I’m in the mood to get get my sewing/quilting space organized and Andy has some really useful and practical tips. I’m re-sharing this helpful sewing room organization guest post as it has been one of the most popular on this site.
Hi everyone! I’m Andy Knowlton, pattern designer and blogger at A Bright Corner. I love creating pretty things every day and I’ve discovered that I feel way more creative and productive when my space is well organized.
I have a series over on A Bright Corner all about sewing room organization where I share tons of tips and suggestions on ways to store, sort and organize everything — from rulers and tools to fabric and even those downloadable PDF patterns.
Today I’ve got my top 10 favorite organizing tips to share, but if you don’t want to miss out on any great ideas, you can find my Sew Organized series here:
Sew Organized Part 1: Tips for Storing Quilting Tools and Rulers
Sew Organized Part 2: Tips for Storing Patterns, Magazines and Books
Sew Organized Part 3: Storing and Organizing Fabric and Scraps
Sew Organized Part 4: Quilting Projects and WIPs
There have also been lots of questions about my cutting table. Here’s how we built this Ikea hack cutting table.
Alright – here we go!
Sewing Room Organization: Top 10 Tips
Tip 1: Sort and Store your Quilting Tools by Use & Store near the Work Area.
For example, keep all of your quilting rulers together by hanging them on a bar near your cutting table. Amy has another simple idea for ruler storage using Command Hooks here.
Store scissors, pens/markers, and sewing machine presser feet in a kitchen organizer like this one near your sewing table. Stay productive by keeping your favorite tools within reach! This organizer is called Grundtal and you can find it here from IKEA.
Tip 2: Consider How you Use your Patterns.
If you refer to a few favorites often, they might be best stored in a 3 ring binder such as this one, with tabs to keep them organized and easy to find.
Paper patterns stay organized in a mini binder using small page protectors. They’re the perfect size for sliding a paper pattern into, and as you flip through the binder you can easily see both the front and back cover. You can find mini binders at most office supply stores, Walmart, and Target.
Tip 3: Speaking of Patterns..
always save a backup of any downloadable PDF patterns on a thumb drive, or hard drive! Once printed, I store PDF patterns and printable online tutorials in these cardboard magazine holders.
Tip 4: Sort your Quilting Magazines & Books:
Once a year sort through all quilting magazines and books and donate or give away the ones that you’re ready to let go of. Local quilt guilds and groups are a great place for passing along books and magazines. I try to limit my magazines to one shelf, and books to one shelf. When they start to overflow then I know it’s time to donate some!
Tip 5: For your Favorite Magazine Patterns:
If you have favorite magazine patterns but don’t want to save the whole magazine, tear out the pages you need and store them in page protectors in a 3 ring binder like this one.
(photo from Make Life Lovely)
Tip 6: Fabric Storage:
Now let’s talk fabric storage. Think about how you choose fabric when you start a quilt. Do you reach for a certain designer first? Or do you look for colors? Or maybe you like to work within a certain style (Civil War prints, feed sack prints, modern geometrics, etc). Store your fabric according to how you use it! I usually start a quilt with a color palette in mind so I sort most of my stash by color.
Tip 7: Storage Bins
Bins are a fantastic way to corral your fabric storage. You can find bins in any size and shape to fit your space. You can stack them on a shelf, store them in a closet, or even push them under a bed if you’re short on storage space.
Tip 8: Sort your Scraps
When storing scraps, sorting by color is a great solution. Sorting by size is another option. I keep most of my scraps sorted by color in these bins on the top shelf of my closet. When I need to dig through for a scrap project it’s kind of fun to just dump the whole bin out and make a colorful mess. Clean up is easy because I just stuff everything back in, click on the lid and put it back on the shelf.
You can find more tips for sorting, storing and using your fabric scraps here.
Tip 9: Storing your Projects
When storing quilting projects and WIPs, store everything for one project all together. I like to use these ArtBin Super Satchels — I can even keep the backing and binding fabric in here along with the blocks and the pattern. If it’s easy to find, then you’ll be more likely to work on it! You can find these here at JoAnn’s (where they are currently 50% off!) or here on Amazon.*
Tip 10: Keep Track of those Projects!
Use some kind of planner or tracking sheet to help keep you on track so no project gets left behind. I like these two options: the Quilting Organizer Pack from Maker Valley, and the Quilt Project Planner free downloads from Hello Melly Designs. I keep these on a clipboard that hangs near my cutting table. The hope is that if we can keep our projects organized, then we’ll be more likely to finish them, right?
So there are my top ten tips for keeping your quilting space organized! Want even more ideas? Check out the entire Sew Organized series:
Sew Organized Part 1: Tips for Storing Quilting Tools and Rulers
Sew Organized Part 2: Tips for Storing Patterns, Magazines and Books
Sew Organized Part 3: Storing and Organizing Fabric and Scraps
Sew Organized Part 4: Quilting Projects and WIPs
And for even more ideas be sure to follow my Sewing Room Organization pinterest board – I’ll keep adding great ideas to the board as I find them!
