When I am pulling fabrics together to make a particular pattern, I place all the fabric, the pattern, any notions, trims, and such in a large Ziploc bag and hang the bag on a pants hanger. (Ready to go.)
I just hang it in my sewing room closet along with others that are ready. This is especially nice when I go to sew the crazy quilt purses, because there is a lot of piecing as well as a lot of embellishing to do.
By Judy from Birmingham, AL
This page contains the following solutions.
Dollar stores are great. I rely on them to help keep me organized, particularly when it comes to handicraft projects. If you enjoy variety in your creative endeavours, you might like to keep projects and supplies organized by using the large plastic trays from your local dollar store. One tray, one project.
For organizing craft projects, I use binders for project ideas with protective sleeves. I also keep a list of items needed to finish a project.
Pencil boxes and lunch boxes can be turned into "craft boxes" for kids, holding paints, crayons, and other arts and crafts supplies. They are also handy when used to organize sewing notions.
I have been knitting/crocheting and doing other needlework for over 45 years, so I have lots of patterns and instructions to keep track of. I also love using computers, so I decided to put the two pleasures together and save some space.
Handy and convenient. I put a plastic grocery bag in a small wastebasket. Set any size skein of yarn in it, for the project I'm working on.
Keep a knitting or crocheting project in a bag by the door. Grab it on the way out to the car. If you end up waiting for children or killing time any other way, you can at least get a little bit done on your project.
I have a hard time reading the size of crochet hook I have! To solve this, I took a flag Post-it note and marked the size and covered it with tape to make it sturdy and then wrapped it around the hook. Also works great with knitting needles.
Do you have a laptop that is not working anymore? Save that case! Especially the type of case that unzips all the way to lay flat, and is lined with a flannel-like material.
I have recently made up my mind that I really need to organize my sewing/crafting room. It looks like a cyclone has gone through it.
Free standing jewelry armoires make attractive storage units for beads, jewelry findings, and tools. The armoires can be found for reasonable prices at Wal-Mart, thrift stores, and yard sales.
I do a lot of quilling and card making in quantity. One way I keep my "stuff" organized is to reuse large meat trays. I am always multi-tasking on my projects.
I purchased a one drawer plastic container (from Wal-mart or a dollar store) and I filed all my patterns for sewing clothes, crafts, projects, plus my quilt patterns.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I haven't actually participated in a craft fair yet, but I'm trying to build up an inventory of my finished craft projects in preparation of a craft show. How does everyone store their finished crafts to keep them clean, etc.?
hi brenda, i am in the same situation. i too am trying to stock up on my inventory and i havent sold at a craft show yet either. so i would like to know the same thing. good luck in your endeavor!
A lot depends on what I am making - how big it is - etc... Most of my stuff is small - silkscreened items, sewn items, jewelry - so I store it in plastic tubs already priced and sorted out by item. That makes it easy to load the van on the way to the show.
If your stuff is larger - you have a different problem - but large clear plastic bags and shelving set up somewhere are always an easy solution.
Good luck!
Thank you both very, very much for the great tips. About the plastic bags, I make dolls, shelf sitters, country and prim stuff and home decor. I had heard that fabric needs to breathe and should not be placed in air tight containers. Is this correct. This was just for fabric, but wouldn't the same apply for items made with fabric?
Rubbermaid or similar totes. You can get the ones you see through, so that you don't have to open it to see what you have. Or you can write on the top what's inside.
Don't use plastic bags. They don't protect your product, and the stuff on the bottom gets squashed.
Dont waste your money on plastic bins. They're heavy, and any fabric items stored in them are subject to mold and moisture, as well as to the smells from outgassing.
I like to use those plastic zipper bags that curtains, etc come in. I collect them from friends and family and store them until needed. They keep my projects clean and still allow some air to circulate. I do a lot of plastic canvas and these bags are great.
i bought a large plastic container from big lots that has a top that locks. but first i put my finished projects in large sip lock bags you can get them cheap at big lots
I have done a few craft show and when I am finished with a project I put it in a plastic grocery bag tie it with yarn to keep it clean then from big lots I bought a large plastic container and that where I keep my finished projects I have several for different projects I take sticky
labels
from office depot and write what is inside
i have partiipated at a craft show and i use a large plastic container from big lots i also put each item in a plastic grocery bag and tie them my item stays clean and i also use the plastic container to transport my items to the craft fair
I'm a girl who needs to organize, and I'm good and love art. Does anyone have any crafts that can be done to help organize? Also, I would be interested in free crafts. I don't have money to spend right now, the bank of Miss Daphne is broke. =)
By Miss.Daphne
I ran across a group online, its called "FreecycleNetwork" they are in almost all cities and you can post what you want and other post what they are giving away. I am an artist and have very good luck in getting free things that people don't want, if its a lot of stuff I always ask if they would like me to make them a little something out of some of it to say thank you. I feel its a way of paying it forward and plus gets me an automatic customer/referral if friends see it and want one, etc.
I ran across a group online, its called "FreecycleNetwork" they are in almost all cities and you can post what you want and other post what they are giving away. I am an artist and have very good luck in getting free things that people don't want, if its a lot of stuff I always ask if they would like me to make them a little something out of some of it to say thank you. I feel its a way of paying it forward and plus gets me an automatic customer/referral if friends see it and want one, etc.
