A phrase often attributed to Benjamin Franklin and others of his time, “a place for everything and everything in its place” is an organizing principle never more applicable than to the art and craft of sewing. Due to the sheer amount of sewing paraphernalia many sewers will accumulate - pins, needles, scissors, rotary cutters, pincushions (only one will not do) must have do-over seam rippers, measuring and marking tools, printed patterns, fabrics (and their accompanying useful scraps), threads, buttons, bins and boxes, needle threaders, and thimbles to name just a few, there comes a time when organizing this mountain of sewing notions and accompanying bits and pieces becomes necessary.

Whew, it is tiring just to think of it all. Consider though where to begin an organizing spree when the task seems overwhelming and how to do so without spending much money?

Like the eye-rolling joke, "Why did the chicken cross the road?" Answer, "To get to the other side," or the tongue-in-cheeky question, "How do you eat an elephant?" Answer, "One bite at a time," these silly witticisms can be viewed as simple life lessons. If what should be apparent but what is not - the need to get to the end goal, or if you view the elephant as one giant never ending obstacle - a mountain to demolish, then the humble task of organizing a sewing area can also be thought similarly as a way to get to the other side (a tidy sewing space) by diving into the task (one bite at a time).

To have unlimited time to organize and an unlimited budget to coordinate and consolidate a sewing space into a dreamy magazine worthy area in which to while away at a perfect sewing project is not always possible. Many ordinary every day household items already on hand may be commandeered to use for sewing organizing tasks or are easy to find in thrift or dollar store isles for just a few dollars. Consider the following as a way to start:

Swinging arm pants hanger rack – each rack usually has five rods or arms that swing out conveniently and instead of pants, can hold folded fabrics. The rods lock back in place so slippery fabrics stay securely. Some racks have coated non-slip rods that are gentle on folded fabrics. Fabrics can easily be sorted by color, size, type (linens, silks, cottons, wools, woven blends or knits) or seasonal themes. Great to store spools of ribbon on too.

Vinyl over-the-door shoe pockets – since the clear vinyl allows for easy viewing and the over the door hanger saves space this item becomes a handy place to sore thread spools, bobbins, fabric scraps, buttons and other sewing notions.

Wine rack - can hold several rolls of stabilizers and fusible interfacing wrinkle free.

Office mail sorter – often found made of plastic or a wire-like mesh, the mail sorter can hold many clear quilting rulers, templates and small rotary cutter mats.

Pocket pot holders – these are perfect for holding scissors, seam rippers and rotary cutters. The soft fabric of the potholder is especially kind to sharp edges. The bright patterns and colors do help to make for a cheerful sewing area.

Empty cereal boxes – cut in half to hold printed patterns or cut off the top and both front and back sides diagonally for a magazine holder. Cover with decorative shelf paper to add a design element.

Clear storage bins - for a large accumulation of fabric, clear stackable storage bins with secure lids in a myriad of sizes can hold a great amount of cloth dry, dust and pest free. For long time storage (years), best to air out fabric from time to time for air circulation. Store away from sunlight. If space is a concern an option may be to use rolling clear plastic storage carts that have several drawer pull outs. Easy then to move carts out of the way.

These are just a very few ideas to help with organizing a sewing area on a budget. Many more creative ideas can be found online.


Sew happy, sew inspired.