Sewing Room Organisation: Tips for Quilters and Sewists

Imagine stepping into your sewing room and feeling a sense of calm and order. With a few simple storage ideas, clever organization tips for small spaces, and a well-thought-out layout, you can transform your sewing space from chaotic to serene.

In this article on sewing room organisation, we will guide you through the process of decluttering and arranging your supplies, as well as introduce you to some useful tools that will help you get organized.

Get ready to create your dream sewing sanctuary!

Sewing Storage Ideas

The fastest way to get organized is with good storage. No more wasting time looking for threads or bobbins. You’ll know exactly where everything is.

Fabric Stash Storage

I’ve found that using clear storage containers with labels is a great way to organize your fabric stash. Not only does it make it easier to see what you have, but it also keeps everything neat and tidy. My fave brand is the ‘Really Useful Box Company’, but any brand will work.

Start by sorting your fabrics into categories such as cotton, polycotton, or silk. You may want to separate precuts, such as fat quarters, from larger pieces. Then, place each category into its own clear bin and label it accordingly. This way, when you’re in need of a specific type of fabric, you can quickly locate it without having to dig through piles of fabric.

Additionally, the clear bins help protect your fabrics from dust and moisture. So go ahead and give this organizing method a try – you’ll be amazed at how much easier it is to find and store your fabric stash!

Thread Spools

Using a thread organizer is a convenient way to keep your thread spools and bobbins organized. It helps you avoid the frustration of searching for the right colour thread or untangling tangled threads.

With a thread organizer, you can easily see all your threads at a glance and access them quickly when needed. The compact size of most organizers allows you to store them in your sewing room without taking up much space.

You can choose from various types of organizers, such as wall-mounted racks, boxes with compartments, or portable cases. Some organizers even come with built-in slots for bobbins, ensuring that everything stays neatly in place.

So if you want to more time sewing and less time looking for threads and bobbins, investing in a thread organizer is definitely worth it!

Ruler Storage

If you do quilting or patchwork, it’s easy to quickly build up a collection of rulers. To keep them organized and easily accessible, consider investing in a ruler storage system.

With a dedicated storage solution, you can say goodbye to the frustration of rummaging through drawers or searching for misplaced rulers.

A simple option is to have a simple wooden block with grooves, like I have. This was a gift from my lovely quilting friend Mary, whose husband makes them. The photo above is for a similar product available on Amazon.

There are also more sophisticated storage systems with compartments specifically designed to hold different sizes and shapes of rulers. This way, you can neatly separate your straight rulers from your curved ones, ensuring that each one is easily visible and within reach when needed.

A good ruler storage system will also protect your rulers from getting scratched or damaged. Whether it’s a wall-mounted rack or a drawer organizer, finding the right ruler storage option will make your sewing projects more efficient and enjoyable.

Sewing Magazines & Patterns

There’s few things more enjoyable than snuggling down with a sewing magazine and nice cup of tea.

But isn’t it frustrating when you can’t find a project that you were reading about a few weeks ago. That’s were having an effective storage system can help.

Magazine storage holders are a great starting point. They not only keep your magazines neat and tidy but can also be labelled to categorize them. You can group them by date or subject, such as quilting, patchwork and dressmaking.

Your sewing patterns can also be put into similar storage holders. Put these on a shelf or in a crafting cupboard. for use when needed. The sewing room above has a lower shelf for magazines and paterns as well as open wall storage for finished quilts.

Bobbins, Machine Feet and Other Sewing Machine Tools

I have have lots of bobbins with different coloured thread. Circular bobbin holders are great solution to hold all the different colours you need.

Alternatively, consider using a clear plastic container or a small, compartmentalized box specifically designed for organizing bobbins. This will help you keep them organized and readily accessible whenever you need them.

When organizing your sewing tools, remember to find a designated storage space for your machine feet. I regularly use my walking foot, zipper foot, ¼ inch seam foot and buttonhole foot. These small but essential accessories can easily get lost or misplaced if not properly stored.

The compartmentalised storage tray in the photo above has space for bobbins and threads, but could easily be adapted to also hold your machine feet and other accessories. There are many lidded trays like this when you search the major retailers online.

Button Storage

Make sure you have a designated spot for storing your buttons, such as a small container or divided tray, to keep them organized and easily accessible. Having a specific place for your buttons is essential in maintaining an organized sewing room.

It prevents the frustration of searching for the right button when you need it most. A small container or divided tray allows you to separate your buttons by colour, size, or type, making it easier to find what you’re looking for quickly.

