Share your best organizing tip!
06-03-2018, 02:29 AM
#41
Power Poster
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: PA
Posts: 10,703
personally, I like to see all my few tools. Don't like hiding things in drawers, they just get lost. My solution for a small space was this over the door storage hanger. I posted this a few weeks ago but will share it here too. It really is easy to keep stuff in its place when you are not the neatest or most organized quilter, like me.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]595380[/ATTACH]
peace
[ATTACH=CONFIG]595380[/ATTACH]
peace
06-03-2018, 02:37 AM
#42
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,203
I hang quilt tops to be quilted on hangers in a closet where I store extra batting, project boxes, and my spare machine (I only have two - one to use, one as back up). Every time I open the closet I am reminded that I have quilts waiting to be quilted, and I eventually do quilt them. I try to cut my binding out after I finish a top, put it in a small bag, and hang it with the top.
06-03-2018, 02:39 AM
#43
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,654
I love your idea of re-purposing a jewelry armoire!
I use the clear egg cartons for storing thread. The thread is covered up and safe from the dust but easily seen. You can stack 2-3 . I do use the hair elastics around each spool if needed to keep the thread from unrolling.
I use the clear egg cartons for storing thread. The thread is covered up and safe from the dust but easily seen. You can stack 2-3 . I do use the hair elastics around each spool if needed to keep the thread from unrolling.
06-03-2018, 03:58 AM
#44
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Portage, Michigan
Posts: 7,506
My best organizing idea is to dump what you do not use. From time to time I get the "itch" reorganize and clean up the mess. What I always end up doing is getting rid of what I am not using. It may be cleaning out the books that that are primarily duplicate patterns of what I already have or those bargains or freebees that now with the light of reality shining, I know I will never use.
Last week I went through about 10 binders that had downloaded and printed patterns, monthly patterns from my guild meetings, directions for mystery quilts and on and on. I put all of the downloaded patterns in ONE binder. I recycled those that I will NEVER make. Others I stapled pages together and I will take them to my guild meeting for others. If they don't want them, I'll recycle them. In the end my Farmer's Wife patterns are now in one binder with my check off list of finished blocks, one binder of future patterns, two of guild blocks and a pile of binders to give to good will.
I have done the same with my stash. The itch comes floating by and I look for cuts that I know deep in my heart that I will never user because I so dislike it. Why keep it? Let someone else love it and use it.
My final suggestion is to Stop fussing with organizing this and that and finish a project. Get it off the sewing table, out from under the pressure foot and out the door. The feeling of success when you finish a project is a endorphin buzz that is better than drugs! It works for me.
Last week I went through about 10 binders that had downloaded and printed patterns, monthly patterns from my guild meetings, directions for mystery quilts and on and on. I put all of the downloaded patterns in ONE binder. I recycled those that I will NEVER make. Others I stapled pages together and I will take them to my guild meeting for others. If they don't want them, I'll recycle them. In the end my Farmer's Wife patterns are now in one binder with my check off list of finished blocks, one binder of future patterns, two of guild blocks and a pile of binders to give to good will.
I have done the same with my stash. The itch comes floating by and I look for cuts that I know deep in my heart that I will never user because I so dislike it. Why keep it? Let someone else love it and use it.
My final suggestion is to Stop fussing with organizing this and that and finish a project. Get it off the sewing table, out from under the pressure foot and out the door. The feeling of success when you finish a project is a endorphin buzz that is better than drugs! It works for me.
06-03-2018, 04:20 AM
#45
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Twin Falls, ID
Posts: 1,409
I use a Parmesan Cheese container for this same thing. I love it.
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
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
06-03-2018, 05:41 AM
#46
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,929
[QUOTE=mandyrose;8069116]I like that too. I usually say "A place for everything and everything in a place."
06-03-2018, 07:20 AM
#47
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Buckley,Washington
Posts: 988
Love all the ideas,
I use a lot of pencil boxes all with labels on them for things like needles, markers, guides, rick rack, hand sewing things and small templates, etc. Comic boards are fantastic for keeping 3/4 yd or more fabric organized in bookcase. Also the 12 in sq totes.. for projects are fantastic...
I use a lot of pencil boxes all with labels on them for things like needles, markers, guides, rick rack, hand sewing things and small templates, etc. Comic boards are fantastic for keeping 3/4 yd or more fabric organized in bookcase. Also the 12 in sq totes.. for projects are fantastic...
06-03-2018, 01:01 PM
#49
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Arizona
Posts: 2,355
Peg boards and hooks of different types. My DH just put up 2 more for me as I'm revamping my sewing room. I also added a clear over the door shoe type pocket where I've put my embroidery machine stabilizers. My other over the door one had various sewing/quilting items.
I was also born without the "put it back in the right spot" gene........all my life has been frustrating.....I've tried and tried and tried again to change my ways. Too much 'stuff'=clutter and you can't organize clutter. I'm being selective but I'm purging as I go!!!!!! Yeah for me. . . .and some of my friends are getting blessed.
I was also born without the "put it back in the right spot" gene........all my life has been frustrating.....I've tried and tried and tried again to change my ways. Too much 'stuff'=clutter and you can't organize clutter. I'm being selective but I'm purging as I go!!!!!! Yeah for me. . . .and some of my friends are getting blessed.
06-04-2018, 04:34 AM
#50
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 2,414
I really learned a lot from y'all here.
I'm the one who has boxes, etc., of fabric (both yardage and scraps) all mixed together. Every so often I try to purge and pass on stuff I will never use, but then I think, "Well, maybe one day, it will come in handy."
I am in the process of doing better. I started cutting scraps into squares. Now I have tons and tons of 5" to 8" squares in dozens of plastic containers. I can see what I have and even have made 4 or 5 baby quilts already from the
squares.
I m using a few other ideas from this thread also.
So, thank you for your help!!
I'm the one who has boxes, etc., of fabric (both yardage and scraps) all mixed together. Every so often I try to purge and pass on stuff I will never use, but then I think, "Well, maybe one day, it will come in handy."
I am in the process of doing better. I started cutting scraps into squares. Now I have tons and tons of 5" to 8" squares in dozens of plastic containers. I can see what I have and even have made 4 or 5 baby quilts already from the
squares.
I m using a few other ideas from this thread also.
So, thank you for your help!!
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