Thanks so much, Andy! Be sure to check out Andy’s beautiful quilt patterns in her shop! You can also see all of Andy’s quilts and other inspiration on Instagram and Facebook.
I love this sewing room organization post! I definitely feel motivated to get my own space/fabrics/projects organized. I hope you found some tips that were useful to you! And if you want to refer to this list later, be sure and pin <—- this image!
What about you? Do you have any great sewing room organization tips that have worked for you?
A clean and organized space always puts me in the mood to start a new project. If you’re looking for a new quilt pattern too, I’ve got a 25% off sale on all Paper and PDF patterns in my Pattern Shop until 1/9.
*this sewing room organization post contains affiliate links
42 Comments
Terry
February 23, 2018 at 7:26 amYour room looks lovely. How do you hang all of your mini quilts on the wall?
Andy Knowlton
February 25, 2018 at 12:08 amHi Terry! I use clear thumb tacks – just one in each of the top corners does the trick!
Elaine Tolsma
February 23, 2018 at 7:59 amInstead of tearing out patterns from magazines, I copy them with my color printer. Then the whole magazine can go to a quilt group or the library. Nothing worse than seeing a quilt on the cover only to find someone has torn out the directions. I have three 3″ binders full of patterns and pentograph ideas. Really like the idea about small three ring binder for paper patterns.
Amy
February 23, 2018 at 10:30 amGreat idea!
Elaine Jordan
February 23, 2018 at 5:40 pmThank you, I like this idea, plus some patterns are continued and two might finish on the same page, nothing like tearing out a pattern and months later finishing out you don’t have all the instructions
Rosemaryflower
February 24, 2018 at 1:06 pmBRILLIANT idea. I would do that too.
Bea
February 23, 2018 at 9:27 amI pretty much do this but #10 I have a weekly blog post with a list of current projects!
Elnora
February 23, 2018 at 9:37 amThank you both for this wonderfully helpful post! I’ll definitely implement some of the suggestions.
Sharon Howell
February 23, 2018 at 12:41 pmSome great ideas. Been wanting to organize, but just didn’t know where to start. Thanks a lot. Will implement many.
LINDA
February 23, 2018 at 12:42 pmTHANKS FOR SHARING!
Kelly
February 23, 2018 at 2:27 pmMy husband has been a great help with my sewing room. He wants to build a sewing specific table. What is a good height and size?
Andy Knowlton
February 25, 2018 at 12:16 amHi Kelly – This one is made from two IKEA bookcases with a countertop on top and locking wheels on the bottom. As far as height goes, I think it depends a lot on your height. You want to be able to cut without having to bend way over – that kills my back. But if the table is too high, then you can’t put much of your arm strength and body weight into cutting. Test out a few different heights (try cutting on your kitchen counter, kitchen table, etc) and see what works for you. My cutting table is 34″ inches high and I’m 5’4″. The table is 31″ wide and 63″ long.
Amy
February 28, 2018 at 9:47 amHi Kelly! Andy wrote her post about building her sewing table. Here is the link! http://www.abrightcorner.com/2018/02/diy-sewing-room-cutting-table-ikea-hack.html
Doris Werkman
February 23, 2018 at 2:36 pmGreat ideas! I use some already but lots of new ones to ponder 🙂
Margaret Maley
February 23, 2018 at 3:02 pmI upload all my pdf files to dropbox. Thanks for all the tips!
Colleen Kelly
February 23, 2018 at 3:13 pmThank you so/sew much.
I am 5
Danice G
February 23, 2018 at 5:24 pmWhat a dreamy sewing room! Your organization is perfect. So neat and eye-catching as well.
Judy Caudill
February 23, 2018 at 6:09 pmWhat about people who sew clothing. I’ve been looking for sewing rooms for people who sew clothing. I’m not a quilter, I find it very tedious. There must be some ideas for my ultimate sewing room. My sewing room works pretty good right now,, but it could be better.
Amy
February 24, 2018 at 8:57 amHI Judy! Good question. Here’s a similar post from an apparel sewer: https://mellysews.com/2017/01/sewing-studio-organization-tips.html
She has some really good tips and ideas too!
Mardell
February 24, 2018 at 7:39 amI really like your cutting table. Where did you find it? Or did someone make it for you? Thanks for sharing your tips.
Andy Knowlton
February 25, 2018 at 12:11 amHi Mardell – My husband made it from two IKEA bookcases and a counter top. I’m going to be doing a whole blog post about the cutting table and how he made it next Wednesday. (http://www.abrightcorner.com/) And then if you still have more questions, I’d be happy to answer them!
Amy
February 28, 2018 at 9:48 amHI Mardell! Here is Andy’s post about building her sewing table! http://www.abrightcorner.com/2018/02/diy-sewing-room-cutting-table-ikea-hack.html
Mabel
February 24, 2018 at 7:56 amThank you for sharing! I have implemented some of these ideas to my small sewing room.
