Karen - That's not crazy at all. I have a screen door on my sewing room. I have a houseful of curious cats and DH who wants to be able to talk to me while I'm in my sewing room which is downstairs off the living room. It keeps DH happy. The cats sit outside the door and watch me. They would rather be in there with me and on the quilts but they're safe. I don't have to worry about them being hurt on pins, needles and thread, and rotary cutters. The screen door latches shut so the smart little kitties can't work it open by pulling on the screen enough to get a paw in to pull the door open. Some of them figured that out when I was in there without the door latched! I'm not totally shut off from the rest of the house. I love it!

Diana in Hornell, NY

Hey you folks with little grandchildren, when my kids were little I always wanted to take off the door to my sewing room and replace it with a screen door. Then they would be almost like in the room but safe. My husband never got on board with that idea though. What do you think? Crazy? Karen

For projects/block storage I use plastic storage boxes designed for scrapbooking. I got them at Michael's. I refuse to pay full price so always use a coupon or wait for a sale.
I also use a plastic container to dispose of my old needles, so that they are not easily accessible in the garbage.

Jean in Windsor, ON

eileenkny wrote:
I know what you mean I found the GS with a flower head pin in his mouth... he was chewing on the flower... SCARY ... I had just swept the floor but he still finds things I miss..... I am setting up the sewing area where he can not get to unsupervised and then I am still not sure if he will be allowed in there.....

Problem is he stands at the door and yells... NONNIE, HEY, NONNIE til I come out to play with him.

I like to use plain (without company logos) large unused pizza boxes for storing my projects in progress. They are great for BOM projects as they are good for 12.5 inch blocks. I buy them from our local pizza retailer for $2 and then put a label on the outside of the box to identify the project.

I love the Walmart see through storage containers. They are easy to stack & to label & are cheap. There are easy to take to classes or Retreats.

I have kept a big box of buttons since my children were little to keep them occupied while I sewed. My GC now play & sort them.

I prefer stackable plastic drawers instead of containers with lids for smaller items as they can be accessed without unstacking. I know these aren't cheap but they can be purchased a few at a time over a period of months or years. Stack them on the upper shelves of sturdy bookcases that are attached to the wall. I'm using 3 drawer units with drawers that are about 12"w x 9"d x 3"h that I purchased at Office Max. Drawers that are deeper than they are wide can be found at Office Depot. Similar items are probably available at most places that sell organizers. These hold my scissors, pins, cutting tools, notions, tape, glue, instruction manuals, etc. with labels on the drawers so I can find what I'm looking for quickly. I even have a special drawer for my P-Touch labeler. It's great to be organized. Now to just keep it that way!

I just bought some storage boxes at Wal-Mart that I just love. They are designed for shoe storage. They have see thru plastic drawers in a white plastic frame and interlock to stack on top of each other. Unlike some plastic drawers, these slide open very nicely.

You can use them for all kinds of storage. I'm using mine to organize my scraps. I made some colorful labels (ie, 1-1/2", 2", 2 1/2", and Odds) for the drawers...idea came from Bonnie Hunter's scrap system. You could also sort using a drawer for a color grouping. You can stack them just about anywhere and add more as desired.

I'm currently making DH a string quilt and the system has worked very well. They run about $3.50 each and are very sturdy.

Good luck with your organization project,
Shirley

Anna, what a timely question. Most retailers selling storage items have a sale throughout January. Joann sells their storage items regularly at 50% off. Meanwhile, I've a couple of suggestions. Storage boxes that have the same footprint. Helps with stacking and uses space more efficiently - looks more organized as well. Labels can be made on your printer (using a nice big font) with regular paper and taped to the front with clear packing tape. I've used a label maker, however, large print helps locate the right box more easily. Thick elastic bands may keep small hands out of the boxes and keep them more secure from spilling mishaps. Anxious to see what others post. Jocelyn

Somewhere on TQS someone suggested using a back of the door hanging shoe holder for scraps of fabrics - and I mean scraps. I purchased one (not knowing if it would be good or a bust) and it is GREAT!

I need this too. Tyler will be crawling soon. I'm terrified he'll find a stray pin.
Looking at my sewing table, I can't find the surface; it's totally covered.

I NEED HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

eileenkny

http://scrapbooksetc.com/storage/mini/clever-ideas-for-scrapbook-storage/?sssdmh=dm17.417286&esrc=nwscrap28_10&email=818909008

I found this for scrap-booking on another web site but thought some of the ideas applicable to quilting, especially for the notions and paraphernalia we collect to do our work.
Do any of you have good ideas for storage of quilting supplies? I need to reorganize and I need ideas....

MUST BE CHILD SAFE BECAUSE I HAVE A 2 YR OLD GS living with us.

NEEDS TO BE CHEAP!! Because I can not afford spending tons of $$$-- Maybe reuse items / storage from around the house.

Anna