16 Tried and True Tips for Organizing Your Sewing or Quilting Space

Maintaining and organizing your sewing or quilting space effectively can make sewing more enjoyable and efficient. Here are some tips to help you keep your sewing area tidy and functional.

I am not naturally an “organized person,” but I have learned over the years that I can do a few things to help “stack the odds in my favor” when it comes to staying organized.

Running a sewing and design business, I’ve found that I have to stay organized; otherwise, things will get away from me too quickly.

All of these organizing tips come from a “disorganized” person, so if they work for me (which is saying a lot; you should see my closet, LOL), odds are they can work for you, too!

1. Declutter Regularly

Go through your supplies periodically and remove items you no longer need or use. Donate or recycle fabric scraps and tools that are still in good condition but not useful.

2. Designate Zones

Create specific areas for different tasks, such as cutting, sewing, pressing, and storage. This will help keep your space organized and make it easier to find what you need.

3. Invest in Storage Solutions

Use shelves, bins, and drawers to keep your supplies organized. Transparent containers are useful for quickly identifying contents; labeled bins can help maintain order.

4. Utilize Wall Space

Install pegboards or wall-mounted organizers to store tools and supplies. Hanging rulers, scissors, and other frequently used items on the wall keeps them within reach and frees up the workspace.

5. Organize Your Fabric Stash

Sort your fabric stash by color, type, or project. Fold them neatly and store them in bins, baskets, or shelves. Using comic book boards or fabric organizers can help keep your fabric pieces uniform and easily accessible.

6. Keep Tools Accessible

Store your most-used tools (scissors, rotary cutters, pins, etc.) in a caddy or organizer near your sewing machine. This saves time and reduces frustration when you need to find something quickly. You can find a free tutorial for this Sewing Machine Mat on our site.

7. Label Everything

Label bins, drawers, and shelves so you know where everything belongs. This helps you and others in your household put things back in their proper place. (The fabric basket tutorial can be found on our site).

9. Organize Patterns and Manuals

Store your sewing patterns, manuals, and inspiration materials in binders or file folders. Use plastic sleeves to protect patterns and keep them organized by type or project. I love to use these large plastic envelopes to store my patterns. Especially any quilt block of the month series that I’m participating in.

10. Set Up a Pressing Station

Keep an iron and ironing board or pressing mat close to your sewing area. This minimizes the time spent moving between tasks and helps maintain the flow of your project.

11. Keep a Trash Bin Handy

Place a small trash bin or fabric scrap bag near your sewing machine and cutting area. This encourages you to dispose of scraps and thread ends immediately, keeping your workspace tidy.

12. Use Drawer Dividers

Drawer dividers or small containers can keep small items like buttons, needles, and bobbins organized within drawers. This prevents items from getting lost and makes them easier to find. TIP: These drawer dividers are kids’ plates from Target; look in other parts of the store for useful organizing solutions!

13. Maintain Your Sewing Machine

Regularly clean and oil (if your sewing machine calls for it) according to the manufacturer’s instructions—schedule routine sewing machine maintenance to keep it running smoothly and prevent unexpected breakdowns.

14. Create a Project Board

Use a bulletin board or design wall to plan and visualize your current projects. Pin up fabric swatches, sketches, and notes to keep track of your ideas and progress. Did you know you can create a pinboard inexpensively using an acoustic ceiling tile? We walk you through how to do it in our free tutorial.

15. Light Up Your Space

Ensure your sewing area is well-lit. Good lighting reduces eye strain and helps you see your work more clearly. Consider task lighting or a bright LED lamp for detailed work.

16. Stay on Top of Cleaning

Regularly dust and vacuum your sewing space to keep it clean and reduce the build-up of fabric fibers and dust. A clean workspace can improve your focus and efficiency.

I recently purchased this little handled vacuum, which has been a lifesaver! It’s perfect for picking up small pieces of fabric and threads! I use it almost every day!

Implementing these tips can help you create a more organized, efficient, and enjoyable sewing space, allowing you to focus more on your quilting projects and less on managing clutter.

If you have tips to share, please leave them in the comments section so everyone can benefit from your great ideas!