WiP – Organization Update – 2013.08.10

This is what I said I would get done this week, on the organization front:

• pull almost everything out of the studio, and then put it back in more logical locations – DONE
• document where I store things on my drawing – PARTLY DONE
• note the measurements of the drawers, shelves and cupboards on the drawing – NOPE
• create a new filing system and get those papers sorted – PARTLY DONE

I spent all day Wednesday reorganizing my quilt studio.  I went through the drawers and cupboards and pulled out the stuff I use frequently that was stored in hard-to-reach areas, as well as the stuff I hardly ever use that was stored in easily-accessible spaces.   Then I reorganized it all into more logical storage areas.  I did try to make notes on my drawing of what is stored where, but it still needs some work.  (My idea of marking the dimensions of each storage space went right out the window!) 

My day also involved several trips to the “dollar store” for storage containers.  I love these little containers – they seem like the perfect size for so many of my tools and notions.    

My rolling folding table fits into a cubbyhole behind the design wall.   My original concept was that when I reached the construction phase of a quilt, I would put the design wall away and get the table out.  In reality, when I take one project off the design wall to sew it, I usually already have the next project up on the design wall.  So the rolling table was constantly hidden by the design wall.   I’ve now moved the rolling table out of its cubbyhole behind the design wall.  It has casters, so it’s easy to move around the room, and I’m planning to make an ironing mat to fit the top of it (12 x 36 inches), so it will also take the place of the ironing board.  And I’ve stored my baggies of scraps on the shelf behind the design wall – using a previously under-utilized space.  The scraps are now out of the way, but still accessible when I need them.

I even took the time to hang a few pieces of art on the walls. 

Office area – I have a love-hate relationship with papers and filing.  I love a well-organized filing system, especially if it’s color-coded.  I hate filing!  I seem to spend a lot of time trying out new filing systems that will let me overcome my dislike of filing.  So, inspired by the photo on the left, I created my new filing system on the right.  Using white magazine holders (lying on their backs) and colored file folders, I believe I have come up with a system that will work for me.

My normal filing ‘system’ has been to pile papers up and try to tackle them all once a week.  But that involved pulling out all my file folders, and I always seemed to find something better to do – like working on a quilt!  But with this system I can easily file papers in their correct folder right away.   Time will tell how well this really works for me.   

I’m declaring my current reorganization to be a finished project – even though organization is never finished – and I’m linking up to:

• Richard & Tanya Quilts – Link a Finish Friday
• Nina-Marie’s Off the Wall Friday
• Nina-Marie’s Sew Many Spaces

Now, back to quilting!