Well, I made some progress on my sewing room. I folded fabric on some existing shelves using chipboard as you can see on the left here. I think the vertical filing will work out much better than my previous piles, but it’s the putting things back in their proper place that’s the real problem, isn’t it? When I had a desk job, I always cleaned and organized papers on Friday afternoons before I went home, but being at home all the time, my sewing room is always disorganized. In addition to the existing shelves, I bought a bookshelf from IKEA for notions, boxes and baskets, and hung a pegboard. Then I painted our old CD shelf (above, right) for fat quarters and half yards. Now my husband has to go through all his CDs that I boxed up. Out with the old.
But of course before I finished organizing, I’ve started sewing again. Making a baby quilt, possibly two of them.
And to make you feel better if you haven’t been organized lately, here’s the basket of fabric bits yet to be folded and put away.
Next, I need to add a design wall and figure out a nice way to store an ironing board. Do you quilters out there have any ideas for a design wall that looks good? I was thinking of just wrapping some white flannel around a large frame and hanging it on the wall, but that still doesn’t sound so great. I’d love to hear your ideas.
Where did you get the chip board to wrap the fabric on? You have inspired me to organize my fabric, so that I actually know what I have.
I’m in desperate need of organizing my fabrics and the vertical filing looks like a great idea!
I used to have an awesome design wall – it was a 4×8 sheet of insulation board (the kind with the foil layer on the outside) to which I spray mounted a big piece of gray felt. I felt like the gray was a better neutral (white is so strong it actually distracts me sometimes) and I ALWAYS had blocks up on it so it was never just a big gray expanse.
Wow! It looks so tidy and wonderful. Ashley has a design wall that I really like: http://www.filminthefridge.com/2009/12/21/a-new-design-wall-and-other-weekend-scenes/. Good luck finding one you like.
Love the vertical filing idea! I’m stuck on the design wall part of my sewing room too. It’s the only element left to figure out: http://milkybeer.blogspot.com/2011/08/around-house-my-sewing-room.html I was eyeing up this one from Elizabeth: http://www.ohfransson.com/oh_fransson/2011/04/how-to-make-a-simple-design-wall.html
wow, so beautifully organized! I love the open shelves filled with wonderful fabrics! I was going to link to the design wall I made but I see someone beat me to it! It’s framed so it feels a bit more like something you’d want on your walls, and it’s really held up well. I look forward to seeing your solution!
Mine was a cheap and quick one- http://beccasauras.blogspot.com/2011/08/getting-designing.html though reading the comments now I agree grey may be better. Love the idea of the spray adhesive- but I’m renting, hence my quick fix! Can’t wait to see it when it’s done, I’m making over too at the moment, and doesn’t it inspire you?
Love the vertical storage. I see it in stores or course and I just saw another studio that stores thier fabric this way. Now why didn’t I think I could do it at home after seeing it in shops for YEARS. too funny! Looks great!
I’d love a design wall but as I so at the dinning room table I’m stuck at the moment.
I have had one idea though,
If you could pick up a cheap room divider you know the ones that have 3 panels and fold up.
Or if you know someone who is handy with a saw and can make you one, you could have a design wall on one side and decorste the other side to match your room.
If fact I think I will ask my Mum to ask her friend who owns a reclimation yard if he has one I could buy. 😉
This is such a lovely way to store your fabrics – more than a little jealous of how many you have!
It looks beautiful and so inviting. Sorry, I’m no help on the design wall … I pretty much have flannel on a board, but you could always put a frame on it.
I’m no quilter but why not combine the design wall and the ironing board storage? I’m thinking of mounting a panel about 15 inches from the wall, with a separation in the middle (at the back), and to make it large enough to have in fact 2 narrow storage “compartments” behind your design wall. This way, you can store your ironing board vertically on one side (a shelf just above would be nice for the iron) and a series of shelves on the other side for anything you want (including vertical fabric storage).
Does that sound clear? I’m afraid I’m no builder/designer either, so my DIY skills and explanations might be limited…
Have a lovely day!
this might be too small for your needs but if you can get the flat slat of the bottom of a crib for cheap at the thrift and wrap in felt it can be kind of portable. i have also heard of finding a vinyl tablecloth on clearance (the back is flannel)
No see, Ellen, the mere fact that you even have a *place* to put your fabric scraps before they go back on the shelf puts you in a league of organization waaaay beyond my own… 😛