It helps a lot.
Lee
February 25, 2018 at 6:33 amThat cutting table is great! thanks for sharing !
BLynn
February 25, 2018 at 9:58 amI try to save my photos of directions or pdf copies of files in evernote. Then I include a photo of the finished quilt to the same note. I use evernote for recipes the same way. Trying to do away with paper, when I can. I have an old iPad near my sewing machine so I look at directions easily.
Karen Eckhart
March 10, 2018 at 10:08 pmYou are right on with your ideas. The only thing I would add is to take a label maker and label all those boxes with the name of the quilt that is still in progress and the ones you have the pattern and material for. I like to make sure all my boxes are labeled and that way, I can quickly find what I am looking for.
Amy
March 12, 2018 at 11:37 amGreat addition! There’s something about a label maker that makes me feel so much more organized.
Colleen Rangel
March 22, 2018 at 11:16 pmI use binder clips to hang my rulers. They’re cheap and easily found at Wal-Mart or office supply stores. The instructions can be slipped under the clip as well. I hang them on a small 5 Hook deal I Bought At Ikea Years Ago.
Amy
March 23, 2018 at 8:58 amThat is a great idea!! I’m going to try that myself. Thanks for sharing!
Alejandra
March 31, 2018 at 4:24 amGreat tips! I’ve read so many blogs on organization, but this one has given the best advice so far. Thanks!
Dottie MACOMBER
January 21, 2019 at 11:41 amNice ideas but not all of us have sewing rooms with such nice straight, wide walls; I have an old house with sloping walls so I can’t use the ideas that require bars on the wall for hanging items. However, I’m happy that I do have a dedicated room for sewing, and I do use the binders for patterns.
Julie
November 5, 2019 at 8:48 amI am curious how the various projects are hung on the wall by the tables in photo 1. I am wanting to do this in my own quilt room. Thanks.
Lynette Truskett
March 4, 2020 at 5:30 amI have a small, sunny section of a room.I label my bins with writing paper, bold black print and tape it on the bin, so easy to see. I have a small cork board I pin ” doing and have to do’s”.My machine table is so close to my cutting table it’s time saving for me. I bought a 3 tire hairdre ssing stand for pins, cottons,all in small containers, all at my finger tips. Just a few ideas for small spaces. Thank You for your tips, I AM doing it right after all. Sometimes one gets overwhelmed.
Roberta Hudson
July 24, 2020 at 8:26 amI built the same cutting table a few years ago and absolutely love it. Great use of space and many times I have more than one person cutting out at the same time. Thanks for sharing.
Sandra Caulder
August 15, 2020 at 5:33 pmFYI: The link for the Quilting Organizer Pack from Maker Valley isn’t working. I got a 404 message.
Amy
August 15, 2020 at 10:46 pmOh shoot! Thanks for the heads up. I updated the link. You can find them here now: https://makervalleybrand.com/products/quilting-organizer-pdf-pack
Sandra Caulder
August 15, 2020 at 5:38 pmI am a crafter AND a quilter/sewer…is there an easy way to incorporate BOTH into my craft room? It seem life I have stuff crammed in EVERYWHERE and I get so disorganized easily anymore. HELP would be appreciated. My Hubby is ready to throw it all away. Thanks.
Priscilla Witwer
August 15, 2020 at 6:12 pmWow Amy! Look at your cutting table and sewing table all cleared off! Great job! Everything looks so nice. I love it when I do the same thing too. It’s like, “Ahhh, I feel so good now! Time to start enjoying my sewing room again!” Have fun and enjoy your day!
c
September 12, 2020 at 1:52 amYour hanging organizer (2nd one in tip #1) is great! Can you share your you got it? Or tell what it’s called? Thanks!
Nebboufatiha@hotmail.fr
January 6, 2021 at 2:57 pmC’est bien organisé merci pour le conseil, ça facilite le travail👍
desidear
January 8, 2021 at 9:22 amSo good to see your sewing and cutting stations at a right angle to the wall! I saw that on another post a couple years ago and it was definitely an ‘ah-ha” moment for me. Why oh why was I using up all that valuable wall space by pushing my sewing “furniture” against it. I now have tools, thread, etc up on a wall and easily accessible, it opened up a large wall to use as project space, and the clutter is gone. The only remaining piece of the puzzle is to turn an old kitchen table top into an ironing space on wheels to have in the center of the room. That is my project for this month! Thanks for all the ideas on how to organize on the walls. I will be swapping out some of what I have for more efficiency like yours.
deb Baldwin
January 13, 2021 at 6:48 amHello..yes, I need these organizing tips…thank you…the most impressive was seeing the stacks of colored fabrics…I am very glad to see that I am not the only one who has quite a hearty stash…impressive! Please share where the clear thumb tacks come from…thank you again…Love it!! Deb