Are you just learning how to sew? Are you accumulating a pile of sewing-related supplies that you aren't sure how to store? Would you like some useful tips on how to organize all of those items in a really practical way? I'm here to help!
I've been sewing for almost 30 years, professionally for over 20 years. I've come up with an organizational system that works beautifully. When I was hired as the seamstress at a local dry cleaner a few years ago, I set up my area exactly the same way as I have my sewing area at home. This "system" is inexpensive and very efficient.
First I purchased a 2' x 4' banquet table at a local big box store to use as my sewing table. You certainly could use any type of table for your sewing table, as long as you find it comfortable to work at. This banquet table can be adjusted for height, which is a feature I really like.
Next, I purchased a secretary chair - the kind that rolls on casters. This chair can be adjusted for height also. It is really important to me to be able to adjust my chair or table so that I can find the perfect comfort level. If you are going to sit at this table for any length of time, you want to be as comfortable as possible.
The third purchase was a plastic 7-drawer cabinet on wheels from a local discount store. This cabinet has 3 shallow drawers about 3" deep, and 4 deeper drawers about 7" deep. The cabinet comes apart between each drawer so you can set it up in any configuration that suits your needs. I use this cabinet in two parts. I use two shallow and two deep drawers as my main unit; this is the unit that is on the wheels. Then I use the remainder shallow drawer and two deeper drawers as a stationery storage unit.
Additionally, I purchased a desk drawer organizer to use on the top of my main unit. In this organizer, I keep all of the supplies I use most often so they are right at my fingertips. This organizer holds my pincushions (one for needles and one for pins), my tailoring chalk and marking pencils, needle threaders, zipper feet, scissors and clippers, safety pins, tape measure, tailoring ruler and emery board.
In the two shallow drawers I keep the remainder of my small supplies: bobbins, machine needle packages, hand sewing needle packages, and packages of extra pins, etc. I also keep specialty tools such as pinking shears, rotary cutter, point turners, and extra presser feet. The deeper drawers hold supplies such as zippers, elastic, buttons, packages of snaps and fasteners, and patching fabric.
Aside from this storage unit, I keep my thread organized in shallow trays sorted by color and spool size. I lay the spools on their sides so I can see the colors at a glance.
Fabric and interfacing is stored folded in large Rubbermaid bins sealed tightly.
I store my patterns in a plastic under-the-bed type storage box. I find that this type of box is the perfect size for most patterns. I keep them standing up just like they are in the pattern drawers at a fabric shop. This way I can page through them easily. I also keep them grouped by type of garment to make finding a particular pattern more efficient.
I realize you probably do not have near the amount of sewing-related items that I have! Getting and staying organized is the important thing. You don't want to be searching in a big box of stuff to find your tiny little zipper foot! It really makes a difference in your productivity when you have everything you need right at your fingertips.
So, if you are just starting to set up a sewing area, consider some of these suggestions. I hope you find the ideas in this article helpful. Whether you have a whole room dedicated to sewing or just a tiny corner somewhere in your home, organization is the key to success!
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