August Studio Organizing
Posted on August 13, 2025 by prairiemoonquilts in Studio Organizing ChallengeWell! Here we are halfway through August already!
How did you do with the last challenge?
I got my sewing machine area all spiffed up, and that inspired me to use it so much, I’ve already had to oil my machine again since then! It also spilled over into other areas, and I’ve been making some good progress on random stuff I was procrastinating on.
So that leads me to this month’s task:
Clean up at least one annoying pile
Back at the beginning of August, I made a goal of organizing something (anything) in my studio for just 10 minutes a day. Just 10 minutes a day to work on finding a place to put something away, deciding what to do with it, re-organizing how it’s stored, getting rid of it, cleaning it, working on it, anything to move things along. The ultimate goal being to once and for all get rid of the extra piles laying around.
So . . . even if it’s just a small pile, I’ve been working my way through them all.
I finished this quilt top that was laying on top of my cart:
I found this UFO very close to finished, and decided to put it up on the design wall and get it done:
I recycled some projects back into my stash because I no longer want to finish them.
I downsized a couple to make them into smaller projects.
I emptied out at least FOUR boxes, and organized a lot of stuff into better places. For example, I’m trying to get all my un-quilted quilt tops, both newer and the vintage ones, all stored in my longarm closet. I found two bags and a small box full of those, and now they’re all put away where they belong!
I even dealt with some of the piles on my cutting table!
And with this challenge, I intend to keep going.
How about you?
Do you have at least one pile that’s really bothering you?
Is it full of things you keep procrastinating on?
Does it just need to be sorted and put away?
Do you need to find places to put the stuff, so that it’s not in your way?
Do you just keep making more piles because you aren’t sure how to deal with what’s in the piles?
I’m guilty of all of this, and it’s time to face the music! Are you with me?
Do you have just 10 minutes a day to start making a dent?
While sorting out my stuff I rediscovered a quilt – couldn’t remember making it! Turned out to be Deanna’s Calico Rose but it needs the border on it, so working on that now that I’ve finished my scrappy Ohio stars and the little 9 patches made into a big 9 patch this afternoon. I’m sorting out strips and strings for a group session to make a scrappy quilt for The Linus Project. Fun times ahead! But first tidying up!
Last month I had this overflowing basket of smallish pieces for fabric. I tired to work on it 30 minutes a day, cutting it up into the sizes I use for scrap quilts. After a few weeks it was empty. Well, I turned around just 3 times and it’s got more stuff in it. How does that happen? I worked on it today and emptied it again. I’m hoping to keep up with those pretty little scraps! Thanks for the encouragement!
We returned last Wednesday from a 25 day trip. When I went to the studio I found signs of a mouse. One of the signs was a few small pieces of shredded grocery bag plastic. Nothing like signs of a mouse to get you busy. I have a milk crate that was full of quilt parts that I have received from I don’t know where. Each one went into a zippered project bag. Then while one of my machines was still in the motorhome, I dusted both of the sewing stations. Still haven’t found a shredded plastic bag. So I will continue.
Thanks for the encouragement.
I tidied up part of my sewing table space and found a blue square that I didn’t use in a runner. I turned that into a pillow and gifted it to a friend when we met up for lunch. Her and hubby live three hours away so we met up half way. I have known this couple for 54 years.
Rediscovered the notebook I used to keep track of the organizing tasks and what was accomplished. Keeps me motivated if I write things down. I have way more than one annoying pile, so this assignment will keep me busy for a while!
Thanks for motivating us.
This 10 min thing is turning into a good thing. I did finish my 3 Sisters landscape, the smaller version needs to be quilted. ( not ready to learn that…) Started pressing fabrics for 3 upcoming projects. My piles don’t look so scary now, thanks to that 10 min thing…I can see 2 quilts on the table, one to be tied, the other needs binding. The tied one has been on table for 2 years (?) , the other since Jan. this year…or was that last year!
My goal was to put away the laundry (?) baskets of fabric I had donated to me. I got started, but not as much as hoped. And….they multiplied. How??? So, my goal is still to get those all quarantined to their respective color containers.
You are making it work…way to go! I’ve mostly been working creating a habit of going in my sewing room everyday and doing something on a project. I can see things moving forward, albeit still slower than in my mind. Two things are bothering me, one is the pile of fabric I brought home from the church group to make quilt tops and the other is my overflowing scrap bins. I’m going to spend 15 minutes cutting up my scraps for a leader ender project each time before I sew. I cut one quilt for the church and will sew it up in rotation with three other projects I’m working on with the goal to finish before the end of the month. Doable if I do alittle everyday. That is a technique I’m finding effective for any project sewing or otherwise.
I love this idea and it is something that I need to do desperately. I have piles everywhere and it is in the way of my sewing progress. I plan to start doing some work on it tonight while I am downstairs doing laundry.
Thanks for all of the ideas!
I had a bag that was behind my door that I had put leftover fabric into. I had a pattern for a disappearing nine patch and some scraps. As I cleaned it out, I found another scrap pattern and a class project I had started. So at least they are organized now.
Thanks for the reminder.