October Studio Organizing
Posted on October 17, 2025 by prairiemoonquilts in Studio Organizing ChallengeWhile September was a whirlwind of productivity, October seems to be going in slow motion in that regard. I’m facing a bit of overwhelm with the last big things that need to get organized in here, coupled with a lack of motivation. Not a good recipe for getting anything done!
I did sort out all the pieces for my Star Storm quilt, located my pattern pieces that I apparently lost in the move and had to dig for, and got one section ready to put together.
Here’s my next problem: Once I get it pieced, it has a giant template you use to trim it to shape. I don’t have enough of my cutting table cleared off to even do that. So can you guess what this month’s task is? Yep . . .
Clean off your main work surface
We haven’t formally tackled this task since January, so after 9 months of piling things up and very feebly trying to keep it clean, it’s time!
How about you? Have you let things slip a little? Got too many irons in the fire like me?
Mine went from this:
To this:
And it’s time to get it cleared off again.
I hope I’m not the only one with this problem!
No, you are not the only one. An empty surface just cries out for something to be laid down on it. I definitely have too many irons in the fire, so this task will be what I work on. I still haven’t finished the sorting of baskets (!!) of gifted scraps. Too overwhelming. Finding my work surface will be rewarding because I should be able to accomplish that in a few hours.
I’m shipshape sort of! Now stuck with a broken ankle – meh, my sewing foot! I may have to get husband to reach for the hand sewing before I go nuts! But cutting table is clear, the sewing table is clear. Just the same 3 quilts to bind on the cupboard. I was ready to quilt your pattern and now I’ll have to wait a little longer. Again.
Oh Shelly, ‘to this’ only tells me you are a very active project starter and finisher when there’s a deadline. Having to clear off the counter tops every 9 months is not a bad thing. Hugs…….
A week ago the whole studio, not just the cutting table, was pristine — I made some major donations to my guild’s FYN — fabric, yarn, and notions — sale and almost all my stuff fits into the space. Just backing fabrics and batting elsewhere. It feels good.
Of course, it didn’t last my studio is a disaster zone.
mid-project it’s always the same…creativity is messy!
Take heart!
Surprisingly my cutting tables aren’t really that packed. I have been trying to get a handle on my scrap collection and also make progress on getting some projects further along.
I moved from my cutting table to ping pongvtable for cutting several years ago because of the clutter. loved working on ping pong table because of the space and I have to keep it clean because that is where I pin my quilts. Edie sold me a 36 x 3 ruler that works wonderful for cutting out star storm. I’ve made several of those quilts and love the pattern. have fun!
You said “main” work service right?
Mine wasn’t too bad until I returned from Houston. I spread all of my purchases out on the cutting table so I could admire them. Now, to find a place for 4 precut kits, 4 t-shirts, a pack of longarm bobbins, a repair kit for a rotary cutter, 3, no 4 patterns, untold numbers of superior thread cones, longarm clamps, and I’m not sure what else. I hope I can get it looking like your before picture.
Well my work surfaces are clear however that doesn’t mean I am without a problem area. My floor is filling up and becoming a tripping hazard. 😱I bring in new bins and fill it with stuff to keep my work surfaces clear. 😂 I keep containing stuff I don’t know what to do with or there isn’t a place to put away in those bins. The one I will work on to eliminate will be the one that is holding quilts that need trimming and binding.
Your surface just looks like you are working 😊Such a beautiful space you have!
so true. my cutting table was used for the last month for all the wedding stuff. that is now over so on to making more quilts and everything else.
happy quilting everyone
This is a good one for this week.
I’ve been so busy trying to get things done that I haven’t cleaned up as well as usual.
I should think about putting some of the projects away.