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.
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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
The most challenging thing is getting my fabrics organized so I can find the pieces I know I have when I want to use them.
My biggest challenge is too much fabric and not enough space to store it. I can’t seem to get rid of fabric even if I may never use it… that being said – this has been a great resourse for the masks I have made to give to the local medical community.
Storing ribbon spools!
I love the tip about taking 5 minutes to clean up. I have a horrible habit of letting the clipped threads fall to the floor. When I just take a fews minutes to swipe them up at the end of a sewing session, I can start fresh with a clean floor the next time.
My biggest organizational challenge is fabric. I am slowly starting to wrap it around comic boards, but I don’t have shelves to put it on, so it goes in bins which are stacked on top of one another. Due to limited space, I have the bins in one room & my sewing area is in another. I sew for dolls & people and also do machine embroidery. There are lots of materials & supplies for each, and they take up space!
My biggest challenge is not enough space! I am constantly having to rethink if I really need something bad enough to store it or is it something I really enjoy or just something that I “might” use someday…
My biggest challenge is coming up with a good solution to organize all my different crafts in one space.
My biggest problems are keeping stuff off the floor because my craft room is so small I need all the floor space and being able to see what I have when it is put away so I can find it when I need it.
My biggest challenge is organizing all those little things. I often forget where I put them!
I struggle with finding a way to store scrap fabric that I plan on using for doll clothes. Usually theses pieces are odd shapes and don’t fold nicely. I currently have them in clear plastic shoe containers I got from Ross a long time ago. Its difficult to see all the different pieces I have even in the clear containers.
Keep in mind that any light exposure on fabric will cause fading. This was an unexpected and kind of sad discovery when I unfolded a piece of fabric. Merely draping a piece of fabric over the stash solves the problem.
Happy sewing
My biggest problem is space! More fabric than my shelves can possibly hold!
Fabric remnants are my biggest challenge! Large enough, not to throw away! I wish there was a way you could recycle.
My biggest challenge is organizing my supplies.
Finding some of the smaller items and organizing trims.
With all the digital downloads I need a quick way to make a visual catalog. I buy so many on site with plans for the future, then can’t remember what I need and what I have
We live in a small apartment. All my craft supplies are in clear boxes on bookshelves or clear drawer units. My yarn is in a 9 cubby unit, but I’m quickly running out of room for that. I do have an old armoir that I use only for sewing and supplies. I can’t wait to move into a house and make a spare room into a craft room. As of now, I use my dining table as my sewing/craft table. I would love a crafting table that has storage built in! I am so blessed to have these supplies, but it’s a daunting task not having room to individualize different crafts.
Fur fabric for teddy bears is bulky and hard to store. I finally hit upon the idea of a clothes rack where I can hang the fur fabrics…takes up a chunk of space, but at least the furs are clean, organized, and unwrinkled.
I have very limited space, and almost no shelves… but your suggestion have given me an idea on how to handle some of this issues i face. My sewing room is also my dining/computer area, so will use creativity to make better use of it. Thanks
My biggest challenge is how to store the items that my daughters have outgrown in order to recycle them for fabric!
My biggest problem is space. I live in a small home so my fabric is stored in my closet and plastic bins in a cabinet. My patterns are in folders that my daughter used in school. More fun to look at. My sewing machine is at the kitchen table. So I have multiple spaces for different things but it is organized.
My biggest problem is keeping my fabric organized. I pull out fabric to audition for a pattern and what I don’t use is thrown into a corner while I sew. And it never seems to fold itself back up and put itself away. Then my sewing area looks like it exploded. I wish I could be a little neater.
My biggest challenge is running out of time to complete a project and then hating to put all of the materials away! So I always have my craft table covered with stuff for weeks at a time. I have been working on gathering what I need for each project and putting them in labelled shoe boxes. I even washed and re-used a bunch of croissant boxes from the grocery store for this also. They are flimsy, but you can see everything that is in them.
My biggest challenge is that while I enjoy my dolls, I am first and foremost an HISTORICAL COSTUMER. I like to make a miniature of whatever costume I have made for myself or someone else. That means my fabric purchases are 10x what most doll costumers need, so storage is already is a serious issue.
That would be bad enough, but my husband—a hatter and also a costumer—uses the same space! We literally allocated THREE rooms of our house to creating, one room exclusinve used for patterns, notions, and sewing machines alone.
