Happy New Year everyone. Welp, somehow January has come around again. I swear it arrives faster and faster each year, but maybe that's just a sign that I'm getting older. Often January brings the motivation to clean and purge. After putting away all of the Christmas decor as well as Christmas sewing I started going to town on all of the clutter in my sewing. Things are looking pretty chaotic at the moment, but big progress is happening and I'm so excited to have a cleaned-out space for the new year! And at the same time starting a new project (see more of that below). lol.
To be blatantly honest, I definitely don't always feel this motivated to deep clean. In fact rarely do I feel this motivated. I've learned over the years to not feel guilty when I don't feel like doing it and to really carpe diem when the mood does strike. It's been a while - probably over a year - since I've done a deep clean and purge this big and right now I feel super energized by it. So I'm running with it.
My sewing room is the original dining room in this house. I feel so lucky to have this space right off my kitchen (aka the hub of the house) where I can still be part of the action but also have a room with doors that can shut. lol The downside to using this space is it's also the spillover spot and where I often toss clutter when people comeover. Or, as in this past December, where Christmas cards end up and a gift-wrap-station as well. Honestly, it was when I started cleaning up those things at the end of the season that I just kept going...
Also in this room is a cabinent where I store serving dishes and extra table clothes - because, remember, it was the original dining room. I tried to maintain this piece as a nice place to display dishes and serving pieces and this week it hit me - there's absolutely NO reason this needs to look charming. No one sees it. Half the time I don't even see it because it's blocked by a roll of batting.
I still need the storage, but it doesn't need to look like something out of a Martha Stewart magazine. So I cleaned it out, condensed what was left and created more storage space for project bins that were piled in front of the bottom drawers. Not fancy, but much more efficient and functional. *pats self on back* And now I can actually get to the tablecloths that are in the drawers.
Next I'm planning to clean out and organize the other pieces of furniture in the room one by one. I'm really looking at each item and deciding if I'll ever actually use them. I've got bins in my front room for donations to different groups (Stiching Hearts Worldwide, Quilts of Valor, and a local craft/thrift shop.)
As long as the motivation is there, I'm going to just keep going! Hopefully by next month I'll have a pretty, cleaned up space to share. At the same time, I'm not putting any pressure on myself to hit a deadline. Just keep at it.
If you're also in the mood to purge, I've updated my list of Places to Donate Fabric including lots of ideas in your own community.
Tips for Getting Organized
If you're looking for more Sewing Room Organization Ideas check out this guest post from Andy of A Bright Corner.
Now is a great time of year for stocking up on storage bins with places like JoAnn's, Walmart, and Target having sales on Storage Containers. (But I wouldn't recommend just buying a bunch of random containers. Assess your space first and only buy what you need.)
One item I just found to help with my organization are these clear drawers. I used to keep all of my most-used notions in a basket next to my sewing machine but they were always just in pile that I'd have to dig through. Plus, my sewing room gets SO dusty.
I like that all of my notions are still handy and easy to see, but at little more organized separated into multiple bins and not going to get so dusty! (Plus the bins are on sale right now!)
A New Sewing Project For the New Year
Even though I'm in the middle of all of this reorganization I couldn't keep myself from starting a new project. I needed a creative outlet. I'm also in the mood to sew something simple and decided on a tumbler patchwork quilt. You can see the layout started on my design wall.
This color palette was inspired by these prints from the Garden Dreams collection by Amber Elliott of Alderwood Studio. I love this on-trend color palette.
I got a few of the blenders from the collection and then I plan to use these as the base palette for the quilt and then mix other prints from my stash.
Here's how it's going with a few prints from the Wanderlust collection also from Riley Blake. I'll share more of the pull when I'm farther along.
As part of this big purge I'm committing to consuming less fabric this year and using more of what I already have on hand. (Because, heavens, it's plenty.) If I see something new that I like I'm only going to get a few key pieces as palette guides and then pull from what I have.
Plus I think scrappy quilts are more intersting. And I love a good fabric pull session. To me it's a fun challenge make pull a bunch of prints and colors from what I've got on hand, making something truly vibrant and scrappy.
One last thing to share that's new on my sewing table: this Swig insulated mug from the Fat Quarter Shop. I got this as a surprise gift in the mail this year and I'm being 100% honest when I say that it was my favorite Christmas surprise gift this year. (Plus, as a mom, you don't get a lot of surprises at Christmas so that made it extra fun.)
One of my favorite winter treats is a mug of hot chocolate (with protein). I look forward to it, and try to drag it out to make it last longer, but always end up reheating in the microwave multiple times. No more of that! This keeps me cozy for a long time, plus I think it's so darn cute.
So there you go. What's currently on my Sewing Table. A new project, a new favorite mug, and a mess. But I'm totally happy with all of it! Excited to share progress on the quilt and the clean out next month!
We also took a fun adventure over the holidays to a new, colorful destination. I'm so excited to share some beautiful inspiration from Mexico City. Stay tuned!
Kelly says
That scrappy quilt it going to be beautiful…I love those colors!
Catherine says
My health hasn’t been great the last six months so cleaning up the sewing room seemed daunting. Fortunately, several friends from a sewing group volunteered to help me! I am so fortunate to have great friends who also are willing to work hard. You have inspired me to keep going. Some of the really old fabric hit the trash and some ne’er age is in donated. Keep up the good work. I’m eager to see the finished room.
