We've put together the ultimate resource guide to organizing your sewing space. Our hope is that these tips help you to have a craft or sewing space that inspires you and motivates you to create something amazing!
For more great tips about creating the ultimate craft space, be sure to check out this article from Redfin, which features an expert tip from Cinnamon and many other sewing and crafting enthusiasts!
Giveaway Alert! Be sure to scroll to the end of this post to enter the Amazon Gift Card giveaway! Use your prize to get your sewing room in tip top shape!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.
Pattern Storage
One great way to store printed patterns is to place the pattern pieces and summary of instructions in a file folder, then store the folders in a filing cabinet or file box like this one. This is a great way to keep cut-out pattern pieces all together for the next time you want to use a pattern, and it's very convenient to file the pieces away with the summary of instructions if you've printed that too. Writing the pattern name at the top tab of the file folder makes it easy to search through your pattern box or filing cabinet for just the pattern pieces you're looking for.
One tip for organizing your digital PDF files is to come up with a system that works for you. This could include having a specified folder on your computer that you put PDF pattern downloads into, or even a group of folders where you sort patterns by category like "Tops," "Dresses," etc.
You could also consider storing your pattern downloads on the cloud so you can access them from any device; Dropbox™ or Google Drive could be great options for this organization strategy.
Storing Fabric
Our favorite way to store fabric is by folding pieces around comic book boards to create a neat and tidy display of all our fabric. This helps avoid a few of the common problems of fabric storage, like the messy pile that inevitably results from trying to have a folded stack of lightweight or slippery fabrics. It also is a great way to store fabric so that all of it is visible, making it easy to remember what you already have and find exactly what you are looking for without having to dig or sort through any boxes or piles.
The size of boards you may need depends on the depth and height of the shelves on which you plan to store the boards. We have found that these 7-inch x 10.5-inch boards, or these 6.75-inch x 10.5 inch boards are what work best on most book shelves.
Storing Notions
The best way to store notions is to make sure that every little thing has its place. You can do this with the help of a variety of tools, like drawer inserts and small bins to help organize things like elastic or hook and loop tape.
We also like to have clear acrylic drawers to store things like needles, beads and embellishments, zippers, etc. The clear drawers are great because you can easily see through the top and sides to locate items at a glance without having to comb through each drawer.
Another helpful organization tool for notions is clear glass jars. We use these for things like buttons and loose trims, and like the clear drawers, they make it easy to find exactly what's in the jar with just a glance. They also make a great candy-store-esque display!
Patterns For Displaying and Organizing Your Doll Clothes
If you're looking for ways to organize and display dolls, clothes, and accessories, Pixie Faire's got you covered! Be sure to check out our Organize and Display collection, which includes patterns for helpful items like dress forms for displaying outfits, hangers, accessory bags, and more.
Use a custom made Dress Form to create a visual type of storage for your most favorite pieces! Create a variety of sizes and display collections that showcase a theme or color scheme. Change them up seasonally to switch things up!
An Over the Door Doll Organizer is a great piece for your studio or craft room! Use it to keep things organized and hidden out of view!
Custom Hangers are the perfect accessory, use them in tiny closets or hanging from pegboards. Display finished garments or projects in progress!
Now that we've covered organization tips to make your sewing or craft space functional, it's time to consider how to make your space beautiful too.
Use beautiful fabric and notions to your advantage!
Whether your space is big or small, make it inviting! Use your craft supplies as visual displays. This not only keeps the space organized, but it also puts everything out in view and at arms reach. for example, take care to arrange your comic boards of fabric into a rainbow of colors to add intentionality to your space.
Take Time To Clean Up
A craft room is notoriously messy. Take 5 minutes at the end of each day to put things back in their place. This simple habit will change the way you feel about your space and inspire you to be creative and get more done each new day! A bright, light, and tidy space is sure to be a happy space.
Get an insiders tour!
If you're looking for more organization tips or sewing room inspiration, be sure to check out Sewing WIth Cinnamon! If you join the monthly recurring membership, you get access to a full set of videos that walk you through all of these suggestions. The content is a free bonus with membership. Or you can purchase the course as an instant download for just $19 HERE.
