Magnetic Knife Strips for Organizing in the Studio

I use magnetic knife strips (racks, bars, whatever!) in my studio to hold almost everything.

At any given moment you'll find several feet, needles, maybe a throat plate or two, and anything else I might want within arms reach. The magnets on these are super strong; they even hold my Gingher pinking shears and those babies are heavy!

I have these placed right above my work station so I don't have to get up to reach what I need.

And like my pattern weights, these are so functional - but a little unsightly.

But check out what Serena has done to her plain ol' Ikea Knife Strip!

I love, love, love this knife strip covered in fabric!

(She's even posted a tutorial on her blog, so you can make this yourself)

Sure, it's cute for the kitchen - but wouldn't this be perfect for your sewing room too?!

Tell us! Do magnets make an appearance in your studio?

Amazing Pattern Cabinet

Need some pattern storage inspiration?

Check out Shannon's custom built pattern cabinet at Hungry Zombie Couture

This lovely pattern cabinet also doubles as her cutting table!

While you're there, check out all her Evolution of a Sewing Room posts, and be prepared to drool over her fantastically organized studio!

Tell us! How do you store your sewing patterns?

5 ways to Organize Fabric Scraps

Today's Pinterest Round Up is all about organizing scraps! Check out all these lovely ways to sort and store all those tiny pieces of fabric that we can't bear to part with!

I like Orange has a simple tutorial for storing scraps in mason jars, complete with coordinated lids!

Have too many scraps to stuff into a jar? Pleasant Home uses these baskets and cubbies from Target to keep her large scrap stash under control!

Pioneer Valley Girl uses a clear over the door shoe holder to sort her scraps by color!

Rachel Hauser from Stitched In Color may have the most organized scraps on the planet! She uses bins from Ikea to sort her scraps by size and then uses a separate drawer to house each color! WOW!

And maybe the most original way to stash scraps - Film in the Fridge, utilizes her love of  enamel wear. What an awesome way to showcase a collection and get organized at the same time!

Tell us! What is the smallest size scrap you keep in your stash?

Fabric Folding Tutorial {Cheap & Simple}

Think of your favorite quilt shop, doesn't the image of all those neatly folded and stored bolts of fabric make you dreamy? Get that look for yourself!

But hey, folding your fabric in a uniform and consistent manner does more than just look pretty! It tends to store easier - and when folded with the technique shown below you can even tell approximately how much yardage you may have at a glance.

There are several ways you can fold your fabrics, I'm going to show you the 2 ways I've used. (Actually, they are just 2 variations of the same method) They both have their benefits, hopefully one way will work for you too!

Using the Comic book backing boards is the method I currently use in my own studio. 

I prefer the fabric stacked vertically - it does take up more space, but I feel like I can see each print easier.

Backer boards are a cheap alternative to specific fabric boards - I mean like 10 bucks for a pack of 100 at my local shop! (Wondering where you can find some near you? Check out the Comic Book Shop Locator. NAYY) And hey, I figure  if they're good enough for die-hard comic book collectors they're good enough for me.

The alternative method is using the same basic technique, but using a 6 inch quilting ruler (or any size, really) to fold your fabric around. When you reach the end, simply slide your ruler out. Then you can stack your fabrics on you shelves. The benefit here is you can fit more fabric on your shelves this way.

   

 Just a note before you start: When squaring up your fabric, align the selvedge edges as pictured below, don't worry if your cut edges do not match.

Do not try to square up your fabric by lining up the cut edges - chances are your fabric was not cut on grain and it will lay wonky like pictured below.

Okay, lets start!

Fold your fabric in half selvedge edges together - I like to do this with the manufacturers info facing down.

And then fold in half again, bringing the folded edge to meet the selvedge edges.

Next, using a comic book backing board, fold the edge of the fabric over the board.

Continue folding the fabric around the board until you reach the end.

You can pin the loose edge if you like (and if you began with the manufacturer info face down you can now see it without having to unfold your fabric) 

Okay, so you may be wondering how all this helps you know how much yardage you have?

Simple! Just count the folded layers on the edge, and multiply by 6 (or what ever size ruler/board you folded with) So, if you used a 6 inch ruler and had 6  folded layers, you'd know you have about 1 yard. 

