Sewing room organization

[rodneytb]

What is your best tip for organizing your sewing room/area?

[StitchinGrandma]

The biggest one is once you are organized put everything away after you are finished with a project or, before starting the next one so that everything is back in the right place. That way you aren't looking for things that are missing from their normal spots.

The other is that if storing things in plastic containers, use clear ones so that you don't have to spend time opening each one to find out what's inside and can see with just a glance which one you want. Keep like things together in each container too. I have one that has bib blanks and diapers ready to make into burp cloths, another with linen napkins I picked up at after holiday clearance sales, another with just dish towels, one with all my ribbon spools etc.

[SewAddicted]

My sewing area is part of my computer room, which is also access to the side of our home. Therefore it has the tendency to become cluttered. :rolleyes: I love anything that can hide my messes or serve double duty. My sewing table is actually an old kitchen table. I made a skirt to go around it and attached it with Velcro (so it can be cleaned). I bought a couple of large clear containers on wheels. When a project is in the works, I can put it in the container and roll it under the table. When I am working on the project I pull out the container, put the lid on and use it as another working surface next to my machines. :D

I also invested in a 3 hole punch and a couple of three ring binders. As soon as I purchase or get a free design, I print off the thread changes along with a picture and put it in the binder. I also started to tab the folders the same as they are on my PC. Makes life a little easier.

[MackandMorgan's Mom]

I love the plastic containers with the pull out drawers...they come in all different sizes so I have them for things as tiny as buttons/needles all the way up to fabric size. I also use a notebook with clear plastic slips to store my patterns. Then I can see the pics on the patterns and flip through them quickly.

[clae]

I also use the plastic chest with drawers. I have several different sizes. They work great for stabilizer, ribbon, etc. and are so easy to get to when I need something.

[momma4anna]

I do the binder thing with designs also, but I use different colored binders for different types of designs (i.e. red binder is holiday designes, purple is kids designs, etc.). I like having the color stops already printed out. I put the color stop sheet in a document protector so if I print out a template, I just add it to the protector.

That is about the extent of my "organization"

[Deedles]

I recently did a total makeover of my sewing room, or I should say DH did! He made this rolling tower for that has been the answer to my prayers! I can roll it to wherever I am, have everything handy without spreading it out all over the room. It's totally full right now!

A you can see it is made from a narrow set of shelves (IKEA), pegboard on two sides, shelves on one side and I still haven't decided on the 4th side but I'm leaning towards more pegboard.

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q92/Deedles_photos/Sewing/Sewing%20Room%20Makeover/P9100129.jpg

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q92/Deedles_photos/Sewing/Sewing%20Room%20Makeover/P9100128.jpg

[pcsews]

I got one of those drawer thingies/cabinets in the automotive dept. and have all of my buttons, beads, purse snaps, etc. in it. It has about 20 different small drawers that are clear. I really like it. Other than that I'm pretty messy in my sewing room. I really need to clean it up!!:eek:

[T-Bags & Rags]

I use binders for my designs as well as many of you. I also have several drawers to keep threads organized and a wall organizer for those that I use frequently.

[rodneytb]

I use a wine rack to hold my stabilizer. I printed labels to put on the end of each tube. I also created and labeled a container for stabilizer scraps--one for cutaway, washaway and tearaway so when I need a scrap to float on an item I can find it easily.

[T-Bags & Rags]

I use a wine rack to hold my stabilizer. I printed labels to put on the end of each tube. I also created and labeled a container for stabilizer scraps--one for cutaway, washaway and tearaway so when I need a scrap to float on an item I can find it easily.

What a fabulous idea!

[dana]

I thought about getting a tool chest ( like the type the hubby has in the garage) like craftsman. It has a variety of drawer sizes for spools of thread, buttons etc. The only thing is, that it doesn't necessarily match the decor of the room in the house.

