Organizing- At Least Three Times Around
 

It seems like I just reorganized the sewing/guest/office room a couple of months ago and it is already in need of another go-around. I now believe that the magic number for regorganizing isn't just 1 time, but more likely 3 times a year..maybe 4. Every time I go through the stuff, I purge things, but there's always a few items that I'm not quite willing to give up yet. By the third time, they're history...Gone. It feels so much better to have less stuff and be more organized.

Those small scraps of fabric that I've saved for 5 years, just in case I need them for a quilt...Gone
That small piece of batting that's never big enough to make anything with...Gone
Those extra bed sheets that I might use for backing but never do...Gone
Files from 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012...Gone
Computer cables to computers that I don't even own anymore...Gone
Books I haven't opened in at least 2 years...Gone

Why I can't get rid of all this stuff the first time around, I don't know. But it sure is nice to have it gone now.

Happy New Year!

~ C

C, I hear ya! I've been doing the same thing. It feels so good to purge and now I'm actually able to move around and see what I love!
Happy New Year to you! :)
PS. I don't know why it takes so long either lol

Not getting rid of anything. Just in case I need it.

Bravo, tropit. I know you're not alone in this--and I think you might be right about it taking 3 times to get rid of something. I'm that way. If it's a mental burden or constantly in the way of progress or enjoyment, why-oh-why do we hang onto stuff?

I have found that having frequent scrap giveaways helps me to let go regularly. Plus it's fun to know that others are finding my old scraps new and fun for them. Out of sight, out of mind. I love that.

Congratulations of getting your purging done. But I hate to inform you the re-organization is never ending. When I took over the room as my sewing room 11 years ago, I carefully decided where to put my machines, what was going in the closet and the storage. It didn't take too long before I didn't like the arrangement and moved things around. And as time went along it was time to purge those pesky scraps (they multiply like crazy in the dark and in the light). Magazines piled up because there was always a pattern I wanted to save - finally pulled out the patterns, put them in plastic sleeves and in a large binder and the magazines were sent to the recycler. Some books have gone to other homes, scraps have been sent to other quilters - i have even sent large pieces of fabric that no longer were attractive to me. Reading what other quilters and embroiders use in their rooms help me make upgrades to my room.

Since I got my embroidery/sewing machine my sewing room has undergone at least 3 more transformations. And ya know what - I love it. It's fun to go in there and play with all the stuff. Next week I plan to go thru a lot of my fabrics and get rid of a lot of fabric that doesn't seem to fit me projects anymore.

I did this earlier this year -- I did a hard purge and found one of the things I got rid of was the 15" wide by 3.5 yard long piece of fabric that I was saving for the border of a UFO (a piece of royal blue moda that was about 10 years old). Sigh ....

I’m with you Tropit, sometimes it takes another look at the things occupying valuable space in our sewing rooms that we have trouble letting go of. It is a wonderful feeling to organize and tidy up...I get inspired when I clean my room.

It's such a nice feeling to organize the sewing/hobby room. Although there are so many different systems and containers available, sometimes they just don't work for us. Changing storage and room layouts can help us function even better. It's all so personal.

I ask myself if I want to take care of the item, if not, easy to purge or pass along. Good luck with your "new" room.

purged a few months ago knowing we were going to buy a house, still haven't found one, but it is making things easier. Have gone through many boxes of scraps and donated a few to the neighbor's 8 year old granddaughter who is practicing her 1/4" seams.

Good for you , start the new year off right ...:wave: