Organizing our sewing areas seems to imply a must-do task of time-consuming nearly tedious proportions. While necessary for sure, especially after any marathon sewing event, yet just a few touches can help greatly to ease the disarray and return a decent semblance of order to a happy place.

Consider the following few tidying-up ideas:

Scissor and Rotary Protector – Any potholder will work well. Just fold over so edges meet, edgestitch (or topstitch) one long and one short side. A scissor or rotary cutter will fit in nicely for protection. The outside can serve as a pincushion too.

Corralling Spool Threads – Spool threads come in a variety of sizes that make it difficult to fit a variety of them into a one-size fits all storage container. Some ideal containers include a thread storage cart of multiple clear drawers where all threads can be seen at a glance (neatly marching upright) in rows, clear stackable thread trays, or closeable thread cabinets. Delightful and pretty to see but impractical for space considerations are rows of Mason jars filled with similar color thread spools. Sigh. Pinterest worthy for sure.

There are hundreds of clever DIY ideas online on how to store spooled threads and yet the predominant theme remains the oldy but a goody pegged board rack with slanted pegs where all threads are clearly visible and within easy reach. Light and humidity notwithstanding, the pegged rack still seems the most efficient way to hold spooled threads while allowing easy access. Whether mounted on the wall or leaned against a sewing table, consider covering the exposed thread spools with a simple dust cover (keeps kitty and toddler hands from mischief) when not in immediate use.

Bobbin Storage Ideas – their small size and penchant for multiplying makes bobbin storage a challenge. Keeping them contained in ice cube trays, individual ones rubber-banded to their companion thread spool or stuck to their associated spool with a golf tee, creatively inserted into manicure separators (need a bunch however) or stacked into amazing stack-‘n-store storage towers no matter, they seemly show up in the oddest places, thread tails trailing to announce their presence. An embroidery floss plastic organizer box or the mentioned stack-‘n-store bobbin storage towers seem to keep wandering bobbins in one place and easy to see at a glance.

Quilting Ruler Rack – Quilting rulers come in a variety of sizes, are made of thick clear acrylic with easy to see gridded lines and are used for precision measuring of various quilting blocks. An office mail organizer (also called desktop file sorter) comes in handy to keep these quilting rulers upright and easy to see. Often thrift stores have these mail sorters for just pennies. Quilting rulers (a mainstay for quilters) are expensive and must be protected from warping. Vertical storage is the answer.

Clear Soft Vinyl Zipper Storage Bags – come in a variety of sizes and are great for traveling or when a sewing project or piece is temporarily moved from room to room. Fill a small size one with scissors, a few small spools of threads in most used colors, a folded cloth with a few straight pins and sewing needles, seam ripper and a measuring tape often can save tired steps. Make one for the ironing board, another for the bedside table, or TV room. Can also be used to tidy up space around the sewing area or by the machine by holding notions together to keep them from inadvertently rolling off onto the floor yet still within easy reach.

Gripper Ribbed Drawer Liners – place a piece folded double under the sewing machine or serger to absorb some vibrations and protect surfaces. A piece placed under a foot pedal keeps it from wandering.

Sewing Machine or Serger Dust Cover – a simple bandana draped over a sewing machine or serger can act as a jiffy cover. No need to sew the sides, pin if you must to neaten. Otherwise, any large square of fabric can do. Bandanas seem easiest to use as they are inexpensive, come in a riot of colors, and can be changed quickly to coincide with seasons or décor.

From sewing chaos to colorful arrangement, disarray to declutter, and all with the goal of efficiency so that daunting task of organization can only lead to Zen-like calm and happy sewing productivity.

Sew happy, sew inspired.