Learn
How To Quilt - Organization
Organize Room for More
Quilting Time
I quilt, I am a quilter, I love quilting, and I
love to quilt. Quilting has enriched my life in
ways I never dreamed of. I have learned
interesting facts about history because of
quilts. I have made a ton of friends; and I
have traveled because of quilting
opportunities.
To make quilting fun and to
be able to start and finish projects with the
less amount of stress and to avoid hunting for
tools a well-organized sewing room is a must.
Here are tried and true ideas and tips on how
to organize a sewing/quilting room, no matter
the size. If you use the room for other
purposes such as an office, craft room or even
a bedroom organization can create more time for
you to focus on sewing and quilting.
1. Have your sewing machine,
ironing board, and cutting table arranged so
they are easily accessible. Get a system going
so you can take fewer steps between the iron
and the sewing machine which will save time and
you will be more efficient. Or if you don't
have room for all of these in the same room
just think you are getting exercise going from
room to room rather than saving time.
2. Use baskets or other
gadgets fabric and quilting stores store sell
to store your tools in. Place them next to
where they get the most use. Be sure to put
them back in the same container after using
them as this will save a ton of time. If you
store your tools in a room different from where
you sew, containers make it very easy to
transport the tools to where you need them and
then they can go back to be stored with a
minimum amount of effort or time.
a. For example, place the
tools you use at the ironing board near the
ironing board. This could include a pressing
cloth, spray bottle, pin cushion a small pair
of scissors and a measuring gauge. I purchased
an ironing board cover with measurements
printed on the cover.
b. Next to the sewing
machine you'll need a pin cushion, scissors,
seam ripper, waste basket for threads, or you
can tape a plastic or paper bag to your sewing
table for the threads. Also keep extra thread
and bobbins near the machine. A magnetic board
to hold the project directions is very helpful.
I love my Side Winder portable bobbin winder
that I keep on my sewing table.
c. At the cutting table have
available a rotary cutter, rulers, cutting mat,
pencil, pen, a note pad and pin cushion.
Cutting directions for your project can start
out here when cutting and then can be moved to
your sewing machine area when you start to sew.
Either tape them on the wall or pin to a
curtain or attach a small magnetic board on the
wall to hold them.
3. Sort your fabrics by
color and then organize within color group such
as batiks, novelty, florals, flannels and
homespun. Or organize by lights, medium, and
darks within the same color. Clear plastic
boxes/bins work well to hold and contain
fabric. When replacing fabric put it back where
it belongs, this saves time and frustration
later. If you store your fabric on shelves you
could label the shelf with the type of fabric
that goes on which shelf.
4. Vinyl project bags with
zippers are great to use for short term
storage. The plastic bags with zippers that
sheets and other bedding come in also work for
storage and are a great way to recycle. They
can hold a project, strips or a kit. They are
easy to grab and go if you have a project you
are taking to a class.
By organizing your sewing
room or sewing space in a way that your
supplies and tools are easy to find and are
convenient for use you'll have more fun and
more time to sew rather than spending your time
hunting for what you need. It takes time to get
everything like you want it but it will be
worth it.
Happy sewing/happy quilting.
Marilyn is a creative
organizer who has been organizing for over 20
years. She is a member of the National
Association of Professional Organizers and is
working towards becoming a Certified
Professional Organizer. Professionally she has
been organizing homes and offices for two
years. She holds a bachelors degree in Social
Work. She has reared five daughters and
currently lives in Utah.
Go to her website
http://www.marilynbohn.com
where you can find free organizing tips and
interesting blogs and helpful articles on
organizing.
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