To enter this week's contest, simply click the link below and then enter through the giveaway widget at the bottom of the blog post, there are many things you can do to earn multiple entry points!
Contest Details: You enter through the entry form that is embedded on this page and appears just below this paragraph, if you don't see it, be sure to visit the page from your desktop or an alternate browser such as Google Chrome. It may not appear on all mobile devices. The complete rules and entry details appear on the entry form. This is not a comment contest - in other words, leaving a comment on the bottom of this page is not an official entry method. The only required entry method is to leave a comment under this post and then confirm that you did it in the contest widget. One person will receive the Amazon gift Card. You can enter once, or gain multiple entries by completing the other entry methods and increase your chances of winning. Please review all Terms and Conditions on the giveaway page before entering. While we wish we could run this contest everywhere, for legal reasons it is only open to eligible residents of the U.S. and Canada, not including Rhode Island. This contest is exclusively endorsed by Liberty Jane Clothing and Pixie Faire.
We'd love to hear from you. Leave a comment and tell us - what is your biggest organization challenge in your sewing space? Commenting below and confirming your entry in the widget above gives you one entry method, the other methods are listed in the widget above, be sure to enter in as many ways as you can to receive the maximum amount of entries to win one $100 Amazon Gift Card!
Thanks, everyone!
The Pixie Faire Team
My biggest challenge in keeping my sewing / crafting area organized is space. I don’t have the space I need to keep it clean and organized.
My biggest organizing challenge is how to store fabric & all the scraps.
My biggest organizational problem is keeping my loving son and husband from “helping” me organize. They have no concept of categories and think cleaning is just stacking things in one or more piles in any clear space (usually the one I have just cleared) LOLl.Oh well their hearts are in the right place.
Thanks for this useful hacks.
My biggest problem room for all my fabric. The bottom bin is too hard to get to now.
I need to put sewing items where they belong, so I can even walk into mysewing room.
My biggest storage problems are fabric and trims and keeping tract of what I have and where it is located. We live in two different locations. It is difficult enough in one place since I have been sewing for many years and I love to make doll clothes for my granddaughters.
Space! And organizing patterns
My biggest challenge is: DOWNSIZING! I have too much of everything. How do I decide what to keep and what to let go of. Just how many seam rippers, packages of needles, sets of pins, scissors etc. do I need? How do I organize UFO’s in a manor that I not only can find them, but put them in some kind of order in which I able to finish them (and not canabalize them for parts) in a timely manner. 💩
My biggest challenge is that I have too much stuff. I gave a lot of fabric to a friend, but I still have too much. Oh well 😃
Space! Shared space.
My biggest challenge is space for material storage. Right now I have three large boxes plus the
cabinets full. I can’t bear to trash any fabric that I think can be used for some other project.
My biggest storage challenge is space, I do not have en enough space to store all my fabric.
My biggest challenge is keeping my spools of thread from getting all tangled together.
My biggest storage challenge is SPACE…Not enough! AND, pets! A cat that loves to find out what I’m working on and knock it off of a shelf, or a dog that just loves to eat my creations – no matter what they are! LOL!
My biggest organization challenge is storing my fabric and scraps!
My biggest problem was always trying to fit the pattern pieces back into those tiny envelopes. Now I use quart size ziploc bags to store my patterns. I put the envelope with the picture in first, then store the pattern pieces behind. I store the patterns in a clear plastic container. They are easy to see and all the pieces fit in nicely.
0My biggest challenge is all the fabric I have, do I sort it by color, by fiber content Etc. etc.etc.
My sewing space overlaps with other areas, so the biggest challenge is staying organized while frequently pulling out and packing up the same projects repeatedly.
My challenge is keeping it downstairs. I think there are little elves that carry it back upstairs because they know how bad I hate the basement, I have my machine upstairs on my dinning room table where I can see outside.
I have a lot of fabric and it’s hard to store it. Guess I need to sew more!
My problem is that my sewing room is the smallest room in the house. I utilize storage bins with fabric drawers, but I have so much fabric that most of them are full.
