Currently Stitching: Quilt Studio Storage Reset

I want to talk about a problem I'm sure many of you also deal with. The continual and never ending fabric that needs to be purchased. Despite the piles that we all have at home... They're sorted, stuffed, folded, and tucked in baggies and bins. And yet, at the same time, they're spilling all over my sewing room. 

I am starting to feel a little stuck in productivity because it's such a mess in here. 

This was my previous sewing studio. I also never had quite enough room for everything in this space either. I still have some of the fabrics in the this photo #noshameinmygame#maybeasmidgenofshame

Which leads me to today. I am facing these numerous piles of fabric that I continue to purchase. Whatever system I had before this point has fallen by the way side and it's now a lawless free for all. I am going to attempt to get things as under control as I can, with the storage space that I have. As I do this, and share the process, let's all agree not to wear our judgey pants.

I bought this pile last summer and most of it is still sitting in a stack in the closet **face palm**  I purchased all these beautiful fabrics with the intention of turning them into backings, mostly for baby quilts! They're all so stinking cute! 

Does anyone else find themselves standing in a quilt shop in total fear that the fabric they've just found will never be seen again? Whether it's discontinued or sold out? Or both! That happens to me quite a bit. And there are some fabrics and kits that I look back at and wish I had bought them. Or my mom or one of my friends bought them and I am extremely jealous that they have it and I don't. 

Here is another pile I came home with not too long ago. It was all in the sale area of the store and I could not help myself. I found these shades to be particularly rich and unique. So many lines carry the same blues, greens and yellows. I really liked these tones. Plus the cross hatching is bright but does not disrupt the colors. I am thinking of using them for background fabric or for a rainbow quilt. Who really knows how it's going to end up. 

As you can see in this tower above me, I absolutely annihilated my fabric fund (again) this past week. I feel like I just came across so many things that inspired me. I've been so good this summer, and then all of a sudden, I splurged and bought everything. Now the problem is finding a place for everything so I can find it when I'm ready to use it! 

I started out by purchasing this tote for like a dollar, and I put all my scraps in it. I keep a large green jar on my cutting table to store scraps until they're ready to be used or processed. Then I put them in bags and shove them wherever I can find space. I cleared them out of the closed, desk, and tables and they're now shoved into this pink bin. It will join the box of scraps I have tucked away in my bedroom closet.

Next, I got all the fabric, thread, and tools up off the floor and folded, or organized on to shelves! I know this probably still looks kind of bad, but it really is so much better than it was before. Nothing is wadded up, and all of the kits are bagged and labeled with all necessary materials and instructions! I also got them sorted into theme or color family!

I got my tools up on the wall and in their containers. There were some that didn't fit so I put them in a binder with those clear sleeves. It will be very nice to be able to find things again! I don't think I've shown off my tool wall before. If you're wondering, it really was not very expensive to make. I would highly recommend it!

I recently invested in this thread organizer. I have so much now because of embroidery and doing some quilting myself. I mounted it with command strips and it is so nice to look at all the colors and not have to dig around to find what I'm looking for!

Lastly, I got this troublesome nook taken care of! It was three or four feet tall, with stacks of fabrics, notes, tools, and whatever else I could shove in there. I left a few things out, including some gifts that need wrapped and a few items for sale. The rolling white cabinet is also full of scraps, but also doubles as table top storage. I also left out my catch-all basket for bobbins, notes, business cards, or whatever other small items I know I'm going to need later. A friend of mine made it for me and it's so helpful and cheery!

Once I gave it a thorough vacuuming and dusting, VOILA! It's it amazing?! I feel like I can breathe again! I am going to be able to get so much more accomplished in this space. As an added bonus, I just had my machine serviced! It's been oiled and adjusted and is ready for business!

If you're dealing with an overloaded mess like I was, it's your turn to get after it! If I can do it, you can do it! If you need to buy a tote or some shelves, DO IT! I feel so at peace now that I can work in this space! And I want that for you too! Good luck as you work through your organization process! As always, send pics so I can see your progress and projects!!