October Studio Organizing, Task One
Posted on October 12, 2022 by prairiemoonquilts in Studio Organizing ChallengeNearly halfway through October already! I can’t seem to get caught up.
Did you manage to get rid of at least 14 things over the last couple weeks? I did more than 14, but stopped counting after I reached 14. It sure felt good to get rid of some things that were just laying around waiting for me to decide what to do with them. I intend to keep it up. How did you do?
It’s time for another task, but this time I know what it WON’T be! It’s not gonna be “clear off your work table”, because mine is as clean as it’s been in awhile, and I hope to keep making it even better:
It kind of looks like I just shoved everything to the other end, but I didn’t! I’m still working on the other end to clear it off — but I’ll need more time for that. So something else will need to be the task this time — what shall it be? I couldn’t think of anything exciting on my own, so I went to the cards:
If you need to organize ALL your thread, then just have right at it if you have the time. It’ll feel really good to get it all organized. Me, the only thread collection I’m having real issues with at the moment is my embroidery floss, so I intend to concentrate only on embroidery floss for this challenge.
I have this bag . . .
. . . that I need to get wound onto floss bobbins and stored in my containers so I can find it easily when I need a certain color. I know I won’t get completely done in the next 2 weeks, but if I can at least make some progress on it, I’ll call it a win.
I also have a few loose spools of applique thread that need to be put away, so I’ll probably do that as well. Otherwise, the rest of it can wait, and maybe I’ll use up more of it in the meantime and that will help it organize itself!
How about you? How’s your thread storage? Do you need to figure out a different or better way to store it? Sort it by type and get it organized so you know what you have and can find it easily when you need it? Do you need to get rid of some that you will never use? Do you need to use up odds and ends? (I use lots of odds and ends to wind bobbins for piecing.) Do you have several types to organize? Do you have good places to keep it?
All things to think about for this challenge. It’ll make it easier to work when you have your thread organized. You’d be surprised what a difference it makes!
I have storage containers especially for thread and they are sorted by color. I used my partial spools that had a full spool of the same color for bobbin thread also a few years ago. The rest I’ve saved for applique and use as needed. I got rid of ( actually used) a trash bag of scraps either cut to size or made into 4 patches, 9 patches or strips for a scrappy ribbons quilt. I have been cleaning up my room after each project before I start a new one. But that’s about it. I have finished another quilt top.
Hubs built me a wall-mounted thread storage thing, which I love. My daughter gave me a little (maybe 8″ x 9″) wood house, with one side that is fully open. I call it my “thread shed” and that’s where I put thread when I’m done using it. When the thread shed gets full, then it goes back on the wall storage. At least I keep it heading in the right direction . . .
I recently used up some spools of thread that only had a little on them. Hate to throw away empty spools, but don`t know what to do with them. Anyone have ideas?
I’m wondering the same thing. I just hate to throw empty spools away when they could have another use.
Schools use empty spools for crafts that students make.
The only thing I have managed to get rid of is paper — I see a quilt I like and print. Sometimes inspiration for block placement or maybe I want to make something similar in the future. After ten years, paper has stacked up. A critical eye has managed to rid the stack of 70 pages, which I turn over and use in the printer again.
I keep my threads in plastic containers for thread. So I didn’t need to do this task . I will just keep organizing my sew room. Why is it always up side down. I keep putting things away but never get it do!!!!!!
I did the get rid of stuff! It felt good. Now thread – need some put away and embroidery floss should be better sorted so might work on that. Thanks for the nudge.
I did get rid of a lot of stuff at retreat however had to bring about a third back home. In sorting thru it to reorganize to take to thrift store a few books boomeranged back into my house😱.
My thread is organized and since I’m traveling out of town next week I’m just going to concentrate on sewing in whatever time I get in my room. It’s been staying pretty neat as I’ve made it a habit to pick up when I quit for the day.
I did find some things to take to guild next month to donate. I worked on two tops that have been year long projects and finished both. Talked to my long armer and she is going to quilt in January. (Don’t need them before Christmas, don’t want to get in anybody else gift giving). I’m also tidying my room as we go.
Last month got some new embroidery thread so I organized thread then. I have some flower fabrics for a scrap quilt I’m going to sort for the project. May even cut😳.
The embroidery thread sounds like a good TV watching activity. Thanks for giving monthly tasks.
Funny! I just organized my thread yesterday and now read this! I put thread in plastic covered containers so my sewing table is now clear of many spools!
I arrange embroidery floss by number–so all the 200’s are in one container, etc. Makes it easier, but need to work further on many unfinished counted cross stitch projects–maybe that will work for a goal this month–so when done extra floss can go back into storage!
Thanks for motivating us to get things done!
All done! Pearl cotton, sorted by size, own part of embroidery drawer, embroidery floss in its own part of embroidery drawer, hand quilting thread in its own part of embroidery drawer. 50 wt cotton sewing/quilting thread on racks on wall next to quilting machine. Machine embroidery thread sorted by color on racks next to embroidery machine. All purpose thread (very little these days!!) in a basket in sewing room. My only changes come when I need to add more racks to accommodate more colors which is usually embroidery thread; but, right now I need another rack for 50 wt cotton.
I decided to get rid of 2 things from my stash of stuff. One is a bag of quilters’
Bicycle clips. For hand quilters. Which I don’t do. And a big box of leftover buttons. I can’t think of anything else to do with them. So off to the quilters’ meeting next week.
Oh my, I have been organizing my sewing area as well. Thread can get cluttered so quickly, can’t it?