Another monthly addition of “Where Bloggers Live”. We’re a group of six bloggers who share glimpses into our homes and lives, so join me – along with my friends as we share interesting facts about “us”.
So, how do I organize? Sadly I’m not as good at it as I used to be. I do think my best organization these days is my cross stitch items and my sewing things. With both there is fabric, thread/floss, equipment, and of course, ongoing projects.
Cross stitch floss is defined by number. I don’t have nearly all the colors, but I do have quite a bit and it’s all filed by number so easy to find (this is one of several organizer boxes). I also have an Thread Organizer app on my cell phone that lists all the floss that I currently own, SO, when I’m away from my stash I can easily look up what I have.
Cross stitch fabric is sorted by number also (number of squares per inch) and/or by color. I tend to use one of 3 sizes so it’s not that difficult to keep. I did fall in love with a number of pieces at several of the markets we attended and wound up with quite a nice stash. Fabric is contained in a chest with multiple drawers.
Equipment and or tools would be needles, scissors, hoops, magnets, etc. This is the project tray (that I made) for the current project and while it may look disorganized, it really is everything I need for the project I’m working on now. Included here are my scissors with needle threader, floss, extra needles, pins, hoop, and cute poodle magnet. It all stays in that tray until I’ve finished this piece and move on to the next one. There are also multiples of the items shown here that are kept with the fabric. I can easily loose needles so there’s a stash of them.
Then there’s sewing. My mother was a seamstress and had waaaay more ‘stuff’ than she could ever have used. I didn’t keep it all, but I did keep the thread and several years ago a friend gave me this wonderful cabinet to keep it in. I have it sorted by color and it’s so easy when I want a specific color for a project.
Black and white thread is kept in a separate location as there’s a LOT of it. As you can see, I won’t live long enough to use all this thread, but it’s sure nice when I’m ready to sew to know I’m going to have the color I’ll need.
Don’t forget to visit my blogging friends and see how they organize.
Daenel at Living Outside the Stacks
Bettye at Fashion Schlub
Em at Dust and Doghair
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Iris at Iris Originals Ramblings
Jodie at Jodie’s Touch of Style
Gosh, look at all the beautiful thread!! I just love color. And arranging by color. I have my embroidery floss arranged the same way. Just never use it any more. Have 3 partially finished projects. Not sure I will ever get them done.
I hear you about unfinished projects, though I don’t have many. Sometimes when you leave it – it’s extra difficult to pick it back up.
Iris
How cool that there’s an app for floss organization. I’m going to share that with my crafting friends. The bins of like colors are so pretty.
Actually, there are a couple of different apps for floss organization – and I’ve tried more than one – but I like this one much better than the others. I do love my bins of colors.
Iris
Wow…I’m calling you when I need thread for a project. Forget JoAnne Fabrics…I bet you have more and more colors!!
That’s how I have my embroidery thread organized even though I haven’t done it for AGES!! But I do have one knitting pattern for slippers that uses a little, so I have yet to purge it!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Em thinks my thread drawers look like your yarn wall. Glad mine takes up a bit less space though. Purging embroidery floss??? Horrors!
Iris
Ahh, things sorted by color are so aesthetically satisfying!
And a THREAD ORGANIZING APP?!?! Is there a LIFE organizing app?? I’ve downloaded wardrobe organizing apps before, but, the nerve, they always want ME to input all the data! Guh!
Oh, to be a spool of thread in that blue/green pile….
Bettye
You have to input data??? Well, that’s really inconsiderate of the app creator 🙂 And not only that, you have to keep it updated! HA!! I do love my app though – wish I had one for everything.
Iris
Oh, my goodness, Iris! Your pictures are sooo soothing!
I am not particularly adept at organizing things, or at least keeping them that way, but I sure do appreciate the art form when someone else does! Your thread drawers remind me of Jodie’s yarn wall, I could enjoy framed photos of those things.
Well, I’m not nearly as good at organizing as I once was, but it sure is nice to be able to find things when you need/want them. Hadn’t thought about it, but my thread drawers do look a lot like Jodie’s yarn wall – thankfully my thread takes up less space though.
Iris