We all have storage issues. No matter how large our space or small, it's hard to keep it all organized. Too many tools and gadgets, all that fabric... cut and uncut. My mind feels messy just thinking about it! Here are some simple storage solutions that are budget friendly.
1. Pencil Boxes
I use pencil boxes to store my threads. Each box is labeled so I know what color is in it. The other day I was sewing a turquoise binding onto a turquoise quilt and still had half a bobbin wound, so it is also in the container.
2. Crayon Boxes.
I didn't know these things existed until a couple years ago. I don't know how I missed them because I was a preschool teacher and an after-care supervisor for an elementary program. Anyway, I use them for just about anything small. I have a stack with embroidery thread, and then a few with paper piecing templates. I keep two of them close to my sewing machine. One has empty bobbins in it and the other has a feet and screwdrivers. I have found these really keep my small things organized.
3. Shoe Boxes
I keep fabric that isn't foldable in these. I suggest starting with basic colors and then splitting them from there. For example, when I first started organizing this way anything in the blue family got put in one container. As my stash grew, I started a new box separating out teals. My blue box is full again, so I am going to split it between blue and light blue.
These are also good to keep small projects in. I don't allow myself to have more than three of these at a time. It keeps the UFOs to a minimum. This leads to the next item...
4. Wide Three Drawer Container
The three is the key word here. Each draw will hold one project. Again, this is my way of keeping organized and making sure I finish before moving on to another. Three is my magic number, nothing new until a draw is empty.... including binding. For the last year one of the drawers has had the same project in it. I kept putting off binding the quilt. I finally finished soo now the scraps left in the bin will get sorted and go into my shoe boxes. This system helps keep my UFOs to a minimum.
5. Small three drawer container
I kinda call this my trash bin. It really isn't though. One drawer houses leader projects (currently four patches.) One holds orphan pieces ( 9 patches, HST, etc.) that will eventually be turned into a quilt. The third drawer contains pieces I have messed up, but isn't trash worthy.
I hope these have given you a few ideas on how to keep your sewing items more organized. If you decide to purchase these items, I will receive small (very small) compensation, which helps keep my site up and running. Click the picture and you will be directed to Amazon.com product.
Do you have organizational storage ideas? Please share! I'm always looking to improve my organization skills!