Hi Everyone! Welcome to 2019! Not only is it a new year, it's also a new month and time for us to kick off another Sewing With CInnamon topic. The holidays are over. The Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and 12 Days sales are over. We've all shopped til we dropped or maybe even received some sewing supplies as gifts. Now it's time to get it all put away, create some new habits, set up some project goals, and increase our productivity!
Organizing For Productivity - is our #1 most requested topic and over the next four weeks, we'll work together to get organized, streamlined, and mentally and physically prepared to sew sew sew. Sounds fun, right? This is one of my biggest challenges, so I'm super excited to learn and grow with you!
We are revisiting the topic that was originally posted in the summer of 2017, but with added content throughout the month. For some of you, this will be a bit of review, but honestly, I have been re-watching these videos, listening to the great advice I'm giving and am thinking... "Ok, Cinnamon - there's some great advice here, time to put all this into action!" (especially, the clean it all up and put it in its proper place when you are finished, part... haha!)
In the videos posted below, I share with you an overview of the month-long topic as well as take you on a tour of my personal sewing space! So grab a cup of coffee (or tea) and come on over for a visit to sewing room :) I'm also excited to show you how I've transitioned my space into a new room in my house in the last follow up video.
Organization Tip - Dress forms are a great way to create beautiful display pieces! We have them available in several sizes. 18-Inch dolls, 14.5- inch dolls, BFC, Inc dolls, and Ellowyne Wilde Dolls. The BFC, Inc size works perfectly to display the 16" A Girl For All Time items too!
Watch the video :) Then share your tips and suggestions with me and the group! If you have pictures of your own space that you want to share - please do! We'd love to see where you work! If you have questions or need help in specific areas, ask!
Post questions as comments under the Facebook Group Post
Next Tuesday - Week 2: Sewing Essentials
26 Comments
Theresa
March 23, 2019
Where did you purchase the 6 tier acrylic storage unit on your desktop? I have looked on Amazon and finding variations but I like that one. Love the videos…great ideas, which I desperately need too since I’m in the process of organizing my studio!
Ferne
February 11, 2019
I’m a bit late to the conversation but wanted to share a note about my sewing space. When we had our basement redone, we installed a kitchen with a refrigerator, sink and counters (we live in Toronto close to the subway and could rent out the basement if we wanted so renovated accordingly). There is a space where at some point we could install a stove but haven’t done so yet so I am using this as my sewing/office space. I can stand while sewing and using my computer. I can push these items out of the way to cut fabric for doll clothes and I have a stool so I can sit if I like. I really like that the counter space is large enough for these activities and I like that I can stand (it uses up a few more calories than sitting and my bum doesn’t get sore). I am obsessed with organizing and enjoyed this months topics. Thanks for sharing.
Kim B.
January 15, 2019
Wow! Cinnamon, I love your sewing room! Since I just got a little sewing space in the kids’ play room, I’m at the beginning of this space organizing journey!! My thread, velcro and elastics have always been stored in a toolbox; ribbons, embellishments and trims are in a clear plastic bin. For the moment, my fabric is piled in many clear plastic bins, so it stays clean, but I have to dig in to find what I need for a specific project, and of course I lost track of what’s in there. I plan to use the comic board method, and sort it by colors in the bins. It’s my task of the day!! My printed digital patterns are numbered and sorted by doll types and pattern sources in binders on my sewing table. I use sheet protectors to store the pattern pieces and each binder has a table of contents. I also keep digital copies on a USB key. Now, I plan on listing them all by categories (dresses, pants, etc), noting where to find them of course. I heard somewhere that scraps of fabric can be stored in small photo albums. I might try that, finally putting to use those albums that have been useless for so long!! Thank you very much Cinnamon for the tips and inspiration!
Christie
January 09, 2019
This is just what I need. My craft space is a nightmare, with fabric everywhere and me having no idea where to find most of it. There are drawers full and bins full. I can’t wait to try the cardboard method! My problem is complicated by the fact that I don’t just sew, but scrapbook, make hairbows, knit, crochet, etc. I have supplies coming out of my ears! I do have some things organized though. My thread is on an organizer on the wall and my basic sewing tools (and for some reason, my elastic) are on a pegboard. Zippers and bobbins are in the top drawer of my sewing desk, glue of every kind is in the middle drawer (or is supposed to be), and old unfinished projects are in the bottom drawer. My commercial patterns are in a file cabinet, organized according to who or what they are for. My PixieFaire patterns are in binders according to what doll they are for and then what type of clothing they are. That works really well for me. I keep cut out projects in with the pattern until I am ready to sew. I just don’t print every pattern I own, but wait until I plan to make them in the near future. I have a Doll Clothes folder on my desktop that contains folders for each type of doll I sew for and that’s how I store my digital patterns. I also back all of them up to Dropbox and keep them stored on disks. If I could just get my workspace to be workable again, I would be so happy! I just wish I didn’t have to share my workspace with the cats’ litter boxes, but that’s another problem for another day.
