I’m busy making my main studio space more usable… check out my progress AND enter my giveaway!
I give you a BEFORE tour
My main studio space is where I work all the time. It has my projects in progress, machines, computer, and most of my fabric.
About 3pm I started pulling all the projects out of my studio space to resort them and put them into better size container and more effective & productive spots for my use. I did a video for you
For the post part I’m not doing fabric, just projects.
That includes all the different products I review or test. PLUS I had some UFOs in my main space that were not being worked on and taking up valuable work space. They needed to be moved.
Taking it out is EASY.
Deciding how to regroup and where in my studio should it now be, is more difficult. I started when I got up.
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For our family business we work at home, so our whole small home has become our office.
We have no basement and no usable attic. So my business takes up 4 rooms in our home.
- My studio is my main work room and what you see all the time. It is the family room of our home, it’s what in the videos with my beautiful Koala Furniture and my Baby lock machines
- The shipping department has one room as his office.
- We have 1 other rooms for quilts, batting, notions, projects not being working on, other fabric, books, etc.
- AND the ‘over flow’ room right now is our dining room as it can’t all fit in the one room upstairs. The photo above is one wall in my dining room. On the wall is my village quilt (BUY the pattern here), and the blocks are from my Triangle book (HERE)
In my studio I keep JUST what I’m working on and my main fabric. On that video I talk about it being messy. It is ‘messy’ in that projects were not in optimum work places, split across areas, and things got put in spots that took up valuable space in my small room
Now for a few photos of my ‘after’
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Keeping it organized keeps my sanity 
Hope you enjoy watching as I make progress!
If you are new here, welcome! I run a lot of fun projects
These are my 2 latest FREE sew alongs, join me!
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1,818 Responses
My biggest problem is space when I want to make everything I see on the internet. I also have trouble trying to organize things in a useful way-usually scraps. Thanks for all your ideas and helpful books and video.
The biggest problem I have is collecting fat quarter bundles and can’t settle down and decide what to do with them? I have a lot of patterns to choose from but the final decision and to begin cutting into the fabric never seems to happen. Same thing with charm packs. I have far too many!
My biggest organization problem is I want to keep everything. Big pieces of fabric and then little 3” piece. Needing more storage drawers so that I can get things sorted by color and size. I also have a small cheap stick vacuum dedicated to my sewing area for all my little threads.
My biggest problem is that I do not put away fabric after completing a project before starting a new project. I guess that’s because I’m running out of room to store the left over fabric and I want to start the new project right away.
My biggest problem is my fabric. I tried sorting by color and then by theme. However, every time I take a piece of fabric out to use it, I rarely put it back where it belongs because I am in too much of a rush to get my project started. I recently bought new bins to start sorting out my scraps and precuts to hopefully eliminate my issues. Going to start reorganizing today since you have motivated me now.
My biggest problem is space and I have so many projects that I want to start and finish. I have these small piles all over, lol. Then I’ll see a pattern that I like and then it starts all over again.
Hi there! I am a BRAND new Quilter! I’m fortunate that I have a very old and dear friend who makes toppers for quilters. So, I am at the stage of literally Basics 101, and all things quilting! I have a Brother Machine, My quilting area is a grand Walk-In-Closet that my husband outfitted for me, with peg board on 2 sides, and (!!) marvelous cabinets on one wall. My sewing table is a long and deep as “I wished” 😉 but so far………I HAVE TOPPERS, FABRIC, Batting, (Not enuff threads yet)….on and on. THe closet needs a true overhaul. Ty for you glimpse into the fab Pat Sloane work areas!
Rachelle S. Long, Birmingham, AL. 35206
wildcatsukfan@hotmail.com [I am a member of your emails.] <3
My biggest problem is fabric comes in faster than it goes out. I have too much!
My biggest problem is I use containers then it seems I always need the container on the bottom so i am forever restacking them.
My biggest organizational problem is my cutting table. Everything stacked on the sides and cutting space keeps getting smaller!
My biggest problem at the moment is my generosity: let me explain. I told my eldest stepson that if he needed some short term storage spaces he could use my craft room (I had moved out of his old room into a smaller room, as he was coming back home to live – at the age of 33, and we had set up the smaller room for me to use as a craft room / cutting room / stash storage). I was thinking in terms of a couple of weeks until he got his room sorted to the way he liked it. 18 months later, it is still being used for storage of my stepson’s things, I can’t get to my boxes easily, and my cutting can only be used with the wings down. I’d like to think that once I’ve got my craft room back and organised, I’ll be better able to organise my sewing room!
