Tuesday, February 19, 2013

15 Minute Challenge - Reinventing Your Creative Space

It's Tuesday, so it's time for another look at how well we did on finding time to quilt (or enjoy your craft of choice) this week.  Plus this month, I'm fostering my creativity (and hopefully at least inspiring yours) by examining the concept of having a  "dedicated sewing space".  Last week we shared our sewing spaces.  After looking at everyone's spaces, I have a major case of window envy.  That's one drawback to my sewing space, it only has one small window set back away from most of the room in a small nook.  On a more positive note,  as part of my "homework" for this post, I did find a solution to a couple of my organizational problems I mentioned last week.  



I have several boxes where I store fat quarters, there are the 2 on the wire rack and I have a whole other set in the fabric closet.  I don't like them as they take up valuable shelf space, plus they are hard to get into when I'm looking for fabric for projects.  I end up with them spread out all over the place. I also mentioned that I had tried storing yardage in the file cabinet, but that hadn't worked out really well.  I found a way to solve both problems.  Karen at Sew Many Ways files her fabric.  I bought a box of Pendaflex hanging folders (they are acid free according to the Pendaflex site) and gave it a go. 



First you cut the hanging file folder in half.  I also decided to add a piece of acid free tissue paper between the file folder and the fabric just as added insurance against color transfer.  The fat quarter was folded in half, then folded again over the file folder.  I didn't get very far, but I think this is going to work for me. 



So now I can get all my fat quarters, as well as half yard cuts,  into a space where I can easily find and choose what I want.  Karen uses this approach for yardage as well, but for me I think just storing my fat quarters this way is going to make things a lot easier, plus make best use of the storage space I already have.  

Other places you may want to check out for storage ideas include Jo Connolly's Pinterest site (lots of sewing room eye candy) and Carol's Real Sewing Rooms which has links to various posts about storage solutions for sewing spaces.  

I did actually get some stitching worked in around my sewing room reorganization.  



I managed to find 15 minutes for 7 out of the last 7 days, so it was an exceptional week.  I'm making progress on many of my projects, so the time has been well spent.  Some nights it's hard to make myself go upstairs after a busy day, but working in just 30 minutes has made a big difference on how much I've gotten done this year, versus last year.  I'm hopeful of having my first finish before the end of the month.  

So did you find time to sew this week or have you been busy organizing your space?  Either way, link up and share how things are going in your part of the world.  




1. Deb @ asimplelifequilts
2. Marti
3. Kate
4. Amanda
5. Susanne
6. Julie in GA
7. Lesley A

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13 comments:

Barbara said...

Great idea with the file folders!

Jaye said...

What a clever idea!!! Time to reorganize!!!

Deb@asimplelifequilts said...

I'm intrigued by that file folder idea! I hope you post again about how it works for you...

Marti said...

That is a really clever idea if you have the space. I also like the fabric being in a drawer rather than out in the open where it can get dusty or faded.

Kate said...

Ooooh, I'm going to spend my couch time browsing those sites! At least it's something sewing related.

seabreezequilts said...

My re-org is done, I'm happy to say. I have re-sorted the stash and I'll post pictures next week I think. Well done on your challenge this week. I don't have a filing cabinet in the sewing room so I can't do that one but I have got rid of double row of fabric in my stash so I can see most of the stash when I open the doors to the cupboard.

make.share.give said...

I love sorting and resorting my fabric! Sometimes, I think it would be nice to have it sorted by size (2 1/2" strips, charm squares) and other times I like it by color.

Marg said...

I like the idea of the file folders, now that's thinking outside the square. Would be interested to hear in a few months how it's working for you.

libbyquilter said...

i agree, the file folder idea sounds very efficient.

i only have one window in my studio too and i often think it's not enough. my fantasy studio has huge windows looking out onto a gorgeous garden and french doors opening onto a cozy seating area just the right size for an oversized chair and a table big enough to hold my hand sewing tools and a beverage of my choice . . .
however, the reality is that all of that sunny light can be very hard on textiles so maybe i'll just keep the fantasy handy and be happy that i don't have those worries.

;-)
libbyQ

Julie in GA said...

Thanks for the great links to info and pictures of sewing room organization. I can't wait to finish going through them all for ideas.

Shay said...

I like that idea for storing fat quarters . Makes it easy to see what you have too! Mine are folded and stacked in see through boxes but this idea seems better!

Organising and 7 out of 7! What a week!

Keep Stitchin' said...

I love seeing other peoples' ideas for organization and re-thinking spaces! I also have one little window in my sewing room and it is at street level surrounded by two large bushes; so other than the occasional sliver of light coming through I don't get much of a view. My old sewing room had a full view of the pond and woods next to our house!

lesleyworth said...

what a neat idea using the hanging folders, thanks for sharing the link with us!

Fantastic work making it 7 days!

I'm working my way back towards a normal work schedule, so I hope to start increasing my sewing days very soon!