Rita
January 09, 2019
Love this series. I’ve always been very organized but recent events left me in a wheelchair. Now everything has to be moved down to a level I can reach unless its light enough and a form I can pick it up with a reacher aid. This is causing a major change to my sewing room, losing half my storage space or basically anything above 4 ft above the floor. But it will work out!
Kathy Sader
January 09, 2019
Are you hiding fabric somewhere else? I have so much it is in buckets! I wish I had a bigger space so I could put it on shelves and see what I have. Someday!
Mae Lynn Beck
January 08, 2019
Storing fabric on mini bolt comic boards was a major organizing turning point. I have been able to see what I have and put together some combinations that I would not have thought of. Looking forward to more this month.
Tanya
August 01, 2017
I had just started redoing my craft/sewing room. Started with organizing all my Pixie patterns by dividing them into general categories in my computer…like Dresses, then slacks/pants/shorts, skirts, shirts, coats/jackets, dresses, historical, etc. Then I drug a copy of the pattern in each category. I tend to start with a general idea then whittle it down to the final pattern choice. So if I wanted a dress I could just go to the dress category and look for what Wanted. Then I printed a copy of the cover page of each pattern and put into a plastic page an have all the patterns in the same category order as in my computer. If I want to use it, I just go to that category and print the pages I need. After I’m done, I add it to the plastic page behind the cover already in the book.
Started the fabric on the comic book board and love it. I’m securing with 2 large paper clips at each side to hold it all together. works great. I have a lot of fabric…mostly 1 to 2 yds of fabric so it will be great to actually be able to see what I have instead of digging thru plastic containers. Was happy to hear that Cinnamon reduced the footprint of the space her fabric took up before. I’m hoping to at least be close to that. Scraps will be the next issue…the large one will fold like fat quarters with a board. Those smaller, probably will roll up an make a stick, holding it with a strip of paper. The little scraps…just keeping in a lg gift bad. I do a lot of dollhouse dolls…5"…and it only takes maybe 6" sq of fabric depending on the outfit. Plus I do quilt blocks and am doing ones that are 1.5" and 2"…piecing in the hoop on my quilting machine. some of the pieces I use are less than a 1"…so I really don’t toss any fabric…yet! I’m excited about being able to get to my supplies easily and getting more sewing done…thanks ’Cinnamon!!
Elaine
July 25, 2017
I was wondering if something like a paper towel roll or toilet paper roll would be nice to roll the small fabrics around and have them on a peg of some kind to be able to see? What do you think? What is a comic book board? I never heard of that? Where do you find them? I saw that video of the woman who wraps her fabric around empty bolt card boards from the stores that they gave her to stack vertically her fabrics. I like the color coded way better than by fabric types. I have mostly 97% cotton so the other way would not work for me. Boy Cinnamon,your room would be so tiny for me. I have way too much stuff that I have collected over the years. I would be buried with my stuff in that room and unable to get out. HELP!!!
Gaby
July 15, 2017
Love this whole topic. I really need to organize my space and fabric. I have way too much and it gets lost in the shuffle. Thanks.
Krissie Ohlrogge
July 13, 2017
My main problem is fabric, because I quilt and do wearable art as well as doll clothes (though doll clothes are my current favorites). I actually got rid of at least half my fabric stash last year – I took it al to my BFF’s barn and we went through everything. it was the smartest thing I could have done. My bins of fabric filled the back of my husband’s pickup four times! I was so overwhelmed by it I’d been paralyzed – unable to sew. I may miss a few things (my friend took a lot, I donated stuff and gave lots away to some young women in town who didn’t have a lot of money, and it was good for absolutely everyone. I’m doing the same things with my patterns (dress patterns) to make room for doll patterns. I have about three of every notion because I could never find anything in the mess, so I have to start getting rid of stuff there.
But of course I still have too much. I just put in a huge pegboard but I want to have my fabric more visual. Love the ideas and hearing about other people’s places!
Lizbeth
July 12, 2017
Fabric, fabric, fabric…oh where, or where did I find thee!!! I like to store my fabric by type, eg: knits, cottons, fancies, bottom weight, etc. As for all those scraps…finding storage for them really isn’t the problem….using them is! Every now and then…usually after I get a couple of laundry baskets full..I dump them all out on my dining room floor. Then I get out my pattern binders. Now I start sorting through for some pieces that will make something up..cut it out and then place it in with the pattern. I have made some great accessories that way. Hats, vests, headbands, etc. The small pieces I cut into pocket linings and place them into a sandwich bag then put them in with the patterns. The knits are fun to colour block if they are the same weight! Again here you can use up some pretty small pieces.
I don’t empty the 2 baskets usually but I can cut it back to maybe 1/2 a basket. I actually rather like the day I do this..it gets my imagination going again!
I store my patterns in binders with expanding page protectors so there is extra room in them to put these small “ready to use” pieces.
Thank for the videos. I have been finding them helpful.
