Organizing Sewing Space Sew Perfect : Episode SEW-351 -- More Projects »  | | 
Click the image above to see the interactive sewing nook. |
Sewing Nook - Try using bookcases as storage in small sewing areas. The partitions are perfect for organizing sewing equipment.
- Store thread according to color. Plastic containers with snap-on lids work well for this, and keeping the same hues in one place will help prevent buying duplicate colors of thread.
- To alleviate crowding, store dress form out of the way; leave it sitting out only when in use.
- Label plastic storage boxes according to their contents. Store similar notions in one box, if possible. Hat boxes also make great storage boxes and are attractive.
- Magazines and books store perfectly in a bookcase. Use fabric or paper scraps to bookmark your favorite pages for fingertip accessible ideas.
- Check local fabric stores for a spool rack, handy to hang on the wall and display many spools of thread.
- A bulletin board is a nice addition to any sewing space. Use the board to display pattern ideas or fabric swatches and as a place to keep measurements for family members or shopping lists. Hang measuring tapes from a straight pin stuck in the board. A calendar is also useful.
- Position ironing surface at a comfortable height when sitting. Situate it near the sewing machine for convenience when pressing open just-stitched seams.
- Stackable plastic waffle block cubes provide a convenient, portable storage beside the machine. Keep your sewing manual, fabric scraps, and pressing accessories handy by storing them close by.
- Select a chair for comfort and mobility. The chair should roll and have a pivotal seat as well as provide good back support.
- Overhead lighting rarely provides enough light for sewing. A flexible desk light will reduce eyestrain.
- Keep seam rippers, markers, beeswax, rulers, small scissors, etc., in a box near the machine.
- Use a three-paneled screen to camouflage the sewing corner.
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Click the image above to see the interactive sewing room. |
Sewing Room - For those fortunate enough to have an entire room dedicated to sewing, remember to include a comfortable loveseat or couch to sit on and relax. Keep your hand-sewing basket nearby.
- A large cutting table is a wonderful addition to a sewing room. A good height for a cutting table is 36" to 40". The Sew Perfect set tabletop surface measures 50" x 73". Place the table so at least three of its sides, preferably two long and one short, are accessible.
- A big mat is great if using a rotary cutter. Purchase a grid mat and keep it on the countertop at all times.
- Stash the dress form in a corner.
- Cabinets are great for hiding notions and storage bins. Install as many as possible.
- Decorative baskets are perfect for storing patterns or scissors on the countertop. Decorative glass bottles look nice when filled with buttons, snaps or other closures.
- An L-shaped workstation is the best for holding sewing machine and serger. It also provides a pressing surface.
- Carpet in the sewing room creates more cleanup work. Consider installing a wood, linoleum, or tile floor surface instead of carpet to provide easy cleanup and a friendly surface for the rolling chair.
Fabric Stash - Organize fabrics by hanging them on hangers. Try organizing fabrics by colors.
- Ask the fabric store if you can have their empty fabric cardboard tubes. Store fabrics such as velvet, tapestry or fur on the tubes to avoid permanently creasing them. Buy interfacing in 5- to 10-yard lots and store it on a tube as well.
- Store leftover braid and trim on an empty cardboard paper-towel tubes.
- Store special buttons in ice cube trays. They store away easily in a drawer.
- Have two seam guides, two fabric pens, two straight-pin holders, two pair of big scissors, two pair of little scissors and two rulers so you can have one set of these items at the cutting table and one set at the sewing table.
- Mark scissors with a dot of nail polish to symbolize "sewing only" scissors. This visual reminder will help other family members remember not to use the sewing scissors for paper cutting or other everyday tasks.
- Instead of wrestling patterns back into the envelope, slip the pattern and envelope into 1-quart bags. Store patterns in drawers or file boxes, organizing them according to the type of pattern, e.g., home decor, dresses, etc.
- To store favorite patterns, iron fusible webbing onto the back of the pattern. Cut out the pattern, adding a 3-inch margin to its cutting lines to protect the pattern and ironing surface from stray webbing. Be sure to use a dry iron. Begin at the center and iron toward the edges. Trim the excess margin from the pattern after fusing on the interfacing.
- Store everything pertaining to your current project in one storage box--suggested items are the fabric, pattern, zipper, buttons, lining, interfacing, etc.
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