Ann The Gran Community

It seems like I am always clearing my embroidery area (it is REALLY SMALL). 

What is your best way to keep your area clear so that you can get something done?????

Pat, The Avid Embroiderer

I doubt yours is any smaller than mine.  I  adjusted and readjusted till I found a place for all the stuff.  I have a lot of screws in the walls to hold hoops, templates, rulers etc. 

The most important thing is to put everything back where it belongs before I do anything else.  If I don't do this I can't find things or have no workspace.  Just build on the walls and a friend of mine has stablizer hanging from hooks on the ceiling.  I havn't gone this far but I am thinking about it.

Marge

Wow!  I had heard that size does matter........sorry, couldn't resist.    Flip Wilson made me do it!

Okay, I am done with the jokes.

I use a thread-catcher-bag for the tossing away the thread ends that I cut when changing threads. 

I made one of these, but used boning instead of packing strap and reptile aquarium sand for the pin cushion (I have no reptiles, the package was more convenient than a "ton" of play sand from Lowe's).   http://www.kquilts-studio.com/pincushionthread_catcher_tutori.htm   

You can end up with a pretty mix of threads and if you are into making art quilts and do free-motion stitching, they could be added for extra color and texture. 

A med-lg empty medicine bottle with a hole (hot needle or awl can make a hole in the plastic, but use a pot holder  to hold the awl or cork to hold the needle) for storing used and broken needles.....now, I no one ever has broken a needle....ever.

A small gift box or it's lid can serve as a caddy for the thread and extra bobbin scissors, etc you may need for your project.  Everything is together for use and for storing away when the project is finished.

I also have a hobby cart with removable drawer/cases for storing thread and stabilizer. It can live anywhere as the drawers are portable cases.

I have rugs in the sewing area, so to reduce the amount of cleaning of the vacuum after cleaning the floor, I use the hose & tubes to pick up stray threads and trims that miss the basket when sewing and serging, then vacuum the floor & rugs.....no more threads wrapped around the rotating brush...nasty job even using a seam ripper to cut away the thread. 

When finished for the day, I cover my machines like little birds ready for bed.

Sounds like a dream?  Actually, some days it is and other days it's a nightmare. 

These are great ideas.  My embroidery area is a corner of my living room in which I have my sofa at an angle to make one wall.  It is actually 8' by 8' but cut in half, making it 32 square feet.  I do have a card table set up for cutting, so that cuts the area even more, it is 4' by 4' by itself.  With the machine and chair taking up so much area, I cannot do more than walk in, turn around and walk out. . .

One thing that puzzles me is that I get it straightened up and in a few days, it is a mess again.  Since I live alone, it has to be gremlins.  When I am in the biggest rush, that is when I cannot find anything.  I am going to try the gift box to place frequently used items like scissors, etc.  I think the 'pretty' box will help me stay focused on using it. 

I did try taking some of my rolled stabilizer and cutting it for quick use and I did like that.  However, I keep running out of the stabilizer sheets.  Scrap fabric used for my 'discovery sew' (aka sewout) seems to get jumbled all the time as well. 

When I feel the area is a big mess, it makes me less likely to feel like embroidering. 

Pat

Agree, messy is a turn off and clean makes you proud of yourself, even if it making the bed with nice, crisp hospital corners.....you just know Martha would be so proud of you!. 

I stopped re-cutting the rolls of stabilizer, I though I was wasting too much.

I have also found, the more room you have the more you collect.......I have to really work on reducing my collection of fabrics, patterns, Christmas gift wrap, lights and decorations....I need to just say no to making purchases and yes to having a yard sale.

I did sell one embroidery machine and gave them a reader/writer box and card free.  I have another reader/writer & card that I should list on Ebay....doesn't work with (and have no need for it) with the BLE.

How I come to have two of these programs is another story.

Hi, I'm fortunate enough to have an extra bedroom to devote to my embroidery and sewing addiction.  I try to keep organized (ha) by having places for everything (I reorganize frequently).  For my stabilizers, I have a white "pigeon hole" shoe stand I took from our golf shoe storage in the garage and it is great for the rolls of stabilizer.  I try to keep my scrap pieces of stabilizer in freezer storage bags or plastic "curtain or linen" bags that sheets, etc. come in, and store them in the pigeon holes under the corresponding stabilizer.  I have my fabric, napkins, placemats, aprons, etc. in the closet hanging on skirt hangers or in wire drawers by color.  The threads ae on wooden stands or in small plastic drawer stand with no-slip liners so they don't travel everywhere.  My hoops are hanging from wall-mounted decorative coat racks.  When I get it straightened up again, I'll take a picture and post on the gallery site.  I'm sure I can get even more ideas from all of you out there who are "space challenged".

Deb

You are truly lucky!  A craft can be challenging if we cannot keep our areas clear.

I look forward to your photos.

Pat, The Avid Embroiderer

I forgot to mention that I use my Hugo's Amazing Tape a lot!  I got the 3 pack and am delighted because of the different sizes.

It is quick and easy on stabilizers. I had used rubber bands, but they left a mark on the stabilizer.

My daughter used it in her recent move and said it was great because it does not damage anything.

Pat, The Avid Embroiderer

 

Hi, I also have a pretty small space for all my equipment. I have have sewing machines lining the walls, as well as a large computer desk and a small desk for my laptop and my billing supplies. I have a 12x12 bedroom dedicated to my projects. I have an industrial serger, a home serger, an industrial straight stitch machine, a brother emb machine, and a janome 4 needle machine. I have the emb machines on a desk type table that is open on bottom. I have a small trash can below emb machines, I drop thread ends in. I put some of those plastic drawers underneath this table, which I keep extra supplies, some hoops and the extra arm for my brother. I keep my bobbins and a plastic basket with my oil and screwdriver and emb scizzors and tweezers. I put shelves all around the room, and keep my backing and material. I hang my hoops on the edges of the shelves. Between my shelves and thread racks on my machines, I have thread racks hanging on the wall. as I take thread off it is convenient to put it back. I pre cut all my backing in each of my hoop sizes I use most, and this is on shelf above where I hoop my garments. I have a drop down table, my husband built for me that is on the wall, and when I need it I drop it down and cut or frame large items. When I don't need it i raise it up and it hooks to stay up. I have my billing desk under this. I fits under the table when it is down. I have excess fabric in the closet. I have something in every space. I have all my pattern rulers and quilting squares hanging under shelf also. I have some shelves against the wall in a small space at the end of machine for excess thread. I use large spools as well as small spools of sewing thread, and emb thread. I have a snap machine on a small shelf beside one machine, which has a shelf underneath, which I keep my snap equipment and pattern markers. I have drawers underneath machine for trims and binding. I have drawers on shelf above for elastic. For sew off of designs, I have some material on a small roll, which I have something like a papertowell holder with suction cups that I put on back of one machine and the rest I set under machine and roll off out of a bag as I need and cut the size I need. i have every inch of space designated with ease to put back as I use. When I sew however, it makes a big mess in the floor. I sweep up after each job. i have a large trash can beside my cutting table to put cutting scraps in. I will try to take some pictures and show you.