My most pressing issue is that the space I have for almost all my quilting items is not heated/cooled. Therefore, my sewing machines must stay in the dining room, either on the table or on top of something else. My hand quilting frame is in the ‘sewing’ area so I can only work early in the morning this time of year or in the afternoons after work in Winter. The space is also in the main entrance to the house; has our second refrigerator, freezer, dryer and my daughter’s pottery work area.
So, I have to clean up after each sewing stint so that we can eat dinner! Since we rent, we cannot do much about the situation except with fans and portable heaters. It makes for frustration some times but I make do. One day………….
My biggest Organizational issue is space. I do not have a room so I have taken over the small dining area and well when fabrics call my name I get them, which leads to less and less space. One day I hope to have at least one designated room. But I will continue to sew because I love it! Thanks Pat for all the great patterns and the sew alongs!
Space for fabric choices for ongoing projects is my dilemma.
You can do it! You have some beautiful fabric that you have purchased (when I’ve been with you, lol) just set aside 15 min each day and you’ll be done in no time.
My biggest problem is I have two sewing areas. Some machines are in a spare bedroom and others are taking over the living room. I really need to convert the spare room to a devoted sewing area but I would rather sew than move furniture. LOL
My biggest organizational problem is time and getting projects done. I really need to conquer some of my WIP’s so I can move on to new projects!
I am actually pretty good at organization. My problem is that I simply do not have a big enough sewing room. I have everything in a designated place, but I simply do not have enough room. I would like for things to be handy when I need them, but for this to be the case, then I wouldn’t have room to put my sewing machines! I just need a much bigger space. Sewing is my passion, along with books, patterns, rulers, and various tools.
My biggest problem is organizing my fabric so I can access it when I need it. It is all stored in see through bins on rolling shelves but sometimes the loving help I have likes to find items for his projects and doesn’t always put them back where I like them. Also, if he doesn’t know where to put something he has picked up in the rest of the house–it is placed in my sewing room. That can be anything from books to musical instruments, etc. And I really can’t sew with so many things out of place.
Hi,
My biggest organization problem is what to do with all my rulers.
I try to do too much at once with it all jumbled together. What an “aha” moment when you said “In my studio I just keep JUST what I am working on and my main fabric”. The rest of it seems to be in organized storage. I’m going to try something similar to see if I can get control of this mess. Thank you for the inspiration!
My biggest problem is cleaning up after I have finished a project. I tend to pile the leftovers up instead of putting them away.
Use it for quilt as you go blocks or other small projects; maybe a pot holder or a baby burp cloth
My biggest problem is having too many projects, some years old. I reduced what I have greatly when we moved to another state 4 years ago. I then got rid of a great more after we got here. I think it is about time for me to go through everything again. At 75, the odds of finishing most of the stuff I have saved are not very good. Especially, since my yarn stash is now growing.
Too much stuff. I need more shelving, I think.
I use a lot of the scraps for the quilt backing and the binding. Have very litte left if any after that.
Organizing my scraps and using them! They are becoming a bit overwhelming! I try to label and put them in sorted bins but not sure how to use them; maybe it’s my time that needs to be organized ; )
My biggest problem is finishing that last step, quilt it. I seem to be more of a piecer than a quilter. I have tops, backs, binding, labels, and batting setting in there own little baskets ready to go, filling a cabinet. I can not seam to remembering the safe place I put some things. Usually small things like rippers, glue sticks, thimbles, my label maker, tape measure, pin cushion, pencils and my little red book that has my to do list, I usually find these after I have replaced them or no longer need them. GRRRR last time I deep cleaned I found a fist full each of rippers (all sharp), glue sticks, and pencils. I am now the proud owner of not one but 8 magnetic pin holders full of pins.
My biggest organizational issue is my Sewing space. IT is my biggest UFO! Until recently, I had no designated space. Now that 2 of our 4 children have moved out, I have begun feeling out a designated space in my attic. Over the past few years, I have inherited my grandma’s sewing equipment & stash, won baskets of fabrics, and been gifted fabric from friends. EVERYTHING had just been put on the attic due to a lack of anywhere else to keep it. The result has been a collection of boxes, totes, and bags full of unorganized fabric of varying sizes and material. I have SLOWLY been sorting and adding to my stash. I anticipate my Sewing space to remain a WIP for quite some time to come. I regularly review the tips and methods of others here in hopes of someday having an organized space to work in.
