Sew
Organized Tips...
This page contains tips related to getting our sewing rooms
organized! If YOU have a tip that belongs here just
email me and let me know! I'd love to add YOUR
name to our growing list of sewing friends!
*NEW* Storing Sewing Supplies...
Use Fishing Tackle boxes to store items such as extra sewing feet, bobbins, needles, thread, pins, and other assorted odd'n'ends. I've purchased a great one at Wal-Mart that has clear removeable plastic divided bins that are perfect for holding my sewing feet. Each little plastic bin holds about 10 feet. I've used the leftover adhesive numbers from blank VCR tapes to label the numbers inside the bin so I can tell at a glance which sewing feet it contains. The tackle boxes also make everything portable for sewing classes or sewing with a friend. Check them out at a Target/ Wal-Mart/K-Mart store near you.
The Sewing Room...
I have bookshelves with closed doors on the bottom that I use in my sewing room. I keep clear plastic bins, books, etc, in the bottom closed portion and pretty fabric covered baskets on the shelves that are seen, along with some pretty sewing books that I use for reference. I put sewing notions in the baskets: like elastics, heirloom laces, buttons, etc. and as they are needed I simply take the basket off the shelf, take out what I need and then set the basket back on the shelf. This keeps my sewing room tidy, everything close at hand, and pretty & cheerful. You can make the basket liners to coordinate with your sewing room very easily, too.
Getting Organized...
Always purchase notions, thread, zipper, elastic, & buttons, etc. at the same time you purchase your fabrics, then keep them all together in a zip-lock baggie. This way you'll be assured of a good color match, you'll have all needed materials and you'll be ready to sew when the mood hits- even if it's in the wee hours before the kiddies awake!
Organizing Needles...
I use a tomato pincushion separated by the green lines of thread vertically. Then I draw 2 more lines all around the tomato HORIZONTALLY. I use a permanent marker and label all the different needle sizes all around. Then I label each of the 3 little areas with that needle size by how long I've sewn with that particular needle (ie; 2 hours, 4 hours, etc.). That gives me lots of places to put used needles and I can see at a glance which needle to use and which needle needs replaced.
From: Renee' =)
Peg Board...
One very easy way to get organized is to purchase a white pegboard to hang on your wall to keep your sewing items within easy reach. This works great if you have a limited amount of space! It also keeps you from having to get everything layed out before sewing, and the hooks are also moveable. Simply move the hooks around to meet your changing needs! Now you have more time for sewing since everything is already out and organized!
Storing Patterns...
From: Barbara Hermann Ross
The best way to store your patterns, especially your favorites that you
use more than once:
Put them in a zip lock plastic bag. (I prefer the ones with the
plastic slider for this.) That way you don't have to fold the pattern
pieces so tiny and try to force them back into the small envelope. I put
them so that the pattern front shows on one side, and add notes of
changes or ideas about the pattern also. Additionally, each time I use
the pattern, I cut a small swatch of the fabric and tuck inside, so that
I can instantly see which fabrics I used with which patterns.
(Thanks Barbara!)
Organizing Fabric...
The next time you buy fabric, take along a small 3 x 5" or 4 x 6" photo album (Wal-Mart gives out free ones when they develop your pictures!). Cut out a small 2" x 2" fabric square from a corner of the fabric and slide it into the plastic pouch of your album along with the amount of yardage and fabric care on a slip of paper. You can also add the amount of money spent on the fabric if you want. Keep the album in your purse so you'll have easy access if you need thread, buttons, yardage amounts or want to know what fabrics you have on hand! This little album is fun to decorate, too. Just add a fabric cover and lace, and ribbon ties with a glue gun. Now you're organized and in style!!! =)
Brought to you by: Renee' 3/4/99
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