I have been watching a show on HGTV called Mission Organization- which has given me a lot of ideas- I just have to take some time to go out and look for the stuff.- Then ORGANIZE IT!

[StitchinGrandma]

Deedles ~ OMG! Thank you. That is exactly what I needed to get an idea of what I need to replace a rolling wire rack drawer cart we got at IKEA that is something I'd suggest to anyone to never buy. We bought two, one for my kitchen and one sewing room and both are just terrible. The tracks for the drawers are wide enough to hold the drawers with any type of stability. Almost everytime I open a drawer it falls out of the track and then onto the drawer below and it's a domino effect to the bottom. :rolleyes: Needless to say, I've been trying to come up with somethingo to replace it. It's not been easy as my scanner and stereo speakers are on top of it. I think that might be the answer with my storage containers from The Container Store being used on the shelving. Very cool.

[Deedles]

If you want the particulars for building it, just let me know. DH made a few modifications after that photo was made to make it better. He did it in just a few hours one weekend.

[ShirleyC]

Deedles, that is really nice.

My husband bought me the Christopher Lowell collection for my sewing room last year (after he retired), and I love it.

I have a pull-out work space underneath the TV for when I need to cut. It has so many neat little cubbyholes to store my thread and stabilizers, etc.
The armoire closes up for when I have company and want to hide my clutter. It also has lights inside.

[StitchinGrandma]

My husband gutted a bedroom to remodel to my specs after contemplating things for over a year since our last child left. I have tons of pics but I'm only going to post a few. I had a lot of ideas and had to put lots of thought into every section of the room because it's only about 8'x9' and I have a ton of stuff to fit in the room.

Before pics -
I had a large steel desk with formica top on one wall, then opposite that wall a small 4 foot folding banquet table and the wall between the two of them another folding banquet table but 6' long. As you can see in the pics, I had very little storage and things got piled up under things. Each time I wanted to sew I had to move things.
http://terpstra.us/images/vickiljt/Sewing/SewingRoomRemodel/SewingRoomRemodel_Before/EastWall_Before.jpg

http://terpstra.us/images/vickiljt/Sewing/SewingRoomRemodel/SewingRoomRemodel_Before/NorthwestCorner_MoreNorth.jpg

Isn't that an impressive curtain/beach towel?
http://terpstra.us/images/vickiljt/Sewing/SewingRoomRemodel/SewingRoomRemodel_Before/SouthwestCorner.jpg

http://terpstra.us/images/vickiljt/Sewing/SewingRoomRemodel/SewingRoomRemodel_Before/WestWall.jpg



After pics in just a second .........

[StitchinGrandma]

After pics -
The two white tables I was lucky enough to get at a store that was going out of business for only $40 each. They are on wheels and each is about 4 1/2 feet long. We bought some wide shelving from Menards(simlar to Home Depot) and my husband put a block of wood on the bottom in each corner so they could be held in place. Under the "top" on each table there is about 5 inches of storage because these tables had like an open box on top so at some point we're going to cut a hole in the front of each table to open that area up and install sliding trays in there for more storage of things.

I wanted different sayings painted on my trim in the room so I found a bunch of sewing sayings and chose three I liked best. They are hard to read in the pictures but they say
" "Fabricologist Resource Center"...that sounds more impressive than "fabric stash" "
"Caution: Enter this Sewing Room at your own Risk"
"God put me on this earth to sew and finish a certain number of things... I am so far behind now... I shall never die!"

http://terpstra.us/images/vickiljt/Sewing/SewingRoomRemodel/SewingRoomRemodel_After_2007/PaintedSayings_AllWalls.jpg

Area behind the desk. I have three walls with that shelving and under each there is a metal rod for hanging things if necessary.
http://terpstra.us/images/vickiljt/Sewing/SewingRoomRemodel/SewingRoomRemodel_After_2007/Behind%20Desk_7489.jpg

Sewing table with thread storage underneath. At the very top of this picture you can see darker blue. That's the bottom of the corner shelf my husband built to hold my tv up and out of my way. LOVE IT!
http://terpstra.us/images/vickiljt/Sewing/SewingRoomRemodel/SewingRoomRemodel_After_2007/SewingAreaThreadStorage_7487.jpg

Another wall showing more storage and you can see the fabric bolts up on the shelves and my small ironing board hanging on the metal rod. Those are the clear plastic containers I use that I bought from The Container Store. They are great and come in all kinds of sizes from tiny to large to store under a bed. Those on the dresser will be moved soon when I'm done moving the fabric to the closet my husband just installed shelves in for all the fabric.
http://terpstra.us/images/vickiljt/Sewing/SewingRoomRemodel/SewingRoomRemodel_After_2007/SouthWall_7490.jpg

Hopefully that gives some of you ideas. I have utilized a very small room fairly well I think. I like it a lot now.

[StitchinGrandma]

Deedles, that is really nice.

My husband bought me the Christopher Lowell collection for my sewing room last year (after he retired), and I love it.

I have a pull-out work space underneath the TV for when I need to cut. It has so many neat little cubbyholes to store my thread and stabilizers, etc.
The armoire closes up for when I have company and want to hide my clutter. It also has lights inside.
That's gorgeous. Very nice. *drool*

[ShirleyC]

Well, VickiT, it didn't happen overnight. I started with a very small computer desk from Sears for $99. It took years to work up to this.

[momma4anna]

I use a wine rack to hold my stabilizer. I printed labels to put on the end of each tube. I also created and labeled a container for stabilizer scraps--one for cutaway, washaway and tearaway so when I need a scrap to float on an item I can find it easily.

I love the wine rack idea. Might have to use that one myself. I do not think I would have ever thought of that.

[T-Bags & Rags]

Shirley,

You have a beautiful sewing room!

[marilynd]

organization?
WHat does that mean?

[marilynd]

I hope you got my humor in that!!!

[deesmom]

Nice rooms, ladies.

I dare say, I will NOT be posting any pictures of mine.

[T-Bags & Rags]

My current room is very tiny! I think it's about 6 x 8. Just enough room for me and the machine!

[momma4anna]

My current room is very tiny! I think it's about 6 x 8. Just enough room for me and the machine!

I feel your pain T-bags. I am stuck in a hallway right next to a staircase. I read about these women who have huge rooms just for themselves and I drool with envy. I do not even a room in my house that is the size some of them

[T-Bags & Rags]

I feel your pain T-bags. I am stuck in a hallway right next to a staircase. I read about these women who have huge rooms just for themselves and I drool with envy. I do not even a room in my house that is the size some of them

Well, at least we have our craft!

[momma4anna]

Well, at least we have our craft!

For that too, I am thankful. There are a lot people out there that are much, much more talented than me, but then there are also a few people out there that wish they had mine. Someday I will have a free room and then I will wish for my hallway days again because it would mean my kids were still at home with me. My kids are only 11, 10, and 3 and I already dread them growing up and moving out.

[T-Bags & Rags]

My kids are grown and more or less gone... My 43 year old daughter just moved back in with us for awhile. She's putting her house on the market in the spring and hasn't decided if she's staying in the state or heading south yet. My son (39) is in Alaska so we don't see him very often.

We converted one of our bedrooms into a walk in closet and the other serves as a computer room. Our daughter currently resides in the finished basement! So I still have my little space!

[StitchinGrandma]

Well, VickiT, it didn't happen overnight. I started with a very small computer desk from Sears for $99. It took years to work up to this.
I know Shirley. I dreamed of matching stuff and beautiful furniture in my new room but instead went overly practical because it meant that or nothing. We lucked out and I was able to get rid of the horrible carpeting and put in Canadian hardwood maple flooring we got at a great price. I LOVE that as it makes it so much nicer to roll around my desk to the sewing machine and anywhere I want. I'm glad we researched though and didn't get a laminte instead.

