Keeping a tidy work area is essential to creative accomplishment. Sometimes the hardest part is just getting started.
Like most of you, my sewing area is busiest around the holidays, and you know what that means. Come January, it’s time to put the disaster area back the way it belongs. It's September and I have put off this necessary task way too long. It's time to get ready for merry making once again.
I have learned the hard way what happens when you don’t put everything in its place.
- You can’t find anything which is very frustrating.
- Stitching becomes a chore when you spend so much time looking for what you need.
- Clutter can cause anxiety.
- You have no idea the status of your inventory.
And if this goes on for any length of time, the situation worsens exponentially. What was once a great joy has become a chore and isn’t really fun anymore.
How to Get Started Organizing Your Sewing Area
Think baby steps. You don’t have to do this all in a day or two.
I began by setting up several boxes and anything that wasn’t where it belonged was separated into groups, like thread, notions, stabilizers, fabrics, etc. That way, at the very least, you know where to find things until they are completely put away.
Take one box at a time and put the contents where they belong. Even if it is just a few pieces at a time, the sense of accomplishment at seeing an empty box makes you want to keep going. Set a timer for 15-30 minutes a day and break up your tasks over time. You'd be surprised how setting a timer helps keep you focused on the task and avoid distractions.
Bonnie has some great blogs on organizing various components of your sewing room, just click on the links below:
- See some unique options for hoop storage here.
- You will have thread storage envy when you see how Bonnie organizes here thread here.
- Bonnie tells you all about the proper environment for storing thread here.
- See Bonnie’s tips for organizing patterns and instructions here.
- See how Bonnie turned a walk-in closet into a spectacular storage area here.
- Get some tips on how to organize your fabrics here.
What tips do you have for reorganizing your sewing area?
Debbie Henry
Sew Inspired by Bonnie
Debbie Henry - September 10, 2023
Happy this helped, Julie! I label boxes or plastic tubs of stabilizer. With duplicates, you can keep some in your sewing area and box, label, and store the extras in a cool, dry area.
Julie Ford - September 05, 2023
Thank you Bonnie for your helpful tips. Stabilizer got hold of me and it was overpowering. So many different names and brands for the exact same thing. I placed most of my stabilizer all over the floor and it was too much to get in one picture and tried to place like items together. Box after box and then didn’t know what to do with it or where to put it.