I use cookie tins I find in thrift store to store items for each specific machine like bobbins, feet, and cams.

Thank you everyone for sharing your solutions. There's some really good ideas here. It's also nice to see I'm not alone in the issue of coming up with a decent way to keep my sewing tools handy but out of the way at the same time.

What I'm up against is most vintage sewing cabinets don't have much space to the right of the machine. There just isn't a lot of room for a large tray, plus I find myself using the handwheel a lot when I'm working on intricate stuff. Because of that I need easy access to the wheel so I can't go up in that area. I'm thinking I might find or make a small tray that will fit in the area to the right of the machine and fasten it down somehow so I can't knock it over. I'm not the type who has a place for everything and everything in it's place but having my tools just laying on top of the table isn't working out.
Rodney

Rodney, is there space next to the machine (on the right side) to put a small, (really small) table or free-standing drawer unit? Or could you have a narrow tray that sits on the right side of your machine when you're not sewing but which could set on the top of the top open drawer when you need it out of the way?

I have a mug that has a picture of the Dear Jane quilt on it. I keep some tools in that and I have another ceramic container that is a sea shell I got while on vacation and I keep some things in that too. Seam rippers etc.

I bought an inexpensive set of plastic drawers that slide out. It is about the size of a small sewing machine. It sits next to my sewing machine. I am amazed how handy it has been. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...5LMCJFFVEEP6WO

I made a quilted fabric box (tray) and attached a hanging portion with pockets for longer tools like knitting needles (for poking out corners of flags) and my 12" rulers.
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Deb

By the machine I have a plastic cube for scissors, seam rippers, skinny rulers etc.

I just saw a cool idea at a local quilt shop. The owner made a fabric mat that fits under her machine and also hangs over the front of the table. There are pockets to hold tools with clear vinyl. Clear as mud?

I use Rubbermaid Bento boxes for storage in my sewing area. Link if you aren't familiar with these: http://www.rubbermaid.com/Category/P...atName=Storage I got them mostly with sales and coupons at Joann's because they are a bit pricey, but my sewing area is the end of the master bedroom so I try to keep it as neat as possible. I use the lid of one of the boxes that can also be a tray and keep all the things I need close at hand. That makes it easy to pick it up and move it off my sewing space if needed.

I have an pretty Amber glass with an pedestal foot to hold scissors, etc next to machine. But some tools are also on the high table a few feet away.