Nice rooms, ladies.

I dare say, I will NOT be posting any pictures of mine.
Thanks. Awwww come on now. You saw my before pics. You can share. :D

My current room is very tiny! I think it's about 6 x 8. Just enough room for me and the machine!
Organization is the key. That and thinking out of the box. Go up the walls because your floor space is so limited but you have all that wall space. That's the reason I have shelving around three of the four walls in my room almost the entire length of each of those walls. It adds a huge amount of storage. My room isn't too much larger than yours.

[ShirleyC]

It doesn't matter what your space is, as long as you have a "space." I know it is hard when you still have young children at home.

This past summer I got my son to help me put in those adjustable shelves in my closet. It is a very deep closet and everything was so hard to get to. Now I have it so that I can slide my baskets out and get to the stuff in the back if I need it. I keep the things I use the most often in the front.

As with anything, it gets messy pretty fast. So I have to get re-organized again next week.

[rodneytb]

I love the wine rack idea. Might have to use that one myself. I do not think I would have ever thought of that.

I didn't think of the wine rack idea, either. I saw it on another forum. Thank goodness for forums like this!

[MackandMorgan's Mom]

You've got that right...my hallway is my home...that is what I share with the pot rack over my head. The good thing is I can see the dining room, kitchen both bedrooms and the bathroom from my sewing stool...really nice with a very mobile 9 month old!! But doesn't compare to what you guys have done..thanks for the pics and tips...I have a $100.00 wine rack in the shed that would work perfectly!

[momma4anna]

You've got that right...my hallway is my home...that is what I share with the pot rack over my head. The good thing is I can see the dining room, kitchen both bedrooms and the bathroom from my sewing stool...really nice with a very mobile 9 month old!!

Being right in the open has both pros and cons. I can see everything that goes on also, but on the flip side, everyone can see what I am doing also. For some reason, everything becomes suddenly urgent as soon as I turn my sewing machine on. That and I cannot do anything without having my 3 year old sitting in my lap which can make sewing a straight line rather difficult. I am sure I will look back on these days fondly though.

[crumbear]

I lucked out and hubby fixed up an extra bedroom as my sewing room. We got a kitchen counter in an L shape and he attached it to the wall. I have a Container Store shelving system on one wall, and the rest of the wall space is occupied by thread racks and such. I got my stabilizer off the floor with a hanging organizer I made awhile back. Any fabric under 5 yd cuts is folded and arranged by color in the closet, which is one big shelving unit. I took a day and cut fat quarters out of all my cottons, so I folded them and arranged them by color on an old stamp shelf I got free at JoAnn's. I'll have to take a picture when it's clean some day. There's absolutely no more available space in that room, ceiling to floor. I've used it all! Lol!

[momma4anna]

I'll have to take a picture when it's clean some day.

If I waited for that, I would never be able to take a picture of my "area" LOL

[dana]

The before pics are exactly where I am. I move things around all the time, because I am piles upon piles.
I could only wish for the more elaborate hutch style system.

[crumbear]

If I waited for that, I would never be able to take a picture of my "area" LOL
Lol! I know what you mean! It seems like every time I get it clean, I have a new project to start! I'm going to work on it this weekend, though. I swear! :p

[dramaw]

I am just so happy,,,we re-did my sewing room a few months back by putting hardwood floors,,,(carpet holds 2 many pins), and painting it white...I had dark paneling in here...couldn't see a thang,,,

Now my DH is putting shelves in the closet for me to stack material...I have it on a bookcase now but when I put it in the closet it will help to keep it dust free...WaHOOOO...plus, my DH doesn't know this I was running out of space for fabric and with the shelving I can purchase more....

Dramaw

[momma4anna]

I am just so happy,,,we re-did my sewing room a few months back by putting hardwood floors,
Now my DH is putting shelves in the closet for me to stack material...

