tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post810174637221413247..comments2024-03-14T16:03:32.434-04:00Comments on Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing: The Near-Insurmountable Task of Orgazining One's Sewing RoomGertiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314542159287533507noreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-51992919030944197932012-02-15T11:28:49.570-05:002012-02-15T11:28:49.570-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Milenushkahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01515799754187460711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-34270162148725789812012-02-15T11:27:04.451-05:002012-02-15T11:27:04.451-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Milenushkahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01515799754187460711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-17427788150033723322012-02-07T17:14:33.822-05:002012-02-07T17:14:33.822-05:00Ohhh I actually have a good tip for this! I have ...Ohhh I actually have a good tip for this! I have a craft room where everything has a "home," but it never looked clean because all my projects were out and about. I'd think, "Well, as soon as this project is done then the room will be clean." But of course by the time that project was done, I'd started 3 more. SO... this lady I know who is ridiculously organized told me what she does. She has a bunch of stackable plastic drawers that are "work in progress" drawers. Um, DUH! I never would have thought of that on my own because I'm not a very organized person by nature, but apparently everyone else thought that was obvious. Whatever. The point is, I got some drawers from Wal-Mart, and each one contains a "work in progress." That way I can just dump it in there at whatever stage it's at, and pull the drawer out the next time I'm working on it. NOW my craft room finally looks clean, which makes it much more inviting to work in.Jenn Hoffhttp://www.keeping-it-together.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-73086245165715832782011-07-28T05:01:15.004-04:002011-07-28T05:01:15.004-04:00I've thought about this post a lot and ended u...I've thought about this post a lot and ended up writing a blog entry with my tips for a tidy sewing space:<br /><br />http://sinistercat.blogspot.com/2011/07/tidiness-in-sewing-room.htmlKeren Duchanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05714455369141947796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-66263319295328513612011-07-26T14:00:12.075-04:002011-07-26T14:00:12.075-04:00Reading this my first thought was 'duh' (a...Reading this my first thought was 'duh' (and that's directed at ME not you). Labels. Never crossed my mind LOL and I'm always scrambling in about 10 different places for stuff.<br /><br />Office P-Touch machine is now in my bag for labeling tonight! Thanks for the inspiration, Gretchen!<br />-AlexandraAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-44484897397767928902011-07-25T16:07:32.658-04:002011-07-25T16:07:32.658-04:00Must be something about this time of year - a coup...Must be something about this time of year - a couple of weeks ago, I spent my day off building Ikea storage furniture and a desk and setting up my multi-tasking sewing/writing/storage space! It's a tiny store room, but I've managed to fit a desk and chair in as well as my dress form ... right next to the mop and our toolbox! I'll be posting about it this week.<br /><br />I am with you on the labelling tip - I've got a set of drawers with labels, which is very helpful. I also made some fabric pockets that hang on the wall (from One Yard Wonders), each pocket has a planned project/WIP in it with the pattern, fabric and all the notions inside. For me space is really at a premium, so if something can hang on the wall, even better! (Loving the wall pegs idea for shears, etc.)<br /><br />I've also got a pinboard with inspiration images, bits of pretty trim and reminders, as well as notes for my writing. It's great to be able to look up and instantly see something that gives me pleasure. I think it's good to have a sewing space that looks pleasing to you and that you enjoy being in as, surely, that'll keep you in there and coming back!<br /><br />Probably the most important thing, though, is to have seating and a desk that looks after your back! I'm planning to get one of those kneeling chairs at some point, because I have terrible posture and that needs sorting out, for my own good!Clare Shttp://magpiemakes.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-30781748724412364792011-07-23T10:05:15.463-04:002011-07-23T10:05:15.463-04:00Gertie, first of all I am in LOVE with your blog a...Gertie, first of all I am in LOVE with your blog and all your ideas, I recently inherited my daughter's room after she got married and now empty nester's that we are, my husband while off for 3 surgeries, surprised me with having her room customized into an actual sewing studio, since I was opening up the room as a business to take in alterations & making garments. It is the dream sewing room to die for. NO it's not customized with the expensive sewing furniture that's out there, but to me far better. The room is only 10 X 10 so space was the important issue, my son who is a contractor by trade, gutted the room and we ripped up carpet, exposed the hardwood floors for ease of cleaning, he put in all new cabinets and drawers with a sewing station just the perfect height for sewing, with all the proper storage space right there at my side, then behind me he put in another cabinet full of drawers & shelving for a cutting station again just the perfect height for cutting without any strain. He installed a wall iron unit that shuts up beautifully, and customized my closet