Storing "in progress" sewing items?

[Savoir Faire]

I am a come and go sewer...though now that I have an official craft table (thank you, oddly large bedroom!), I have a set place to work.

Only problem? With kids and life...I don't have the time to sit down and do everything at once.

Currently, I have cut and ironed fabric for pillows, curtains and a dog bed lying on my floor. Is there a better way to store these so they remain wrinkle-free (and pins stay in) until I have extra minutes??

[Crayfish]

My plan, when I start sewing again (I stopped to focus on decluttering) is to have a decent-sized box for each project. They'd function like RubberMaid bins, but I'd rather have something more attractive and less plastic - maybe a biggish lidded basket lined with muslin to keep things from catching on the basketweave. Or (hey!) a small-to-medium vintage suitcase. Now, that's a thought.

If you're noticing that this means that I could have only a very limited number of pending projects - yeah, that's the idea.

Crayfish

[MsCCM]

I neatly fold what I need to and store in the large, flat plastic bins under the bed. Not the most attractive solution but it keeps them clean and ready for when I have time. It's pretty much the only thing I keep under our bed.

Maybe a clothes horse (or clothes dryer) to hang pieces on? Or even a quilt rack. I don't have room for that but it would be a good way to just grab a piece to work on.

[sunnysandiegan]

I roll projects up and place them in canvas bags and store those in a muslin-lined wicker basket. I can grab a bag from the project basket and work on it whenever I have a few minutes. I keep everything for each project in it's bag, such as fabric (matching/back/lining/etc) and matching thread, etc. I go to classes and get-together with friends, too, so this method works really well for me and it looks attractive enough for me. The basket fits under my "project" table, which is an old kitchen table that I have set up with the short end against the wall and the sewing machine is near the wall on one long side while the serger is away from the wall on the other long side giving room down the middle. This table pretty much takes up all the space in that particular TINY room, which is why the basket has to go underneath. Whew....I'm done rambling...

[sleepypeanutsmom]

I have a few magnetic boards (ikea) hanging on the wall above my cutting table. I bought some of those strong magnets with heavy duty clips on them. I use these to hang projects when I'm not working on them. It also works really well for putting pattern pieces that you've already cut out, etc.

I also use them for hanging up directions as I'm working on a project so it isn't taking up table space and is right at eye level.

[LCBMAX]

Originally Posted by sunnysandiegan

I roll projects up and place them in canvas bags and store those in a muslin-lined wicker basket. I can grab a bag from the project basket and work on it whenever I have a few minutes.

Love this idea. Whenever, yes, and with a fully stocked bag, wherever. Smart you!

Now, when will I have the time to make those bags, and where will I store them when they're only half done...

[marsha5301]

In addition to the wonderful ideas here, here's what I do: I have a bookshelf in my bedroom (5 shelf Target variety), and I use plastic shoeboxes for each project. I can pin it, put the thread or accessories in it, and label it on the front with a post-it-note. The shoeboxes don't take up a lot of room, so I have room for LOTS of projects!

I keep my machine on the bottom shelf (it's a portable Elna), and supplies (scissors, thread, accessories, supplies, etc...) in shoeboxes on the top shelf.

Hope this helps!

[sunnysandiegan]

Originally Posted by LCBMAX

Love this idea. Whenever, yes, and with a fully stocked bag, wherever. Smart you!

Now, when will I have the time to make those bags, and where will I store them when they're only half done...

Thanks!

P.S. I didn't make the bags. I received them free years ago, before "green" was trendy, back when the bags were "basic".... and some of them are more recent freebies. We've never paid for canvas bags (or any reusable bag of this kind) and we have them coming out the wazoo. I used them because I had so many of them. Maybe you have an excess of something else that would work?

[LCBMAX]

Originally Posted by sunnysandiegan

Maybe you have an excess of something else that would work?

Ah, I see. Well, I'll have to wait til I find something that equals the beauty of how I imagined it... a deep shelf (don't have that yet either) with a row of fat, full, undyed, matching muslin drawstring bags, each containing some fabulous project and all the necessary items for completion... but I'm sure it'll come some other lovely way.

Thanks again for the idea/ image!