Lots of good ideas, as usual. When doing a major organizing project of any kind I have to clear everything and start fresh. Then it really looks nice when you are finished. In between I really try to put away stuff dragged out for a project , but my brain worksd faster then my body. It is always a challenge.

A label maker is a great thing -- label every blessed thing -- drawers, boxes, shelves.

I also like to take a photograph of the nicely organized area, print it out, and post it, say, inside the cabinet door, or on the drawer bottom. It helps me keep things where they belong, it's a quick visual reference of what I have in that box or drawer, and if I have the photos in a file on my handheld or phone, I can use it as a quick reference when shopping, and thus avoid re-buying things I have already.

If you are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of stuff -- one strategy that might work for you would be to box up and store something like 25 to 50 % of your stuff, and just get the remainder under control and in a system that works for you. Then, once you feel under control, you can "Shop" in your storage boxes, and slowly add those items into the working stash. They key there would be to avoid buying anything more before checking on what you already have in storage.


RST

nope, np3 - this is the only way I can get stuff organized. have to see it all to know what to keep, give-a-way or toss. but friends think I have ocd so my sewing room usually doesn't need a thorough reorganization that often. which gives me more time for this board and quilting!

When I finally got my room organized just the way I wanted a few years ago, I make myself put everything away when I complete a project. One thing I found very helpful was putting a basket beside my cutting table. After cutting all the fabric I just toss all the scraps in the basket until done...sometimes I have to pull out a fabric to correct a mistake. When project is done, I take the scraps and cut them into 1/2yd, fat qtrs, 10", 8", 5"squares and 2 1/2" strips and put everything in the appropriate container.

I am with NP3. When I organize, everything comes out. It is like a free shopping trip, I find things I forgot about buying and I really don't mind if it takes me all day. It is a day well spent. A glass of wine certainly makes the process a lot more enjoyable.

My problem tends to be that I get too organized. But once I organize (or over organize) I live with it for a while to determine what might work better for me. What works for one will not necessarily work for others.

Wow, Pam. :thumbup: I get unorganized as fast as I get organized.

I am a pull it all out and start over person. Lots of large Rubbermaid tubs (2+ yard cuts) and clear plastic boxes - label the lid and what will be front side. I have 2 large plastic tool boxes for all the "tools", also well labeled.
I purchased some of DeNiece's Fabric Organizers and they just arrived yesterday. Thinking about using them as a decorative display of fabric.

ohh yesssss - This sounds familiar. Being a pack-rat, but not having enough space to put my "treasures" I have decided to clean up my room. I really really TRY to separate, organize, rearrange at LEAST 45 minutes a session. Our daughter came over, and I tried to shame her----(oh I have done SO MUCH for YOU, I could really use some help in my sewing room) - SHE AGREED!! I cut "boards" for her to wrap with fabric, and thought there was just a little more left to do, but I found even MORE stash, so we had to cut 4o more boards, and now it looks like we still have to cut even more! We went to our local Sears, and brought home refrigerator boxes - and can get about 36 fabric boards from each one.

My favorite way to clean is for instance my main table is take everything off and put it away where I think it should be stored and then only put back on in organized way. Or a closet everything out and only back what belongs and always can manage to get rid of something. Good Luck you can do this!

almost every quilter faces this dilema..how to organize ??
1st..be in the mood to conquer the task(if not in the mood I just shuffle & move things around, then get discouraged)
2nd..have a plan how to organize your quilting area(lots of labeled containers for fabric & notions)
3rd..when you have it organized,put into practice rules that will help you keep it somewhat organized.
personally, I try to organize as I quilt..