I have to use the dining table as a sewing area so space is limited. I use lots of clear bins for fabric, lace, ribbon and notions but storage is still a problem. As others have said – too much stuff and need to let go! I’m also a great starter but not too good at finishing
The biggest problem is fabric, even the scraps!
My biggest organization problem is space and keeping my fabric organized.
My biggest organizational challenge is putting things back where they belong!
My biggest challenge is finding the right kind of storage items and a good plan for setting up my sewing room.
My challenge is a lack of space.
My biggest problem is that my computer is on one end of the house and my machine is in my “hoarder” room with little space to work. If I need to review instructions, etc … I have to go back and forth across the house.
My biggest problem is storing my yarn it always seems to be a mess.
My biggest organization challenge is the scraps. I keep everything. Like for example, if I get a present and it’s got cute fabric bows/ribbons I’ll keep it for some kind of project. I’ll also keep scrap fabric and the frayed ends on some of them makes any organization look messy.
I have a small corner in the living room for my sewing “space” which means I have to make the most of every inch!
I can never find anything, because my “organization” tends to be piling everything in the nearest shelf.
My biggest challenge is where to store unfinished projects.
I recently moved and have very little storage space for my fabric. It’s terrible trying to go thru and find what color or print I want. I really need to get it organized and stored better.
We move every year and a half to two years, so my biggest sewing room organizational challenge, is how to organize so that when we move, things stay organized. Fabric, Partially finished projects and threads/notions are the things the movers seem to wreak chaos on the most. If I could figure out a method so foolproof that even non-sewers would see the reason for the sorting and not just dump everything in boxes so they fit…
Thank you for yet another lovely giveaway opportunity.
My biggest organization problem is keeping everthing in it’s place after you get it organized. I did follow Cinnamon’s class on Sewing Room Organization and received ALOT of wonderful ideas! You just have to be mindful to put everything back when you’re done with a project.
Thanks for all your tips. My problem is I have enough fabric to star a store.
The challenge I have is that I have no designated sewing space at the moment. My sewing room is in the process of demolition due to termite damage. Therefore, I am using the living and kitchen space to store items or sew.
I had to downsize a few years ago and had to get rid of a lot of stuff. I still have more stuff than I have room for. It is a process for me to organize everything.
My biggest challenge is that I also work on my laptop in my sewing room (i.e. pay bills, manage online sites), so it seems that every flat surface gets piled up with items not related to sewing. I often have to move those piles to the bedroom if I want to do any sewing!
My biggest challenge is my notions! I have two large plastic drawers and a 4 drawer rolling unit but need to sort them out and label the doors. Every time I want some binding, lace, etc I have to search every drawer😬. When we bought this house two years ago my has to have was an area for a sewing room. What I have is not a room but one corner of the downstairs. My hubby has made it a great space for me….one wall of selves for fabric storage, a very large thread storage rack on the back of a closet door, installed good lighting and built me an amazing cutting table that is on casters and opens up to almost 6 feet long and 4 feet wide. I LOVE MY SPACE!
My biggest challenge is where to put it all as I have so little room. I cleaned sorted, donated and still have no room.
I completely reorganized my sewing room. Every pieces of fabrics have been folded to the same size by colors. It took me four days. With the fabrics I made some kits for quilts. Did the same thing with all my threads. Reorganized by color and put the cotton ones, quilting, and other kinds in separate thread boxes.
I live in a tiny “house” with only 384 square feet. I share this space with my husband, 3 dogs, and 2 cats. I also teach English for an online school from my small classroom space inside our 384 square feet. I make a lot of lap quilts for friends who have cancer or know someone who is fighting cancer. I love making baby quilts and doll clothes. I’ve been making face mask for our community during the pandemic. I have to stay organized if I want to find anything. My biggest problem is storing my fabric. I’d love to have it easily seen and color coordinated.
Just lack of space
My biggest challenge is storage space. I live in a small apartment and have a wall of bins to hold material and miscellaneous items.
My problem is visibility — I find I RE-buy fabrics I’ve stored away and forgotten about.
My biggest sewing space problem is that I got to clean it up, lol, and reorganize it.
Our biggest challenge is that we don’t have a sewing or crafting room. We sew on the kitchen table. All our crafting and sewing supplies are in storage bins. Would love to set up a sewing space in our doll room one day.
