You’ve followed along as I’ve crafted and sewed my way through 100 videos. Would you like to see how I store and organize my supplies?

In one of my very first videos, I showed you how I store my scrapbooking materials , so I won’t spend time on that today. Instead I’ll show you how I keep my sewing supplies organized.

As with the scrapbooking supplies, I’m a fan of vertical storage. A tall bookshelf or china hutch is convenient for storing flat folds or bolts. Having my fabric visible makes it easy to tell what I have. I also have a basket for clothes that need mending. I used to keep these in a cupboard, but then I’d forget about them. This way I’m reminded to patch things up when I have a spare minute.

One drawer is reserved for my daughter’s projects. She’s 9 and just learning to sew. Another drawer has scraps of interfacing– I always seemed to misplace those before I reserved a drawer for them.

The bottom cupboard holds batting, and sweaters and t-shirts to recycle. Zippered bags from bedding sets make great storage- they’re durable and it’s easy to see what you have to work with.

I like to save sweaters because I can’t crochet or knit, but I can cheat and mimic the look by sewing with them (remember this Sweater Headband?) I can always find a use for old t-shirts… check out my Recycled Rosettes or Latch Hook Recycled Rug video if you want some ideas.

I keep my spools organized on my homemade Thread Organizer— there’s a video for that too, in case you missed it. My iron and sewing journal stay out of the way on the wall. I like to cover my work tables in wrapping paper– that way if I’m painting or using spray adhesive, I don’t need to worry about my work surface.

I keep my basic tools handy in the drawer of my sewing table. I use the bottom two drawers for current projects; it helps to keep all the necessary supplies in one place.

Now I’ll show you where I keep my sewing notions. I bought these craft storage cubes at my local scrapbook store… they were on clearance for $10 each.

I label everything. You’d think I would remember where I put stuff in my own craft room, but sometimes I’m kind of spacey. This top drawer is for my bias tape. The second drawer has my sewing notions, filed by type in ziploc baggies. I also have containers for pins; I bought these at Michael’s dollar spot. And the bottom drawer has rolls of tulle, as well as embroidery floss.

This other storage cube has my buttons, organized by color. These little jars are from Ikea. I also have room for patterns, although I usually prefer to make my own. And, I have my well-thumbed sewing machine manuals.

Finally, I use this standard filing cabinet to stash my small fabric scraps. I keep them in 12×12 plastic baggies, organized by color.

I use my Shabby Chic Memo Board to tack up magazine articles, interesting color palettes, and other things to inspire me.

It isn’t fancy, but it’s functional. If you’re looking to create your own sewing space, look around your house to see if there’s a bookshelf or filing cabinet you can repurpose. Add some plastic bags and some labels, and you’re well on your way.  Thanks for visiting my craft room!

Come take a tour of my craft studio! I have lots of ideas for organizing your craft space.

Tip #1: Make functional items beautiful.

My rule for my craft room is that everything must be either functional or beautiful, and preferably both! You might not have the budget to buy a pretty table or a cute chair. That’s okay, because we’re crafters, and our talent is creating beautiful things!

I bought two of these desks at a garage sale for $10 apiece. I needed the extra storage in the drawers, and I liked how I could use them separately if a friend came to sew, or together if I needed a larger workspace. Unfortunately, they were also very ugly.

A coat of primer and two coats of spray paint updated these laminate desks, and new sliver drawer pulls match the other furniture in the room.

You should also work with what you have when it comes to chairs. This chair was the last one left of the cheap set we bought as newlyweds.

It only took 10 minutes to unscrew the seat and staple on new fabric that matched my room.

If you’re feeling more adventurous, you can try reupholstering an armchair. I wanted a comfortable place to work on hand sewing, but this ugly yellow chair needed a makeover.

I spent a day recovering it in my favorite fabrics.

Another item that’s easy to update is your ironing board. (Click here for the ironing board cover tutorial!)

I made this new cover in about 15 minutes, turning it into an accent instead of an eyesore.

Take a look around your room and ask yourself how you could beautify the items you own.

Spray paint a metal trash can, alter the outlet covers (click here for tutorial), or add new hardware to cabinets or drawers. I swapped out plain black handles for vintage thread spools on this old armoire.

Tip #2: Think vertically.

Now let’s talk storage. You may not have a lot of floor space, but chances are that you have plenty of wall space. Make the most of your area with vertical storage.

Hang your thread on the wall to keep it from tangling. You can alter an old frame (click here for tutorial), or turn a crib railing into a thread organizer (tutorial here). This is also a good spot to hang your cutting mats and rulers.

If you have a very large cutting mat, it can double as a floor mat. I bought this cutting mat for $30, turned it face down to protect the markings, and use it as a mat for my rolling chair. It also keeps me from losing pins in the carpet.

 Tip #3: Organize. Then Organize Again.

I like to organize smaller items by type first. For example, sewing notions will be in one cube, and paints in another.  Then I divide the items at least once more… a place for trims, a spot for zippers, and an area for buttons. However you choose to organize your supplies, it helps to label containers clearly.

 

You don’t need to spend a lot on pretty baskets or bins. I repurposed a thrift store planter to store my pens. All of these boxes came from the $1 store. If you find inexpensive containers that you like, stock up on them. Matching boxes make your space appear more organized.

I like to be surrounded by my crafting supplies because they inspire me. However, I do store my scrapbooking paper in the closet to minimize dust and unnecessary exposure to sunlight. I also keep my wireless printer in there. Consider installing floor-to-ceiling shelves if you can spare the closet space.

I fold my larger fabric pieces and store them in an armoire. Smaller scraps are organized by color and then placed in large plastic bags inside a filing cabinet.

Tip #4: Be tidy. Cheat if necessary.

You might be wondering if I’m always this organized. Well, I do have a secret. I keep a bin labeled “to do” and a bin labeled “to organize.”

Unfinished projects go in the “to do bin” until I have more time. Messes that I don’t want to clean up get dumped in the “to organize” bin. I sort through it when I’m in a crafting slump, and it often gives me new ideas.

Whatever your space is like, keeping it organized, pretty, and clean will inspire creativity. Thanks for visiting my craft room!