HappyQuilter

I use a 10 drawer tower rolling cart that has 10 plastic drawers - so while I was organizing my sewing room every time I would find a pair of sissors, thread, marking tools, needles, small rulers or templates, etc. I just put it in the labeled drawers. When I finished everything was in place and organized! It was great! Now when I go on a retreat or take a class, all I have to do is open the sissor drawer or thread drawer or needle drawer, etc. and pick out what I need. The secret is to put it all back in the drawers when you get back! I got mine at Sam's club but I've also seen them at the office supply and I think either Michaels and/or Hobby Lobby and JoAnns. Didn't realize til I was finished how many duplicates I had!!! Good luck!

Emma S

Seems to me almost everyones answer is some type of container that keeps the small tools from getting buried by the fabric. I keep an assortment of former food containers to put my small tools in, just containing them seems to make them easier to find. Had a extra lanyard that I attached to a pair of scissors, strangely enough it helps me find them, the loops are always sticking out of what ever pile their in.

reginalovesfabric

mine is a mess and if I cleaned it up and organize I wouldn't be able to find a thing HA

kyrose

For some of my organization efforts, I like to re-purpose some items that would usually go to a landfill. Small jars with screw on lids are great for small items. If you will save moisture packets to add to the jars, anything you put in the won't rust. I use larger jars for things like buttons. This allows me to sort to size and you can see what is in the jars. For containers to hold things like small rulers, scissors, machine cleaning brush, etc., I use cans. Save cans that you think would hold your items so you can see them. Cover the cans with fabric scraps, old cards, etc. I like to use wallpaper scraps. It's heavy and lasts. Short cans like the ones that tuna or chicken comes in are great for sorting little items. They can also be used to make cute pin cushions. Small margarine containers work for this too. For my machine feet, I use an organizer I found in the hardware department of Walmart. It's filled with little removable boxes. My sewing box is actually a tool box also from Walmart. For my machine embroidery thread, I found a thead box at Joann's that was on sale and I had a coupon that brought the price down more. There was a thread on this site last year that showed how to made a thread organizer use peg board and dowels. Maybe someone can remember it and provide the link.

mjhaess

Organized...Whos organized..Welcome to my world...LOL...

rulbendr

My sewing machines sit on desks and directly beneath both machines are drawers that I can pull open. I used old box lids to divide up the drawers and they hold scissors, rippers, measuring tape, etc. Works awesome for me.

cwessel47

After many years with this quilting bug - and my children gone (just me in the house) my sewing room is now located in two rooms. On each table I have a pretty pot of pencils, pens, markers, etc. I have scissors everywhere - but one needs to stay on the actual sewing table ( easier if you just have one machine like I do) and one on the ironing board. One on both of the cutting tables, two in the kitchen .... you get the idea. Two seam rippers. Three cutting boards - plus a couple of little ones... I have a skinny little chest of drawers that hold thread not currently in use - and spools beyond number in pots and on tables and.... Yeah - out of control. But when the phone rings, I have to get up. Look at the good side - you're moving!

Alexandra

I buy the plastic pencil holders from the container store. I have a drawer that is dedicated to just scissors. When it is empty I go around my studio and round them all up.

Boston1954

There is a peg board on the wall to hold rulers, stencils, scissors, rotary cutter, measuring tape, even a plastic bag for scraps gets held there by a small black clip. Pens are in a small vase by the computer. Not far since it's all the same room. A shelf over the sewing table has boxes with thread, rolls of freezer paper, bags of cut fabric, and two plastic project boxes for the most recent WIP's.

kathymarie

Great ideas....thanks to all....