I have no room to work in. I just work on a small table in my living room
I share my space with scrap booking. Keeping the two crafts from running over into each other.
My fabric is stored in the basement in the spare bedroom, My sewing room/ office is upstairs. I tend to pull out too many fabrics for a project and then don’t take the time, once I decide what to use, to put them back the rest back properly. I would like to create a well lighted space to both sew and store my fabrics.
For fat quarters storage, the storage cases for multiple CDs or DVDs work well. Their transparent sides allow me to see the fabric inside easily, and they hold a lot of quarters!.
My biggest challenge at the moment is organization. I’m in the process of changing rooms and trying to organize everything before it goes into the new room. Of course I’m also working on projects as I’m doing this so it’s very interesting, lol. Thank you for the opportunity with this contest.
I usually stop every now and then to clean up. If I don’t, it gets overwhelming.
I will sew until I am done with many projects, then I let all thread clipped fall on the floor….I wish I didn’t do this, because I finally realize I have a mess…..I don’t like messes….😘
I will sew until I am done with many projects, then I let all thread clipped fall on the floor….I wish I didn’t do this, because I finally realize I have a mess…..I don’t like messes….😘
My biggest challenge is keeping things organized when I’m very busy with customer’s orders. I am self employed, running an alterations business that specializes in bridal and formal wear.
My challenge is storing old clorhing for upcycling into doll items. Can’t wrap them around comic boards so they are just in a tote. Thanks for the contest!
My biggest challenge right now is having to combine the sewing room and guest rooms because my daughter has to move back home due to income loss during this pandemic.
My biggest challenge is remembering where I stored different items. I have four rooms that I use to store my craft items and equipment. I have a walk-in closet full of fabric on hangers in one room, UFO’s in another room, 4-tier shelf with folded fabric and a smaller bookcase with fat quarters, jelly rolls and 5×5 squares. I have patterns stored in large notebooks and on my computer. And I never remember where some of the things are stored.
I think I have my quilt room organized about as well as possible, considering the small space I have. Lighting is another issue entirely! I have purchased a ceiling light with separate units that I can turn to light different areas better. But I still need a couple of sources of “daylight” bulbs in units to help with the close work, as I make doll clothes for my granddaughter, as well as being a long time quilter. Lighting is my biggest need! Thanks for the giveaway! Deb E / CA
My biggest problem is keeping my fabric organized. Every time Idecide to have a fabric yard sale, I pull out fabrics to sell and wind up putting half of it back on my shelves!
My biggest organizational challenge is what to do with the projects that are partially started. Thanks for the giveaway!
Too much stuff. I have tons of little bits that could be useful and can’t be easily categorized.
My biggest challenge is storing everything so it is visible and easy to access. Space is limited so I often have to move storage boxes to get to what I need and then I have to restock and sometimes that doesn’t happen, so I end up with a mess.
Clutter.
My biggest challenge is having everything I need handy and accessible so I don’t have to waste time searching for it.
My biggest challenge is having too much stuff!
My biggest challenge is having too much stuff!
My biggest problem is making my organization look nice. Even though I can put everything in it’s place it always looks messy.
My biggest organization challenge in my craft space is too much stuff, not enough storage.. known to some as hoarding or being a pack rat. That is part of the issue; I hang onto even small scraps of fabric, yarn and paper, because it could be used in a future project. Part of the issue is a love for soft, pretty textiles and craft books; bottom line, my ability to shop far exceeds my crafting speed.
The challenge I have is that I have no designated sewing space. I end up using the dining room or kitchen table. I have supplies downstairs and in a closet upstairs.
My problem is I have no sewing space. I keep sewing supplies in a closet and my work space is the dinning room table. Thank goodness I have a loving and understanding husband that is happy for me with my new exciting journey into doll fashions! I am having a blast making cute clothes, shoes and accessories. I can’t wait for Christmas to give them to my granddaughters.