Dramaw - Think I could borrow your hubby for a few days? Pretty please, I promise I will give him back:D

[StitchinGrandma]

I am just so happy,,,we re-did my sewing room a few months back by putting hardwood floors,,,(carpet holds 2 many pins), and painting it white...I had dark paneling in here...couldn't see a thang,,,

Now my DH is putting shelves in the closet for me to stack material...I have it on a bookcase now but when I put it in the closet it will help to keep it dust free...WaHOOOO...plus, my DH doesn't know this I was running out of space for fabric and with the shelving I can purchase more....

Dramaw

Isn't that an awesome change from carpeting to the hardwood floors? If you didn't see my pictures a few pages back, that was one of the biggest improvements done in my sewing room when we gutted it out to remodel it.
My husband just finished this past weekend putting shelving into my closet. I have been sick from some new meds since last Friday but now am feeling better so hopefully the next day or two I can move fabric bolts in there and then take my after pictures. I had promised someone on this site I'd post the pics. Each of my shelves will hold between 8 and 12 26" bolts and longer and then the bolts smaller than 26" inches can be doubled so I can get approx. 20 or so on each shelf for them. It's going to open up so much more space in the room.

[SewCrazy]

VickiT, Sounds great and looks like you are getting organized. We just bought our first house and I am so happy to finally have a sewing space at all. Before I had to use the kitchen table and pack everything up in between sewing time and meal time. Now I at least have an area in our finished basement but have not gotten any real sewing room furniture yet !!

[StitchinGrandma]

VickiT, Sounds great and looks like you are getting organized. We just bought our first house and I am so happy to finally have a sewing space at all. Before I had to use the kitchen table and pack everything up in between sewing time and meal time. Now I at least have an area in our finished basement but have not gotten any real sewing room furniture yet !!

Lila just think out of the box when it comes to sewing furniture if you can't afford that really nice stuff. I actually decided that those nice sewing cabinets like the Koala etc. weren't something I would like because they just don't have the storage that I wanted near my machine. I researched tons of ideas as to what I could use and had finally decided that we were going to buy kitchen countertops and build our own but I didn't like the fact they weren't very wide so I was still undecided totally about using those.

This site (http://cahe.nmsu.edu/pubs/_g/g-412.html)has some great info about how to design a sewing space. It gave me some of the basics and got my mind thinking a bit more. It might help someone else.

This site (http://www.geocities.com/artdesigns2/buildeq.html)gives actual directions on how to build some things for a sewing room. Very nice directions with pictures too.

[dana]

Thanks for the web link. I am going to see what will work for my room. They have a lot of good ideas, especially on the height your desk/ table should be.

I am going to measure mine, I keep getting shoulder/ back aches.

Thanks again!;)

[StitchinGrandma]

Thanks for the web link. I am going to see what will work for my room. They have a lot of good ideas, especially on the height your desk/ table should be.

I am going to measure mine, I keep getting shoulder/ back aches.

Thanks again!;)

You're welcome. I got alot of great info on those sites. Good luck. If you need to raise yours up check out Bed, Bath, and Beyond because they carry those bed risers that college kids use in their dorms to raise their bed up a little higher. Those work really well and have an indentation that will secure the legs of a table into them so they won't slide off. If you used a block of wood then it could be bumped and slide off.

[dana]

You're welcome. I got alot of great info on those sites. Good luck. If you need to raise yours up check out Bed, Bath, and Beyond because they carry those bed risers that college kids use in their dorms to raise their bed up a little higher. Those work really well and have an indentation that will secure the legs of a table into them so they won't slide off. If you used a block of wood then it could be bumped and slide off.

I am continually amazed at what info I can get from folks at this site! Bed risers- I would never have thought of that.
You're the best!:D

[StitchinGrandma]

You're welcome. Good luck.

