Share your best organizing tip!
 

Hi all,
So, (sew?), please share one of your favorite organizing tips or strategies with us. And, if you are really feeling brave, one that may have felt flat.
I haven't done this yet but I'm thinking of repurposing a tall, freestanding jewelry armoire to store sewing notions in, using each drawer for a different notion or type of tool.
Happy Stitches!
lots2do

Get lots of boxes, bins, bags and dump all your stash in to them... any which way, any size and any color. It doesn't work! I'm in a real mess! :(

From the grocery shop I have plastic lid clear screw top jars ( sold housing mini tomatoes) when empty I have one for each color of all the small items. They can be stacked so I have row of four and more on top. The top row are the colors I use most. Now I see what I have and is in easy reach.

I keep this cookie sheet to the right of my machine. I have recycled chocolate clear boxes to divide the areas and keep small things from moving. The best part is I can move the cookie sheet when necessary without having to move a million little things. I have my machine needles, extra bobbins, machine feet, straight pins and safety pins, special pens and marking tools etc.[ATTACH=CONFIG]595320[/ATTACH]

This is a very smart idea.

A very simple organization strategy .... project boxes!

One for each project, whether active .... or as I accumulate what I need for it.
I keep adding fabrics, notions, pattern switch ideas embellishments etc. without discrimination.
Once I am ready to work on the project I go through what's there and make decisions.
Everything stays in there til the project is totally finished.
Sure avoids the upset when I discover a fabric I used in stage one, has been used for something else,
...... and then later I want to use it again. OOPS!

Same topic ...
Worst decision ... different shapes and sizes of these boxes did not stack well.
Best decision ... eliminating some, so that I have all the same and they maximize space best.

Each machine gets its own Yazzii bag (or some other zipper pouch ) for its attachments. Each project gets its own Art Bin box. Since I don't have a dedicated sewing room (just one side of a multi-purpose one), things generally get put away or at least nicely consolidated for visual calmness... however a quilt in progress (being actually quilted) stays out and under the needle. I guess the key is keeping it all neat but still ready to go when that free moment happens.

Similar storage tips as mentioned above. Each sewing machine had it's own box for the extra feet. Needles are kept organized in a small plastic bin. Embroidery threads are organized on golf tees glued onto dry erase boards.

I use a double stack tackle box for sewing notions by my machine.

Fabric is re-folded and measured when I get it home. Attach a small sticky note with measurements on each piece.

I keep a list of rulers, stabilizers, embroidery threads, and accuquilt dies on my phone/ipad. Easy to check at store to prevent duplicates.

Embroidery designs are listed in alpha order by year. They on a separate hard drive in alpha order also. I keep a master notebook of all on-line designs purchased.

Machine manuals are downloaded onto PC along with serial numbers.

Get rid of everything you don't like or use. Don't try to organize meaningless stuff. Pare it down first.

DH's motto is "A place for everything, and everything in it's place." I joke that my motto is "Everything is someplace." He doesn't think it's funny ... which makes it even funnier to me!

I do find his motto is very helpful, though. When I decide to clean up the craftermath, it goes much more smoothly when I know exactly where everything goes. I try to do the craftermath control when I finish each project, but when I get more than one project going at a time, it can be chaotic.

I also try to keep fabrics together that I intend to make a quilt or something with, but often end up raiding it when I need something for my current project. It's okay, though, because those fabric collections are often ones I gathered up from the sale table.

put it away

The biggest help for me are the plastic drawers on wheels ( they don't have to have wheels because I don't move them. It's 18 inches wide, 2 small drawers and 2 deep ones. Cutters, blades, small scissors, needles etc on top drawer, screw drivers, large scissors and other tools 2nd drawer. Cone thread in the 2 deep drawers.

Another big helper is a slotted wood ruler holder that sits on the end of my sewing desk, it liens on the wall, I love having the different size rulers handy.

A copy of my pantos in a binder, rather than unrolling and showing to customers.

I save the internet patterns I download by type (star, Christmas, Halloween, log cabin, scrappy, etc). When I print out a pattern I put it in sheet protectors and keep it with the fabric for the project.

I have the plastic drawers that roll around that have the small drawers that I use to put my thread in -- sorting it by color and type. I went to Dollar tree and bought some small baskets that fit in the drawers to the thread does not roll around.

I tie lengths of selvedges on the handles of my scissors and rotary cutters so I can hang them on peg board hooks without them crowding each other -- and I hang the larger rulers on the pegboard hooks. I put my small rulers on the binder rings that you can get at an office supply store. I then hang the ring on peg board hooks.

"Everything is someplace." Love that DJ! I spent several days last fall sorting / organizing everything into bins / boxes already owned. Now when I finish a project I spend about 15 minutes putting everything back where it belongs. I cut small scraps into 5' squares and refold larger scraps and place both in their proper containers. Makes it so much easier when it's time for the next project to begin.

My Best Tip: I use command hooks attached to the inside and outside of cabinets to store my rulers. I also use command hooks to hang my embroidery hoops on the wall behind the door to my sewing room. I use the little metal ones that hold 1/2 lb. just the right size and a couple of them hold multiple rulers.
Like RhondaK, I keep lists of my rulers, owners manuals, embroidery stabilizers, and things needed for a project . I store them on my computer and in Dropbox and can access them wherever I am on my phone.

DJ, I love your term “craftermath!” It describes the chaos I create after working on my various crafts. I think this term should be added to our lexicons. Thanks for my early morning chuckle!

[QUOTE=DJ;8068891]DH's motto is "A place for everything, and everything in it's place." I joke that my motto is "Everything is someplace." He doesn't think it's funny ... which makes it even funnier to me!

LOL! thats funny

I don't have a mess in my sewing room. I just have ideas lying everywhere.

One small suggestion. Keep a little container next time you empty something little with a lid (I had a small plastic spice container) to put your used needles and rotary cutting blades in, anything sharp. That way , you always have them contained when you are done with them and when it's full you can throw the whole thing out.

Watson

My office was giving away some lateral files. I stacked two of them in a closet with bi-fold doors and folded my fabric to fit inside. Each drawer pulls out, and it's really easy to go through my fabrics now.

Thread is stored in plastic shoe boxes by color on an open shelf. I’ve inherited plenty from Mom and Grandma and I’m using it every day so the supply is shrinking. Plastic bags of lace, trim and elastic are in drawers of an old lingerie chest. Old elastic makes good rubber bands of all sizes that won’t desinigrate.

I love the plastic storage boxes for shoes. They stack in areas underneath my tables and fit in some inexpensive book shelves. I like to pull out the boxes and use them at my sewing or cutting table then return them to their place. These only cost about a $1 from WalMart. They are flexible, clean and inexpensive.

My best organizing tip is when I changed out my bookcases to freestanding shelves on the wall. My sewing room is in the basement and the prior owner had put the downspouts toward the house under the porch. Needless to say I didn't realize the water was seeping into the front wall where my bookcases full of fabrics were. When I moved them, that's when I found out. Now if it leaks (I've replaced all the downspouts and have them going in the correct direction away from the house) so if it leaks the shelves are up off the floors and the fabrics are safe. Also using those comic book boards are a great way to keep your fabrics folded up nicely.

Don't get too much stuff in the first place! says the person that did!

I use plastic bins for larger yardage of fabric. I also have two dresser for fabric, focus and contrast and pattern all rolled together. One dresser is fat quarters, only. A separate small dresser is for all the notions, threads, scissors, templates. Needles are sorted by type, hand sewing or machine, in small thins as are the various pins with a printed lable. No fabric is stored in this dresser. Closet is for extra sewing machines, each in its own storage container. Books and binders are there too. Magazines, which I am paring down are in boxes by kind. It is always a work in progress, keeping it clean and organized.

Five things that have helped me
1) I always clean up, organize and put away after completing every project/before starting a new project. This keeps me more organized and a clean space to begin.
2) I, too, try to purge once a year and get rid of "stuff" - I do this for my Scrapbook, Embroidery and Quilting hobbies
3) I love the Sew Stack Tool Trays; I keep one next to my machine with all of my must needs AND
I have one that I can fill and put in my carry all when I am going to a class. (I love the idea of a cookie sheet next to the machine - I am going to check to see how many Sew Stack Tool Trays I can fit on a small one -- Great Idea!
4) For quilting, I use the plastic project bins to separate projects: patterns, materials, etc. (Hobby Lobby, Jo Ann's and/or Michaels).....Oh my, I just counted them - 14 waiting to be started....
5) I also have my embroidery designs categorized. I have them on flash drives right now but have been told to get them on a disk.

This has been a great thread from which to read and LEARN. Hope what I do helps someone.

Label Label Label!!!!!
.............. and to do that use green painter's tape.
It sticks for a long time and peels off without residue.
Works well on plastic box ends as well as on fabric.

