January Studio Organizing, Task One

Posted on January 13, 2023 by prairiemoonquilts in Studio Organizing Challenge

Did you all survive The Final Countdown?

Ready to tackle even more organizing?

I’ve finished a few quick-to-finish things already this month, which means I’m already starting to check some things off my list, and I’m still chipping away at that pile in my spare room. This is a BIG downsizing year for me, and I’ll tell you why a bit later on, but I’m looking at everything again with new eyes to see what else I can do to get things more under control around here.

I’ve made great strides the last few years, since we’ve been doing these challenges on the regular, so I hope to keep that momentum going. I hope you’re joining me this year.

Here’s what we’re gonna start off 2023 with:

This may take me more than one attempt. If you’re like me, you may want to divide your notions into categories, and only deal with one category at a time.

Here are some suggestions:

  • • Rulers
  • • Needles/thimbles/pins
  • • Sewing machine attachments/tools
  • • Scissors/cutters
  • • Stabilizers/interfacing
  • • Random tools or supplies

I have stuff stashed in lots of places. Especially scissors. And while it’s good to have a pair in every place that you use them, I think I have some random ones that don’t belong where they are, some that need to be sent off to be sharpened, and I need to examine which types of scissors are being stored in which location.

I could go through my rulers and make sure I’m still in need of the ones I own. If there are some I never use, maybe I need to pass those on. I also need to buy another one because the one I use the most has the numbers almost all worn off.

I need to get all of my stabilizers and those types of things stored all in one location so that I know what I have and don’t have.

And I know I could stand to clean out the drawers on my sewing machine table and get the attachments all back in place. I need to also make sure I have enough needles and bobbins.

So there are some ideas for this challenge. Have fun with it!

16 responses to “January Studio Organizing, Task One”

  1. Amanda M. says:

    My notions are under control. I don’t have that many of them but I’m like you in having scissors in multiple places. I need to do some counting of blocks to see how many more some projects need completed

  2. Marlene Clausen says:

    I purchased pegboard for one wall in my prep room. That will hold stuff related to basting my quilt sandwiches and all my machine embroidery hoops. I just ordered a 60′ long TV stand for under the window in my dining room (table for cutting not eating). Need to get that assembled and put into use. The perfect challenge for me!!

  3. Marcia in texas says:

    A few years ago, I put the attachments for each machine in a container with the name of the machine they went to. Before that I would have to try them on each machine when I went to use that machine. My problem is that last year I put all the stabilizers in one place but I have no idea of what the stabilizers are since they weren’t labeled up to that point. Usually I would buy more rather than do the guessing game. Anyone have a good method of labeling them?

  4. I forget how broad notions are. they are strewn every where…Like seam rippers. I own 5 but do oyu think I can find one when I need it.
    Stay warm…

  5. Kate says:

    Well, I feel pretty good about this task. I use the plastic cones from empty spools of serger thread and place them upside down in a coffee can. That way the tips of the scissors never hit the bottom of the cans. Several pairs of scissors are kept on the shelf near my sewing machines. The other major organizer is my pegboard. It holds the most regularly used rulers. I chipped my 8.5 x 24 ruler and my wonderful oldest brother trimmed it to 23 inches. That one I marked with 3″ wide clear red tape so I wouldn’t mismeasure thinking it was 24!
    Interfacing needs some work. I have one drawer where I just stuff scraps. The major pieces are on fabric cores and are in the closet but recently I needed a particular kind and found the information sheets were not connected to some so…..? There’s work to be done.
    Always.

  6. I need to weed through the rulers and I probably could cull some cutters. Pins and needles are where they need to be and thimbles were sorted during the storage task of the final countdown. Sewing machine attachments are stored in a tin at each machine and stabilizers are stored all together. So, now to tackle the other random notions.

  7. PAULA M MO says:

    Oh, I will like to do this task. I tend to use “whale
    cups (gifts) and other random containers for just about everything. They are beginning to take up too much counter space. Awhile ago I put all the rulers I have never used in a box, told myself they have 12 months to be used, then I donate them. Also put ALL my thread in one location, so it needs some better organizing.

  8. Cindy Wienstroer says:

    My notions are not in too bad of shape but do need to do some checking on interfacing. Have a few square rulers that are not square so should get rid of it. Maybe buy a new one. Know i have a few i should use or donate! Keep us on tasks – thanks

  9. Bev C. says:

    My notions are pretty organized but I’m going to sort out the “things” under my sewing table and put them where they belong. This may take me awhile. lol. To me this is a place used for storage the shouldn’t be. When I’m not sure where to put an item, this is where it ends up.

  10. Debbi says:

    My notions are pretty well organized. I know I have more than I need and I could purge but everything has a home and I can find what I need so I will skip this task for now.

    I’m going to work on scraps…I have bits all over my sewing room in miscellaneous containers and bags and they need a home or to go away.

  11. Rose P says:

    I have notions that I don’t use often but they have a home and when I need them I know where they are until I try to organize them, then I can’t remember where I put them.

  12. Candice says:

    My notions are in pretty good shape. My stabilizers were in that corner pile I went after a few weeks ago in an earlier challenge. A Plow & Hearth store near me closed down at the end of the year. I went every week to see what items were reduced even more that week. Luckily when they started selling store furnishings I bought a rack for a dollar that is the perfect ruler holder!!! So for the first time all my rulers are lined up in one place😁.Your challenges have been good because I’ve been bringing stuff I no longer want to my weekly quilt group and happily people have been taking all the stuff.

  13. Darlene Y says:

    I do have notion in a few places- that would be a good one for some organizing. I keep my interfacing in 1 drawer w/ instructions pinned so I know what it is. Shelly, I am glad you are making progress on your pile! You can get this organized.

  14. Celia says:

    Your challenges have been so helpful. Most of my notions have homes but I have rounded up some rogues and they need to be corralled. When I had one seam ripper I guarded it with my life. Now I have a few and I am lucky if I can find one. It is so satisfying to go to my drawer and find exactly what I need.

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