*This isn't an exact science, and the more yardage you have the more you'll be "off"

Tell us! Do you bother to refold your fabric when you bring it home from the quilt shop, or do you just toss it on the shelf how ever the girl at the cutting counter gave it to you?

Simple & Beautiful Button Storage

There's just something about a jar full of buttons!
Is there a more beautiful, yet simple way to organize them?
I think not.

line them all up on a shelf ...

or mount them below a shelf by their lid...

use vintage canning jars...

or new canning jars...

even baby food jars...
(check out the tutorial to make this here)

what about empty spice jars, in a rack on your desk?

or lined up in a drawer...

There are so many ways to organize and store buttons, but right now I'm daydreaming about dozens of pretty little jars, filled to the brim with lovely buttons all sorted by color.

Tell us! Do you use jars for organizing in your sewing or crafting space?

Sewing Studio Tour

Since my current studio isn't quite ready for her debut (promise to show you soon!) I'm going to show you my first "real" studio.

Prior to this I had sewn on the kitchen table, in a corner and even the garage - so this base was the first time I had a room - an indoor room - all just for me! My friend Tina came over and helped me with everything, from building to decorating. We've both since PCS'd from WA, but I'll never forget this awesome space she helped me create while we were stationed together. (I miss you friend!)

We created an L shaped work area using my sewing cabinet and a work table we built using closet organizers as the base and painted plywood for the top.

I painted my sewing cabinet white, and changed out the handles and knobs.

I painted plain ol' tool boxes white, and suddenly they looked a million times better!

Below a shoe organizer holds all my FQ's and scraps, sorted by color 

On the other side of the table white bins (Tina picked these up on sale at Jo Anns - score!) fit perfectly in the cubbies and house foot pedals, chenille scraps, embroidery thread containers (aka matchbox car cases I stole from my son)

Here I have an Armoire I snagged at Target on Clearance. This contained all my  quilting cottons.

(to the left of this armoire if a door way into the kitchen, to the right the room opens into our living room)

Across from this I have a large white closet (which has a full, long life)

This was perfect in this space because it helped define my studio space in a physical sense, and it boasted a ton of storage space for my ironing board, chenille collection, batting and smaller craft stuff.

Along this wall Tina helped me create another work space where I could store everything else and sit and work on hair bows or cards.

cafe curtain rods for ribbon storage

Inspiration board

So there it is, my first real fancy-schmancy sewing room!

Tell us! Where do you sew?

Creative Thread Storage & Organization

Need some creative solutions to store and organize your thread? 

Deciding how to handle all those spools can be overwhelming; to make it even more of a chore, thread is one of those things we constantly use, use and up, and buy more of! ...sigh...What's a girl to do with all those spools?

Here's some {P}inspiration to get you started!

Designer Sandy Henderson stores her thread in this little beauty she picked up at a thrift store for 99 cents.

And designer Anna Maria Horner uses gallon sized clear jars - love all the yummy colors!

Karen at the popular Sew Many Ways blog uses vintage soda crates, she always has awesome re-purposing ideas for the sewing room!

I use matchbox car cases - with 48 compartments they hold my embroidery threads perfectly!

A plain old tool box becomes a thread chest

What about using a CD storage cabinet? The shallow shelves are just the right size.

Feeling up for a DIY option?

Minitoko  gives you the low down on how to make these pretty thread holders

The Creative Homemaker  shows you how to make this ingenious thread holder that even keeps your bobbins organized.

This funky framed thread holder tutorial can be found at Grey Luster Girl 

Looking for simple ideas that pack a punch?

How about spray paint! Give your old thread rack a new coat of color, and ta-da! Instant update!

Or what about thread spools onto dowels to create a "bouquet"? like author and designer Susan Wasinger?

Hopefully all this eye candy will get you started in the right direction

(It makes me want to run out and buy some thread!) 

Tell us! How do you store all your thread? 

Do you organize by type, color, not at all?

Stash Purge Party this week!

Hello Friends!

It's my Birthday and I would love for you join me for cake, and then help me purge my stash!

I have recently "redone" my studio,

and now I have tons of stuff that must go:

Fabric, Patterns,Trims, Ribbons, Beads, 

Notions & More!

No set prices - just donations as you see fit.

I can't think of a better way to spend my Birthday than hanging out with you, and maybe seeing you leave with a few goodies of your own!

See you there!

(contact me for more details)