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    Top 10 Sewing Room Organization Tips

    Last Modified: January 7, 2023 by Amy · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 50 Comments

    This time of year I’m in the mood to get get my sewing/quilting space organized and Andy has some really useful and practical tips and storage solutions. I’m re-sharing this helpful sewing room organization ideas guest post as it has been one of the most popular on this site. Even if you’re not in the mood to overhaul your entire sewing space, you might find an idea for one small project to help get your quilting patterns or supplies organized. Andy has some really practical and doable suggestions.

    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.

    Andy from A Bright Corner Quilts

    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 printable PDF patterns.

    Top 10 Sewing Room Organization Tips featured by top US sewing blog, Diary of a Quilter

    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 diy Ikea hack cutting table.

    Alright – here we go!

    Sewing Room Organization: Top 10 Tips

    Tip 1: Storage Ideas. 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 or workspace for easy access. Amy has another simple idea for ruler storage using Command Hooks here.

    Another simple option would be a craft tool pegboard.

    Top 10 Sewing Room Organization Tips featured by top US sewing blog, Diary of a Quilter: Organize quilting notions and rulers

    Store scissors, pens/markers, rotary cutters, sewing machine presser feet and other sewing supplies 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 I bought if from IKEA.

    Top 10 Sewing Room Organization Tips featured by top US sewing blog, Diary of a Quilter

    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.

    Top 10 Sewing Room Organization Tips featured by top US sewing blog, Diary of a Quilter: Tips for organizing quilt patterns

    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 also purchase mini binders at most office supply stores, Walmart, and Target.

    Top 10 Sewing Room Organization Tips featured by top US sewing blog, Diary of a Quilter

    Tip 3: Speaking of Patterns…

    Always save a backup of any printable PDF patterns on a thumb drive, or hard drive! Once printed, I store PDF patterns and printable online tutorials in these cardboard magazine holders.

    Top 10 Sewing Room Organization Tips featured by top US sewing blog, Diary of a Quilter

    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 that small space then I know it’s time to donate some!

    Top 10 Sewing Room Organization Tips featured by top US sewing blog, Diary of a Quilter

    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. 

    Top 10 Sewing Room Organization Tips featured by top US sewing blog, Diary of a Quilter

    (photo from Make Life Lovely)

    Tip 6: Fabric Storage:

    Now let’s talk fabric stash 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 fabric stash by color.

    Top 10 Sewing Room Organization Tips featured by top US sewing blog, Diary of a Quilter

    Tip 7: Storage Bins

    Baskets or clear bins are a fantastic storage solution 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.

    Top 10 Sewing Room Organization Tips featured by top US sewing blog, Diary of a Quilter: Tips for Fabric Storage

    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.

    Top 10 Sewing Room Organization Tips featured by top US sewing blog, Diary of a Quilter: Tips for Fabric organization and storage

    Or buy the clear drawers. 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.

    Top 10 Sewing Room Organization Tips featured by top US sewing blog, Diary of a Quilter: Tips for quilt project organization 

    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 this  free printable Weekly Planner from Lisa to help break down the big picture lists into small, achievable goals. 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?

    Top 10 Sewing Room Organization Tips featured by top US sewing blog, Diary of a QuilterSo there are my top ten tips for keeping your quilting space organized! Want even more sewing room organization hacks? 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 storage and 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?

    *this sewing room organization post contains affiliate links

     

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    Filed Under: Organization, Sewing Room

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Terry

      February 23, 2018 at 7:26 am

      Your room looks lovely. How do you hang all of your mini quilts on the wall?

      Reply
      • Andy Knowlton

        February 25, 2018 at 12:08 am

        Hi Terry! I use clear thumb tacks – just one in each of the top corners does the trick!

        Reply
        • Kim Domingue

          March 15, 2023 at 7:40 pm

          I laughed when I got to the photo of all the fabric on the wire shelves and the next photo with fabrics, scraps and projects in clear containers…I had to show the photos to my husband and told him “See? Great minds think alike!” I have so many of the same items in my workroom. I’ve gotten rid of practically all containers that aren’t clear. Baskets and pretty fabric bins are nice but I’ve found that, for me, out of sight is out of mind. It’s not that I don’t have a massive running inventory in my head of what I have but I’ve found that I need to physically see it with my eyes to make use of things. Side note, it freaks the hubs out that I can keep track of thousands of items in my head (painting, crafting, sewing, quilting, etc) but can’t remember peoples names to save my life, lol!

          Reply
    2. Elaine Tolsma

      February 23, 2018 at 7:59 am

      Instead 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.

      Reply
      • Amy

        February 23, 2018 at 10:30 am

        Great idea!

        Reply
      • Elaine Jordan

        February 23, 2018 at 5:40 pm

        Thank 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

        Reply
      • Rosemaryflower

        February 24, 2018 at 1:06 pm

        BRILLIANT idea. I would do that too.

        Reply
    3. Bea

      February 23, 2018 at 9:27 am

      I pretty much do this but #10 I have a weekly blog post with a list of current projects!

      Reply
    4. Elnora

      February 23, 2018 at 9:37 am

      Thank you both for this wonderfully helpful post! I’ll definitely implement some of the suggestions.

      Reply
    5. Sharon Howell

      February 23, 2018 at 12:41 pm

      Some great ideas. Been wanting to organize, but just didn’t know where to start. Thanks a lot. Will implement many.

      Reply
    6. LINDA

      February 23, 2018 at 12:42 pm

      THANKS FOR SHARING!

      Reply
    7. Kelly

      February 23, 2018 at 2:27 pm

      My 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?

      Reply
      • Andy Knowlton

        February 25, 2018 at 12:16 am

        Hi 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.

