Working Better

Why?

• Items are readily accessible, we can find what we need quickly.
• A clean area implies a fresh start " clean area = clean mind"
• Safety-pins are not underfoot, scissors and rotary blades are not hidden

How?

Three ways: control, categorise, eliminate.

Control:

• We deal with paperwork quickly, file items in proper categories, put magazines and books on shelves. If referring to a particular article, we have it out during the work and then put away.
• Fabric is washed before it goes into the sewing area.
• Decorate to make your sewing room an extension of yourself, sometimes it's the only room where décor is not decided by a family committee.
• Lots of garbage receptacles around, 4l. ice cream tubs work great. Put garbage in as you work, less clean up after.
• A BIG plastic container for scraps. We put all fabric pieces smaller than 8" x 11" into a large tub, then use these scraps for small projects, charm exchanges, etc.
• Have extra supplies of thread, rotary blades, sewing machine needles etc., you never know when we'll have another Blizzard of '96! (for those who didn't hear about our Big Storm - we were housebound for several days - a VERY UNUSUAL occurrence here on the West Coast!)

Categorise:

• Have containers for EVERYTHING! Don't believe the adage about fabric and quilts going mildewy in plastic. It's only true if they are damp to begin with.
• Organise your fabrics by colour (red, yellow) and/or theme (Christmas, plaids). The translucent Rubbermaid containers work well, as they have lids so they can be stacked and they're easy to see the fabrics inside.
• Use containers for bobbins and buttons, jars are a good idea.
• Buy several pairs of inexpensive scissors, tie a metre of bright ribbon on each, they'll be easy to find. Keep a pair with each project while it's in progress.
• A magnetic pin cushion is a big help, you can literally toss the pins in the general direction and the magnet will catch them. Be careful with them near the fancy computerized sewing machines!
• Put together all the fabrics, patterns, notes and notions for your projects so they're ready when inspiration or boredom hits. We keep these in the large size zippered bags, stacked on our shelves.
• Keep only the items for your current project on your work surface; when the project is finished, put all the leftovers away in their proper places.
• Keep a special container with all notions needed for classes separate, ready to go when you are. Look for a container with lots of compartments, such as a fishing tackle box.
• Backing fabrics are put in special piles, batting should be stored in the original bags, so they are easy to identify.
• If you buy fabric then forget why, put a label on it before putting it away.

Eliminate:

It's probably no sin to die with the most fabric, but only if you were in the process of doing something with most of it! If you're holding onto items which you haven't used for several years then get rid of them. They may be just what someone else is looking for.

• Spend a couple of days twice a year and go through your whole sewing area. If you haven't used it or can't remember why you bought it, put it in a container and store it somewhere else. Look at it again in six months, then either put it back in you sewing room or give it away. This time spent will reacquaint you with your "stash" and maybe inspire some new ideas.

Susan Purney-Mark and Daphne Greig, 1999