My biggest challenge is my bedroom is my sewing room. It is too small for both “me” and my sewing stuff. I am thinking about giving it up, but love making doll clothes so much…
My biggest challenge is keeping my area neat. I start on something, work on it, as I use supplies, instead of putting the back in their space, I stack them on the counter or table beside me. After several projects, I have a mess. I don’t like stopping in between to straighten up. I am starting to us plastic bins for projects. This is helping some.
My biggest sewing challenge is not having enough space. I have to get my sewing machine out of its bag every time I want to use it and then put it back. I used to have a dedicated sewing area but now rent a one bedroom apartment and it is everywhere. Too many plastic totes to look in and too many drawers. By the time I get everything out, I am too exhausted and do not want to begin anything.
My biggest challenge is keeping track of all my notions. And gadgets. I love gadgets.
The patterns for the Wellie Wishers dolls seem to be a bit younger and cuter than those for the AGs. Although I only have AGs, I prefer the patterns made for the WW dolls.
My biggest challenge is lighting. Space and organizing are a huge concern right now because I am currently switching rooms, but no matter what room I use, my kitchen has the best lighting. So I find myself toting my sewing machine to the kitchen table. My previous craft room did have good lighting during the day. I do have a variety of clip on lights, a 3- bulb light stand, light strips, and a magnifying light (that never was great because half of the little bulbs started blinking not long after purchase). Even with all those options, it is quite annoying to find a place for them and moving them where I need them. Only the kitchen has overhead lighting, but even that can be annoying because of shadows that type produces. Natural daylight is best, but how to get that after 4 pm in Maine is a challenge!
Storing fabric, is my biggest issue, right now I use plastic totes, but have to go through them periodically to remember what I have stashed. I can’t resist a good fabric sale !!!
My biggest challenge is not enough space or storage!
My biggest challenge is knowing I cannot do anything permanent in my craft room … yet! My husband is military and we are for much longer. On top of that we live in military housing. I can hardly wait until we are in our own house again so I can come up with permanent solutions instead of “this will do for now” solutions.
My biggest challenge is space. I have to learn how to let go and use what I already have. I have too much stuff for my amount of space that I have.
My biggest challenge is actually two. First, I’m very visual. I always forget what I have put away and where it’s put away. Second, how to keep my space not so messy, and keeping it orderly.
My biggest organizational challenge in my sewing room is….me! I’ve never met a flat surface that I don’t automatically fill…and then overfill! Sigh…and I’m a ‘horizontal filer’….I layer stuff. Searching for something specific is like an archaeological dig; very often, I KNOW it’s there…I can practically smell it(!) but the hunt goes on. So thank-you very much for the gift card giveaway, but I"m not sure that even Amazon can fix me!! LOL
My largest problem is storing all the extra fabrics and decoration notions in see thru containers so I can easily get to them.
Biggest challenge,finding everything quickly. Though I have labeled all I think I need to have a chart on my wall so I can go there quickly.
My biggest challenge is trying to organize all of the fabric and trim that I have.
My biggest challenge is figuring out where to put all my fabric scraps, and when to just throw them away!
My biggest challenge is finding what I need, when I need it. I have boxes in several rooms, so it’s a real challenge. When my mother died, I inherited all her sewing fabric, along with gobs of supplies. With Fibromyalgia and Arthritis, I don’t have the energy to sift through everything.
Not having a room or area that is for crafting.
Biggest challenge is space.
I have many different type of crafts/ hobbies.
My biggest challenge is keeping everything tidy.
I have a beautiful craft room , which my husband just started putting together for me. My biggest challenge is keeping designated areas, for designated crafts. Like scrapbooking, sewing, painting. I’m working it out, as I have slowly made areas for printing and filing patterns from pixie faire, and labeling notebooks, but still have more to do, to make it easier to find notions etc for each sewing project!!
My biggest challenge is keeping things visible (so I remember what I have), but somehow organized. I also have a lot of in-progress projects with multiple parts to keep together. Having three dogs and a cat does not help!
My biggest storage problem is having space to store my fabric…I’ve had to start using clear tubs so I can see what I have but eventually I would love to be able to fold my fabric on shelves….just need to get some shelves cleaned out.
Storage, don’t know how to organize closet
designdreamer
May 04, 2020
Every aspect of organizing is a challenge for me! LOL!