[debi@thebeach]

Boy, my husband is in trouble now! I am gonna clean out that attic so we can do a room over the garage just for all MY stuff! Thanks for all the hints!
Debi
<//><

[dramaw]

I believe the most important thing about organizing is to keep things you use the most at arms length...For instance I have everything I use for my Brother machine right next to it,,,and the same for my Viking...Then everything I need for cutting is next to my cutting table...I have a 6 drawer cart with rollers that I can roll between the machines...

[peachy3]

I have just added that rubber coated metal shelving to my closet. About 5 shelves of it, to store my fabric on. That way I can see it and not have it tucked away in boxes. I have stuff I have forgotten about and need to use up. The extra shelves now hold things like spare thread and pattern boxes. When I don't want to see it all, I close the closet door and no mess!

P3

[danamom4]

I use a wine rack to hold my stabilizer. I printed labels to put on the end of each tube. I also created and labeled a container for stabilizer scraps--one for cutaway, washaway and tearaway so when I need a scrap to float on an item I can find it easily.

I have to take my DD to a birthday party tonight. Guess what?? I'm gonna buy me a wine rack while I'm out. Thanks for that idea.

[danamom4]

I bought thread organizers from good ole' Wal Mart. I have sorted my thread into color groups and labeled them with my label maker--one of my favorite toys. So far, that's all I've done, but I just almost lose my breath looking at that one neat part of my room. I can't do a lot as we are putting the house on the market. Most everything is tucked into a pretty box or trunk right now.

[cand]

You are a lucky woman Deedles. That sewing room looks fantastic. You obviously do far more embroidery than I ever will. But I am amazed at how nice your room looks. Great ideas.

[sewingfor3]

Great pics and ideas. I got a sewing room for christmas and now have to come up with some organization. I think I might try that from ikea. Any ideas for a folding cutting board. I found one that closes up but was 400. Is that a good idea or is there something else better. ps. my (dh) ( what is a dh) husband does not know how to drive a nail without something happening. Now, if it caught on fire he would be all about it. ha ha

[ElaineR]

Wonderful ideas for sewing rooms, love all the pics, going back to page one. My sewing room is still a work in progress-lol-I will keep cking back here to get new ideas for organizing all the essentials and all the extra "stuff" I just couldn't live with out that has been stored away. I like the idea of being able to see all your fabrics. I do have all of mine stored in clear bins, by color, but as one of you said, you really can't see all of it, so you forget about it totally, and it would be a good thing to start using some of the beautiful fabrics that you have purchased. You meaning me!
Elaine

[StitchinGrandma]

Great pics and ideas. I got a sewing room for christmas and now have to come up with some organization. I think I might try that from ikea. Any ideas for a folding cutting board. I found one that closes up but was 400. Is that a good idea or is there something else better. ps. my (dh) ( what is a dh) husband does not know how to drive a nail without something happening. Now, if it caught on fire he would be all about it. ha ha

I had all kinds of ideas for a cutting board but we ended up not using any. First, JoAnn Fabrics has their folding cutting board on wheels on sale right now so that's my first idea for you.

The other idea I had thought about doing was to get a large piece of plywood, sand the sides so they were smooth and then put a stain on that board. After that I was going to glue a cutting board like you can buy in all different sizes, but one of the larger ones and cut the plywood to the same size as the board I bought. Then buy a series of heavy duty hinges or a long piano hinge and install that onto the wall so the cutting board could be brought down when I needed it and put up out of the way when not in use. OH and I was going to attach a leg of some kind to the front of the board also on a hinge so it would lie flat when the board was up in the air against the wall.

