Organizing your sewing stuff

[gem]

I'm working on re-designing the room where I keep my sewing paraphernalia (some people might call it the "dining room"), and I'm in the process of looking for some sort of cabinet to store my off-duty machines & projects/notions/tools/etc. I'd love to hear how everyone has their things organized (IF you do!)--particularly how you store/sort the costuming-specific supplies mundane tailors don't have to deal with (boning, grommet setters, hemp cord, ropes &c).

This week I sat down and made a list of all the things I need to organize/find homes for, which was really helpful. I sort of "knew" everything, but seeing it all laid out is going to make it easier to plan storage for!

[isabelladangelo]

It's a bit messy, but you get the idea.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jubileel/5487380828/

[Lady Rebecca]

My guess is that you probably have a lot more than I do, but this is how I've been keeping my stuff:
-Sewing machine sits on top of small-ish desk, which contains two shelves. One shelf holds small plastic mini drawer set, which contains grommets, bias tape, hand needles, elastic, and other misc items. The other shelf held my stays while I was working on them, but otherwise just has spare fabric for current projects, a sample of test-stitches of my sewing machine, and the manuals for my serger and machine.
-To the left of my sewing table is a set of plastic drawers - two large drawers with all my patterns in them, one small drawer with most of my ribbons, and one small drawer (which I actually took out a few months ago since it was overflowing) with my buttons. On top of the drawer unit, I have two containers of my thread spools, my scissors case, and a cup filled with pens and pencils for marking fabric/notes.
-To the right of my sewing table is another set of plastic drawers, on top of which sits my serger. The bottom drawer had my fabrics originally intended for my 17th c gown, but once I started that, I filled it with the rest of my ribbons. The middle drawer had extraneous fabrics that didn't fit in my fabric tub. The top drawer had even more ribbon, plus all my serger spools.
-Next to the serger is my dress form. Next to the dress form, I have my bookshelves, which contain normal books, plus all my costuming books. On top of the book shelf is the drawer I took out that has all the buttons in it, as well as all my pearls and other jewelry-making supplies.
-In my garb closet, I have a giant overflowing plastic tub filled with all my extraneous fabrics and scraps, as well as a home dec bolt.
-Hiding behind my keyboard (which leans against the wall in the corner), I have a package of cable ties. And in another corner, I keep my plastic bin of all of my yarn for crochet projects. My iron (with mini ironing board) sits on top of my dresser, along with some jewelry, mitts, fans, and my sketches.

Okay, so it's really terribly messy in this photo, but this is what my sewing corner looked like about a week ago, with my quilting on the floor, and my stuff half packed for my move.

[stonebiscuit]

I just got a plastic chest of drawers (I think it originally came from Wal-Mart or someplace similar) to keep my sewing stuff in. It's similar to the one in Lady Rebecca's picture, but much larger. We got three to use for our clothes as a temporary measure in 2005, and are still using them: they're fairly sturdy, light enough to move while full (just tape the drawers closed), and inexpensive. Plus, you don't have to worry about damaging them.

After I've cut them out, I like to keep pattern pieces in ziploc baggies, labeled with sharpie. Other than that, and my magnetic pin cushion, I'm woefully disorganized. It's a problem. I'll be watching this thread with interest.

[Kate XXXXXX]

Hm...  Maybe I should fess up on my storage... 

I have masses.

Not everything fits in it!
I'll get some pix together later...

[Stasiakatt]

my dream organizing piece is the Scrapbox. I wish I could get one!
[url]http://theoriginalscrapbox.com[url]

[Kate XXXXXX]

Those are very nice, and great if you don't have a dedicated room for your sewing, or too much stuff.  My main issue would be with the size of the sewing table: nothing like large enough for a wedding gown, a large quilt, or curtains!

[DonaCatalina]

I have a set of shelves in the closet where several of these reside. Neat things from the container store.

Buttons, machine needles, beading needles, crafting needles, hooks & eyes, odds & ends.
The sewing room has double doors, si I leave one shut and hang two of these over the door for thread storage.