with drawers, shelves and a hanging rack for finished garments. if you would like pictures of the finished room and the other little perfect storage ideas we came up with, I posted a blog about it at: http://whiterosedesigns.blogspot.com/2011/03/reveal.html I am sorry I took up so much space in my comment, it's just you inspired me so much, hopefully I can inspire you with some of my ideas. Thanks GertieWhiterose Designs by Debrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16039900584522248136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-83372110483035969992011-07-23T05:19:23.135-04:002011-07-23T05:19:23.135-04:00Well, in my experience, when you try a new pattern...Well, in my experience, when you try a new pattern for the first time, you must leave bigger seam alowance because this allows you to enlarge the diferent aprts in case is too short, or too tight, or the armholes too deep, or your sleeves too short, etc. Once and piece fits me (o whoever i'm making it for)I sew it and them cut the seams to 1cm, which of course allows the fabric to strech and to be better acomodated. And once the pattern has been proved right, or has been modified to reach the precise measures, then minimum seam allowance makes a lot of sense to me. Sometimes, I cut small seam allowance everywhere except for a suspicious area.<br />REgarding pinning and basting prior to sewing, it again depends on the seam you are sewing, but my mum taught me, first pinn, then baste, try it on, make the necessary adjustments, and finally sew. With curves or complex pieces like smoking necks, i can't imagine not fastening it first somehow, becasue sometimes you must force the fabric to move in ways opposite to its natural trend...Mertxehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10126670153437138246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-78010856418327426662011-07-22T08:31:02.321-04:002011-07-22T08:31:02.321-04:00this makes me feel better. I have a limited space ...this makes me feel better. I have a limited space my sewing room is shared with tons of other stuff including a baby who pulls things off the shelf next to her crib. I make a lot of excuses... I like the idea of one of those magnetic knife strips for the kitchen and tons of little tin containers. it could be fun to find little vintage tins for the task too. I may have that some day.Meikjnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11177226187327550653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-78460938211343772662011-07-21T17:18:47.054-04:002011-07-21T17:18:47.054-04:00I like to get interesting baskets & jars from ...I like to get interesting baskets & jars from thrift shops for storage -- it's more visually appealing to me than plastic bins. I also like spice tins with clear tops and magnetic bottoms for sorting small things like buttons, and I have a couple of old cookie sheets drilled into the wall to hold them.<br /><br />While I know covered bins are better for protecting fabrics, I keep mine folded on open shelves -- half of what I love about sewing is the fabrics, and I like having it all out to look at and touch. Plus, in the process of organizing my stash recently, I kept opening bins of fabric I'd forgotten about, so now everything is where I can see it. To keep it all neat, I wrap longer yardages around a cardboard bolt, slide the bolt out and fold the fabric in half. I do the same for pieces smaller than a yard, using a quilting ruler instead of a bolt. I stack them with the folded edge to the front so it's tidy and easy to see what's there.<br /><br />I don't have a *ton* of fabric (though it's way more than I will sew in the next 12 months), so I separated everything into just 3 categories: natural fiber wovens, synthetic fiber wovens, and knits. Each occupies its own shelf. And my patterns are in a canvas bin next to my fabric, so I can pick out a pattern and look to see if there's anything suitable in my stash without taking a step.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-4537393934941548282011-07-21T11:20:48.777-04:002011-07-21T11:20:48.777-04:00would you talk please about how you store your pat...would you talk please about how you store your patterns once you open them? maybe do some pros and cons of different storage options? my uncut ones are easily filed, but once i unfold and use them, i sort of make a mess.fitzhttp://fitzfabulous.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-52688988356702158652011-07-21T03:38:45.355-04:002011-07-21T03:38:45.355-04:00Wow your post sounds like my life- sewing area is ...Wow your post sounds like my life- sewing area is chaos and I have also recently purchased shelving to try and organise things. Add to that a super tidy freak (artistic) partner- I drive him nuts with my mess. I like all the little things you have thought of 9needles etc) so might have to pilfer some of your ideas.Janohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17508480171496272872noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-65688488181664736652011-07-20T16:37:53.743-04:002011-07-20T16:37:53.743-04:00I repurposed an old chest of drawers to store and ...I repurposed an old chest of drawers to store and organize my extensive fabric collection. The top drawer houses my longer, uncut lengths of fashion fabric, the second drawer holds shorter pieces, the third drawer is home dec, and the bottom drawer has all the little scraps and pieces leftover from other projects. I keep my patterns in recycled storage boxes from The Container Store, organized by brand. My vintage patterns are in a special box, of course! I have a curtain rod mounted on the wall to hang garments in process on hangers. Clear storage bins reside under my cutting table, holding notions, trim, and oddball fixings.