        Reply
      • Amy

        February 28, 2018 at 9:47 am

        Hi Kelly! Andy wrote her post about building her sewing table. Here is the link! https://www.abrightcorner.com/2018/02/diy-sewing-room-cutting-table-ikea-hack.html

        Reply
    8. Doris Werkman

      February 23, 2018 at 2:36 pm

      Great ideas! I use some already but lots of new ones to ponder 🙂

      Reply
    9. Margaret Maley

      February 23, 2018 at 3:02 pm

      I upload all my pdf files to dropbox. Thanks for all the tips!

      Reply
    10. Colleen Kelly

      February 23, 2018 at 3:13 pm

      Thank you so/sew much.
      I am 5

      Reply
    11. Danice G

      February 23, 2018 at 5:24 pm

      What a dreamy sewing room! Your organization is perfect. So neat and eye-catching as well.

      Reply
    12. Judy Caudill

      February 23, 2018 at 6:09 pm

      What 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.

      Reply
      • Amy

        February 24, 2018 at 8:57 am

        HI 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!

        Reply
    13. Mardell

      February 24, 2018 at 7:39 am

      I really like your cutting table. Where did you find it? Or did someone make it for you? Thanks for sharing your tips.

      Reply
      • Andy Knowlton

        February 25, 2018 at 12:11 am

        Hi 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. (https://www.abrightcorner.com/) And then if you still have more questions, I’d be happy to answer them!

        Reply
      • Amy

        February 28, 2018 at 9:48 am

        HI Mardell! Here is Andy’s post about building her sewing table! https://www.abrightcorner.com/2018/02/diy-sewing-room-cutting-table-ikea-hack.html

        Reply
    14. Mabel

      February 24, 2018 at 7:56 am

      Thank you for sharing! I have implemented some of these ideas to my small sewing room.
      It helps a lot.

      Reply
    15. Lee

      February 25, 2018 at 6:33 am

      That cutting table is great! thanks for sharing !

      Reply
    16. BLynn

      February 25, 2018 at 9:58 am

      I 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.

      Reply
    17. Karen Eckhart

      March 10, 2018 at 10:08 pm

      You 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.

      Reply
      • Amy

        March 12, 2018 at 11:37 am

        Great addition! There’s something about a label maker that makes me feel so much more organized.

        Reply
    18. Colleen Rangel

      March 22, 2018 at 11:16 pm

      I 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.

      Reply
      • Amy

        March 23, 2018 at 8:58 am

        That is a great idea!! I’m going to try that myself. Thanks for sharing!

        Reply
    19. Alejandra

      March 31, 2018 at 4:24 am

      Great tips! I’ve read so many blogs on organization, but this one has given the best advice so far. Thanks!

      Reply
    20. Dottie MACOMBER

      January 21, 2019 at 11:41 am

      Nice 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.

      Reply
    21. Julie

      November 05, 2019 at 8:48 am

      I 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.

      Reply
    22. Lynette Truskett

      March 04, 2020 at 5:30 am

      I 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.

      Reply
    23. Roberta Hudson

      July 24, 2020 at 8:26 am

      I 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.

      Reply
    24. Sandra Caulder

      August 15, 2020 at 5:33 pm

      FYI: The link for the Quilting Organizer Pack from Maker Valley isn’t working. I got a 404 message.

      Reply
      • Amy

        August 15, 2020 at 10:46 pm

        Oh shoot! Thanks for the heads up. I updated the link. You can find them here now: https://makervalleybrand.com/products/quilting-organizer-pdf-pack

        Reply
    25. Sandra Caulder

      August 15, 2020 at 5:38 pm

      I 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.

      Reply
    26. Priscilla Witwer

      August 15, 2020 at 6:12 pm

      Wow 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!

      Reply
    27. c

      September 12, 2020 at 1:52 am

      Your hanging organizer (2nd one in tip #1) is great! Can you share your you got it? Or tell what it’s called? Thanks!

      Reply
    28. Nebboufatiha@hotmail.fr

      January 06, 2021 at 2:57 pm

      C’est bien organisé merci pour le conseil, ça facilite le travail👍

      Reply
    29. desidear

      January 08, 2021 at 9:22 am

      So 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.

      Reply
    30. deb Baldwin

      January 13, 2021 at 6:48 am

      Hello..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

      Reply
    31. Gretchen

      February 02, 2022 at 10:34 am

      Is your cutting table just two bookshelves back to back with a board on top?

      Reply
      • Amy

        February 04, 2022 at 8:41 am

        HI Gretchen! This is a guest post from Andy Knowlton. Definitely reach out to her with this question: abrightcorner@gmail.com

        Reply
    32. marciajmail

      January 08, 2023 at 2:06 pm

      I am in need of a cutting table and I noticed the one in your room. Where did you get it? I like the size and the storage underneath. I am starting from scratch with an empty room and not sure where to start looking. Thank you!!

      Reply
      • Amy

        January 09, 2023 at 10:53 am

        Hi! This post was written by guest writer, Andy Knowlton. She shares the details about how she built her cutting table here: https://www.abrightcorner.com/2018/02/diy-sewing-room-cutting-table-ikea-hack.html

        Reply
    33. Jennifer Reith

      January 15, 2023 at 8:16 pm

      Hi, Can you tell me what color you used on your walls in this room?

      Thank you

      Reply
      • Amy

        January 16, 2023 at 1:55 pm

        Hi Jennifer! Reach out to post author Andy at abrightcorner@gmail.com and she can tell you. (In case she doesn’t see this comment here.)

        Reply
    34. Kim

      March 23, 2023 at 10:35 pm

      I’ve already used some these ideas in my sewing room. I bought a curtain rod and some shower hooks for my rulers, works great. Had a destashing givaway last month. Now alot more room for fabric. YEAAA!!!

      Reply

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