April Studio Organizing
Posted on April 24, 2024 by prairiemoonquilts in Studio Organizing ChallengeDoing one task every two months is a far cry from doing two every month — I’ve gotten way off track!
But it’s high time we tackled another one, so here we are today . . .
I gave us two choices last time, and I’ve been working on both of those pretty steadily. I think I now have my bookcase cleaned out enough that all the books and magazines I’m keeping will all fit in there — possibly with a bit of room to spare! (Because as I finish moving, I’ll probably find several random ones stashed in other places that should be in the bookcase and need to put them away.)
And the scraps — I’m always working on those. First, I spend some time sorting — what to throw away, what to give away, and what to keep — then I process what I want to keep into my scrap system. It’s slow, but it’s getting them all under control, and the one thing I love most about when it’s finished, is that it makes it so much easier to work on scrap quilts. I just pull from the sizes that will work for whatever I want to make, and most (if not all) of the cutting is done for me. Time spent up front saves time later.
I’ve also been going through my main stash, AGAIN, and here’s why . . .
I got this new cutting table made for my new studio:
It’s gonna be the most fantastic piece of furniture I’ve ever owned! It’s got 16 drawers and a built-in trash can holder so the trash is hidden out of sight, but very handy.
It’s 3 feet wide by 6 feet long, a smaller work surface than my current table (on purpose). Each drawer has adjustable/removable dividers, and there are four different sizes of drawers. I’m in love with it already, and I can’t even use it yet!
Since we’re not yet allowed to move anything into the house that will be in the way of what the contractors need to finish, I have been sneaking things over that they’ll never know are there. So I’ve begun moving my fabric stash into the drawers of this table, which is where my entire stash is going to live (except for large yardage, which will go in the closet). If it doesn’t fit in here, it’s not staying, so that’s why I listed a few destash bundles in my Etsy shop this month, took some to guild meeting to give away, and have boxed up some more to give away just before we move.
Here’s the drawer of purples:
It’s gonna be so nice to have everything right there at my table where I need it, and not have to deal with tubs stacked on top of each other. I made do with the system I had, but invariably, whatever color I wanted at any given moment in time was usually on the bottom of the stack of tubs. When given the opportunity to make things easier for myself, I jumped at the chance!
My main goal once I can actually start working over there is to not pile the top of it full of crap like I have always done in my current studio. That will be a real challenge for me!
All this time (over the past year) I have thought that I was doing really well at the downsizing thing. But now that it’s time to really figure out where everything is going to go, I realize I haven’t done near enough. I have a long way to go. So every month, I take a tub to guild meeting. I’ve burdened my friend, Amanda, with probably way more than she wants, and I’ve pitched and sold and repurposed things into other areas.
I’m losing a lot of storage space by moving, and a lot of work space as well, but that is by design. I WANT to have less space and less stuff, I just didn’t realize how much stuff I still need to get rid of to make it all fit into the new smaller studio. But I also know I’m gonna be way happier in the new space because I will have way less stuff, so it will all be worth it.
So what’s left to work on?
Well, because I’m currently spread out into four different rooms, I ended up having lots of duplicate items simply to keep myself from having to run from room to room to have all the tools I need at hand. Now that everything is going to be in one room, I won’t need all those duplicates, so I can pare down on some of those.
I’m also losing two storage cabinets (and two closets), and have to find other places for those items to be stored. So that is my task this time:
Organize the notions
I need to pare down the extras, and find a new way to store them. I’m planning to have most of them in one of the drawers of my cutting table, so they’re right there where I’ll be using them. I bought some little plastic drawer organizers in different sizes that I can use to contain like items together and keep them from rolling around and getting all mixed up.
Things that don’t get used at the cutting table can live elsewhere, possibly even not at my house! So that’s what I’ll be working on.
What about you? Are your notions out of control? Do you have too many duplicate items? I’m not talking about spares, since we all need those, but having five of something and never actually needing five is another story. Time to look at all the stuff with new eyes and get real about why it’s in our area taking up space!
Your new cutting table is awesome!
We have a new coffee shop, which is great. They are also serving lunch. Come over sometime!
Your new cutting table is super awesome!! I would love that kind of storage under mine. I thought about having a new table made when we moved a few years back, but my dad made my current table, so just couldn’t find it in my heart to get rid of it. I have lots of duplicate notions as we had a cottage about 3 hours away and I did lots of quilting there, so had everything in duplicate. We sold the cottage, so I’ve been slowly going through that stuff and getting rid of the extras.
I only have one sewing room so try to not keep as much. Will try to look & see what i can share with others. I love your table! Might show my cousin who has a quilt barn. Her husband could make her something! Thanks for focusing us.
That cutting table is so cool! My friend has now started making a book case and looking at Ikea storage as she is turning a spare bedroom into a sewing room. She’s going to have such fun!
I have duplicate notions because I used to go on retreats, but now I’ve joined a little group I need to get it all organised because last time I left things behind. But then I did take an iron and a little travel cutting board and ironing mat – which someone else needed, so while I borrowed scissors, my stuff came in handy for another person!
Love that new cutting table! So tempting for me to remember as I get the house I inherited ready for me to move into. I’ve been looking at getting one of those big metal tool chests with the butcher block tops (approx. 36″ by 60″ or so in size) for a cutting table. Hmmm, decisions, decisions…..
Lucky you for the cutting table with storage!
I like the notion cleanup- I have 3 rooms for my sewing area- plus what I bring upstairs to work on.
Amazing table and drawers. That is going to be the best thing ever! I was just playing with my notions. I have a daughter who is starting to quilt, so I’m sharing lots of my notions with her. That helps both of us.
Boy, that is one goodlooking cutting table and, no doubt, it will be put to good use. Congrats, and enjoy.
I just turned green with envy. I just got a new ironing board cover 😊😊
This is a beautiful table. But the fabric in that drawer is gorgeous. Passion for sewing and cutting and piecing and embroidering and quilting. I am so excited that you will have this place to move on to my age!! Hallelujah!
Awww Shelly, Downsizing has pros and cons. I’m still organizing from moving 18 months ago. A corner of my bedroom isn’t much, but I can’t complain. I bought an over the door closet organizer with soft clear shelves to use for fabric that were not designated as scraps. Closet doors are those folding ones so had to use the door that goes into the hallway. My rolling walker barely makes it through without doing damage. I always told them I was a good driver! lol
Love your cutting table. I too am downsizing my sewing room. It is not an easy task to down size.
So glad you are close to being able to totally move.
Your cutting table is fantastic! You will love having your fabric in drawers rather than tubs…so much easier (love those purples by the way).I’m so excited for you for the new space! I haven’t been making much headway in destashing lately. I fit pretty well into my space since my last purge and since I don’t have a place to go yet I don’t have any concept of what and how much needs to go. I see that you keep adjusting your target. 😊 For now I’m back to just trying to sew it all! And that’s a lot more fun than purging.
genius drawer system! what fun
Shelly
I love your cutting table. I am still organizing and putting away after my move six months ago. I am now sharing my sewing room with my daughter so that has made me deal with too much. I love to give away things but I also love things that others are giving away so I don’t think I am making progress there! I just keep plugging away. It does help sharing the cutting table. I can’t leave all my stuff out. Good luck with your move.
I love your new table! So beautiful and it looks like you can store lots. I’m very excited and thankful for the fabric you have given me! I just need more time to be at my studio.
The table is great. And having an easy place to see your beautiful fabrics is fabulous. This is a great
New place to quilt!!!