[Sew So Happy]

Wonderful ideas for sewing rooms, love all the pics, going back to page one. My sewing room is still a work in progress-lol-I will keep cking back here to get new ideas for organizing all the essentials and all the extra "stuff" I just couldn't live with out that has been stored away. I like the idea of being able to see all your fabrics. I do have all of mine stored in clear bins, by color, but as one of you said, you really can't see all of it, so you forget about it totally, and it would be a good thing to start using some of the beautiful fabrics that you have purchased. You meaning me!
Elaine

I think all of our rooms are a work in progress. I am always on the hunt at yard sales and thrift stores for something to use in my room. I got lucky this fall and found a lady that used to own a gift shop having a yard sale. She was selling all of her gorgeous shelving. I now have my most favorite fabric on those shelves. It is nice to have it so you can see it. I think it brings on inspiration!

[Sew So Happy]

Just an afterthought, there are a lot of stores going out of business and selling their fixtures. The local Toys R Us is closing here in Florence, AL. Right before Christmas, I bought a bin to stack my oilcloth in and a fixture for the end of my worktable that came with hooks. I keep all my giftbags and doodads hanging on there.

[Leslie]

I like the drawer storage units and fortunately the previous owners of our house built shelves in half the closet so that's where I can put a lot of material. I like the colorful storage units and I label them so I know what I have where. Also have bookshelves. I make a HUGE mess when I'm working on a project so always clean up everything before I start on something new.

I have carpet in my sewing room, and it's awful to clean. Wish I had a wood floor.

My hubby bought me 26" flat screen for my sewing room for Christmas, I was having a devil of a time focusing on the 14" TV. I have to have noise to learn and to work, silence makes me buggy.

[sewingfor3]

wow . thanks everybody for all the great ideas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kidzbizz]

I have to agree but never seem to do it. Put everything away once your finished with it.

My Christmas present this year was to redo our spare bedroom into MY sewing room. We started it the day after Christmas and finished it late Saturday night. I am still working on getting some things put away, but love MY space now.

Judie

[Stitchn-Jeans]

When the rag shop went out of business i bought 2 sections of jewelry bins.

My husband put them on the wall above my sewing machines. When i need a new needles or seem binding or other small notions it is right there within my reach. I also have a plastic cart with drawers for all of my embroidery supplies. Sure do miss the rag shop as you could find anything you need.
I live in West Chester,Pa and we don't have any sewing shops. I have to go about 4 or 5 miles just to buy thread. It is not to far but sometime it is inconvenient.

Have fun .

Stitchn-jeans

[ttbyjami]

I do alot of sewing also. I have lots of Gallon ziploc bags, most of my projects will fit into 1. B/c I have 3 little kids at home I don't get to work on a project from start to finish so when I get home from the store I put all the notions and pattern(s) for the item in a bag, then when I get the fabric washed I will add that to the bag if it fits. Then when I finally have time to sew I am not looking everywhere for notions, thread...

I am also one to have seam rippers, thread clippers and hem gauges at every station so I am not searching for them. cutting table, ironing board, sewing machine, serger...

[jocheryl]

i LOVE those! But where do you find them!?!
i do this gallon ziploc bag deal too...all of a sudden it seems like they just disappeared...i like the Hefty Bag brand with the actual zipper slider thingey on the zip part, not just the blue and red stripe kind that turn purple when they are matched up right.

i would really LOVE to know where anyone can find these bags anymore, we have searched high and low. mine are all old and wearing out, they are so wrinkled they aren't even clear any more...

[jocheryl]

another bag idea from an old bag...

and old bag user, hee hee, you thought i was going to say i was an old bag didn't you? i know, not funny...silly, yes... funny, no...