<br /><br />Most importantly, I always make it a ritual to clean up my sewing room (which, ironically, was my playroom as a child) prior to starting a new project. Then I let it get as messy as it needs to be while I'm in process.AshleyDeanMyleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15066883381512117364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-81074931426547735362011-07-20T10:06:20.082-04:002011-07-20T10:06:20.082-04:00You are so organized! I need to learn from you, Ge...You are so organized! I need to learn from you, Gertie!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-14366234916685587472011-07-19T21:42:04.191-04:002011-07-19T21:42:04.191-04:00Oh, one more thing - about scraps - a few years ag...Oh, one more thing - about scraps - a few years ago I came to the realization that I am *highly* unlikely to ever use scraps for *anything* (unless I have a significant amount left over, like a yard or more). So out they go at the end of each project.<br /><br />Seriously, the amount of psychic energy those little bits of fabric took up (in addition to the physical space!) was just TOO much. I don't feel guilty, and it's much easier to stay organized.ChristineBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-26590031959284151002011-07-19T21:36:09.998-04:002011-07-19T21:36:09.998-04:00Keeping my sewing space organized is a continual c...Keeping my sewing space organized is a continual challenge. I totally agree with you on the labeling thing, though - I have a Brother label machine and I use it obsessively. <br /><br />My sewing area is in the master bedroom. Hubby rarely sleeps here (no, it's not the sewing mess - he's just a light sleeper and I snore LOUDLY, so we *sleep* in separate rooms), so I am probably even more messy than I would be if we did share the space. I try to keep the sewing stuff contained to the work table, shelving and smaller closet, but once in awhile it manages to creep into my bed (*that* bugs him a little!).ChristineBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-142937410368994162011-07-19T21:16:25.791-04:002011-07-19T21:16:25.791-04:00I have two fabric stashes - quilting and dress/cos...I have two fabric stashes - quilting and dress/costume. They live in tall cupboards, neatly folded in colour related familes, directly on the shelves. SO when I open the doors, I can see waht I have, and when the doors are closed, the room looks tidy. I keep everything else in containers I can SEE THROUGH. Plastic baskets or clear plastic cubes. That way I don't need to label the heck out of everything. I learned that early on! :) Projects in progress each get a plastic basket - the thread, fabrics, patterns, buttons, zip etc all go in the basket on a shelf. It is all very organised, until it isn't ;-)<br />I also choose containers that have straight sides wherever possible to maximise the space - it annoys me when I lose shelf space to the shape of containers.MrsC (Maryanne)https://www.blogger.com/profile/14440723067459232998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-12517105857362482632011-07-19T19:14:39.777-04:002011-07-19T19:14:39.777-04:00My name is Elisabeth, and I have a lot of fabric.
...My name is Elisabeth, and I have a lot of fabric.<br /><br />One of my fabric storage solutions is to get a bundle of the bolt tubes, and roll my fabric on it (I use a staple gun to attach the end so I can roll it neatly). Then I store the bolts on a set of cargo hooks that I bought at the hardware store. I can get 4 - 5 rolls of fabric on each set of hooks. <br />Fabric I can see is slightly more likely to get used than the fabric that is stowed away in a blanket chest or zipped up in a storage bag.<br /><br />My craft cottons get folded up neatly and stored in old shoe boxes. You can fit a lot in one box, and especially in a boot box. They stay there quite neatly... until I next use them. I'm working on long term tidiness.The Sewphisthttp://www.thesewphist.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-70004760000635781842011-07-19T10:56:28.241-04:002011-07-19T10:56:28.241-04:00Those are great tips. I can see the value of labe...Those are great tips. I can see the value of labeling everything when it's a shared space. I have a modified version of it at home. But the bottom line is, organization only works when I diligently use it, which I don't always do. I have to sew in our dining room (machine), iron (basement) and by hand (on the couch in the family room). Therefore I have a portable basket for the current project and supplies. I am disciplining myself for my current project to only have my current project on the dining room table, so I can easily lay out the fabric for pinning and basting, mark different details from the pattern, etc, etc, etc. Therefore my key tip is to put away everything but the current project. <br />Laurielahbluebonnethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14950236885711745357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-57388634155225145082011-07-19T09:16:27.725-04:002011-07-19T09:16:27.725-04:00Peg boards are great- and you can paint/decorate t...Peg boards are great- and you can paint/decorate them anyway you like- you do not have to keep them the ugly 'garage-brown' color. Also- Ikea sells a tension line and hooks that you can hang on your walls- great for hanging some finished art work to keep you motivated. Of course- the real project is keeping it neat after you organize it.Tinanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-50104395174293009132011-07-19T08:11:32.403-04:002011-07-19T08:11:32.403-04:00I had to organize my sewing room - via a "sug...I had to organize my sewing room - via a "suggestion" from my husband - in June and did something very similar to the ladies on here, as well as some of the things you did, Gertie. I already had Ikea Billy bookcases in my room and some of their storage boxes, but nearly everything was in a tangled mess on the shelves and on the floor. I had to call in the cavalry though - my very well organized friend - to help me find my way out of the clutter.