Amy says
What a great group of friends! And I totally get that feeling of just not feeling up to it. Way to keep going, but it's okay to pace yourself too!
Liz says
Amy, it's so nice to see that you are like so many of us, having to use our rooms for wrapping paper, Christmas cards, etc. Especially this time of year. I sighed today because I still haven't undecorated Christmas but I love all the twinkle lights so muck, I'm fighting with myself. lol I'm retired so I think I'll tackle it this coming week. I love your ideas for cleaning and organizing. I will tackle that next. Thank you for all the ideas and hints.
Amy says
I say enjoy those twinkle lights as long as you want. 😉 I've had years where the tree didn't come down for weeks. The lights are so cozy this time of year.
Robby says
A tumbler quilt is on my list of things to try. I’ll be watching yours with interest. If you have any tips, id love to see them.
Michelle Ross says
I've started a major purge also and hope to get to my sewing area(which is my entire basement). I have boxes and boxes of scraps that I need to find a good home for because I know I will never get them all used up! I don't quilt but I make pillowcases for a charity and when I have time I make pillowcase style dresses for Operation Christmas Child boxes and receiving blankets for Project Linus! But I just run out of time unfortunately so the fabric is piling up. It's always a good feeling when everything is tidied up! 🙂
Mollie Forner says
I love your newsletter Amy! Thanks for the tips on how/where to donate fabric. I, too, am ready to purge - but want to do a patchwork quilt from my stash first. How do you cut the pieces for your Tumbler quilt? I see they are angled. Would love have/buy the pattern for it. My next project is making your apron with criss-cross straps. Ordered the kit couple years ago and am so excited to finally make it!!!
Amy says
I'm using this tumbler die from Lori Holt: http://shrsl.com/4t87y I'll be shareing a full tutorial of cutting and piecing in the coming weeks!
Diane says
I wish I could be that organized. I have been trying to get my sewing room done got about 4 month.. Still a mess.
But I will keep trying. I haven’t felt well last year and didn’t get much done in that way but I still do get some Quilting done.
Where did you find the clear cubes. They are what I need to determine some of the clutter off the right of my sewing machine.
Enjoy your posts Thank You
Diane
Amy says
I'm not that organized. It's a constant struggle for me too. I've learned that I don't have time/energy for both cleaning and sewing/creative time. It's a constant juggle! I got the cube drawers on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/429lbGv
Debra says
I have just completed the same task, one of the best things I did was create a fabric storage and pressing table ( could also work for cutting) I used a pallet, 9 individual containers (17×14×10 inches) stacked them 3x3 on pallet and a 24x48 inch plywood covered with batting and fabric. this works very well for a small spa e. Storage, cutting ,pressing all in one area. looking forward to the next read
Marianne says
This was an inspiring post for me! I love how you rationalized your recent purchase (Haha!) by saying those fat quarters were just blenders. I am planning on decluttering my sewing room starting tomorrow. I look forward to seeing your tumbler quilt when it's finished. Thanks, Amy.
Gwyn says
Thanks for keeping it real Amy! I would love to have my stuff all in one space. I have spent two days looking for an Art Bin of scrap Tula fabric. It's possible I cut up the scraps and distributed them, but that project was three years ago. I've since reorganized my fabric. I purged a couple of boxes of stuff last year, but probably not as much as I could. It's hard to part with fabric you spent good money one, but if it came in a monthly subscription box I haven't subscribed to in over 5 years, it was time to let it go.
Love your scrappy palette!
vallie greenfield says
Where did I see your monochromatic crosstitch sampler? so pretty
Amy says
Is it the one in this post? https://www.diaryofaquilter.com/whats-on-my-sewing-table-feb-march/
Thanks for the reminder - I need to pull that out again!
Linda Jennings says
Hi Amy, I'm also cleaning out my sewing and working on a quilt called "Shadowed Pinwheels" Our quilt leader gets these patterns and fabric. The fabric is mostly donated. I have a lot of stuff I never used, I took them in to our last meeting, almost of it went. So as I clean out, I take them in and just dump the bag on the table. When the other ladies clean out they bring in the stuff too.
Ellen F Sawyer says
Hi Amy- I love how messy your room is! Mine gets like that too especially after a big project. I go thru a purge/clean a couple of times a year. I try to use/reuse what I have on hand for storage. It doesn't always look "house beautiful" pretty but it works. One question I have, my eye is always drawn to the small quilt on your wall behind your chair...the one on the bottom. Do you have a pattern for it? Thanks for your down to earth blog! Happy 2025!
Diane says
Hi Amy, just wondering if you can share the name of the wall paint color in your sewing studio? Thanks muchly!
Lauren says
Amy, thank you for your ideas. My first project for the year is actually a pattern I got from you several years ago and I'm using the same colors you did because I liked it so much. I have an determined to clean first! Like you, my sewing room was also Christmas wrapping central! love your ideas so much!
Mary says
We think alike. my situation is/was.. too many projects going at one time, then losing track. then life takes over..I would forget them. so, I have 5 projects, slow stitching, which I've mounted on a large cork board, then placed it on my desk. very visible now. With each project are the threads and/or their numbers to reference. For me on any particular I may choose to work with only one project maybe two. Most of these will take months to complete. Having them 'visible' keeps me on track.
Amy says
That is a great idea!