I laughed at 'under an hour' for trashing a sewing space. Straighten as you go ..is also a wonderful habit to get into. I will also check out Ricky's blog. Oh,and the excavation comment was a bit strong of a word BUT at times it is the correct word for the situation . Thanks again to all

I guess you are thinking of this:
[url]daily-blog/107-just-for-fun/13398-tqs-highlights-2009-ricky-needs-help[/url]

Hello, Kate,
Welcome to the Forum! Everyone has given such great suggestions. I really like the "place for everything". My places change every once in awhile. Libby Lehman showed off her quilting space once. Her suggestion was to get a label machine. I did, and labelled plastic boxes that held groups of things. It really helps and they are fun to use.

The other suggestion I have is to think "up", as in, there is lots of room up the walls and towards the ceiling. Get a sturdy step stool. Ikea shelving is awesome. Big Box stores are the place to buy plastic bins. Check out their shelving, too.

Staying organized is a work in progress. I'd be willing to bet that every one of us can trash a sewing space in under an hour. When it gets to you, stop and take the time to do a bit of straightening.

Can anyone with a memory point Kate in the direction of Ricky's challenge to help him organize his space???

Hi, Kate! Glad you've come to play on the Forum! I recently did an excavation (yes, that is the correct term for it) of my sewing room with the help of my 27-year-old daughter. After 20 years of sewing, quilting, mass producing dance costumes, Girl Scout crafting, etc, all while working 60 hours a week, let's just say that my sewing room truly had become unusable. In the rush from one deadline to the next, cleanup and organization was never a high enough priority to get done. With my daughter's assistance, in one day we completely emptied out the room (except for my fabric closet) and I have been slowly adding things back to it. All the stuff that used to be in it has been relocated to a spare bedroom, and I am sorting through it one box at a time, in bite size pieces. I've made lots of trips to the Goodwill Store and Hospice with donations. Anyway, the point is that in my situation, drastic measures were needed, and were successful. My sewing room is now a joy to work in.

Good luck with your project!

Ritzy - I like the motto, 'a place for everything'. I have some really 'special' things that I just don't have room for. That alone is a good start. Re-arrange or throw/give out!

Baby steps! Don't try and do it all at once. 20 min a day is good and start to work round your room.

I let flylady help me get there. Here's a link well my sink may be shiny but I never got dressed to my shoes. You may find some good tips

Thank you ladies..the task is 'do-able. All of you have encouraged me to just get in there and be realistic. Happy quilting.

I just did a major overhaul in my room and I agree that if it is an overwhelming task (mine was), take it one step at a time so you can start to see progress. I wanted to have a place for everything--if there wasn't a place for it--decisions had to be made. Did I really need to keep it, could I reorganize something else to make room, am I being reasonable about what I am keeping(I have many crafts that I do and all the materials for them are in the same room, so it was a task!). Then I had the problem of other peoples things being in my room. I gave away tons of magazines and even some hard back books that I wasn't going to use again. It was tough but I really wanted to accomplish my goal (a place for everything) so I was in a give it away or throw it away mood. That helped. If your room is a disaster like mine was the best advice I can give is be realistic.

Welcome to the forum Kthequeelter! If there is a lot to tidy then I suggest you take it in small stages. For example, if you find it overwhelming then do a little every day. For example, take all the fat quarters and fold them the same way and either put them on shelves or in boxes. I keep mine in boxes and I make sure to fold them so that they fit the box. I have small baskets that I put my scraps into according to size. I don't have one of those fancy thread stands so I use Ikea boxes to store most of my threads. (the ones that have moveable compartments. That way I can store similar colours together.) I put my rulers into a magazine file or hang them on either side of my cutting table. I use coat and skirt hangers for my quilts. Those are just some of the things I do. Hope that helps. Good luck.

Just from a big picture perspective, I like to put everything in like piles (e.g., scraps all together, random spools of thread laying around in another pile, tools in a third, whatever logical piles that things fit together in). Then go through each pile and: put away, give away or throw away (if you must ). This assumes you have a place for all your things already. I defer to others for any good advice and love that you've started this thread!

Afternoon my fellow quilters.. I am attempting to clean up and organize my sewing room. I have lots of ideas, but I just can't seem to begin. Any words of wisdom. Thank you :shock: