Share your best organizing tip!
06-02-2018, 04:46 AM
#21
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Dakotas
Posts: 2,986
Thread is stored in plastic shoe boxes by color on an open shelf. I’ve inherited plenty from Mom and Grandma and I’m using it every day so the supply is shrinking. Plastic bags of lace, trim and elastic are in drawers of an old lingerie chest. Old elastic makes good rubber bands of all sizes that won’t desinigrate.
06-02-2018, 04:48 AM
#22
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Belen, NM
Posts: 1,353
I love the plastic storage boxes for shoes. They stack in areas underneath my tables and fit in some inexpensive book shelves. I like to pull out the boxes and use them at my sewing or cutting table then return them to their place. These only cost about a $1 from WalMart. They are flexible, clean and inexpensive.
06-02-2018, 05:10 AM
#23
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Carroll, Iowa
Posts: 3,416
My best organizing tip is when I changed out my bookcases to freestanding shelves on the wall. My sewing room is in the basement and the prior owner had put the downspouts toward the house under the porch. Needless to say I didn't realize the water was seeping into the front wall where my bookcases full of fabrics were. When I moved them, that's when I found out. Now if it leaks (I've replaced all the downspouts and have them going in the correct direction away from the house) so if it leaks the shelves are up off the floors and the fabrics are safe. Also using those comic book boards are a great way to keep your fabrics folded up nicely.
06-02-2018, 05:46 AM
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Pueblo, Co
Posts: 663
I use plastic bins for larger yardage of fabric. I also have two dresser for fabric, focus and contrast and pattern all rolled together. One dresser is fat quarters, only. A separate small dresser is for all the notions, threads, scissors, templates. Needles are sorted by type, hand sewing or machine, in small thins as are the various pins with a printed lable. No fabric is stored in this dresser. Closet is for extra sewing machines, each in its own storage container. Books and binders are there too. Magazines, which I am paring down are in boxes by kind. It is always a work in progress, keeping it clean and organized.
06-02-2018, 06:08 AM
#26
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 193
Five things that have helped me
1) I always clean up, organize and put away after completing every project/before starting a new project. This keeps me more organized and a clean space to begin.
2) I, too, try to purge once a year and get rid of "stuff" - I do this for my Scrapbook, Embroidery and Quilting hobbies
3) I love the Sew Stack Tool Trays; I keep one next to my machine with all of my must needs AND
I have one that I can fill and put in my carry all when I am going to a class. (I love the idea of a cookie sheet next to the machine - I am going to check to see how many Sew Stack Tool Trays I can fit on a small one -- Great Idea!
4) For quilting, I use the plastic project bins to separate projects: patterns, materials, etc. (Hobby Lobby, Jo Ann's and/or Michaels).....Oh my, I just counted them - 14 waiting to be started....
5) I also have my embroidery designs categorized. I have them on flash drives right now but have been told to get them on a disk.
This has been a great thread from which to read and LEARN. Hope what I do helps someone.
1) I always clean up, organize and put away after completing every project/before starting a new project. This keeps me more organized and a clean space to begin.
2) I, too, try to purge once a year and get rid of "stuff" - I do this for my Scrapbook, Embroidery and Quilting hobbies
3) I love the Sew Stack Tool Trays; I keep one next to my machine with all of my must needs AND
I have one that I can fill and put in my carry all when I am going to a class. (I love the idea of a cookie sheet next to the machine - I am going to check to see how many Sew Stack Tool Trays I can fit on a small one -- Great Idea!
4) For quilting, I use the plastic project bins to separate projects: patterns, materials, etc. (Hobby Lobby, Jo Ann's and/or Michaels).....Oh my, I just counted them - 14 waiting to be started....
5) I also have my embroidery designs categorized. I have them on flash drives right now but have been told to get them on a disk.
This has been a great thread from which to read and LEARN. Hope what I do helps someone.
Last edited by Little Lulu; 06-02-2018 at 06:18 AM.
06-02-2018, 06:41 AM
#27
Power Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 17,728
Label Label Label!!!!!
.............. and to do that use green painter's tape.
It sticks for a long time and peels off without residue.
Works well on plastic box ends as well as on fabric.
Otherwise things get lost in all those stacked project boxes and totes.
A quick glance and I know which is the one I want/need at the time,
... with less "hide and seek" required and less stacking and re-stacking.
Plus makes shopping my stash much easier when I have the yardage marked on it.
Moral of the story ... more sewing time!
.............. and to do that use green painter's tape.
It sticks for a long time and peels off without residue.
Works well on plastic box ends as well as on fabric.
Otherwise things get lost in all those stacked project boxes and totes.
A quick glance and I know which is the one I want/need at the time,
... with less "hide and seek" required and less stacking and re-stacking.
Plus makes shopping my stash much easier when I have the yardage marked on it.
Moral of the story ... more sewing time!
Last edited by QuiltE; 06-02-2018 at 06:44 AM.
06-02-2018, 07:09 AM
#28
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Manteno, IL
Posts: 1,621
My best sewing tip: As much as I hate to say this but do you all remember hearing the words ‘put it back from wherever you got it!’ Oh how I hated to hear those words growing up. But guess what???!!! Believe it or not all that haunting screeching really works….who knew?!!!! I believe my best tip is to practice, practice, practice, good habits. (See all those ‘practices’….yeah….it took a while for them to sink in!) You will need to make a deliberate effort in putting things back where they belong because let’s face it, dropping those scissors, or glue sticks or seam ripper where ever there is a square inch of open table space is so easy!
That is my best tip E V E R !!!
That is my best tip E V E R !!!
06-02-2018, 09:27 AM
#29
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Dakotas
Posts: 2,986
My best organizing tip is when I changed out my bookcases to freestanding shelves on the wall. My sewing room is in the basement and the prior owner had put the downspouts toward the house under the porch. Needless to say I didn't realize the water was seeping into the front wall where my bookcases full of fabrics were. When I moved them, that's when I found out. Now if it leaks (I've replaced all the downspouts and have them going in the correct direction away from the house) so if it leaks the shelves are up off the floors and the fabrics are safe. Also using those comic book boards are a great way to keep your fabrics folded up nicely.
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