By organizing you’re sewing space you save time, room and money.

Here are a few ideas to get you started.

First of all NEVER buy anything that isn’t on sale. Most organizing tools can be found at 50% off, second hand, trash picked or you can re-purposed items you already have. Try to be open-minded in you’re search for things to organize with. Shelves, baskets, containers, e gg cartons, candy boxes, shoe boxes, etc. all work. Often times you can find tons of usable containers for as much as 70% off after the holidays. So what if their original purpose was Easter baskets, Christmas boxes, or Dorm room accessories,  all can be re-purposed and used for storage.

There are many ways to organize; I have several interests so I organize according to subject first. For instance I have all of my jewelry making supplies in one area, sewing, stamping etc. in others.  While interests do overlap, I make sure everything is labeled on the outside and try to use clear containers when possible. When I have many small drawers, such as the kind often seen in the gar age housing nuts and bolts, I not only label them, I place them alphabetically. I hate wasting time searching for things that have already been organized.

Here are a few tips to store various items such as: Fabric, Thread, Buttons, Trims, Ribbons, and beads

Fabric:

Stack on shelves according to color

Hang on clothesline or clothes rack

Hang on pant hangers, the kind that hold several are especially useful

Take dowels or bamboo pieces, screw small hooks on the ends attach chain and drape fabrics over them. This can double as a room divider.

Store fabric in a hamper

Roll and place in large basket, like towels.

Thread:

I store my threads according to color and type of thread. In the past few years I have purchased the wooden thread holders when they are on sale. That works best for me because I have an embroidery machine and want my threads easily visible and readily accessible.

Before I had so many spools this is what I did:

Clear glass bowls

Nails in wood, hold spool on nail

Sideways in drawers or boxes (so I could see the colors)

Buttons:

Originally, I kept my buttons in a clear jar but that was 100 years ago. Like many sewers, I have a stash collection that is huge, so I keep my buttons in a tip out storage bin. I have a bin with about 20 drawers and they are label according to color and style. For instance: red, wood, metal, vintage, rhinestone. The larger buttons or those that are still on cards I revert back to a clear vase or jar so I can readily see them and be inspired.

Trims:

As of the date of this blog I have “dropped the ball” on my storage of trims, they sit in one big messy drawer with the word trims on it. I need to figure this one out. suggestions are welcome.

Ribbons:

I had my husband build me a small wooden unit that attaches to a wall and holds a dowel. The ribbons slide off the dowel or more often I just pull the yardage off that I need.

Beads:

I keep my beads in those flat plastic storage boxes that have lots of dividers. I have about 10 at the moment and the beads are in their according to color, stone, metal findings, charms etc. I label the side that sticks out from the shelf, so I find them easily.

The point is that our stashes grow as our interest grows. We need to be flexible as our needs change. For me the prime goal is to see things clearly, so I am inspired. At the same time I can find things easily so I’m not frustrated during the creative process.

Last winter I started to knit. At this time I only have one large basket and a knitting caddy I got for my Birthday. But I know that is only the beginning!

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