Organizing issues in my sewing studio

Carol
by Carol
I own an alterations business and my sewing studio is so unorganized, it looks like Hurricane Katrina came to help. How can I keep everything seaparate and organized while I work on so many different projects?
this is on a good day
  9 answers
  • Jemma Dee Jemma Dee on Apr 15, 2016
    Oh my - it looks like my space! My first suggestion is to organize your supplies, Sort all your thread, trim, tools, etc. to see what you have . Then create a permanent home for each of those things. When that is done, you can move on to creating a space for ongoing projects. Remember, the sorting process will make it look much, much worse for a while. Maybe enlist the help of a friend and the process will go much faster.
  • Kim Kim on Apr 15, 2016
    Jemma is right clear stacking containers (inexpensive plastic shoe boxes work great) for your notions and other supplies would be great on the white cabinet. It allows you to use the vertical space that you have. For the taller or bulkier stuff, so with fabric bins and label them. There are great DIY tutorials for those on line and considering what you do, they should be a piece of cake for you! :) Check out pinterest for some great hanging spool and fabric organization. If you have a closet its great for the fabric, if not, filing cabinets are fabulous for that as well. Can you tell I've been trying to get the perfect craft room/office set up for about 15 years now?!?!? Hope this helps a little.
    • See 3 previous
    • Kim Kim on Apr 15, 2016
      @Jemma Dee :) Sounds like fun!
  • Darla Darla on Apr 15, 2016
    When you are working on several projects, it's helpful to put the "parts" for each one in a separate tote bag or basket as you finish working on it each session. That way there is only one out at a time, and the pieces and tools are together, ready to go when you can work on them again. But don't forget to put things in their permanent homes when you finalize each project!
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Apr 15, 2016
    I would start will your smaller items ,sort and put in clear plastic boxes with labels. Put them on that bookcase in order of how often you use them. Then organize the fabric (fold or roll) and put that on the shelf.And just continue one step at a time. Organizing can be very overwhelming.
  • Vic C. Vic C. on Apr 15, 2016
    I read from one article here: http://bit.ly/1p4Phoe which taught us 5 easy steps of organizing. I'm going to sum it up here for you: # 1: Analyze: Analyze what you have and how much you have. # 2: Purge: Decide what have to "Stay", “Donate,” “Trash,” and “Fix.” # 3: Plan: Plan what kind/ size of storage containers/ pantry organizing supplies that you'll need for the "Stay" stuff. Go & do some shopping. If your current shelves space isn't sufficient, I would recommend you buying a portable storage closet like this in Amazon/ Walmart for more hanging & organizing space: http://amzn.to/1SQmMTm # 4: Place: When you are putting things on shelves, use tricks that retail stores do to make the storage space really pop. In closets, hang all your clothes facing the same direction, fold all the clothes the same way. For smaller items in boxes/ containers, put them with their labels facing forward. # 5: Label: If you have other people sharing your things, it's advisable to put on labels to let them know where things are supposed to go. You can label with a label maker, stickers, mailing labels, or plain old sticky notes, but whatever you choose, label as much as you can to make sure all your hard work isn’t reversed in 24 hours!Happy Organizing! :D Vic C.
  • Carol Carol on Apr 16, 2016
    Thanks to everyone who responded. I did some soul searching, made some tough decisions. I think I came up with something that will work. Will attach a photo when I am done putting it all away.
  • B. Enne B. Enne on Apr 16, 2016
    Many great ideas! !! Although I am NO sewing expert by any stretch, I agree with the sorting, then buying storage containers, and finding permanent homes...I have those issues with other types of things. Although I haven't installed them yet, I bought inexpensive upper kitchen cabinets in an espresso shade to make a media cabinet suited to my needs. I find that it is better than buying a big wall unit or cabinet that does quite fit, and it is amazing what those things can hold. The advantages are: you can stack them vertically or put them on the wall horizontally, they are closed off, they are not too deep, and with a bit of bling (trim etc.) they look like custom built-ins/furniture.I also wanted to say that if your fabric isn't too long, you could hang it on a pants hanger and put that on a hook on the side of your book case...or you can utilize a wide mouth heavy duty vase, or umbrella basket stand, and keep the fabric rolled up neatly inside.
  • I think you have a great space. I would just get a few clear buckets and add them to the open bookshelf and keep like supplies together.

  • Chas' Crazy Creations Chas' Crazy Creations on Oct 01, 2022

    I have several organizing posts that might help you https://chascrazycreations.com/diys/how-tos/organizing/