Freshen up and organize your sewing, quilting or creative space with one of these DIY tutorials. From fabric basket sewing patterns to how to build a pegboard there’s bound to be something to help you get and stay organized this year!
It seems the last few months that I’ve had one deadline to meet after another. I haven’t managed to get more than a few days between projects recently and my sewing room is starting to show it.
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I prefer to completely “clean up” and reset after I finish a project before moving on to the next one. However, I have not done that for a while, and now I have a GIANT mess in my sewing room.
This week I began tackling the “mess.” As I was cleaning, I thought you guys might appreciate some tips to keep your sewing or creative space organized.
Since I love to sew, and I love to design projects, I’ve created quite a few DIY’s over the years to help me keep the clutter under control. You can find each one of these projects on my blog. I’ve also linked a few online tutorials from other sewing and quilting blogs that I have found helpful.
DIY's to Help You Organize your Sewing or Quilting Space
Looking for a fun project to start the year? Use one of our sewing or DIY tutorials to create something to help you keep your sewing or quilting space organized!
Each one of these projects can be found on the blog. Most of them are free tutorials. A couple are paid patterns. The benefit of a paid pattern is that it includes PAGES of instructions and is delivered to you in a way that's easy to print.
I've also linked a few other DIY's from my "blogging buddies" that I think you may find helpful as well.
A few years ago I decided to sew a mat for my sewing machine. Ever since I finished it I don't know how I ever lived without it! I love to use it to keep my seam ripper, small scissors, and thread catcher close by.
This sewing machine rolls up, so if you ever get to "sew on the go" you can just roll it up and take your favorite tools with you.
I have a set of 3 of these baskets on my sewing table. I use them to store scissors, binding clips, and extra notions. The photo shows the smallest size of the basket without the optional handles.
This pattern has instructions to create the baskets in 3 different sizes, small, medium, and large. The large size would be perfect to hold yarn if you love to knit or crochet.
This little basket is OH SO easy to sew. It's just the right size to hold binding clips.
I wrote this pattern specifically to be made with the Cricut Maker. However, if you don't have a Cricut don't worry! I've included instructions to create the baskets without the Cricut.
I did use my Cricut to create the labels for the baskets.
This basket is very sturdy thanks to the flex foam that is used as interfacing.
Are you always losing your seam ripper or seam gauge? These organizers are made from embroidery hoops. Hang one on the wall next to your sewing machine to keep you favorite tools close by.
I have a lot of fabric. I've been sewing and blogging for a long time, so it totally makes sense that I'd have a bunch.
If you've ever wondered how I keep it all organized be sure to check out this article.
I also show you how I fold my fabric so that it's all the same size while sitting on the shelf.
I created these cute little hanging baskets as a part of my partnership with BERNINA sewing machines. You can find a free tutorial to create them on their sewing blog, We All Sew.
These bins are one of my "go-to" organization projects. I have one that keeps my needlepoint projects organized and one that I use to hold extra sewing elastic.
I've also used them in my kid's rooms to hold hair bows, and my son had one full of legos when he was smaller.
The pattern comes in 3 sizes and features optional external pockets and a simple drawstring top.
I keep my smaller quilt rulers on my cutting table. The larger ones I keep on a pegboard next to my sewing machine.
In this tutorial, I walk you through the steps to create a simple peg board yourself.
My creative space is in a large room that sits over our garage. It's got some crazy walls and ceilings to organizing it has been a bit of a challenge.
Ways to Decorate your Creative Space
After you've got all your stuff organized. Why not add some fun stuff to the room as well?
All of these tutorials featured fun DIY's to help you add a bit of charm to your creative space.
Download this SVG file and create a fun "sewing" sign to decorate the walls of your space.
I don't know about you, but I've got a bunch of old quilt rulers laying around. Recently I decided it would be fun to create a bit of wall decor with a few of my extra rulers. Read all about how I did it in this article.
I mean, right?
Tips from other Sewing Bloggers
Here are a few sewing room organization articles from other blogs that I have found helpful.
Andi wrote this guest post for the Diary of a Quilter blog detailing some of her best sewing room organization tips. It's full of fantastic information.
If you're tired of constantly standing up to iron while you're quilting you might want to try a chairside ironing station. This DIY will walk you through the steps to create your own.
This method works well for quilting when used with a small iron. It might not work as well for ironing since there is not a place for the steam of iron to vent through the board.
PJ says
Hi Melissa! This post came in at just the right time when I’m elbow deep in my holiday crafting blitz! I am also a messy crafter, & with laminated flooring in my crafty area, I just throw stuff on the floor – thread, sticker backing, price labels, tags, etc. I think the trash basket I have in there has some kind of forcefield over it because I throw stuff but it never makes it in! The biggest problem is in doing that, I DROP something I need into this abyss of thread and paper pieces. I think I’m going to try one of the embroidery hoop hanging baskets to help out. I’ve tried grocery store bags, which just seems to stick to itself, not opening or just falling off the hanging thingee I rigged. I am hoping that a manageable size hoop hanger will help. I like to move to other projects quickly, so I’m hoping this reduces my “down” time spent cleaning up. Thanks for the ideas!
Tambra says
Thank you so much for the these helpful tricks & tips, Melissa. I enjoy getting your news letter & have already put some of your tutorial patterns to good use. Love Riley Blake fabrics & I can assure you, that I’m always on the lookout for your lovely designs when I am making a purchase. Keep up the fantastic job that you do.
May all your Christmas’s be Merry & Bright, as mine are….with the help I get from you.
Sincerely
Tambra Vandal
Charleen DiSante says
Hi Melissa, I have been reading your blog (?) And emails and am finally saying I really appreciate all you do for us. Thanks for sharing your know-how and tips. My fabric is on shelvers short enough that I prefer to fold them so they are vertical. That way I don’t have to fight getting one out from under the others. Thanks again!