BAG IDEA:

everyone probably already does this, but since i love it so much i will give the idea a shout out.

you know how sometimes when you buy sheets, blankets, and other home dec items, they come in a nice thick plastic "bag-like" wrapper with a zipper and bound edges and everything...all fancied up and way too good to even recycle...

those are the best project bags (like ttbyjami's ziplock idea). the larger ones are great to store fabric in, and they come in all sizes.

they also make fabric easier to stack, the piles that get so high, don't tip over as easily because the plastic kind of sticks together, and

you can also classify your fabrics by type, especially with a blanket sized bag...i.e. fleece in one, corduroy in another, floral theme cottons, kid fabrics, denim...well, i am sounding like bubba gump here.

your fabrics are protected from dust and even minor water or liquid mishaps you CAN always poke holes if you want the fabric to breath, but you don't have to...and you can see exactly what is in the bag.

one time i had a bag of fabrics stored like this in the corner of a room, where we had a slow steady water pipe leak, the carpet slowly got wet, but just damp so that no one noticed for a long time...when we found it, peuwee, mildew...but NONE of my fabric got ruined...and most of it was totally untouched...it was directly on the wet carpet and stayed there a long time too, if not for the plastic bag, that moisture would have soaked right up through everything in the stack.

now i realize many of you may not have fabric sitting out on the floor (yet)but when you get my age, the closets are full, every nook and cranny is full, fabric is everywhere and you start to make table cloths for your fabric stacks and use it as end tables. LOLOL hey, now there's a storage idea for you, FABRIC STACK END TABLES, you could even use a piece of fabric as a temporary table cloth (only kidding) tacky!

but, a great hiding place for any purchases that you don't want to fess up too yet...tho, i don't have to hide mine, hubby just asks that i don't leave the receipts around where he can see the damage, he looks the other way when i get the total if he is shopping with me, he just doesn't want to hear that number...funny hubby, he's so wonderful.:love:

[jocheryl]

oh, if only, if only i could be even one/tenth as organized as you are...that would be the most ultimate dream come true i can imagine...almost better than the lottery.

most people can't imagine what this is like, but i have chronic lyme disease, and when i was really really scarey sick, it did something to the part of my brain that organizes...before i was so sick, it was not a problem, NOW, after i have had treatment for 15 years (yawn) i'm a bit better, but i just sit and stare at stuff like i don't even know what it is, and have NO IDEA whatsoever what to do with it...it is not just bad, it is terrible and no amount of organization books helps.

IF i ever did win the lottery, that is the first thing i would do, hire a professional organizer (do you want a job leslie?) hee hee y'know, i am going to use "the secret" and say this "WHEN i win the lottery, or WHEN my millions of dollars from whatever source, arrive, i am going to hire a professional organizer" THERE! now it has to happen, hee hee!

one thing for sure, when i hire an organizer, i don't want one of those who throws everything away...non-creative left brain types do NOT understand all the uses for things like zippered blanket bags, old zippers buttons and cut off lace, tatters of old doilys, and clothes for the reconstruction pile of creative opportunity. leave my treasures out of the organization process! pretty please.

[jocheryl]

4 or 5 miles can actually be pretty close even when you live in a big city...i live in the DFW, TX metroplex, right smack dab in the middle, and i do have to drive almost 7-20 miles for most of the really good stores i would need to go to for the different things i want and need...sometimes we drive ten miles or more just for take out...

that is why i now use the internet for almost everything...plus i don't feel like shopping any more...there is a hobby lobby about three miles from me, but they just don't have enough of the sewing stuff i need...truly, i think the internet is the BEST way to go for sewing supplies, even fabric once you get accustomed to the idea and learn the good websites for the different items you use frequently. saves gas too. too bad you can't order take-out from the internet!

i long to get out of the city, i am a small town girl in my heart. with the internet, you can live ANYWHERE and still get the most specialized stuff brought right to your doorstep...i have learned you can actually find more of what you need and find it much quicker than driving from store to store. and i rarely need to return anything.

another easy way to buy the specialized things i need for sewing is to go to martha pullen every summer when she comes to town, that is one thing about the city i would miss, big sewing and embroidery shows at convention centers...that's my kind of fun!

is this about organization? oh well, i got off the beaten track for a while.

[janetlinda56]

Oh, how I would love a sewing/ craft room to my self, every thing I need is in differant cupboards all over the house, its a wonder that I can ever finf anything !