<br /><br />We started by emptying the entire room and separating out everything into piles in my living and dining rooms (I had many piles). We ROY G BIV-ed the hell out of the fabric, with neutrals and browns at the beginning, and flat rolled them (fabric alone took up an entire bookshelf, nearly floor to ceiling), so I can see what I have.<br /><br />We organized all the notions, pins, scissors, measuring tae and rulers, etc..., by use and how close it needed to be to the sewing machine.<br /><br />We hung the scissors on the bookshelves with hooks, as well as the rulers and measuring tapes, so they are easily accessible and easy to put away. All rotary cutters are in an old enamelware camping cup that burned the hell out of my husbands hand while camping, so I figured that was the best second use for it. <br /><br />We have an old rolling encyclopedia cart where I have all my books and patterns stored. Now I can roll it over when I need a pattern, then roll it back against the wall when I'm done and it isn't in the way.<br /><br />The room looks really awesome now and I feel much better when I walk past it - and I'm not constantly being harassed by my husband to get stuff off the floor. And it's way easier to work in there now!Momberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00405978223342014234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-37593332481670369872011-07-19T07:23:39.159-04:002011-07-19T07:23:39.159-04:00I learned this from my husband, who loves to cook....I learned this from my husband, who loves to cook. The kitchen sink must always remain clear and ready for use. I adapted no longer let dishes "sit and soak".<br /><br />I applied that attitude towards my sewing nook. I put things away when I finish and it's nice to return to a clear space. The seam ripper, scissors and pin holder sit in the same little spot next the the sewing machine, but nothing else.a little sewinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18086285440873869055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-9511630070556687342011-07-19T07:23:32.030-04:002011-07-19T07:23:32.030-04:00My living room/dining room is also my craft room, ...My living room/dining room is also my craft room, but I actually have mostly stopped kidding myself on that it's a living room or dining room as I can't invite other people over to it - it's almost entirely devoted to crafts. Oh well!<br /><br />Anyway, I get a lot of my organising stuff in B&Q, the British version of Home Depot. You can get some fab organising trays for small things that have lids and can be carried about - I use quite a lot of them for small things. They also have carts with nice deep drawers for fabric.<br /><br />My cutting table is from Ikea, and consists of a table top, one chest of drawers, and a saw horse, so I can put patterns in the drawers, and pile things like interfacing and fusible fleece on the bottom shelf of the saw horse, as well as fitting a few baskets of things in the space in between underneath. Ikea also has lots of cheap wee bowls that you can put often used things in on your table top.<br /><br />My finaly useful item is a large sheet of MDF that I put hooks on to hang tools I use most often out of the way of the table top, and have hung above it.Katy Cameronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04374079358515448439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-11677585220567501322011-07-19T07:17:32.124-04:002011-07-19T07:17:32.124-04:00Husbands can come in handy, in the most unusual wa...Husbands can come in handy, in the most unusual ways.<br />:)a little sewinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18086285440873869055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-50458722630828473792011-07-19T05:03:57.558-04:002011-07-19T05:03:57.558-04:00I don´t even have a sewing room now, so storage is...I don´t even have a sewing room now, so storage is always a bit of a problem. I have fabric in all rooms but the bathroom right now, actually.<br /><br />A couple of smart things that I do:<br />1. I have a bunch of biiig plastic storage bins that have to be in the cellar, and that is where I keep the fabric I don´t use regularly. They are stacked on top of each other, because we don´t have much space, and I used to have to go through everything in all 6 boxes to find the things I wanted, even though they are transparent. <br />So when I organized them last, I took a digital pic of the contents I wanted to go in each box. When I want something from the cellar now, I check my photos first to see if it's down there, and what things I will find it with.<br /><br />2. I have lots of pattern magazines like Burda and Ottobre, and found myself always dragging out all the magazines and flipping to the middle pages where the overview of all the patterns is. I was trying to find the right pattern for the project I had in mind.<br />So I started photocopying these overview pages and keep them in a little plastic envelope next to the magazines. So now it is much easier to find the right pattern, and I don´t have to take out all the magazines. The copied pages have written on which magazine they come from, off course ;)<br /><br />Good luck getting organized. It sure isn't easy, but sooo great to find everything you want more easily.<br /><br />(Sorry if my English is strange, I am actually Norwegian :) )Fragaria Berginhttp://www.fragaria.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com