I like strict organization and he functions well in chaos. To make matters even more complicated, we help ourselves to each other’s tools and things all the time. The most frequently utter phrase in our house is, “Honey, where’s my…”
My sewing room is being remodeled so this is great. Going through items to see what is going to find a home in my stash. The leftovers will be offered to my son and daughter who sew, then my friend. After that they will be donated to good will
I try to keep small items – bobbins, spools of thread, in containers on bookcase shelves to the left of my sewing machine. Things I use most often are within a quick reach. All patterns are in a magazine holder, and fabric is in the closet.
I love jars, boxes, and bowls and while not always neat looking, at least my supplies are organized.I do wish I had more space, but all my creative needs are in one small room.
My challenge is that my space is split in multiple locations. I have a dedicated room upstairs for storage which is somewhat organized. My sewing area is in a multipurpose room that includes my work desk, my husband’s piano, the majority of our library, 2 sewing machines, 1 serger, 1 embroidery machine, and an ironing board. I do my cutting in the adjoining dining room that also has a bookcase of my sewing books and a file cabinet of my patterns.
I have a small sewing room , and my biggest problem is de-cluttering :(
My biggest organizational challenge is using 1 room for sewing/crafting, school supplies/projects and office/supplies/work projects. I use some folders in a file cabinet and clear containers for things like fabrics, notions, markers, paper lips, folders, and printer ink. But how should I organize items that I use for both sewing and school, or fabrics and work projects? Do I use different parts of the room for each purpose? Or do I just label thinks alphabetically? I would love to hear some suggestions that might simplify my being able to find what I need when I have to switch gears fast from one project to another!
My biggest problem is moving. I condense all my supplies into as few boxes as possible to move, and then it takes me a long time to find everything when i unpack. I’m usually organized out of boxes even when i am unpacked because i never have the luxury of affording shelves.
I had a broken water pipe situation, which meant everything was quickly packed into boxes. When the restorer people put things back in the house (I was at work), it’s all in a big jumble. Making space to organize things is at a premium. What an adventure looking for things.
I have been busy organizing my sewing supplies. Just finished organizing all my buttons. I have tons. I have one of those organizers with lots of tiny drawers that you find in the hardware department for sorting nail. I put labels on the front of the drawers. Some categories are Hearts, Dolls, Occupation, Veg, Animals, Flowers etc etc. Those are for specialty buttons. I also have drawers for colors like red, blue or white etc etc. Makes it a lot easier to find specific buttons for a project.
Fabric and trim—it’s everywhere! In fact, my husband closes his eyes whenever he comes into my sewing room because he’s and organization freak and he can’t take the mess. I would love to be able to SEE my fabric and trim (it’s stored in drawers and tubs). I think I need to get some dowels and ask my husband to make me something like a quilt holder and hang my trims on it so I can see them. Until I get more room, the fabric will have to stay where it is.
I do not have very much room. I have to keep changing things around to be able to work on my sewing.I do not have extra material. I buy what I need for the project at hand.
My biggest organizational challenge is having only one work surface for many actiities.
My biggest challenge is cleaning up afterwards, often one project slides into another and I end up with supplies an every surface
My biggest challenge is sorting my stuff since I have more than one hobby. My fabrics are the biggest issue since they fill two rooms and more. I have shelving but it’s full! I have bins full.
My biggest challenge is having too much stuff (stashes, from having gathered together in one place a lfetime of saving pieces for the future…
My biggest problem is ME! I don’t clean up after myself. If there’s a horizontal space I put things on it and then have to spend time organizing it. I also take fabric from people as I have charity places to give it to, and then I don’t do it right away.
I think I have everything properly stored, but my biggest challenge remains taking the time to clean up. Seems i’m always working on a deadline or time gets away from me and I have to scurry to dinner, so my mess keeps getting worse and worse! But I love it when it’s tidy!
my first problem pattern storage until I found a 2 drawer filing cabinet Next putting notions together my generous friends gave me now rearranging closet space
difficult to set up good flow of work areas, sewing, serging, pressing
sitting area for handwork
My biggest challenge is sorting my stuff since I have more than one hobby. My fabrics are the biggest issue since they fill two rooms and more. I have shelving but it’s full! I have bins full.
My biggest challenge is sorting my stuff since I have more than one hobby. My fabrics are the biggest issue since they fill two rooms and more. I have shelving but it’s full! I have bins full.
Keeping items like fabric and notions in boxes and not remembering later where I put something. I need to be able to find it when I want it without spending a lot of time looking.I need a system where I can easily be able to see what I have at a glance.