You can also label each section of the tray or container for even more convenience.

Ribbon Storage

To keep your ribbons organized and easily accessible, store them in a designated spot like a ribbon organizer or drawer divider. This will make it a cinch to find the perfect ribbon for your sewing projects.

A ribbon organizer is a great option because it has multiple compartments that allow you to separate your ribbons by colour, width, or style. You can also use a drawer divider to create sections within a drawer specifically for your ribbons. This way, each ribbon has its own space and won’t get tangled or lost among other sewing supplies.

Small Space Organization

If you’re looking for ways to organize your small space, here are a few key points to consider.

Sewing Cabinet

A sewing cabinet can be a great investment as it provides storage for all your sewing essentials while also serving as a functional workspace.

The sewing cabinet’s shelves are perfect for storing fabric and accessories. You can neatly arrange your colourful fabrics, ensuring that they don’t get wrinkled or tangled. The model above is from Storage 4 Crafts, who have a range of cabinets available.

The shelves provide ample space to keep your thread spools, needles, and other sewing essentials organized and easily accessible. With everything in its designated spot, you can quickly find what you need without wasting time searching through piles of clutter.

The cabinet’s compartments are designed to fit various sizes of haberdashery items, making it easy to sort them by category or colour. Additionally, the doors on the cabinet help protect your materials from dust and sunlight, ensuring that they stay in pristine condition for all your sewing projects.

Wall Storage

Wall storage is a convenient solution for keeping your sewing supplies organized and easily accessible. With wall storage, you can maximize the space in your sewing room while keeping everything within arm’s reach.

Install shelves or pegboards on your walls to create functional storage areas for your thread spools, scissors, measuring tapes, and other essentials. Utilize hooks and baskets to hang small tools and accessories, ensuring they are always at hand when you need them.

Only Keep What You Need

If you’re anything like me, it’s easy to accumulate a whole load of sewing paraphernalia! If you only have a small space, this can get overwhelming.

Declutter your workspace by keeping only the sewing supplies you truly need. This will ensure a more organized and efficient sewing area.

Take a moment to assess all your sewing tools and materials. Are there items that you haven’t used in years? Perhaps it’s time to let go of those unused fabrics or outdated patterns.

Keep only the essentials. These include a sewing machine, scissors, measuring tape, pins, rulers and thread. By simplifying your collection of supplies, you’ll be able to easily find what you need when working on your projects.

Additionally, removing unnecessary clutter will create more space for you to move freely and work comfortably. An organized workspace promotes better focus and productivity, ultimately enhancing your sewing experience.

Useful Tools to Get Organized

If you’re short on time, here are some tools that will instantly help with your sewing room organisation.

Pegboard

Using a pegboard is an effective way to organize your sewing room. You can easily hang your tools and supplies on the pegboard, keeping them within reach and reducing clutter on your workspace.

With a simple arrangement of hooks and shelves, you can create a customized storage system that suits your needs. The pegboard allows for easy visibility of all your items, making it easier to find what you need when you’re in the middle of a project. Plus, it adds a touch of visual interest to your sewing room decor.

Whether it’s scissors, thread spools, or measuring tapes, everything will have its designated spot on the pegboard. Say goodbye to digging through drawers or rummaging through bins – with a pegboard, staying organized has never been easier!

Transparent Storage

Transparent plastic storage containers allow you to easily see what’s inside, making it simple to locate and access your supplies.

These handy containers come in various sizes, perfect for storing different items like threads, buttons, needles, and scissors.

With their clear design, you won’t have to waste time rummaging through boxes or bags trying to find what you need. Just a quick glance and you’ll know exactly where everything is.

Choose boxes that are stackable – that way you can save space yet still have everything securely in place.

If you don’t like plastic, you can opt for glass. Decorative Kilner jars or mason jars look fantastic as well as being practical.

Toolbox

Why not consider using a toolbox for storage? Modern toolboxes are not just for handymen, they are perfect for storing sewing supplies.

True, they are not exactly pretty, but they do have a number of benefits. With its sturdy construction, a toolbox is a great place to store large items like scissors. They often come with compartments which are perfect for storing buttons, pins or quilting clips (instead of screws and nails).

Modern plastic toolboxes are light, making them easy to carry – perfect if you take your supplies to a sewing or quilting class.

Final Thoughts on Sewing Room Organisation

Creating an organized sewing room isn’t just about tidiness; it’s about fostering an environment where your creative energy can flow freely.

So grab your storage containers and get ready to enjoy the blissful serenity of your newly organized sewing sanctuary.

Happy stitching!