Studio Organizing, Week 29

Posted on July 16, 2015 by prairiemoonquilts in Studio Organizing Challenge

Since My Cowboy was a bit under the weather the last few days, I didn’t ask him to fix my shelves.

However, something big did get fixed! This is our third summer living here, and our air conditioner has never worked. We’ve had it worked on, but to no avail — until now. Third time’s a charm, I guess, because we finally got it running this week — woohoo! We have air conditioning! Something that was broken is now fixed. Whew! That feels good (in more ways than one).

Did you get something fixed last week? Some of you had some good plans.

I hope so, because we’re moving on to this week’s task:

Clean off your cutting table or main work surface

Yes, this is a repeat from earlier in the year.

For those of you who managed to clean yours off in February and keep it that way, I applaud you. I, however, cannot manage to keep mine clean. So I’m at least going to clear it off this week for a fresh start. Here’s my before photo:

cuttingtablemess

Check out that towering stack of trimmings on the far end! Please, once again, note that my ironing board is still clean. I can at least be proud of that fact, can’t I?

I have several important projects to work on over the next few weeks, and having a clean surface to start with will give me a boost for maximum productivity, right?

How about you?

Have you managed to keep your cutting table cleared since the first time we did this?

Or have you spent the last few months RE-piling it back up again, like me?

Will cleaning it off help you be more productive? (or will it make you spend more time looking for the things you moved? — haha!)

For some additional help, please allow me to direct your attention to THIS oh-so-funny yet wonderful article by Megan Dougherty about The Minimalist Quilt Studio. For us this week, pay special attention to #3.

And check in with me and let me know how you’re doing! Have a great week!

13 responses to “Studio Organizing, Week 29”

  1. Judy Smith says:

    I have to clean off the cutting table about once a week. Where does it all come from? I loved Megan’s post. Thanks for sharing.

  2. Virginia Smith says:

    I am on the pilled surfaces. Only way that I have cutting area usable is because I have 2 3 ft by 6 ft cutting table back to back and one is usually piles and one pretty close to empty. Try try again to keep the room clean. That is where I am.

  3. Karen says:

    I didn’t get the handles replaced in my sewing room as planned, but I’m getting my old kitchen fixed with a complete renovation done by my hubby…does that count? The cupboards and counter are all gone, plaster walls are gone and we are down to the framing right now. I emptied 8 of my large fabric bins to put all my kitchen stuff into, and put the fabric into those Ziploc vacuum bags. It’s amazing how much you can get into those things! My batting and fleece take up so much less space now.
    As far as my cutting area, I try to keep just the current project on it; otherwise I have no room to work.

  4. Patricia Cash says:

    I have to keep it neat to be able to sew, small room shared with a washer and dryer.
    Loved the Minimalist articel.

  5. Meloney says:

    I did get my one coat’s buttons sewn on.
    I have to get my cutting table cleaned off some after the trip.
    http://melsquiltingblog.blogspot.com/2015/07/prairie-moon-organizational-challenge_16.html

  6. Kathy says:

    On vacation. On STRIKE! Yeah me.

  7. Kate says:

    What a timely writing! I have just crossed country with my car loaded with UFO’s, my sewing machine and enough fabric to make 25 totes(at least that many!) and oh six or seven quilts! All that and I think I left my pressure feet at home! Oh my! It is said that Socrates, an ascetic, went to the marketplace everyday to see all the things he could live without…. so here’s to Socratic sewing!

    Peace

  8. Barb B says:

    Hmm, I fixed my Serger and am back in business.

    As for the cutting board–I left the room for a few days and when I came back there was more stuff than before. How did that happen? I blame it on the cats….

  9. randy says:

    every cleared surface becomes a dumping ground.

  10. Gwen says:

    I have a fairly large quilt studio (abt 20×24) and the cutting table is in the middle of it. I usually clear it off after every cutting session, because I need the space for the next project. But there are piles in other places, just a bit less conspicuous!

  11. melfunk says:

    http://melsquiltingblog.blogspot.com/2015/07/prairie-moon-challenge.html

    I cleaned off my cutting table.
    Now, my pressing table needs help. LOL

  12. Cindy says:

    I do need to go clean off the cutting table again. I have so many things going on now, nothing is getting done, nor less getting done as it ought to be. Bet the AC feels good this week.

  13. swooze says:

    Had my college girl back this weekend. I had a long list to work on and she helped me get everything done or at least a good jump start on everything!

    I managed to work on my work surface. It was piled high with fabrics and other items. I managed to get the majority of the fabrics sorted and put into stack that can easily be put away. I am very happy. Tonight I will finish that job and then work on the mending to address the fix something task.

    I wanted to just keep putting stuff IN my sewing room when it was obvious some things needed to be brought OUT first. I so don’t want it to be jammed pack full in there. Thanks for these challenges.

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