September Studio Organizing
Posted on September 25, 2024 by prairiemoonquilts in Studio Organizing ChallengeWell, I failed miserably on the last organizing challenge, so I need to do much better this time!
The pile I was going to tackle has doubled in size, instead of getting any smaller. That’s because I’m still moving stuff over from the old studio. Will it ever end?? How do I still have so much stuff left to move???
But I did spend a lot of time organizing the things I’ve moved, or the pile would be even bigger than it is. So I’ve made progress, just not enough to suit me yet. My new studio is a mess. (And I don’t wanna give you a tour until I have all the areas set up.) I still have a couple pieces of furniture to bring in. Which will also give me more places to store the things from that pile, but . . . baby steps. I guess I’ll eventually get there.
How did you do on the last challenge?
I hope you did better than I did, because here it is already time for another one!
What do I need to tackle this time that I can drag you all along with me for?
One of the things that’s most bugging me right now is my handwork area. I’ve been using it for a catch-all, but I need to get the table organized and set up so that I can actually DO some handwork, instead of having to rummage around even to find enough supplies to bind a quilt! There are things I need to make progress on, and having that area set up would help immensely.
So I think that’s what I’m gonna do:
Clear off a flat work surface
You can pick any flat surface you need to reclaim. If it’s your cutting table (mine is also a mess, as always), that’s a good choice. If you tend to pile your ironing board with stuff, there’s a good one (I used to do this, but I’m trying really hard not to in the new studio). If, like me, you tend to see ANY flat surface as fair game to toss random things, then choose one and get at it!
Here’s what mine looks like at the moment:
Hopefully, I’ll have a wonderful new after photo for you by the time of our next challenge. Let’s go!
I have finally cleaned off my cutting table and my ironing board, but it’s a real challenge to keep them that way. Quilting friends come to my studio on Wednesdays and Fridays, and I’m never sure if they’ll need to use one or both, so that’s helping me keep them cleared.
I got 1 of my piles tackled but not the other one. I always struggle with flat surfaces ending up as a catch all. My desk at home is currently the worst and at my studio I always struggle with my cutting area. I know that I need to spend the time on both but being a pack rat with not enough storage sucks.
I have this love hate relationship with any horizontal surface in my studio. I have piles that get swapped around. I miss my two closets that are still being used to store my daughters stuff.. going on two years now.
I have beed looking hard at my walls wondering what I can screw in to make more storage space…
Flat surfaces are fair game, aren’t they? We moved a little over three years ago and my new sewing room is pretty tiny with abysmal storage! My ongoing challenge is to continue to use up stuff and/or give away what I’m not using. Also, I do a lot of binding for QOV so there’s usually a pile of them in a corner somewhere! My current project is a double wedding ring for oldest grandchild’s wedding next May. Does keeping my head above water count as a challenge 🤣🤣🤣. Thanks so much Shelly for helping us keep focused. And by the way, I love the views from your windows! Hang in there quilters! We’ve got this❤️❤️❤️
Fairly organized on countertops, but now the floor looks messy! Might try to tame that mess but not real hopeful. Other duties get put ahead. Thanks for keeping us trying to move forward.
Flat surfaces anywhere are fair game for me and my shift this from here and dump it there problem! I swear a couple of things have never found a permanent home!
I have picked a countertop and started. Was amazed about how many things I was able to declutter as I started going down the pile, until I reached a more difficult porject which put things to a halt! Will hopefully keep at this until you come up with another challenge to keep us motivated! I am still keeping up with the 100 day challenge as well! Not doing so well on a block a day, however–but hope that changes soon. Fall is here and it’s so hard to stay indoors and focus on these things when the weather is nice.
From your picture, I see that you are a knitter too–fun. I just cast on three projects in the hope that once they are on the needles, progress will be made!
Amazingly I did get the miscellaneous fabric piles put away for last months challenge but just last week. The surface that needs my attention holds my works in progress. They seem to be stalled and there is a bunch of other miscellaneous stuff there too. I won’t be able to clear it but maybe I can reboot my interest by assessing and clearing out the excess and tidy it up too.
I am so glad to see you blogging more often again. I normally do a pretty good job of keeping my flat surfaces manageable, but we returned from a 51-day road trip and all of the sewing that I took with me ended up on the cutting table. Thanks for the challenge.
I am happy to report that I managed to spend some time yesterday and mostly cleared off a work table in my sewing room. The one pile that is left is a stack of magazines and quilt patterns. Often I will save quilt patterns on my computer, but sometimes I also print them out. Oh, I want to work on that! And work on that one, too! And that would make a great charity quilt block for my guild! And I think this would be quick to make and etc. SQUIRREL!!!!!!!!!! So many enticements and distractions!!! I have had too many disruptions to my work flow lately, unfortunately. So it goes.
I also organized a stack of quilts in my closet. I had stashed them in there when family came to visit. I can’t have a dozen extra quilts on a bed when they need to sleep in it! 😂 I set some quilts aside, as I need to take photos of them. Some will be donated to charity, and some are put aside for future gift giving.
I also organized my stack of quilts that need the binding hand sewn. I love to hand sew the binding down while watching some TV in the evenings. I didn’t realize how many quilts I have that need the binding hand sewn! Eight!!! I have several baby quilts, a queen size quilt, and some in between. But at least those quilts will soon be DONE. 😊