SEWING ROOM MAKEOVER: 

HOW TO REORGANIZE FOR BETTER PRODUCTIVITY.

In March 2023, we started the discussion about sewing room makeovers, and we had such a great response we wanted to continue the conversation. 

A sewing room (quilt room, craft room, whatever you call your creative space) makeover can make a world of difference for any sewing enthusiast. An organized sewing space not only allows for better productivity but also provides an aesthetically pleasing environment.  

Whether you are a seasoned sewer or just starting, you can benefit from a well-organized sewing room. In this blog, we'll discuss the benefits of a sewing room makeover and provide tips on reorganizing your space for better productivity.  

Benefits of a Sewing Room Makeover  

An organized and functional sewing room brings several benefits. Here are a few ways a sewing room makeover can enhance your sewing experience:  

1. Boosts Productivity:  A chaotic and cluttered sewing space can be incredibly distracting and frustrating. It can make it difficult to find the necessary tools and materials and overall impede your workflow. A well-organized sewing room ensures everything is in its place, and you can quickly retrieve the tools and materials you need. This reduces the time spent trying to find tools or materials, ultimately leading to increased productivity.  

2. Enhances Creativity:  A cluttered and disorganized sewing room can stifle creativity. A well-organized space provides a clear and open space for creativity to thrive. You can easily visualize your project and stay focused on its execution.  

3. Reduces Stress:  An organized sewing room reduces stress levels by providing a space that is calm and relaxing. A tidy and well-maintained sewing room provides a peaceful environment that encourages clear thinking and creativity.  

Tips for Reorganizing Your Sewing Room  

1. Declutter:  A good decluttering is an essential first step in a sewing room makeover. Go through your sewing stash and get rid of anything that you no longer use or need. This includes materials, tools, and equipment that are broken or outdated. Donate, sell, or dispose of these items to make room for the items you actually use.  

2. Dedicate Storage: Consider allocating specific areas for storage for different materials and tools such as fabrics, threads, buttons, needles, and scissors. This enables you to maintain careful organization and prevents your sewing room from descending into clutter again. Use shelves, racks or even plastic containers to keep everything together and labeled.  

3. Install Creative Spaces:  Installing creative spaces that encourage creativity and productivity is key. Set up a cutting area, a pressing area, and a sewing area, each with necessary equipment and storage for the appropriate materials.  

4. Invest In Good Lighting:  Good lighting is essential for any sewing room, providing task lighting that helps reduce eye strain and enables you to see your work clearly. Lighting can also be useful to promote the ambiance of your sewing room, so be sure to invest in the right pieces.  

5. Plan with Efficiency in Mind:  Plan with efficiency in mind by grouping your areas according to your workflow. Start with the cutting area as this is where you'll spend the most time. Cart your projects around steps as you work, so you can focus more on the work at hand versus moving around to get the equipment or material you need.  

A sewing room makeover is a worthwhile investment if you want to increase productivity, creativity, and reduce stress levels while quilting. Dedicate your space, declutter and organize your materials and tools, pay attention to lighting, and plan with efficiency in mind. Investing the time and effort in reorganizing your sewing room can make a huge difference in your sewing experience, allowing you to make great quilts faster and more enjoyably. 

Check out the "Spring Clean Challenge" episode of Quilt Babble Live with Lisa and Rona and special organization expert Brandy Maslowski - AKA the Quilter on Fire!!  

Brandy Maslowski is a quiltmaker and textile artist who travels the world as a teacher, speaker, author and NACQJ certified quilt judge. Her work explores meaningful themes in her life using the texture, colour and boundless possibilities of fabric, surface design and stitch. She leads quilt cruises and land tours worldwide with the tagline More Joy, Less Overwhelm. She hosts the Quilter on Fire podcast and can be found everywhere online as the Quilter on Fire. And ON THE TOPIC OF SPRING CLEANING she has a lecture for guilds called Studio Magnificent! Quilter on Fire Podcast https://quilteronfire.com/podcast/ .