Organize Your Sewing Space

If you sew either as a hobby or just occasionally, you know that you collect a lot of tools, thread needles, pins and more. You may have a room for your sewing, just a table or simply store your sewing materials in a closet. No matter how much space you a lot for your sewing, it is important to keep it organized. You will enjoy your sewing a lot more if it is all neat, clean and organized.

Look at the things that you may have in your house that can be repurposed for your space

Ugh, my sewing basket where I store the majority of my supplies is a mess ! Half the time when I need things I spend more time looking for them and have less time to get my project done. Getting all my sewing supplies organized helped me save a lot of time !

• Having my sewing supplies organized means I spend less time looking for things and more time crafting
• I save money because I know what I have I had the habit of buying duplicate tools, because I did not even know what I owned
• A messy sewing area distracts what you want to get done and you mentally don't want to be in that space

I love the idea of using zip lock bags in all my organization projects. No matter how many bins or storage units you have, these bags are perfect to put it all together. I can put extra thread, needles, scissors, measuring tools and more bagged together. With one marker, I can write on them what they are. Best of all, I can see inside the bags ! They come in sizes from snack size, perfect for small notions to gallon bags-perfect for storing patterns !

Perfect Little Storage Units

I love Altoids and always have them in my purse. Those little tins are perfect for storing needles and small notions. Now I know exactly where all my needles are. They fit in your sewing box or any drawer. You could decorate them with a little Modge Podge and some fabric, or just take your label gun and label them. Either way, it's a perfect way to organize all your small stuff !

If you do nothing else to organize your sewing area, just doing this one thing will take you into the organized zone. We all collect thread and having your thread organized will show you exactly what you have. It is a must task for every sewer !

You know those bobbins are either laying in a box or bobbing around your sewing basket. It's time to find out what you have and get them all together

• Sort and categorize all your patterns You can be as specific as you want. The number of categories is up to you
• Make sure that all the pieces are in your pattern
• Use zip log bags to store each pattern individually
• Make labels for the outside of the bag
• Store them in a drawer , a bin or a basket

A rolling cart is the perfect alternative for storage and organization. You can opt to keep it in your craft room or roll it into a closet. They can be used to hold other organizers, bolt of cloth, your sewing machine....you name it.

Picking Up Loose Threads

I saw this idea and had to add it here, because it was so very smart. The Seasoned Homemaker took a very small paint roller -about two dollars and put a hair curler on top. Guess what? It picks up all of your loose threads ! Click on the picture to see exactly how she did it !

Fabric in piles, fabric in bags, fabric everywhere. Bits and pieces, folded yardage, quilling squares, it is so easy for our fabric stash to get out of hand. Organizing your fabric means less time looking for what you need, and more time to sew.

Here are some options to get it all under control:

• Step 1 is to gather it from all over your home. Spread it out on a bed or the floor. Gather it all from where ever you have it .
• Step 2 is to categorize your fabric- Make several piles in each category. You can do it by the kind of fabric or the color of the fabric. How you decide to do it is up to you.
• Step 3 is to measure and record each piece of fabric that you own. You can use a legal pad or a notebook. You can also use a paper clip and a piece of fabric on the paper with the information on it. You can also make a document on your computer with the information. You also may want to record where the fabric is stored
• Step 4 Roll and fold the fabric
• Step 5 Put the fabric away. You may decide to store all of the same type or colors of fabric in one location.

What Kind Of Fabric Organizers Can You Use?

• Open cubes
• Plastic drawer unit
• Sweater closet units
• Shelves
• Bookshelves
• On hangers in a closet

What should be considered a scrap? If a piece of fabric is less than 1/4 of a yard it should be considered a scrap.

• Use wire basketsI love wire baskets for all my craft storage. They are sturdy and usually have handles that make them easy to move.
• Use a peg board where you can If you have dedicated space, a peg board is the perfect solution. You can sow and see all your tools and supplies. Peg board can also be used on the inside of a closet door or along a wall inside a closet
• Repurpose clear jars to hold your buttons One of my favorite thing to do while I watch TV is to sort my buttons. I put them in clear jars that I have decorated. They look great on my shelves and I can find the exact color I need
• Put your magazines in a wall mounted rack If you don't have space Make magazine holders from cereal boxes covered with paper
• If you have the space, incorporate a bookcase into your design. You can place your folded material, magazines and other supplies. This works in any sized space, even a closet
• Purchase a cabinet to match your décor You can store your sewing equipment and supplies and they will not be seen. Great idea for small areas
• Use photo storage boxes to store tools and notions These can often be purchased on sale. Just make sure to label every box
• Use a muffin tin to store small notions and tools I have used this idea in my paper craft area and it is an inexpensive idea that works well in a drawer
• If you have a desk, store your patterns in hanging file folders. You can organize them by labeling the folder.
• Store things like rick rack, zippers, bias tape ect. in see through mason jars
• Use under a bed for storage if you sew in a spare room
• Use a chest of drawers to store fabric, patterns and notions