August Studio Organizing, Task Two
Posted on August 25, 2021 by prairiemoonquilts in Studio Organizing ChallengeIt’s time once again for another Studio Organizing Challenge. How did that happen so fast?
I’ve been working on both my cutting table AND my scraps since I issued the last challenge, but things are not better. The scrap basket is even fuller (because as I was putting random things away, I found more scraps that needed to be added to it), and here’s the state of my cutting table as of this morning (you can see my towering scrap basket in this shot):
I swear I’ve been working on it, but from the looks of it, I haven’t. It must be a case of “it has to get worse before it gets better”.
It’s also because partly, I’m still up against some deadlines, and partly, I decided the entire room needs mucked out, so I’m doing my normal flittery thing and trying to work on several things at once.
So . . . this time, I’m not assigning any one task in particular, but I thought I’d provide you with some links to some other ideas that may help you. Every single one of us has a unique situation, so at some point, you have to land on the ideas and suggestions that work for you. What works for me, or you, won’t work for everyone. We all have to find our own way.
Here’s a video on How to Declutter Arts & Crafts Supplies. While not all of it applies to quilting, there are some good tips. I especially liked #2 and #4 for myself.
If you do an internet search for the phrase “fabric scrap organizing ideas”, you will come up with more links to ideas than you can even imagine. You will certainly have your choice of finding a system that will work for your particular situation!
If you need some cute items that may help with organizing, Lori Holt has the cutest clipboard, and her new planner for 2022 is available for pre-order at Fat Quarter Shop. You know I’m a planner nerd, so I’m already perusing ideas for making mine different/better next year.
Finally, if you seriously need help, and need to be held accountable, Kim over at Feel Good Fibers offers a Declutter With Us program, and you can sign up for real one-on-one help with accountability built in. Signups are open now for the few sessions they still have available. Signups end September 3rd, so if you miss this round, you can opt to be on a waiting list for the next set of sessions.
Meanwhile, just keep plugging along at it. It’s not a race, it’s an ongoing thing — we will never be done organizing, but it will be good to get to a point where we can stay on top of it a bit better. That’s what I’m striving for. I have a feeling I’m not alone!
Hi I have my new 20/20 eyes. which show where the dirt is…I have continued to pick up piles and put them away. I sorted scraps and than realized I was never going to use them all. I have a wonderful friend who comes and gets them and turns them into WONDERFUL. quilts. That works out great. It is 91 here in Maine and I WANT FALL.
I’m cutting kits to make small quilts at our guild’s retreat over Halloween weekend, and that’s really counterproductive to organizing. I’ve gotten better at putting like colors together as I finish with each one, and that helps when I’m ready to cut the next kit. It may be a wash for this rest of this month, but I do see a glimmer of light at the end of this particular tunnel. As always, thanks for your fresh ideas and your encouragement.
I have a tower of batting pieces in serious danger of toppling over 😬.
They are usable pieces trimmed from finished quilts. When it gets out of hand I zigzag them together to make “frankenbatts”. I use them in practice quilts and some charity quilts.
Obviously that tower needs attention. Soon…
My kiddos put together my scrap wall of bins and that made me want the rest of the room to look as nice. So, I am working to go through all sorts of things to get them done. Everything is looking better, but it still has to work to finish.
I had it picked up but decided to crumb blocks – mostly done with white. Now white with colors, then creams, then gray, black, blues, teals, greens, yellows, orange, red and pink to go. Should do some quilting of finished tops. Working on 2 hand projects. Someday might get more done. At least my block count will be high!
It is an ongoing thing. And I am still plugging away. Found some partially used fat quarters that I am cutting into 10″ squares and the leftovers into 5″.
We sent four kids back to school this year, keeping two home for school (and the two year old runs wild) . The mental gymnastics I do to get through each day has totally sapped my sewing energy. Getting into my sewing room and tidying up the cutting table would be a good place to begin.
I have my scraps pretty well organized, and now I’m trying to not save every little tiny scrap. Learning to let go! I’m still trying to figure out my sewing table organization so it doesn’t look so cluttered; haven’t found the best thing that works quite yet!
I really want to tackle my scraps, but I am trying to finish my 2nd binding and a table runner this month.
I need to set a timer and work on them 30 minutes a day🤣🤣🤣
Instead of cleaning off the end of my cutting table I’ve been adding to it as I’ve trimmed quilts I got done quilting. I’ve been trying to get caught up on quilting charity quilts I have on hand but they keep multiplying. This dang heat has been sapping my energy some so I’m ready for winter. I also have a few baby quilts to create for several friends; apparently babies are one crop that is plentiful this year.
Hi Shelly
I just got back from spending a few days at the studio, playing on the longarm to get some quilts finished to go to Wildfire victims. I came home, pulled my sewing corner apart, and reorganized it so It’s more workable. Then I cut my backing scraps from the quilts into bindings for another quilt or 4. I cut the new scraps from the leftover backing into my scrap bins and then pulled what I needed for a leader Ender project to work on while I’m doing a pattern test. Is it really only Wednesday? 😅
Just looks like you’ve been busy! The scraps are just like dishes and laundry, they never stay done. I had to look back to task one to see what my plan was…well that surface still needs clearing! I guess I’ll keep working on it. I bought a board to cover and make a larger ironing surface that needs to go on top of this buffet, not this stuff that is sitting there. Problem is the ironing top will still be a flat surface to collect stuff. 🤪
Hi Shelly! I recently finished decluttering my sewing room. I always have several projects going at once, and it doesn’t contribute to a tidy space. So I tucked each project into a separate (pretty) box with a lid, ready to resume, and I keep only one or two active at a time. So far, it’s working! Now, rather than seeing the projects scattered all over the room, they’re neatly concealed and ready to work on. When I finish a quilt top, the box is free for another project. This requires me to stay disciplined, but the reward is worth it.
This is such a battle for me. There is just too much! I think I am going to giveaway a pile of larger scraps – at least they would be out of the room and maybe someone would actually use them! I have tubs of tinier scraps organized by color but I haven’t used them in a long while so (if I can make myself) I might just let go of the tiny bits.
I’ve actually decluttered my cutting table because it is also my sewing table extension to hold my quilts while I quilt. And that’s what I’ve been doing quilting a quilt. Doesn’t let me get many blocks pieced. But that’s the way it goes.