Hello! Welcome to the first post in my organizing series where you’ll find lots of ideas for cleaning and organizing your sewing space! I’ve posted lots of tips and this page contains the links to all of the information you need to get organized!
How about taking just a little bit of time each day over the next month to really
get your sewing life organized…so you can sew more, of course!
Today is my kickoff for “Ready, Set, Sew: 20 days of Tips and Resources for a More Organized Quilting Life.” What I have in mind is 5 different organizing tasks per week for the month of June; I’ll be posting for this series on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The Monday and Wednesday posts will have 2 tasks each with the Friday post presenting a larger task that you can do over the weekend (5 tasks per week if you want to do them Monday through Friday and sew on the weekend). Every topic will be added to the bottom of this main page with links as we go along so you can always come back here to easily locate anything you might want to review. Let’s get started!
Day One: Take a “before” picture and list your works in progress.
If you’re like me, this “before” picture idea might make you a little uncomfortable. Because honestly, my sewing space is a complete disaster right now–pattern writing, sewing for myself and others, and Quilt Market have all taken a toll on my space. And I didn’t want to “sugar coat” it by cleaning up a little before beginning. You don’t need to share your “before” picture with anyone, but go ahead and take one…you’ll be glad you did when you’ve finished up and you have visual proof of the progress you’ve made.
After you’ve taken your photo, get out a pad of paper and make an honest list of your works in progress (or, if you prefer to make your lists on the computer or with a spreadsheet, do that–use whatever method works best for you). I feel like this is such an important first step: by doing this now you’ll come to realize as we go along which of these projects you really want to get finished and which of them might find a home in your “donate” pile. Be as thorough as possible in making this list. If you have a lot of ongoing projects it might take a little time.
Okay…that’s it for day one!
Day Two: Make a “To Do” List of projects you want to make.
Now, make a list of projects you really want to make but haven’t yet started. You might want to divide this up into some sub-categories too: projects to make, projects for summer, gift ideas, home decorating projects, and Christmas projects. By having these lists in place before you start the actual process of cleaning out and getting organized you’ll better be able to think about what items you will need for some of these future projects. The main goal of this organizing series is to help you get more sewing and quilting accomplished, so by having those sewing/quilting goals in place at the beginning you’ll be able to more easily work on the organizing tasks.
Okay…that wraps up day two! I’ll be back on Wednesday with tasks 3 and 4. Happy organizing!
Ready, Set, Sew! Summer Organizing Series with A Quilting Life
Day One: Take a “before” picture and list your works in progress.
Day Two: Make a “to do” list of projects you want to make.
Day Three: Clear off flat surfaces: the sewing table, ironing board, and any other surfaces in your sewing area.
Day Four: Gather rulers, rotary cutters, and scissors.
Day Five: Organize thread and bobbins.
Day Six: Organize sewing and quilting notions.
Day Seven: Fabric Management Part 1–Gather
Day Eight: Fabric Management Part 2–Inventory
Day Nine: Tackle Scrap Storage
Day Ten: Move-in Day
Day Eleven: Sort and Organize Quilting Books
Day Twelve: Sort and Organize Patterns
Day Thirteen: Sort and Organize Magazines
Day Fourteen: Plan Quilt Storage
Day Fifteen: Make your shopping list.
Day Sixteen:Take a final review.
Day Seventeen: Donate or sell items you won’t use.
Day Eighteen: Revise your project “to do” list.
Day Nineteen: Shop for needed items.
Day Twenty:Take an “after” photo.
Sinta Renee says
Sounds like a great way to organize… it's always better to do these things with someone else.
Staci says
This is a really good idea.
I'm just afraid my camera doesn't have that much memory and I don't actually own that much notebook paper….. =)
Melia Mae Quilting says
Awesome! This couldn't come at a better time for me! I could use the idea on where to begin!
mascanlon says
Ok, I will try and jump in! My sewing room is a big old mess, to many things and not enough organized space. As for the list…ok but it will be ugly!
Susan Smith says
This sounds like a great series for summer! I'm excited to see the next post!
Joan says
Looking forward to this series! I need some good ideas to become better organized.
Joy says
Boy oh boy this is right on time! The past few months have be trying with my MIL being us and recently passing. I feel my crafting is scattered and I don't know where to start. Thanks Sherri for offering this challenge!!
Kelly O. says
what a great idea! I will be playing along for sure.. off to take my picture
Jeanna says
This sounds like a good way to turn a dreaded chore into something fun and productive…I'm in. Thanks Sherri!
Michele says
Great ideas Sherri! Thanks!
