, pretty is nice: but, is it comfortable and does it do what I want it to when I want it to and DOES IT WORK in the long run is my real crown with stars.

So much for the lead-in.

Now is when organization is paramount! And to brighten my outlook, I meandered into my 'used to be the old, railroad car style kitchen' in this house and looked at how the vertical organization worked.

Old kitchen shelves. Tile splash backs. Soffits. Otherwise unused walls. Tiled counter tops; 20 some odd running feet of tiled countertops. A still functional divided sink. Now doorless cupboards - top and bottom; the 'under and over' that goes with the tiled countertops. Metal, almost floor to ceiling heavy duty shelving with wheels that usually appears in a garage and does go on sale at various places from time to time.

So, the first part of my suggestions is to 'soul search' your sewing area. And next is Command Hooks. But one of my more successful ideas turned out to be s-hooks allowing the metal shelving to be trimmed like a Christmas tree: design board, fabric strips and larger bits, a substantial and collapsable 3 step stool, - you get it. And s-hooks can come/be made in all sorts of weights (for heavy stuff AND lighter stuff) and can be moved at will.

Again, it isn 't pretty but man oh man, does it work! Adding lights and it is my sewing heaven.

The huge live oak tree that took out the house's roof as well as my sewing room's ceiling and one of it's interior walla about 14 months ago did not win the argument. I DID.

I wish you the joy and excitement I feel when I walk into my sewing room.

I may be repeating, but

*Always store your fabric so you can see it.*
*Put stuff away as you finish with it.*

Love the term 'craftermath', DJ! :D Perfectly descriptive.