Cleaning & sorting the sewing space

[Teresa Glenn]

I have to clean up my sewing space....I have a spare bedroom in the house with my sewing machines; threads; books and other bits & pieces and I've half the garage for the wet stuff.

But I'm constantly running between the two and I'm in a mess !!!!!!!

I can't seem to get organised, no matter how many storage containers I have. And the worst part is this.....I start to clean up and discover something I haven't seen for a while, so start to play with it and the day goes and a new mess is created.......I need help !!!!!!

So, come on girls.....advice please ............

[Carmen]

Storage containers should be clear.  I still have old ones that aren't but did buy some new one that are and this helps with sorting fabric.  Put your projects in bags, or containers with pattern or a note attached which book the directions are in.  Allow clean up after yourself time.  Just like you do with kids.  5-10 minutes is usually enough.  I find this very helpful.  I have a bit more trouble with the big clean.  Here set aside an afternoon, evening.  I will clean for 30 minutes then I can sew.  I find this helpful also.  Now I should listen to my own advice. LOL  Good Luck.  Dreaming Quilts : ) Carmen

[Teresa Glenn]

Thanks Carmen........I did sort stuff today into clear containers and I labeled each one with what's in it......I love your advice about cleaning/sorting for 30 mins then sew.....I'm going to adopt that bit for sure....I hope I've got my projects a bit more organised and I will take your advice about putting my projects in containers with the book details attached.

[Sarah J]

My advice would be don't get side tracked!

Yes you do find things you haven't seen for a while, and I have just cleaned up my workspace and done exactly that. They are in a bag where things go that need finishing. Stuff them there as soon as you see them telling yourself you can come back to them when you have finished tidying and have the space.

 

Don't worry if you don't get around to it, they will be there next time you tidy up!

 

[Teresa Glenn]

Thanks Sarah.......sound advice about storing the UFO's together.....actually if I put each item in an individual bag, then all bags into a basket......chances are I could grab one when I have a few minutes & have a stitch or two without creating a new mess......that'd work, wouldn't it ? (she says wistfully !!)

[Sarah J]

Have a look at a photo of Francis Bacon's studio and take heart...

[Barbara/Hopscotch]

Actually, Sarah, it looks quite tidy to me :)

Barbara

[Dianne Cahill]

Hi Teresa, I had a smile on my face when I saw this post of yours.  It could have been me writing it about a fortnight ago.  At the suggestion of a friend I bought some storage containers of various sizes and labelled what was in them.  I needed 2 large ones for the UFO's!!!  Then, again at the suggestion of the friend, I did a list up on the computer of what projects were in there.  Needless to say I haven't opened the boxes since:-)  What helped me the most was getting my friend to help me.  She was unattached to all my stuff and this helped decide if it should stay or go.  It looks much better, but I must say I work better in the Francis Bacon state.  It is a bit annoying rattling through containers looking for stuff when I can't remember what category I put it under.  Like, painters tape, did I put that in craft supplies, equipment, art box etc.  Grrrr.  The wet area is a problem, as like you, I use a spare bedroom for the sewing/craft.  I have a small space in the laundry which is not really adequate.  Hope it goes well for you and I like the idea of tidying then rewarding with some creative Time.  Regards Dianne.

[Teresa Glenn]

Hi Dianne,

I agree about the boxes......I had difficulty deciding what went where, but like your friend, I bought boxes and labelled the contents of each box in alphabetical order and roughly in "type" e.g. embellisher stuff; papers; burnables etc, so I'm slowly getting there. I also made a decision to give a lot of fabric I no longer use to a charity that is helping flood affected people in Queensland.....they're using it for craft lessons. But it's the "what am I going to do with that piece" that gets me....I seem to have "samples" all over the place !!!! My friend said I could have a samples book with a piece of work and a short description of the method used to achieve it, so that's another goal I hope to achieve......I need a couple of lifetimes to get through it all !!!!

[Faye]

Oh, do I ever understand.  I have a few very organized friends who have volunteered to help and I am thinking of taking them up on it.  Continuing to let disorganization exist keeps us from becoming the truly creative creatures.  Good luck, and have fun.

[Joan]

Hi Teresa

I'm one of those 'tidy' people, can't help it, just am. I can see you've have had lots of good advice here...so why don't you set aside one whole day ( or 2)  and tidy till you drop, you will feel so much better when its done. Yes I know easier said than done. Even me in all my 'tidiness' sometimes says 'Now where the hell did I put that?' Good Luck Teresa, by the way I love your work 'beautiful' Cheers Joan ((*_*))

[Teresa Glenn]

Hi Joan,

I've put in a fair bit of work sorting & re-sorting the stash lately and I'm getting on top of it now.....on the downhill stretch.......I do like to be organised and know where everything is and I'm not sure how I got into this much mess !!! I wish I had a dollar for every time I've said "now where the hell did I put that " ......I had a good giggle when I read that !!!

I love your smiley face at the end of your note.....I've not seen one like that before.......

cheers 

Teresa

[Helen van Zyl]

Oei Theresa, now I know why you have been so silent!. It seems to me you need a double storey basement  ( or trailer) Hope you have some order now. Is'nt it amazing what we accumulate and half finish in a short space of time? After Maarten died I moved back to my( very small) townhouse. I did not add any extra "stuff" om my way back, but boy, did I have a battle to find a place for everything. I still shift things here and there and mutter, " now where the hell did I put it." I am so happy for you to  do the caravan thing, it must be lovely, please keep us up to date with where what and how.  Hope you enjoy all the travelling with happy abandon!.