Amy Stolz says
I started cleaning up but didn't get too far this morning and just came across your IG post. Great timing, I will definitely be following along! I need the structure lol
Liz says
You must have hit me at just the right time with this because I've already taken the pictures and did most of the inventory on my computer as well. I'm looking forward to the next steps! Thank you. 🙂
Belinda says
I just recently "took over" a sewing room in my house, and its a nightmare. Its been a process already and I feel like I'm going in circles. So this series is just in time for me, thanks!
Jennifer says
Perfect, just what the doctor ordered to make a little sense out of my mess!!
Jade Prosser says
Awesome idea! I'm on board!
Cindy Mizer says
I love the pillow in the picture from the 2 June blog. Is it a pattern?
Jan Jones says
I'm going for it! Thanks
celkalee says
Great idea, I am always looking for time management and best use of my limited quilting time. And since my studio is frequently a mess, no matter how hard I try, I would appreciate any insight! Thanks for using your time to help us!
Johanna says
Yikes! Do you know how many WIPs I have??? Goodness, some of them only need binding! Great idea, this will be very helpful 🙂
Jane eilderts says
I love this idea!! I am on board!!
Scattered Threads says
Sherri, I enjoyed reading your post and I cringe at the thought of taking a before picture as I see my madness everyday. I will take a picture tomorrow.
TFS.
Tilda H says
Very nice series , I am looking forward to it! Thanks!
Béa says
Great ideas Sherri ,thank you
Trudi says
Oh I hear ya! In all the madness there is a sewing room! I may even finally manage that list of wips at last!
PatSloan says
I must do this process 5 times a year.. it gets out of hand so fast doesn't it?? Happy Organizing!
Jennifer says
Thanks for doing this Sherri! My sewing life is in desperate need of some organization.
Cheryl says
I can't wait to start! This is exactly what I need!!
Carrie Merth says
I have been putting off making that list but next month is Christmas in July so…. it is time. Today is the day!!!
KMSC says
Thanks, Sherri. I need this!
Farm Road Ramblings says
What a great series Sherri! Can't wait to get started. : )
Stephanie says
This is good timing for my sewing space also! I will follow your lead. Can you tell us where we can find the pattern for the quilt in the first photo of this blog entry? Thanks
B. J. Woodlee says
Thank you, I needed a big push to get started on clearing out and cleaning up my sewing space.
Angela says
I am so excited to organize my space! Also, I have been looking EVERYWHERE for the embroidery pattern for the Use it up Wear it out pillow on your blog post. Do you have any idea where I can find it?!?!
Linda P in IL says
I'm in..good timing for me..can't wait to see how you fix all of our problems, Ha ha
My list is done. Still need to take pictures.
Leslie says
I want to do this! I sooo need it! thank you!
krislovesfabric says
Thanks for this I am planning to jump in 🙂 I have my pics…ugh!…and my ahem long lists!
Billy'sgirl says
This is a great idea. I am about to begin the project of (finally) decorating my sewing room, with paint, curtains, shelving, etc. It has been in the planning
stage for quite a while, since we built our house, but something else always seems to take over my weekends and my budget.
I don't think I could share the photo of my sewing room as it looks right now! I am rushing to complete two projects, and the room looks like someone picked it up and shook it! But it will be awesome to compare it to my neat, newly designed and decorated, sewing studio.
Thanks for the series, Sherri. Now, if there were only a way to keep it in order!
Billy'sgirl says
This is a great idea. I am about to begin the project of (finally) decorating my sewing room, with paint, curtains, shelving, etc. It has been in the planning
stage for quite a while, since we built our house, but something else always seems to take over my weekends and my budget.
I don't think I could share the photo of my sewing room as it looks right now! I am rushing to complete two projects, and the room looks like someone picked it up and shook it! But it will be awesome to compare it to my neat, newly designed and decorated, sewing studio.
Thanks for the series, Sherri. Now, if there were only a way to keep it in order!
emilee says
Oh, perfect timing! Thanks so much for sharing this Sherrie!
I'm definitely in and have day 1 and 2 completed. So excited to keep going and clean up my crafty mess!
pandchintz says
This is a great idea Sherri! I've just bought some new furniture for the sewing room, so hopefully I can achieve these goals……fingers crossed!
Carla says
Thanks for sharing a plan to help get us organized. I hope to try this plan soon. I need all the help I can get. ;o)
Do I really have to share the disaster I call a sewing/office in pictures. YIKES LOL
sunrise4501 says
Hi Sherri, I have just now found you! This is June 18 so you all have a head start on me. I have my quilting room (studio?) in our basement and an upstairs bedroom. Today is the day I start to combine the two spaces to one space in the basement. I am going to start from your day one and hopefully catch up. I will start today with pictures. UGH! Wish me luck!
Denise says
This must be an old post, but that is o.k. it is just what I needed. I have created a spreadsheet to track my progress. I may do a couple of days in one. I am hoping the pictures will help me in maybe rearrangement as well.