I used to have that issue. Now I have multiples of my most used items and have a tray or drawer from an old sewing machine or basket at each station, on at the cutting table, one on the sewing table, one near my ironing table. It took me a while to get into the habit, but now if I put something down I put it on the tray, in the basket or in the drawer. Now I only have to look 3 places when I can't find something. It works well for me.