Otherwise things get lost in all those stacked project boxes and totes.
A quick glance and I know which is the one I want/need at the time,
... with less "hide and seek" required and less stacking and re-stacking.

Plus makes shopping my stash much easier when I have the yardage marked on it.

Moral of the story ... more sewing time!

My best sewing tip: As much as I hate to say this but do you all remember hearing the words ‘put it back from wherever you got it!’ Oh how I hated to hear those words growing up. But guess what???!!! Believe it or not all that haunting screeching really works….who knew?!!!! I believe my best tip is to practice, practice, practice, good habits. (See all those ‘practices’….yeah….it took a while for them to sink in!) You will need to make a deliberate effort in putting things back where they belong because let’s face it, dropping those scissors, or glue sticks or seam ripper where ever there is a square inch of open table space is so easy!
That is my best tip E V E R !!!

Downspouts directed to the house ! How brilliant ! (Sorry, I had to say it )

could you post a picture of golf tee/embroidery thread hold. Mind has gone blank.

You made me laugh, because when you said you 'had your chocolate' before I even finished reading the sentence, the first thing I thought was, "Great going, she has her chocolate right there for when she needs it." It is amazing how we sometimes get stuck on one word and our minds starts to fly and make up its own conclusion. Obviously, you had me at chocolate.

By the way, I did finish reading the whole thread and you do have a great idea. Of course, I think adding chocolate would be an excellent idea.

My pegboard hanging in my sewing room holds rulers, a thread rack, scissors, rotary cutters, etc.

Maggie, Not sure if you were asking me about storage but I will reply. Measure the drawer space. I use Elfa wire rack systems with single height baskets. The inside measurements are approx 18x 18.

https://www.containerstore.com/s/elf...uctId=10014851

H0me dep0t will cut the dry erase board to your measurements. Use a sharpie marker and start one inch in from edge. Mark dots 3 inches apart in a grid on the whole board. Just a light dot with the sharpie will do. Glue golf tees onto the board. I use hot glue g*un. Golf tees purchased are 2 3/4 inches and already painted white. Each of the boards (18x18) hold 81 spools of EMB thread (Exquisite, Floriani and brother). I did 5 drawers like this and it keeps the threads from shifting in the drawers.

You can adjust the spacing of the golf tees as needed depending on thread spools. Someday, I will arrange the serger threads in a similar method.

Hope that helps!

I have an over-the-door shoe holder with mesh pockets to store notions, fat quarters and precuts. The mesh is great so I can see what is in each pocket.

If you take it out and don't use it, put it back. All the organization in the world is useless if you don't do that.

Unfortunately, I was born without the 'put it back' gene.

Command hooks. If I can hang it I do. Rulers and templates by the cutting table. I crochet little bags to hold FQs. I call them wall pockets. Both side of the shelf unit has hooks for tools. At Camping World I bought a drawer unit for an RV silverware drawer. Put two under my cutting table and in go scissors and cutters/blades. https://www.campingworld.com/add-a-drawer

When I cut all my scraps into useable sizes it was a tremendous help. Now I cut scraps during/after each project. If I am cutting a bunch of pieces and have little bits left, those get cut at the same time so I don't have to do it later. I never used my scraps until I cut and organized them.

I do get it in the room, just not back in the proper bin. :) DJ I think I need to hang this quote, it is so perfect for my house. Thank you all for the grins & the practical suggestions.

For my embroidery thread I bought the bamboo flatware trays at Ikea under the Variera name. I can lay my thread on its side so I can see the colors better. For the regular cotton thread I use the thread racks I bought at Joann's (I think). I had planned to use the golf tee idea mentioned above but the drawers don't come out all the way so I needed something I could remove and if necessary stack. I also see the colors so much easier. But it doesn't fit as many spools as it could if I had them all upright.

My worst attempt was using the spice holder trays - too much work to get everything to fit the way I envisioned it should fit.

Years ago, when I was into machine knitting, I stuck 10 little suction hooks along the edge of the windowsill next to my machine. I then hung the numerous small tools etc needed for machine knitting on them. I was very pleased with myself for having such a good idea - the room I worked in was small, my tools were now organised and easy to find.

I then went and took a bath.

As I’m lying in the tub I could hear the sound of the tools falling onto the floor as the hooks detached themselves from the windowsill.

When I finished in the bathroom I put the tools back in the pot they had been in originally and binned the hooks.

Not such a good idea after all!