February Studio Organizing, Task Two
Posted on February 25, 2022 by prairiemoonquilts in Studio Organizing ChallengeWow! Only four days left in this month. But every day is one day closer to spring!
Hard to believe it’s already time for another organizing task. We had one day that got into the high 60s a few days ago, and the spring cleaning bug evidently bit me, cos I cleaned my entire longarm room, the machine, the frame, the floor, and put down a new cushy floor mat to stand on. The previous mats ruined my painted floor, so that’s a project for another time. I’m not sure what I want to do to fix it. For sure, right now, I’m not doing anything about it. There are too many other more important things that need doing around here first.
Also, you will notice in the photo above that there are boxes and tubs under my longarm frame. This is a HUGE no-no for me, but for right now, I don’t have a choice. I’m having to empty out my fourth room up here so that the remodeling can be finished, so this storage is only temporary, and then I’ll find places for it all once the fourth room is done. Thankfully, as I’m going through all this stuff, I’m getting rid of a lot of it, or finding other places to store it as I go. Maybe there will be very little to put back! (I can dream.)
As for the Great Fabric Stash Reorganization I embarked on a couple weeks ago . . . I got it finished! I went through every tub and took out lots to donate to a friend who does a lot of Project Linus quilts and other charity quilts. Then I reorganized my color groupings to make it all fit better in the tubs. Then I was able to put away all the fabric I had stacked on the ironing board waiting for a home, plus a few other random piles I had elsewhere!
So most of my stash now fits in the tubs under my cutting table, which has been my goal all along. I still have too many tubs, more than I want to have, so my next task will be to use up even more of it so that I can have fewer tubs.
My large yardage pieces are stored in the closet, and I still have THREE large tubs of scraps to go through (a lot of which may also get donated), but I’m getting so close to having less and having it all organized! Finally, my organizing efforts, year after year, are paying off!
So for this task, what shall we do? I needed something easy, and thankfully drew out this card:
And I’ve been meaning to do this for some time now. I keep a box of hand sewing at the ready, and I’ve been using a plastic tub for it. I’ve been meaning to switch it over to a real sewing box so that I can keep all the tools and notions organized, instead of having them all rolling around willy nilly in the tub. So I’m good with this one. All I need to decide is WHICH sewing box I want to put it all into and carry around.
My Cowboy bought me this one years ago, and I’ve been trying not to use it much to keep it nice, but I think I’m going to use it for this. I’ll just have to keep the cats away from it while I have it downstairs!
Do you have a sewing box that needs a good reorganization? Even if it’s not for hand sewing . . . My grandmother had one of those big amber-colored plastic sewing boxes (I have it now), and she kept all her small notions in it. She was so organized — I didn’t get that gene!
If you don’t have a sewing box, you can skip the task this time, or choose something else that you need to work on in your own situation. And once it’s done, we’ll have all sorts of free time for extra sewing, right?
I keep a plastic box with section, so my sewing box is always ready to go. Now for organizing and alway on going scrap pile. I will work on that. Happy organizing!!!!
I got my fabric cleaned up and shelved this week, along with organizing the area to the right of my sewing machine, which is really my “sewing box”. It’s where all my necessary notions, etc. are stashed and it was getting messy. I’ve got plenty of continued organization to work on this week!
I am still a work in progress but I do see some improvement!
Congrats on making progress on the fabric! I downsized mine last year before putting 99% of what I own into storage. Am now getting ready to move into a mobile that is smaller than the house I’d owned before. So the stash will be due for another downsizing once I have everything out here in Phoenix instead of in storage in N. TX. That will happen over the next 2 weeks. Am looking forward to being able to continuing weeding out lots from my stash.
Your sewing basket is beautiful!!!!!
Organized, I’m not. I have my sewing stuff all over the place. Luckily, I also collect baskets, and they hold all my stuff (all over the place.) I often have to hunt for something, but I don’t mind looking in all my baskets. Kinda fun!
i have a few things that need to leave the sewing box…..so after I get this cheese cake in the over I will get that cleaned out….
happy quilting everyone
I actually have my sewing box organized! I’m working on cutting up scraps into blocks which means quality time with my iron on this chilly day. Thanks for choosing to support Project Linus!
Two things … your sewing box is lovely! Use it and enjoy it. I’m trying to use more things that make me happy … I’m getting a little long in the tooth to keep saving things because they are too pretty to use😉
Second, I love your cushy mat! Can you share any details?
You are amazing! That’s great progress. I organized my sewing boxes a short time ago so I will continue trying to put away fabric from the last task. Part way there. Distracted right now by a new sewing machine purchase. 😱
I have a rolling cart I use by my chair that has all my appliqué supplies in it, three shelves. But it often becomes a storage cart and sewing cart. I need to remove anything that is not used and find a new home for the stored items. Thanks for the reminder!
Still needing to finish last months organizing challenge–was working on it daily for a while and making good progress. Yeah for what you have accomplished–motivating to see what you have done.
The next challenge will keep me busy, as I do lots of handwork, which involves more than one sewing box…
Really enjoyed your post on what is happening on your farm–so FUN! (But lots of work too.)
Thanks for the update.
“A big amber-colored sewing box”…. as soon as I read those words my mother’s big, amber-colored box popped up in my mind. I haven’t thought about that box in the last 39 years since she passed. And now I’m sitting here tearing up with memories. Thanks for the trip back in time .
Your stash re-organizing looks amazing! Congrats on getting all that done. I’m sure it feels wonderful. In the last task, I did manage to get two large drawers emptied of fabric and put other things in them; still have two more to go, but it’s progress. I don’t really have a sewing basket, so I’ll just keep working on my cabinet. Yours is lovely, so I’d use and enjoy it, too. Thanks for all the motivation!
Good for you working so hard to tame the stash- you are seeing the results !!
That is a beautiful sewing box. I have a large gold plastic sewing box hinge broke- I emptied it into drawers and cleaned it out. I have yet to get rid of it- it should have gone w/getting rid of something everyday!