Taryn
July 11, 2017
When it comes to fabric I separate prints & plains & then create 3 colour groups for each: cool/warm/neutrals. Larger pieces I fold & stack on shelves (like Cinnamon). Smaller offcuts I just sort (using same strategy) & then stash into 6 smaller clear bins. This works well for paper too if you create art as well as sew! For the extra bits, like buttons, I love upcycling glass jars. I usually spray paint the lids. I also have a stash of wooden bowls to store thread & ribbon. I agree- it’s good to see what you have to work with & be able to find it when you need it! The peg board inside a picture frame is a neat idea. Thanks for the tour:)
Marnie
July 10, 2017
I like the Container Store for storage items and ideas. Wait for the sales and they are reasonable. I really like their clear weathertight and locking lid totes for things that go in the attic. No bugs get in. I just ordered the comic boards so I can begin sorting fabric. For me most items go in clear bins or totes so I can see right away what’s in them. Like Donna, I have those little gremlins that move things around at night, too!
Rhondda
July 07, 2017
I am loving Sewing with Cinnamon. I find it difficult to organise all my clutter. I did try to set up a sewing room when my children left home but recently abandoned the room and moved my sewing machine back into the family room. I felt too isolated and the room was always a disaster. The room is a bedroom again but I still have to work out how to store all my sewing gear. Everything is tucked into cupboards all over the place. i need to do a lot of sorting. You are inspiring me to do something, Cinnamon. I think it is time for some action.
Marion Caplan
July 07, 2017
Thank you for this topic. I have recently become an empty nester and now have space for my own sewing room. This will help me considerably.
Georjean Knapp
July 06, 2017
Great video and perfect timing. I’m in the process of purging and organizing my sewing room. I am fortunate to have an entire room for my sewing, but I have way too much fabric. I store most of my patterns in binders in protective sheet covers. I’m really looking forward to this month’s ideas.
Nancy
July 06, 2017
I use comic book boards to wrap my fabric around. They are acid free, cheaper than thane made for fabric, work just as well. I can the store my fabric standing up. This gives me more storage room
Joan Miller
July 06, 2017
I am not only a visual person. I am also a feel and touch person. I use clear bins to store my fabric and also the black bins with yellow tops as they stack well. I purchased a pattern drawer that holds not only my doll patterns but a whole lot more. I also have a chiefs cooking rack that holds all of my doll clothes as I have a huge collection. But if you are just starting out and are on a limited budget. Banana boxes work really great they are all the same size so they stack good. I keep my threads in zip lock bags in a banana box handy. The boxes hold lots of items and you can write on them. Now I need a room or my very own sewing barn. I sew on my deck in the summer. Its a little dusty but i really enjoy sewing there.
Donna
July 05, 2017
Love all the ideas, now to get organizing! Just a side note… i found the music really distracting in the video … it was hard to concentrate on what you were saying.
Junice
July 05, 2017
I store All my fabric in plastic – biggest reason is to keep it clean. My basement holds the majority of my fabrics in Rubbermaid 10 gal on shelves sorted by kinds of fabric & color. It is brought upstairs as needed. My doll clothing fabric is pressed in stored by color in smaller stackable Sterilite (15 X 11.5 X 3.25) ready for cutting.
Sue
July 05, 2017
I save the plastic zippered bags from comforters and sheet sets. They store my fabric trims and ribbons. I love that I can see what I have. It could work for small fabric scraps too.
Shelley Hallman
July 05, 2017
I have a cube storage system; binders, books, patterns on top shelves, ribbons, sewing notions in clear shoeboxes, Boxes on lower shelves (the one that fit the cubes exactly) Fabrics separated in boxes…both by color, category, and planned use. I fold the fabric lengthwise and roll up like jellyrolls, I put the box on it’s side so I can see the top of the rolls and thus avoid digging through layers of fabric. I have one box for doll cloth fabrics, one for special items (lace, fur, tulle,satin. etc). one for remnants. I have been using this system about 4 months now and it’s working fairly well.
Donna
July 05, 2017
Love the picture frame peg boards and pulled 2 picture frames out of donate pile in garage!! My sewing room is pretty well organized. But, more times than I want to admit, I cannot locate an item that I “organized” to a logical place. I think little gremlins come in during the night and switch things around to drive me bonkers. Had to purchase another set of quilting gloves because I cannot find package I bought a few months ago. Thanks for all the tips.
Kathy
July 05, 2017
Love all the ideas!
Sylvia
July 05, 2017
I too am a visual person and really enjoyed your video. I like to use clear plastic shoe boxes from the dollar store for storage of elastic and velcro and trims and embellishments. I love your cutting table and peg board ideas. My issue is I have collected too much stuff: too much fabric, dolls, thread, sewing machines/serger/embroidery machine. Time to purge!
Theresa
March 23, 2019
Where did you purchase the 6 tier acrylic storage unit on your desktop? I have looked on Amazon and finding variations but I like that one. Love the videos…great ideas, which I desperately need too since I’m in the process of organizing my studio!