I tend to really gather items up in the sewing room. I told you all the other day I had picked up more of the cute storage boxes for fabric and odds and ends for the sewing room. I started to organize the other day and then got back to it yesterday. I used one of the boxes for scraps – I had several boxes that had been overflowing with scraps and I couldn’t get the lids to stay tight so I got that taken care of and the new box is only half full so more room there for more. I now have 8 boxes with scraps in them.
Next on the list was cleaning out the two drawers of my cutting table. What a mess! I tend to toss things in the drawers until it gets to the point that I can hardly get them open and can’t find anything unless I empty the drawers out. Two of my new boxes were assigned to this mess.
these are two boxes after they were loaded up with "usable junk"
the drawers after the "usable junk" was removed. Yes that is a chocolate tin in the drawer but it doesn't have chocolate in it anymore I use it to store used dull rotary blades. When it is full it will be taped shut and tossed. The gum container has used needles in it - same there when it gets full I tape it shut and toss it out.
this tall standing box with the little dividers in it use to have some of the "junk" in it and I had it laying the opposite way on a shelf - it took up usable space
I think this well be used eventually for hand dyed fabric, there are some fat eighths that I want, I think if I roll them up a certain way or fold them nicely they can be displaced in this decoratively and when I need them for applique I will easily be able to see the colors I want to use.
this is inside one of the boxes - all the marking tools and things to draw with, room for a lot more as you can see. No these really aren't junk and they will be used, but when it is all laying in a drawer you can't find anything and now at least it is labeled so I can take the box down and dig through to find what I need.
now this on the other hand is the box labeled odds and ends! and now you see what I mean when I say - is it junk or not. I have a feeling some of the items will eventually be used - but some of it - who knows, I will hang on to all of it right now - just in case 
at least now it is all in one place and again if I am looking for something that I really think I have and can't find - this is the box to look in.
How do you all decide when to toss something and what to keep? Some of these things I have had for absolutely ages. Yes the round white plastic thing with the metal screw in it – yes I need to keep that there are four of them and they belong to the sew-ezi table – something to do with using a different sewing machine maybe? I would have to look at the instructions which is in the storage case but I hadn’t room in it for these, well there is room but I thought they might fall out or something – I just know they shouldn’t be thrown away – just in case
{ 10 comments }
WOW! You’ve been busy. I’m still working on reloading my sewing room and stash closet after getting rid of the carpet. DH put in a hardwood floor for me. I am happy!
.-= SherryR´s last blog ..Rainy Day But NOT Monday!! =-.
Well, whether it’s junk or not usually means, have I used it in the last 6 months to a year, if I haven’t, out it goes. If you can’t decide, at least you have it all contained LOL.
Crispy
You are so organized. I have lots of “junk” too but I am always thinking “I may need that someday”. I do not do that with anything else in my house except sewing/quilting junk….in every other aspect, I am a toss it out kinda girl!
I started cutting and pieceing the Baby Nines….it is quite a fun little quilt to work on. The hand appliqued/hand quilted Sunbonnet Sue I made my granddaughter last year was determined to be left with her mother (even though it is never used and wadded in a ball in the closet) so I really apreciate the pattern. She will have a new quilt in no time!
.-= Bren´s last blog ..Hold Your Quilting Plans Loosely =-.
Hi Karen,
I think we all have sewing rooms that are filled with overflow…and I surely have no answer as to when or what to decide to get rid off, because I tend to keep all of it. I have 2 filled LARGE plastic buckets with scraps, and some of those scraps are really small…but I love scraps, and take other peoples scraps! That is going to be one of me projects this year is to work those scraps up into tops, and then hopefully get them quilts. Just enjoy your newly organized room and don’t worry about when to get rid of something unless it is truly something you don’t like. I consider my sewing room my play room and it is always in a state of upheavel. By the way, I have only had this sewing room for 3 weeks and it is a mess but I knew where everything is. When we moved from our old house 1.5 yrs ago, I had a sewing room in that house and then moved here and I just messed the entire house up. It finally drove me crazy so my daughter helped me take over a spare bedroom and now I’m happy as a clam!!! ??????
Your room is looking great! It always feels so good to organize. I have heard from professionals that… if you haven’t used it in a year… throw it out! However that is very hard for me… but when I do… I usely don’t even miss it.
Hi Karen,
I love your lighthouse quilt of 1995, is there a pattern? Would like to make one for a wedding gift, but have not been able to find a pattern. Thanks for any information
I normally toss junk out also after a year or so but when it comes to sewing supplies I tend to hang on to things for that “just in case” feeling. You never know what you will make two years down the road and need something. thanks for all your comments.
Karen L. I will be in touch with you on the Lighthouse pattern
I think I need to rent you out. One day I will be organized like you are.
.-= Vivian´s last blog ..It’s A Sad Day at Our House =-.
Great done Karen! It feels good to tidy up and toss at times, doesn’t it. I don’t have that much “junk” – that is what I believe!
I have a box (from when I bought a pair of boots)full of small fabric pieces. I’m quite sure I can throw half of it, but…. those tiny pieces may be good for applique! I think I have mentioned earlier I badly need more storage place and I still haven’t got around to buy one or two shelves – or something…. This year I’m not going to buy any fabrics – LOL!!!! I’m already waiting for 2 parcels! 
)
.-= Astrid´s last blog ..Cleaning up the garden =-.
I didn’t “toss out” or “recycle” some stuff to my best friend for her craft room until we moved in 2006- and I had to do something with some of it – If I had accumulated some of it through various methods and had not used it in a long time or did not particularly like the pattern of the fat quarter, I gave it to her – if the scrap did not seem useable I throw out as I complete a project – So when I moved, I really had a pretty clean slate to begin with – but I don’t recommend moving to clean out – I had lived in that house for 22 years – boy did I have some cleaning out to do! No more moving for me – next stop for me will be heaven
!!!
Teri
Comments on this entry are closed.