How to Organize a Sewing Area

All you need to create a sewing area is a stable surface for your sewing machine, a flat surface on which to cut fabric and storage space for sewing equipment and fabric. Here are some ideas to help you choose and organize a sewing area that suits your needs.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Desks
• Sewing Baskets
• Sewing Kits
• Sewing Machine
• Sewing Supplies
• Storage Cabinets
• Storage Shelves
• Plastic Containers

1. Consider whether your sewing area will be permanent. Do you have space for a permanent sewing area? Will the amount of time you spend sewing justify a permanent sewing area?

2. Decide where your sewing area will be. Locate your sewing area close to a natural light source. If this is not an option, make sure your chosen area is adequately lit. Accessibility to electrical outlets is a must.

3. Choose a permanent sewing area large enough to accommodate your sewing equipment. Sewing surface should be large enough to accommodate your sewing machine and fabric.

4. Choose a sewing area from which you will have easy access to your ironing board and pressing equipment. Pressing seams constitutes a large part of the process of garment construction. You want your pressing equipment close at hand for convenience.

5. Design a permanent sewing area so that sewing accessories and tools are at arm's length. Shelving placed next to your sewing area can help you achieve this.

6. Make sure that your sewing surface is at a comfortable height.

7. Keep thread, notions, patterns and fabric in plastic containers. If you are able to keep a permanent sewing area with shelving, stack containers on shelves. If space is restricted, store plastic containers in a closet or under a bed.

8. Use a pegboard to hang thread spools, measuring equipment and other sewing accessories. A pegboard can be mounted in your planned sewing area for easy access or inside a closet door. Specially designed thread spool caddies can be mounted in the same fashion.

Tips & Warnings

• Modular storage units, cabinets and desks are available at most fabric and discount stores. These are good options for organizing a permanent sewing area. You can arrange them in a fashion that best fits your sewing needs and space.
• A cutting board will help prevent fabric from becoming soiled when you use the floor as a cutting surface. If you use a bed as a cutting surface, a cutting board will protect your bedding from damage.
• Keep all materials for a specific sewing project - pattern, fabric and notions - together in a separate container for easy access.
• Portable, adjustable lamps that clamp onto a table or desk are good options for any sewing area, permanent or otherwise. These can be purchased at most fabric and discount stores.
• A full-length mirror will assist you in accurately determining the fit of a garment.

on 9/27/2006 Whenever I buy new clothes, I always keep the small plastic sealable bags that the spare buttons come in. These make ideal containers for notions/beads and other small items. Other members of my family do the same, so I always have a few lying around.

on 8/9/2006 * Store photocopies, patterns and ideas, etc in lever arch files
* Fabric, folded into fat quarter sizes stacked in color blocks sitting neatly in shallow plastic trays
* Craft items stored in see through plastic, supermarket 'cake tray tops'
* Buttons are in see-through jars.

I collect a variety of containers for future use. All stacked neatly and labeled on shelving in wardrobe style cupboards.
Large plastic bins fit in the bottom of the wardrobes to store felt, calico, ribbing, etc. When finished for the day, tidy the work area, put away and then close the doors.

on 8/8/2006 I have a large bulletin board in my laundry/sewing room. When sewing a dress, the cut pieces are pinned to it along with the direction sheets. Many of my sewing items are also pinned to this bulletin board saving valuable table space.

on 8/8/2006 The way I do my pattern storage is to place pieces of the pattern into a gallon plastic baggie, with the pattern wallet cut and in front. Then, with my extensive inventory of Sharpies, I color code the tops of the baggies into categories that make sense to me, such as craft, dress, casual, mens, costumes (adult), costumes (child), child dress, etc. etc. Then, on top of that, I write a very brief description, such as velvet Renaissance dress, and add a Y for yes, I've made adjustments, or N, for the pattern is unchanged. For very large pieces, I note that on the wallet, and note where they are separately.

I have the most darling fairy costume for a small child. I cut up the wallet and insert everything into the plastic baggie. Then I color the top with a bright light pink (child costume) and write: Sm fem fairy dress on top. There is a large pattern that is too big to fit into the baggie comfortably, and I decide to hang it, so I note on the wallet that its hanging. I file it, and Voil! Sounds complicated, but if you do it, you see it's really easy.

on 7/25/2006 I often have times when I need to take my tools and go to work on a job. I found that a fishing tackle box works great for this. There are plenty of compartments for tools and notions I may need at a job site. Not to mention they are all neatly organized when working at home.