I love AUQuilter's idea of setting the timer for 30 minutes. I'd even go for only 15, but then I'm kinda lazy. :)

Get a couple of boxes, or bins and turn on some of your favorite music. Take everything off of the floor and separate the items by putting each item into their proper box. Once the floor is clean, you will feel a big sigh of relief and everything will be much more visible. When the timer bell rings, stop and have a cuppa coffee and reflect on where those things in the boxes will go, or just hang it up for the day.

During the next cleaning session, do the same thing described above, only tackle the things on the hangers. Maybe make a rule that you'll only work up to 3 feet off of the floor. When the bell rings, have a cuppa coffee, (or maybe wine,) and contemplate where you might want to put those things.

Continue with each session, tackling another area of the mess until it is all empty and your items are all separated in the boxes. Start looking around for solutions on how to store those items. (By now, you should have some good ideas after all that contemplating and cups of coffee.) Start putting the items away in their proper place. Don't forget to set the timer...you don't want to work too hard at this. It will all be organized in no time!

~ C

I have a covered tub for each color( red, yellow, blue, green, black, gray, multi prints w/ light backgrounds & dark backgrounds), for example. I know some people keep all their Batiks together in a box. All my fabric is stored by color. My boxes are stacked , some under my cutting table, others against the wall. A lot depends on how much storage area you have.

I would do a little bit at a time. Begin by putting like items together.

QuilterMomma, what does your room look like today?? I'm in the same predicament today, that you were in 2013. Should I heed all of the above suggestions, or will it all be futile? I don't have a camera, or I'd take a picture. You'd think Irma went thru my basement, as my basement is MY domain. I sure have nothing compared to the actual Irma victims; imagine needing to clean that up! God bless them all.

One suggestion...don't buy any more fabric until you have organized all of this and USED some. Also, no more starting projects until X number of UFO's are done. That will help you not land in this place again.

You mentioned "the other side of room"--- do you have empty shelves available there, or does some of that stuff in pic really belong with its own kind on the shelves? If so start with putting things where they really belong.

I think I saw fat quarters scattered thruout in the pic-start with that..either on a shelf or in a tub or whatever.....

the suggestions given are great, so just roll up,your sleeves and start!

If I were to take everything out and dump it in another room, I would be very inspired to start another quilt and forget about what's in the other room. That said, I like the idea of taking a stack of fabric to the couch in front of the TV to fold and sort but return right back to the studio. THAT SAID, I need to practice what I preach, as I have a similar dilemma.

Best wishes in your organization goal.

It has all been said! The philosophy is there. If the desire is really there to organize all this, jump in! My bit of advice it: Keep at it until you have it organized or given away to your liking. Then, spend a bit of time after each project to put things away and not let this happen to you again. My husband says there are two things he hates: clutter and cleaning up clutter. Me, too.

I just now looked at the date of the OP....hope she's finished by now......I have to start checking the date of the OPs!

Dear one it took a LOT of guts to show your space to us and I appreciate all the positive input! Because mine gets that way at times, I am listening in on this conversation. Thanks QuilterMomma! Charlie