There's something deeply satisfying about a freshly organised sewing room. After the chaos of Christmas - the visitors, the wrapping paper, the general festive mayhem - the new year feels like the perfect moment to reclaim your space, find homes for all those wonderful sewing gifts, and start the year with everything exactly where it should be.
Here are some of my all-time favourite storage solutions, from purpose-built products to a few brilliant budget hacks that cost next to nothing.
Threads
My goal is to get all my threads sorted by weight and stored in ArtBin Super Satchel Thread Boxes - clear, stackable, and purpose-made for the job. They're brilliant for keeping everything visible and tangle-free.
In the meantime, here's a free alternative that works surprisingly well: Ferrero Rocher boxes. The individual compartments are almost perfectly sized for standard thread reels, and the clear lid means you can see everything at a glance. Start dropping hints to friends and family now!
AccuQuilt Dies
I have rather a lot of AccuQuilt dies (no apologies), so my husband built me a set of purpose-made shelves in the dead space behind my workroom door. It's one of the best things he's ever done for me.
For day-to-day use, though, nothing beats having an AccuQuilt GO! Die Storage Rack right on the table. When you're working on a project that needs several dies, being able to grab them quickly without rummaging through a shelf makes a real difference to your flow.
Short on shelf space? Purpose-made AccuQuilt Die Storage Boxes are a great alternative - they stack neatly and keep your dies protected.
Bobbins
For bobbins, I'm a convert to the BERNINA bobbin box. Each bobbin sits snugly in its own foam slot, which means no rattling, no tangling, and no hunting for the right colour. My wish list is basically just more of these - and more bobbins to fill them.
Bits and Bobs
Waste not, want not. I've been recycling coffee jars to store all those small notions that need to be within arm's reach but don't deserve a whole drawer to themselves - seam rippers, wonder clips, needle threaders, and the like. They're free, they're stackable, and you can see exactly what's inside.
Not quite as charming as the Simplicity Vintage Jars with the pin cushion lid, admittedly - but they do the job beautifully.
Fabric
I've tried almost every fabric storage method going over the years, and this is the one I keep coming back to. Cut a piece of 400g/m board to size, fold your fabric around it, pin it in place, and stand it upright on a shelf like a book. You can see every piece at a glance, pull out exactly what you need, and put it back just as easily.
One important note: once your fabric is stored this way, protect it from the light. Prolonged exposure will fade even the most vibrant prints. I use a blind on my shelves - simple and effective.
One Final Tip: Wrist Pin Cushions
While we're on the subject of things that make your sewing life easier, have you tried a wrist pin cushion? It's one of those tools you never knew you needed until you have one, and then you can't imagine working without it. Pins always exactly where you need them, no hunting across the table.
Happy re-organising! I genuinely love this part of the new year - am I the only one?