by Kimberly A. Smith

Created on: April 13, 2008

When you sit down to design your sewing space, ease of use is key. Even if you only have a small space available, you can maximize it's functionality with a few easy tips.

When beginning any organization process, I suggest starting with a fifteen minute "purge" of the area. Take a look around your sewing area. Is there anything that you will never use again? Are there items you haven't touched in a year or more? Now is the time to get rid of these items. Whether they need to be thrown away, recycled, sold on eBay, or donated to charity, there is no reason to keep materials that you will probably never use.

Don't head out and buy new storage containers right away. As you work through the organization process, make a list of any items you would find useful. Measure the space available for them so you don't buy containers that are too large or too small for your workroom!

Make a list of the items that you currently use the most. Do you ever find yourself misplacing notions or fabrics? Create a plan to place your most frequently used materials in the most easily accessible locations. The further out of reach a drawer, shelf, or storage bin is, the less often you should need the items stored there.

If you have a large stash of fabric and need to store some away from your main sewing space, make a list of what you have! Storage bins in the closet are wonderful for maximizing space but it can be easy to forget what you put away and end up purchasing more.

Table height can be a big issue when working on a sewing machine. If you constantly find yourself moving to a different area of the house to work, consider purchasing a new table for your workroom. Make sure that you don't have to strain your back to work there! A comfortable chair can also make a huge difference. Find one that encourages proper posture to prevent problems later.

Once your sewing space is organized in the way you like, spend five minutes after each sewing session to keep it that way. Just taking a few minutes to replace items in their container can save you from needing to do a massive overhaul again a few months later.

Remember that your sewing space needs to work for you. Design your space to save you time, and remember to make it beautiful!

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