My biggest challenge in organizing my sewing/creativity room is finding a place to store finished pieces until they are sold.
My biggest challenge is all the “STUFF”!!! I need more help in getting organized – don’t mention getting rid of it.
My biggest challenge for my sewing space is lighting. I have several lights/lamps but it still isn’t enough!
My biggest challenge is managing the space all of my projects—I do a lot of things at once…
My quest for organization never ends! I have a large basement sewing room with all kinds of sewing and craft materials along with several machines. I’ve used some of your suggestions, but always need more ideas so I can easily find what I need for a project.
Not enough storage space and then things get lost in the shuffle.
My room is mixed crafts, so finding separate space for sewing is tough.
My biggest issue is organizing/sorting my fabric. I have enough room to keep it all shoved in boxes, but the minute it gets pulled out and sorted, it spreads over EVERYTHING and takes over!
Instead of using comic boards for fabric, I buy foam core boards at a dollar store. I can get 3 boards out of one sheet so each board costs only 33 cents. Plus, use small bulletin board pins to hold the fabric to the board. They push easily into the foam core and are too short to poke all the way through.
I have two organizational issues – too many interests: dolls, doll clothes, quilting, beading, embroidery, scrap booking; I need a bigger house.
I recently changed sewing rooms. I reorganized things into that room. My biggest challenge is having enough storage space for my left over fabric and notions. My fabric is in one big box but I do not have space for another box. My thread is in one big box so I have to sort through it to find the color I need. I do have some small boxes I use for the other notions to keep only the like notions in the same box which is a big help.
Keeping it tidy!
My biggest issue is not having enough space to store fabric and notions. Also having a way to organize patterns.
My biggest challenges are: where to keep my scissors, thread bits all over me, the floor, everything, and having a big enough table on which to cut fabric.
My biggest issue is my sewing table/ cabinet. First, the wheels quit locking, so it runs away from me! The storage on the door seems it should work, but doesn’t. I have those little cubbies so packed, that when I pull something out, everything falls out. I sometimes feel like I spend more time organizing than sewing. What really makes it worse….I know my dolls are talking and laughing at me behind my back! 😳
I don’t know….maybe it’s the quarantine that’s getting to me? I asked the dolls, but they just roll their eyes at me!🤦♀️
My biggest fault is not cleaning up and putting things away between projects or at the end of the day. I need more discipline!
My biggest organizational challenge is figuring out what to use for storage and how to store everything neatly.
My biggest challenge is staying organized in a very small space. I use a small fold-up table in the corner of my dining room and only keep out what I use for projects. Everything else is in a hall closet. I like to keep my thread organized by color so I use the clear boxes for storing thread but I’m out growing them. I need a better solution than multiple thread boxes.
I keep bringing more in, piling it up on my cutting table and/or sewing machine table, and THEN I have to clean it up before I can sew. Unfortunately! by-the-time I get that done, I’m out of the mood to sew! I’ve GOT to quit doing that! HA!
I use a lot of medium size Ziploc bags to store my elastic, buttons, velcro and patterns.
I also have two three drawer clear drawer sets that fit on top of a small cabinet.
The drawers come out, so I can take them where I am working.
My biggest challenge is space. I’ve only got a corner of a room, so finding room for everything I need is difficult.
My biggest challenge is my cutting space. I have a tiny room that doubles as a semi exercise room & the treadmill takes up a lot of space. I am a self described quasi fabric hoarder but I have managed to organize my fabric in a way I know what & how much fabric I have. Origami shelves are a life saver! But the lingering problem is my cutting area. I currently use one of those plastic folding tables, setup in the middle of the room. It often becomes the catch all shelf if I don’t take it down in between projects.
My biggest organization challenge is needing drawer towers with pullout drawers. Nothing worst that ‘unpiling’ things from the tops of boxes to take the lid off to see what’s inside. I think if I see it I’ll use it. That’s for the tips.
My greatest sewing room challenge is adequate task lighting!
I’m not a very good organizer. I would say the fabric, thread and bobbins are my biggest challenge!
I moved from a much larger space to my current space. Not enough room for tables for my sewing machines. The room is just too small and crowded. I am always pushing things out of the way to get to something.
I need a better way to store laces, trims, and small items like buttons and fasteners. Right now they are all jumbled in small plastic drawer cabinets.
Never enough space for fabric! Notions tend to multiply out of control!
My room is a sewing, craft, misc. storage, catch-all space. When Christmas comes around, all the extra stuff from the house gets moved to my “sewing room” for storage throughout the holiday season. Takes forever to get it back and find everything. Like others, have too much stuff/crafts I like to do. Getting it all in, storing supplies, and having easy access to the things I am using is always a challenge.
I am by nature an organizer. (My niece says I am OCD!). I have organized my space with the plastic drawer units from Walmart. I stack the units and use the midsize one for thread, notions, tools, etc. I cut out dividers from thin cardboard and tape them in place to keep thread from tangling up and to keep spools from rolling around. The larger units are great for bigger notions and fabric storage. It helps to leave a drawer just for current projects to keep all the pieces together and at hand. The thread unit sits at a right angle to my machine on my right side so I can just reach for the things I need. My biggest challenge then is space. I cut in one room and sew in another.
Too much fabric!! I had it organized at one time but we had a water leak and now everything is Topsy Turvey and my husband is slow in the repairs. I have some of it folded neatly in file boxes and labeled but right now it’s difficult.
Inability to reach things to see what I have available. I now have so many totes that some lay on the floor and make it difficult to get to the totes on the shelves. Last time we purged, I later wished I had some of the fabrics and yarn we gave away. So now I am a bit clingy even though we should get rid of some more, so we can actually move about in the craft room.
I would say resisting the thought to buy a serger that has quick air threading. I currently have 2 sergers set up with white thread in one and black thread in the other. Being able to change serger thread quickly is the most challenging.
Storage of different types of fabric , ie. home dec/ fashion/ quilt etc. Also storage of smaller precious pieces for dolls.
My biggest issue is my cutting, working area. Keeping it clear is a never ending job and things do get piled up!
My biggest issue is my cutting, working area. Keeping it clear is a never ending job and things do get piled up!
My biggest problem is everything. My sewing room is the catch all for everything that doesn’t already have a home. I am though going to try the comic book boards, I have my fabric in bins right now, and it is not working
My biggest organization problem is ongoing projects (I have more than 1 @ a time). So much fabric, sew little time. I am Thankful for this isolation time to sew. Gotten some projects done.
My biggest problem is staying organized and keeping things close at hand. I do use clear totes to store material so that I can see what I have available.
Storing my ironing boards, cutting mat, and extras like that is my biggest problem. I too use my dining room and these things just don’t have a good home, so they are out all the time.
My sewing area is such an embarrassment!
I could use organizing in all factors!
My thread and serging spools are in shoe boxes too small to close, fabrics are in plastic and paper bags, scraps: same, sewing supplies in anything they fit in, patterns in baskets…I keep trying, but when I use things, I have no real place/ method of consistency to organize.
Thank you for the opportunity to change this!
Finding a convenient place for everything. It all gets piled on my cutting table and then I’m trying to cut fabric in a tiny space.
My biggest challenge is storing all my fabric. I have recently used the cardboard trick to wrap the fabric around and it looks great, but I have a problem buying fabric and then run out of storage space.😉😊
My biggest challenge is storing all my fabric. I have recently used the cardboard trick to wrap the fabric around and it looks great, but I have a problem buying fabric and then run out of storage space.😉😊
Keeping my cutting table cleaned off so I can cut on it!
Definitely storing fabric in a way that I don’t spend half my crafting time trying to figure out what I’ve got.
I have two challenges, space and light. My sewing room, which is a very small room, also doubles as a pantry. It’s an older home so has just one small window for light other than the ceiling fixture. Consequently, my sewing machine and cutting table are the centerpieces of my living room!
Right now my biggest challenge is deciding where to put things to make them easier to reach. I just moved my sewing area from one room to another and thought I had a plan – until I started trying to set it up!
My biggest organization challenge is how to organize all my patterns, believe it or not!!
Hi! I sew and crochet. My biggest challenge is storage and shelving for both!😊 Thank you so much!
My biggest problem at the moment is where to put my Singer 301. I find it does a much better job of handling doll clothes and those 1/4" seams. My big machine eats everything else. It rests on the corner of a table with no space for my legs. Not comfortable, but such a pretty job sewing seams.
So much fabric, not enough space!
Patricia
April 29, 2020
I sew in my master bedroom, which is a large space with good light. But keeping the sewing space tidy is an ongoing challenge. I don’t want to go to bed at night with my sewing mess still visible!