clean work space

[sewmaterialistic]

  i feel very frustrated with myself because i cant keep my sewing room clean!  i get so involved in each project i dont want to take the time to stop and clean.  i know that i promised myself that i would at least clean up after each new quilt, but i'm too excited to start the next one i have already moved my actual working area to my kitchen table because my sewing table is swamped. i know, the devil is making me a slob! anyone else out there with the same problem?  i need a support group to tell me its ok.

[BeeBee]

I do ok while working and tend to at least straighten up between projects.  But oh my dear god, when I'm searching for inspiration or fabric or patterns or am undecisive.  Nelly, bar the doors! 

[Gigi Louis]

I'm the same way.  I try to at least put my tools away so that I can find them next time I need them but it doesn't always work out that way.  I usually give it a good cleaning when I can't take it anymore or have misplaced something important.  I don't beat myself up over it.   When inspiration strikes, a clean room is the last thing on my mind. 

You know those days when you want to do something sewing-related but can't seem to get going?  Those days are perfect for reorganizing.

[sdBev]

I try to put tools back as I go along.  Otherwise, I'm stopping to hunt for the last place I used my scissors.  I used to vacuum once a week but we've replaced the carpets with tiles.  Tiles show the dirt.  I bought a swifter vac and use it daily.  Otherwise, all the little thread clips start clinging to the work and me. I do find that having a organizers and a place for things help.  For example I have a sewing mat on which my sewing machine sits.  The mat has small pocket on front,  By placing my mat forward of the table, the pockewts hang down in front of my sewing machine. I keep an awl, seam ripper, thread nipper, threader, and the package of the needles  currently inserted in the sm, all in those pockets.  When I use any of these tools they go back in their pockets immediately.  Similarly I have a FSL container next to my embroidery machine.  It holds tweezers and  an embroidery scissor.  As soon as I use these, they go back in their container. 

The creative process can get a little frantic.  But face it you can't work if you can't find your tools.  It's important to take a few minutes here and there and re-establish order.  Moving to a new location doesn't solve the problem of find your tools in all the mess.

[KathrynT]

sewmaterialistic, I am sew with you!  I make dance costumes as well as the majority of clothes I wear so there is usually several projects on the go, but my sewing room tends to tell me when it needs to be cleaned.  It needs it now.  I'm making a pair of black stretch cotton pants and when I put them on the floor they picked up so many threads, sequins, overloker shavings etc.  So I persevere in the mess and concentrate on finishing everything currently half done and then it's not so tricky to get the vacuum cleaner in the room and it makes such a difference!  You feel refreshed going into the room and even more creative after it has been cleaned.

[Elaray]

You know those days when you want to do something sewing-related but can't seem to get going?  Those days are perfect for reorganizing.

How true!  I find that straightening up my sewing room inspires me.  I want to stop straightening and start sewing!    I am determined to keep all sewing related stuff in the sewing room and not let it take over the house.

[BetsyV]

My sewing area lies directly in the walking path from the bottom of the basement stairs to the laundry area. Therefore, it needs to be kept reasonably tidy. I always vacuum and "clear the decks" between projects, and, since I've never had a sewing space I could just close the door on, I cannot bear to have more than one project going at once. I've tried it and it was horrible.

[annenet]

We've got cleaning people every other week so my goal is to keep it clean for them so I'm forced to deal with this at least to a point every two weeks. That's keeps me from getting too out of control too.

[Phoenix461]

My studio apartment is so tiny I need to put stuff away although I still seem to lose things.

[Ann]

I keep my sewing room tidy also. I put everything away as I use it, including the pattern. I become very agitated if there is a mess around me. I sweep the floor after each project and then do a big clean up about every couple of months or less if I can't stand the room. I have found this works well for me.

Ann