Zippers! I know, they aren’t a quilting item, but, they aren’t something I am willing to get rid of because I do use them occasionally. I have so many and where I have them is not working. I have my quilt projects “UFO’s” in a cabinet, in a basket, in a box, scattered all over my sewing room. It would be nice to have them all in one place and more easily accessible. I just need to have an overhaul of my sewing room and reorganize. 🙂
My biggest problem is my stash of fabric. I need to organize it by seasons or colors or something. It’s in every cabinet I have and then some on my cutting table. My projects are all in ziplock bags with the pattern needed. (that was my last sorting day accomplishment.
My biggest problem is sorting and storing the small leftovers from previous projects. Fabric is so expensive I cannot throw anything away. But now I have 3 bins full of tinies.
I have trouble organizing my scraps. I like to keep everything neat and organized. Scraps for me are just hard to find the most efficient way to organize them. I also need more flat space in my work area. And additional shelves would really be helpful. I love hearing about how you organize your work space. You always have great ideas!!
Carol W
I never know what to do with batting, especially the smaller pieces. Once I open a package and cut into it, If there is a big chunk left I stuff it back in the bag. But when there isn’t enough to put it back in the bag, what do I do with it?
Definitely growing out of my space and buying more fabric before I use what I have. Maybe in retirement I can up my game.
One of my biggest issues is I have fabric stashed in several different place., shelves, drawers, boxes. It’s at a point I don’t know what I have.
My biggest problem is I don’t have a designated craft room, so I have to bring it all out and then put it all up whether I have completed my project or not. Have a blessed day!
I have the better part of the basement, but it is still messy and disorganized. I dislike clutter but it seems to happen when the lights go out at night. I have several projects on the go and also teach quilting, so it is a constant ‘battle’ to keep on top of things.
Not a big enough room, I have to share it with my husband and his computer.
My problem is same issue many quilters have. Too many projects on the go and not being able to find the items necessary to finish them. I try to repurpose old furniture and shelving to keep it all neat, but finding what I’m looking for is still an issue.
Not enough storage
My biggest problem is organizing my fabric in a small space. I have it sorted in see through containers but getting to them to co-ordinate a project can be a problem…Guess I need more space!!!
My biggest problem is deciding how to sort my stash. It’s big and getting bigger every week and I don’t know if I should sort by color, designer, theme, or what and it grows without being sorted in the meantime and I can’t find anything and don’t know what I have. I need help!!
My biggest problem is having too many projects. I’ve organized them into photo boxes and labels them. Then I loose interest because they are out of sight and out of mind. I, also, love making the tops and end up with many laying around that need to be sandwiched and quilted. I’m a quilter who doesn’t enjoy quilting. I think I would more if I had a long arm machine. I watched a lady quilt one of my donation quilts in 45 minutes and it was perfect.
Too many projects going at the same time, not enough room on the design wall to hang one quilt and work on another.
My biggest problem is both my mother and I have sewing rooms in the house, so keeping 2 rooms organized is a nightmare. Mom has a room with a closet but my stuff is part of the living room — still trying to figure out how to make my sewing area blend with the living room.
I have an eclectic collection of furniture to put everything in: dressers, wardrobe, cardboard drawers thingy , and a cutting table my husband made out of 2 TV consoles put back to back that he put on toolbox wheels so I can move it around. Makes it hard to keep track of what is where -some things are weird shapes or BIG and bulky like batting and don’t easily fit anywhere without taking up drawer or shelf space. I use project boxes bought from Costco in a 5 pack that fit in a nice caninet – they greatly help but are not tall enough for everything. I don’t like having things on open shelves because I’d have to dust it all! It all has evolved over a lifetime of sewing! If i just did ONE type of sewing it would maybe be easier to organize but I love ALL kinds of sewing (well, full disclosure, repairing overalls and holey jeans pockets are the worst!) not just quilting!
I’m sorry to say that my biggest problem is ME. I can clean and sort and have a clear table, etc. and 5 minutes later it is full of clutter again. Being organized is on my bucket list, but I don’t know if I’ll ever accomplish being organized.
My biggest problem is that I have too many projects which have already been kitted and not enough time to ever get them done in my lifetime. And I keep seeing new projects that I want to do, and purchasing fabric to make them too!
Getting motivated to do it!