Tidiness in the sewing room

Gertie's post about organizing her sewing room got me thinking for a while.

I guess it's safe to say that these are my three basic rules for tidiness in the sewing room:

Rule number one: separate things you use frequently (or are currently using) from things you seldom use (or are not currently using). This way, you have less stuff in your way while you are in serious craft mode, and less of a mess to tidy up afterwards.

Rule number two: reorganize frequently. Once every couple of weeks/months, try a different layout where things weren't working so well. Organize shelves and drawers which became cluttered in the meantime.

Rule number two point one: tidy up frequently. Once every couple of hours, or at the end of the sewing day, put everything back in its place, sweep the floor (I like to drop bits of thread and snips of fabric on the floor as I work and sweep them up later, making sure to save the stray pins that fell on the floor). It's a good way to unwind after all that work and concentration, and it's rewarding to start your next sewing session with a clear table and organized tools.

Rule number three: store similar things together. Buttons, all together in a box or bag. Needles - same thing. Pins - on a magnetic pin cushion, and the rest (if you have lots of pins) in some faraway storage. Zippers - I like to tie them all together with a piece of elastic. Ribbons and tape - all together. You get the point!

pencils and scissors | needles and feet
snaps, hooks and eyes | magnetic pin cushion

zippers | string, ribbons and tape

patterns in use | measuring tape

for stray needles

Is your sewing area as tidy as you'd like it to be...?