This week, I think I spent more time on organizing my sewing area than actually sewing. My sewing table gets messy really quick!
By the way, how do you organize patterns? My pattern stash is getting massive..my patterns are mostly self-drafted, and some of the old patterns are not so great but I can’t through them out for the fear of needing them sometime in the future.
I use a clear file for patterns, and label each pattern on right bottom corner with the name of the pattern, season or month/year, and size. Then stash them out in a big box in my closet. Sometimes I get frustrated when I can’t find what I need right away. I need to come up with a better system..any recommendations?
Japan is in the midst of the Summer sale’s season, and I scored this crochet lace skirt for 500 yen the other day! I’ve already worn it three times 🙂 I got a red and white striped button down shirt for 100 yen at thrift shop, and thinking of making it into a sleeveless, cropped shirt. Oh the blue skinny belt was another find from a thrift shop for 100 yen 🙂
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New Place
Sophia says
Your pattern folder looks way more organised than mine! More recently I have started keeping my patterns, which are all self-drafted, in clear plastic wallets and in a ringbinder. But my older ones are strewn all over the house…
I guess having every pattern the same size is easier. With so many sizes as well, your inventory must be huge! Maybe it is worth categorizing them by garment type, like dresses, skirts, tops etc and sizes too, then keeping those all in separate folders/boxes?
Chie says
separating by garment type is a great idea! since majority of my patterns are dresses, maybe i should separate them by style too, like “i line dresses” and “dresses with cut out” or something. xo
theperfectnose says
I put all my patterns into big box shaped ring binders (the ones with D-rings not O-rings) in plastic sleeves with perforations down one side. Each pattern piece is labelled with the Magazine/ Book name, issue number, size and a short description of the item. I have different binders for wovens and knits and different ones for accessories/ home decor. Within the binders I have sections for different magazines and whether the items are tops/ bottoms/ outerwear and the binders are arranged by year.
Amber says
dear Lord, will you come organize my stuff?
Chie says
OMG please come organize my stuff too! I wish I were like you! I bet you have an amazingly organized fabric stash too!
Amber says
Wow, way more organized than me, mine are shoved into drawers. I really need to do the same thing. Most of my fabric is stored in a closet in the attic/ play room. The only thing is that it isn’t air conditioned so it gets hot quick. Maybe come fall I’ll spend a little time getting that area of my life organized. And I think I might steal your filing system! Thanks for the motivation!
Chie says
Hi Amber, I used to do that too! Just piled up patterns on top of patterns, but eventually I drove myself crazy because I could never find what I needed! Same for threads and notions too, so I installed “wall pockets” (is that how you call it in English? It’s like a tapestry with pockets) to organize them.