Organizing update.

Monday I began a spring cleaning of my sewing room and a new way or organizing my scraps. Here is the update on where things stand now. 

The first decision was what type of containers to use for my scraps. The things I considered:

What size? 

Lidded or open? 

Cart with drawers?

Clear or concealed?

Cost?

I decided I didn't want the bins too big, for space and potential hoarding concerns. I ended up buying the 97₵ shoe box size with lids from Target. They ended up fitting perfectly on my shelf. Lets pretend I planned it that way. =)  

Once the sorting began I realized I had more scraps than I thought I did! My pink is crammed full (no surprise there) with blue and green not too far behind. I was beginning to worry I didn't get big enough bins and then I remembered the potential hoarding issue and decided if they get too full, I will sort them out and give some away. 

For those who would want to know, I sorted my scraps this way: 

red, yellow, orange, pink, black/gray, white/cream, blue, green, brown, purple, minkey, and misc. (panels, small projects).

One thing I have been doing up to now is keeping project bags. That is, after I would finish a project, I would put the scraps for that project in a baggy. Sadly they rarely got touched again. That's something that needed to change. I emptied them and sorted into the scrap bins. It was very freeing!  =) The only time I will have project bags is when I am still working on the project. Once the project is done, the scraps get separated and put in the scrap bins. 

The closet got a makeover, too. The two bins are full miscellaneous fat quarters. I'm not fully satisfied with how they are organized, but for now it works. I don't want lids on them or I will pile stuff on top and forget what I have. 

These bins (sorry for the poor picture quality)  are full of future projects or they have themes. One bin has all my 30's fabric whether it is yardage, fat quarters or scraps. Another bin has all my sheep fabric I have collected. For now, I am not ready to split up my Simplicity collection, so it's in its own bin, as is my Fresh Palette collection. Disclaimer: If it were the right project, all these bins would be fair game to riffle through. Hoarding issue, remember? =) 

I really heart the large bins. They are commercial grade Rubbermaid food storage bins I purchased at Sam's a few years ago. They are rock solid and so wonderful! And pricey. I think I paid $15 each for them. Ouch...Now that I am on a weekly allowance, I won't be buying any more soon. I would much rather spend my mad money on fabric. Can I get a witness?

Will you be doing a spring cleaning of your crafting area this year? 

Monday I began a spring cleaning of my sewing room and a new way or organizing my scraps. Here is the update on where things stand now. 

The first decision was what type of containers to use for my scraps. The things I considered:

What size? 

Lidded or open? 

Cart with drawers?

Clear or concealed?

Cost?

I decided I didn't want the bins too big, for space and potential hoarding concerns. I ended up buying the 97₵ shoe box size with lids from Target. They ended up fitting perfectly on my shelf. Lets pretend I planned it that way. =)  

Once the sorting began I realized I had more scraps than I thought I did! My pink is crammed full (no surprise there) with blue and green not too far behind. I was beginning to worry I didn't get big enough bins and then I remembered the potential hoarding issue and decided if they get too full, I will sort them out and give some away. 

For those who would want to know, I sorted my scraps this way: 

red, yellow, orange, pink, black/gray, white/cream, blue, green, brown, purple, minkey, and misc. (panels, small projects).

One thing I have been doing up to now is keeping project bags. That is, after I would finish a project, I would put the scraps for that project in a baggy. Sadly they rarely got touched again. That's something that needed to change. I emptied them and sorted into the scrap bins. It was very freeing!  =) The only time I will have project bags is when I am still working on the project. Once the project is done, the scraps get separated and put in the scrap bins. 

The closet got a makeover, too. The two bins are full miscellaneous fat quarters. I'm not fully satisfied with how they are organized, but for now it works. I don't want lids on them or I will pile stuff on top and forget what I have. 

These bins (sorry for the poor picture quality)  are full of future projects or they have themes. One bin has all my 30's fabric whether it is yardage, fat quarters or scraps. Another bin has all my sheep fabric I have collected. For now, I am not ready to split up my Simplicity collection, so it's in its own bin, as is my Fresh Palette collection. Disclaimer: If it were the right project, all these bins would be fair game to riffle through. Hoarding issue, remember? =) 

I really heart the large bins. They are commercial grade Rubbermaid food storage bins I purchased at Sam's a few years ago. They are rock solid and so wonderful! And pricey. I think I paid $15 each for them. Ouch...Now that I am on a weekly allowance, I won't be buying any more soon. I would much rather spend my mad money on fabric. Can I get a witness?

Will you be doing a spring cleaning of your crafting area this year?