April Studio Organizing, Task One
Posted on April 12, 2022 by prairiemoonquilts in Studio Organizing ChallengeWell, I cleaned out a drawer! Did you?
And . . . it was NOT the drawer I had intended to clean out. But it needed it, and it feels much better to have it organized. The drawer I cleaned out is the drawer where I keep all my template plastic, specialty templates (of which I do not own very many, thankfully), and papers used to make triangle squares, such as Thangles, Star Singles, and Triangles on a Roll, which I don’t use very often. Methinks maybe I should start using them!
I cleaned out the pile of template plastic, and got rid of all the little tiny odds and ends pieces, and even some pieces I had used before and know I will never need again. And I found these:
These belonged to my grandmother, and it was a comfort to see her handwriting on them. The top one made me snicker! And I did not throw these away, even tho I will probably never use them. Some day again in the future, I will be cleaning out this drawer, and run across these, and it will bring me comfort to see her handwriting, and I will again snicker at that one on top . . .
Before we move on to the next task, I wanted to let you in on something else I did last week that you, too, might want to try. Kim, over at Feel Good Fibers, hosted a 5-day “Spiffy Up Your Sewing Space for Spring” challenge on Instagram. You can still see it HERE.
Each day, she assigned an easy task to do that is usually something we put off doing that makes us feel so much better once it’s done. The only one I have left to do is clean my iron’s soleplate. But while cleaning out that drawer in my sewing room, I found some iron cleaner, so I may give that a try!
So go check out Kim’s challenges if you would like a little motivational boost in your space, and now we’re on to our next Studio Organizing Challenge here.
What shall we do this time? Hmm . . . there are always so many choices!
Clean up computer files
I’m choosing this one because, as usual, it’s something I need to do my ownself.
I have an entire folder of PDF patterns that needs to be cleaned out, sorted, and re-organized. I realized this after searching way too long for a pattern I knew I had but couldn’t remember the name of in order to do a search for it. There’s probably a lot of stuff I could simply clean off my computer as well, and free up some space.
And I’m sure it’s time to do another new set of backups! Do you back up your files regularly? The time it takes to make the backups is time well spent, if it keeps you from having to recreate files you lose, or re-purchase digital patterns or printables you’ve amassed over time.
So there’s our task, and I’m sure it will take me some time to do. My plan is to chip away at it a little bit every day, because doing it all at once would be very daunting. We’ll see what I can get done in the next couple weeks.
How about you?
My organization project was to do something with my rulers. I wanted pegboard but without a resident handyman, I was going to have to ask a grandson or son in law for help. To avoid that, I decided to try those 3-M wall hangers with the hook attached. They are working great so far! And so much handier!
Well that task is something I need to do for sure…but I’m a little tired of computer work after working on my taxes🤪. Heading out for vacation tho and will have my iPad so maybe….. ? I just don’t know how to organize the pdf files that I can find what I want. I’m inclined to print everything out and then there is another mess! Maybe I should make a printed index of the quilt photo with the names….hmmm. How are you going to sort your files so you can find patterns easily?
I got off to a good start with my organizing and then I broke my hip. After three weeks on Rehab I am home using a walker and trying to get back at organizing. I can’t find a ruler that I just bought so I am back to working on the cutting table and surrounding area. I will keep chipping away.
l’ve got my PDFs/patterns all organized into files so l usually find what l’m needing. l try to file them as l get them or at least monthly. Love! your G’ma’s templates. lf they were mine l’d make a collage just like they’re laying on a fave fabric in a frame or shadow box for my wall so l could enjoy them daily. No, didn’t clean a drawer, but… l bet l could find one .. haha – ps to Judy Smith–How did we survive before 3M-?? … 🙂
Well, I wouldn’t say I cleaned a drawer, but I did a bit of emptying of a drawer, by giving away some precuts, which gave me just a bit of room for storing other stuff. Now I need to ponder how to organize my computer downloads – great idea for the week!
Well my grandmas were not quilters. But I do have her hand written recipe in my box that I will never make. It makes me smile and I will never throw it out.
Did a drawer and lots of fabric totes – most were for costumes. Now I need somewhere to donate them to. Also did some closet cleaning of costumes – more to go. Trying to think downsizing so will plug away after i finish the Easter quilt for church! It had knotted strings, worn clothing, stained items and was slashed with a knife – now to make it into a finished quilted. Progress I pray.
I did it! Cleared out a drawer of “notions” and put all my thread in it. It’s soooo handy to have it all in one place. I can find different shades of the colors of my threads to better match my fabric. Yahoo!
I didn’t have any drawers needing organized since I only have the 6 tiny ones on the sides of the cabinet of Great Grandma Nora’s Singer treadle sewing machine. I also don’t have computer files in need of organizing. I did get my cutting area in the timber organized and most of it hauled out today. Storms are forecast overnight so I’m hoping for a rainy day tomorrow to sew.
Yes, I actually cleaned 2 drawer…in the kitchen! Those drawers had been bothering me for I don’t know how long. So, thank you.
I have cleaned out some on my computer and filed most of the printed out patterns but really need to keep on this daily until it is down to nothing. When my desk gets chaosy, my brain becomes befuddled. Same with my cutting mat or really anywhere. So for the sake of my sanity, I will persevere.
I actually started saving all my patterns on a jump drive. I have folders for 2″, 2.5, Log Cabins, etc. This has worked out great for me. I also have folders for Mysteries and BOM’s. Now to start on the drawers and shelves!!! Love the encouragement from others!!
I am trying to go through every bin of projects and “bits and pieces”. I found one this week of an art quilt that I started in a class a long time ago and never made any progress. I threw away the beginning fabric pieces and the papers, etc. I took the unused fabrics out and washed and ironed them and am cutting them up this morning into blocks for more scrappy quilts. The bin is now empty. Whew!!
computer files….that is a hard one as it seems like the only time i get on the computer right now is for work….i am taking this afternoon to get through all of my e-mails and it is taking for ever….
happy quilting everyone
I cleaned out 9 drawers of my less than a yard pieces of fabrics, re-folded them and resorted each colour to one drawer (more or less). I also re-arranged the furniture in my sewing corner. I seem to do it every spring and fall.