Clean Up Your Sewing Room!

[Patti P.]

i cleaned up my sewing room now i can't find a darn thing.i hope it's ok to say that.if not sorry.

[Donna N.]

I hear you! When I get in a cleaning mood, I try to put things in "logical" places. However, the logic used during the cleaning phase sometimes doesn't translate to the everyday "get out of my way, I'm sewing" phase. To combat this I have installed peg boards in several places around the room and that helps with things like scissors, measuring tape, etc. Rulers have a special home, templates are in a drawer, and the fabric stash is kind of sorted by color or fabric line. Still, items not often used but suddenly needed cause frustrating treasure hunts to ensue. {sigh!}

Good luck finding your tools until a satisfactory level of clutter returns to your space.

[Linda N.]

Always having a small room for quilting and also being a very organized person, I tidy up every evening when I'm finished for the day. I have a hard time working in a messy, unorganized place. I usually only work on one project at a time, which definitely helps.

[Linda N.]

i find it really boring to work on only one project at a time. i have been working on a circle quilt for almost 2 years but in the mean time i finished a quilt for my grandson and a baby quilt for my new granddaughter.i am also finishing a quilt for my son in law. i do all of my quilting by hand and i have to give my fingers a break so then i do applique for a few days, while drawing plans for a new quilt.what can i say i'm crazy like that.

[Sherry B.]

Like you, Linda, I'm pretty organized and usually my sewing room is fairly tidy. I used to work on one project at a time. My friends love the fact that they have corrupted me and I have several works in progress stacked on a table in my sewing area. Right now I really need to finish up some so I can start some more LOL

[Liberata T.]

I really like to be tidy especially since I share the room with my DH. I also prefer to work on one project at a time. Right now I am working on an art quilt that requires much of my stash to be out and visible and lots of little pieces that are fussy-cut. IT IS DIVING ME NUTS! :shock: I also have to let it "mellow," that is, sit in view in an unfiished state in order to determine if it is developing--sort of like aging wine. :roll: Also there is very little sewing at this stage and I miss sewing. This means I will have to start another project while this one sits around. I am truly out of my comfort zone.

[Sherry B.]

Libbi, I think it is good for us to get out of our comfort zones Sure makes life more interesting.

[Judith T.]

I haven't been comfortable in quite a while. :wink: Judy in AZ

[Judy M.]

Comfort zone??? What is THAT??? :lol: I've got so much going, I'll probably never live to finish it all!!! Seriously, though, I was looking at a 1930's Double Wedding Ring (my Grandmother gave me the quilt top before I became a quilter. She paid a lady $25.00 to hand piece it for her) and I was wondering why my Grandmother didn't also pay her to quilt it. Then the thought came to me I'M THE ONE THAT HAND QUILTED IT. I finished someone else's "UFO" and loved doing it. Maybe someone else will get enjoyment from some of my UFOs someday.

[Margo C.]

I heard something worth remembering last night.

"If you don't fail occasionally, you aren't reaching far enough."

I think it's good to reach out of our comfort zones occasionally!

[Margo C.]

Ooh, Margo, I like that. I will ponder my directions based on that.

My sewing room is clean. It's beautiful. I had a new floor installed, and decluttered and rearranged before my husband and I went on a long trip. Now, I can't bear the thought of messing it up. That's a real hazard to a clean sewing room.

Maybe you all need to consider the real problems of a clean sewing room. Is it worth it?

[Margo C.]

Personally, I'm not so hung up on "clean" as I am having things organized so that I don't have to spend time looking for them before I can work. It's really frustrating to me if I have to waste time searching because I haven't put things back where they belong. A place for everything and everything in its place works for me!

[Margo C.]

Where was this thread when I needed it...

I was off for 8 weeks after surgery... I healed and had 4 weeks to play... I could have used the inspiration when I was off work... now I am back to work and have spent this weekend..cleaning a mess instead of sewing...

Oh well progress was made

[Margo C.]

I usually keep my sewing stuff in a grouping where I can find it and clean up once a month or so but I guess I have been doing a really poor job at it. A few months ago I had to give up my sewing room to my boys so they could have a room without their sister's pink stuff in it. I have been in the process this whole time of moving stuff and trying to organize. Last weekend my Dad came up with his lover Richard and poor Richard! He nearly had a heart attack when he saw my sewing area. He has decided that we are reconstructing my entire house and making my sewing space more user friendly. He's one of those organize until your fingers bleed types of people. I imagine it's going to be rough but totally worth it in the end.

[Gloria H.]

When he's done, send him my way please :lol: