Do you have a small sewing space? Maybe just a little corner in your bedroom or the dining room? These tips will help you maximize your space and create a place you’ll love sewing!
1. Utilize vertical space.
Think: shelves, pegboards, thread holders, etc. You can store a lot of supplies by going UP!
Source: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 72. Keep your frequently used supplies at hand. Store the rest.
You may have 300 yards of fabric but that doesn’t mean you need in all on display in your space. Keep the fabric and supplies you’re likely to use on a regular basis somewhere you can get to quickly. Put the rest in your closet/garage/basement.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 73. Think outside the box.
Get creative with your space! Have a hall closet? Hang your fabric, or even put your desk in there! Hang your ribbon, or put it in a straw container! Use magnet strips to hold your scissors or containers of buttons!
4. Fold up, fold down, store away.
Your sewing space is visible to your friends, neighbors and family so think about functionality when in use AND when it’s not in use. Fold down tables, curtains that cover messes and places to easily hide your machines are perfect for small sewing spaces.
5. Multipurpose is your friend.
If you’ve got a sewing desk for your sewing machine, put a cutting mat on top and make it a cutting table as well. Add a ironing mat and call it an ironing board. You get the idea. There’s no reason you can’t do it all in one space!
Comments & Reviews
Lauren @ The Thinking Closet says
Whoa! I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much valuable information in ONE post! Thanks so much for featuring my filed fabric. Off to dive into these gems you’ve collected…and then pin, pin, pinning away!
Cheers,
Lauren
Andrea says
Glad you love it! Your fabric filing is genius!
Anne says
I need to re-organize my sewing space!! It’s a good size room but I’m constantly tripping over piles because I don’t have the right kind of organization. that, and too much stuff, lol. I’ve got a Craft Gossip post scheduled for later today that links to your organizing advice:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/5-tips-for-organizing-a-small-sewing-space/2014/05/14/
–Anne
Gretchen Jaspering says
I craft and sew as well as build doll houses so I got some great ideas on how to manage all my STUFF!
Theresa M says
This is making my head spin, in a GOOD way….LOL LOL
Can’t wait to apply some of these ideas to my sewing rm….
Thank You ‘sew’ much!!
Sandra says
What is the fabric wrapped around and stool up? Very neat, tidy and you can see it all. Storing fabric can be overwhelming!!! Love all of the spaces.
Gabriela Moroaca says
thank’s for these tips!
Judy A. says
We just moved some things around in our home and I acquired a bookshelf. The sturdy oak one I’m using for heavy quilting books and other favorite books. The less sturdy one I’m storing fabric wrapped on comic book backing cardboards. I have it organized by colors and looks so pretty on the white shelves. Many are my older fabrics and not for current projects but it was fun “finding” them again and petting them as I folded them onto the cards. I’ve cleaned out two 3 boxed that were stacked in a corner and three piles of newer fabrics that were stacked in a cupboard under some project bags. My husband and son really think it looks nice and maybe won’t give me a hassle for buying more! I’ve nearly filled the shelves but I gleaned lots of usable space elsewhere!
Pat Rose Thompson says
Your comment made me smile. Twice. Sewists are kindred souls indeed.
Donna says
This is wonderful! Dh and I will be moving into a small apartment and I will have maybe 1/3 of the space I have now. Thanks so much for all of your ideas!
Donna ZEHR says
Great ideas thanks
Cathy says
Great ideas! I luv luv luv the sewing machine cover on the 1st page…do you have the pattern to share? Thanks!
Yurani monsalve mendez says
Andreas, Gracias, por tanto esmero en comunicar tantas practicas bellas para ordenar nuestro hogar, aun espero el mio propio, mientras laboro para ordenarlo de esta manera. Gracias por devolverme la esperanza. La esperanza es es hacer continuo a cada paso para concretar nuestros sueños. Besos Yurani.
Janet Daly says
I HAVE NUMEROUS FABRICS, ALL 5 YARDS OR MORE, I CURRENTLY HAVE THE MATERIAL ROLLED ON CUPBORD SUCH AS AT THE FABRIC STORES. I BELIEVE DOING THIS IS TAKING UP TOO MUCH SPACE, EVEN THOUGH THERE IS 5 OR MORE YARDS EACH. ANY IDEA’S? I LIKE THE HANGER IDEA, YET I’M NOT CERTAIN THIS WILL WORK ON MY YARDAGE?
I CAN USE SOME SUGGESTIONS
sonia says
Stand book shelves on top of drawers and lay your fabric flat on top of each other. Use the top of the book shelves as extra storage space for patterns etc. Persuade your friends and family to eat Ferreros and save you the plastic containers for your cotton reels. Recycle shoe boxes for trimmings and ribbons and stack them labelled on shelves.
I have a small room with lengths of fabric in clear boxes in a wardrobe. Remnants are cut into various sizes to make tote bags for Summer and Xmas fairs and stored in smaller boxes.
Nisa says
I love these ideas! I’m tired of the mess of my supplies around my house ^ ^
Sharon Dontje-Yell says
I live in an apartment with a living room/dining room combination that measures 13 ft x 16 ft in this area I also have my sewing nook (sewing machine with cabinet and 2 white two door cabinets) in one corner of the room, my TV in the other corner, dining table in another corner with no more corners left. The two living room chairs are sitting in the middle of the room. I would appreciate any tips to bring organization to this room.
sonia says
If possible store fabric and sewing patterns under your bed in plastic containers.
Neru says
Thanks I can apply these ideas to my new sewing room. I do normal sewing and embroidery/ craft work.
Neru Jay says
Thanks I can apply these ideas to my new sewing room. I do normal sewing and embroidery/ craft work.
John says
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