[LadyStitch]

I just did a major rearrange on my sewing room.  Here is what I did since I have my fingers in about everything costume wise.

I started with the plastic drawers that go in tackle boxes. They are usually cheaper than the craft dividers, but do get them for special cases.  Also i purchased a label maker. worth it's weight in gold.
"Drawer"1:   I have all my coats and Clark thread organized by color and function. IE upholstery, regular, embroidery, metallic, invisible
Drawer 2: I have my Geimineheart thread.  It doesn't fit well in it, so I'm looking for a better option for it.  Sharing this is my sewing machine feet.  I have them labled in individual compartments.  And I have packages of hand and sewing needles, in labled section.
Drawer 3: Is the jewelry drawer.  I have some jewelry pieces I keep here, and any bagged eye beads I have.  I would recommend having a proper bead type organizer if you want to keep them out of baggies, or you have a lot.  I also keep my beading tools in this drawer.
Drawer 4: Is my paint and small tools spot.  I have my floral white, my soldering gun, my pop cicle sticks, and my glue sticks in it.  All labled. I also keep my good paint brushes in this drawer.

I also got clear plastic tubs that I have labled. "Large tools" I keep my wire cutters, rotary cutters, things like that in there. Another is small craft stuff. Anything small that I use  that I don't want to loose.  I just scavenged  yard sales, and good will stores for tubs, tackle boxes, and containers that I can use for SPECIFIC purpose.  I then have them organized on shelves, so I know where everything is.  All is labled and this way I know what I'm looking for.
I am a firm beliver in label it and have it where you can see it to find it.  I swear I have 3 patterns I need badly that have been swallowed up in my room while I have been doing my current show.

[gem]

Stasia, WOW!!! And even more amazing: they have a dealer near me (unlike a certain much-lauded Danish furniture store.  LOL)! I know where I'm going next weekend!

my dream organizing piece is the Scrapbox. I wish I could get one!
[url]http://theoriginalscrapbox.com[url]

[Rowan MacD]

I just got a plastic chest of drawers (I think it originally came from Wal-Mart or someplace similar) to keep my sewing stuff in. It's similar to the one in Lady Rebecca's picture, but much larger. We got three to use for our clothes as a temporary measure in 2005, and are still using them: they're fairly sturdy, light enough to move while full (just tape the drawers closed), and inexpensive. Plus, you don't have to worry about damaging them.

After I've cut them out, I like to keep pattern pieces in ziploc baggies, labeled with sharpie. Other than that, and my magnetic pin cushion, I'm woefully disorganized. It's a problem. I'll be watching this thread with interest.

This sounds just like my room;  plastic drawers and Ziplocks.  I place the pattern envelope facing out to see what the pattern is.
  I did buy a big, plastic tool box from Home depot for a sewing kit. the removable compartments on the top hold pins and needles.

[LadyStitch]

I was actually recomended getting the magazine style boxes from the comic book store, and store patterns in either ziplocs there, or use the magazine bags & boards. 

I use the regular size comic book bags and boards for my vintage patterns. 

Since the boxes have lids on them, they protect the paper of the pattern from light.

[Artemisia]

I keep my machines out but have all my notions in plastic bins in bookcases. I also take advantage of Closetmaid 9 cube organizers and Ikea wire drawer units. I've attached cup hooks to the sides of the bookcases to hold scissors and rulers.

Here's more, if you're interested: http://dressdiary.blogspot.com/p/sewing-room-design.html

[Sitara]

My sewing room is also referred to by others as the dining room.  I often wonder why they call it that since we never eat in there. 

I have a smallish cabinet in which I have my stacked dividers of various notions, patterns, iron, drafting paper, etc. On top are my sewing machine and serger. Next to that is a dresser that contains my various fabric (that I am most likely to use) sorted by color and weight. The rest of my fabric lives in rubbermaid containers on the enclosed porch. Between the dresser and the kids homework desk is my dressform, ironing board and collapsed cutting table.

[Lady Rebecca]

Artemisia, I love your sewing room! It looks so neat and organized and bright!