Operation Studio Recovery

Ok, this is it. It's time that I reclaim my workspace! I've been poking around at pictures of other sewing rooms, and there's so much fantastic inspiration out there that I've decided it's time to clean up my act! The hard thing about this is that every time I begin to try and straighten up my studio space, before I know it, I've come across a piece of fabric that's calling to me to be sewn into something and I get sidetracked! The room remains a disaster area. I think if I can get sorted out and organized once and for all, implement some organizational measures, then perhaps I will be inspired to keep it in a calm and workable state! This great original artwork above is by the talented MicheleMaule - I love the colors, this would work in my new studio! Somebody please buy this! It totally needs a home in your sewing room! I'm going to get around to posting some of my finds and makeovers along the way and some before/after shots. It may take some time, but I'm determined to give my studio an overhaul! Until then, below are some of the tips I've put together to help remind myself that it will be for a greater good, a happier place to work - maybe you'll find some inspiration here too! 

Tips for organizing + loving your sewing room:

• Label storage boxes on shelves so you know the contents without having to pull each box down one by one until you get it!
• Organize buttons/zippers by color in clear jars.
  
• Keep small swatches of fabric in a binder or notebook with a glue dot and write the designer and line name for future reference. (something I don’t always do, but wish I did!)
  
• A fishing tack box or small toolbox works well for sewing tools and small notions – lots of little compartments...
  
• Make oversized cardboard folders for larger pattern pieces you don’t want to fold, then hang then, open side up from skirt/pant hangers in the closet (the kind with the clips on them).
  
• Keep a separate bin for small fabric scraps so you can chuck little pieces in when you’re finished cutting. Every once in a while I visit mine to see what little creations I can come up with from the scraps.
  
• Store folded fabric, organized by color in a glass door cupboard to keep it dust free, but easily seen! This also looks really great!
  
• A large table provides hidden storage underneath; you can tack a pretty fabric around the perimeter to hide storage bins.
  
• Use magnet boards or pretty cork boards to pin up inspiration pieces and other beautiful treasures! I think I will start a collection of prints from our talented neighborhood artists at etsy…
  
• Do you have any bare wall space? Invest in wall shelves to get small boxes and baskets up off the floor.
  
• Keep fresh flowers at your desk - they look great and are a good reason to visit your local Saturday Farmers Market (get out and support other local artists!) 
  
• If you can position yourself in front of a window, the natural light is awesome. I am lucky to have two large windows in my studio, the light, plus the great breeze I get when I open both is great. The fresh air really does work wonders!
  
• Keep a thread rack to organize all your spools of thread. It looks tidy, plus you can easily see which colors you have. Or you can make your own, any nice piece of wood will do, drill some holes and stick in some dowels.
  
• Yard sales and flea markets are a great place to find old cabinets and desks for good prices. You can give old, dingy pieces new life with a fresh coat of spray paint. An armoir retrofitted with shelves or a small table fitted with a pretty skirt to hide bins! 
  
• Surround yourself with the things you love. This makes your room your haven, someplace you look forward to being... 
  
• Try to clean up at the end of your session so your space is neat and fresh the next time you go in. It’s easier to be inspired and motivated when you have a clean, tidy space to work in! (I only wish I had the energy to do this after sewing for so many hours my eyes are crossed! But if you can, it’s totally worth it for next time! I need to start taking some of my own advice!)
  

Pretty Packages

 

There's nothing I love more than receiving packages in the mail (which makes my online shopping addiction super dangerous!). Even when it's something I ordered, but it comes from someone who you can automatically tell has put love and care into wrapping it up all neat and sweet! I ordered these vintage doilies from sweetvintage78 on etsy, who took them from a vintage table cloth, hand cut them out and dyed them in the gorgeous colors! Her package was tied up with string when it arrived to me, with a darling little flower button and a little thank you tucked inside, I just loved it! And then I had a lot of fun sewing up this tiny coin purse and I secured one of the doilies to the front. Isn't it pretty? Thanks sweetvintage78 for a great sewing product, I highly recommend you visit her shop and get your own cute package in the post! 

Tools of the Trade: Pretty Pins

How adorable are these?! I admit that sometimes I don't always pin when I'm supposed to, if I'm in a rush to do some stitching. But these cute little pins  I think would easily change my mind - I especially love the flower topped ones, but Nadelwerk carries a large variety to choose from, including hearts, toadstools and glass topped ones - they're all so pretty!

For your little crafter...

This little find would make such a sweet gift for your little crafter. At a fantastic price, it comes with everything needed to stitch four little embroidery projects - fabric, needle, embroidery floss, transfer paper and designs. All you need in one cute package! What a great little stocking stuffer this would make! Yes, I'm talking about Christmas! My plan is to stock up on great handmade finds little by little for the rest of the year so I don't end up doing the whole Christmas rush thing, and can concentrate on baking instead of shopping! This is over at Pimp Stitch, we're hoping shop owner Lauren stocks up on these soon! What a nice idea : )  

Pretty Tools of the Trade: Dove Pincushion

Yes, more birds : ) I just can't help it! My grandmother taught us when we were wee girls the three R's: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Well Kati over at Tagurity is the creator of this sweet Recycled, Handmade Gold and White Terracotta Dove Pincushion. I love the idea of giving something old new life. You can get so creative with some paint and some fabric, what a great idea! 

Pretty Tools of the Trade: Needle Case

 

Check out this little cutie, happily waving to you while she keeps your straight pins safe and sound. This little girl is located over at thesmallobject along with the sweetest little wedding toppers. If you're a blushing bride in the making, it is worth a stop over to check them out!

Pretty Tools of the Trade: Floral Tape Measure

 

Another lovely tool! The tape measure is never too far when I'm at my sewing table. I bet this one's as comfy as it is pretty. This linen covered tape measure can be found at stefaniexu. There's a variety of them to choose from too. While you're there, shop owner Stefanie also has some darling Japanese fabrics and lace that i'm currently drooling over! I'm going to have to get me some, off to do some shopping! 

Pretty Notions: Handmade Birdie Buttons

Ok, so as you know, I'm still adjusting to my new life of short bursts of waking and sleeping with my two month old! And routine now has me up between 3 and 4:00 am EVERY morning, because this little man is just a milk monster! And even though it's still completely dark here at that time of the morning, this is when the birds wake up! So it's kind of nice, when I have the window open I prop the baby up in my arms, and even though it's completely dark I can listen to the birds singing, kind of nice and relaxing. 

These have to be the sweetest little buttons I've ever seen! These cuties come from Popcorntree's shop. And they're completely handmade! Shop owner Sara cuts them and sands them all herself. Aren't they gorgeous? 

Pretty Tools of the Trade: Sewing with String

Today I went fabric shopping with my sister. She had a little sewing project for me, which I gladly agreed to. We picked out her fabrics and then she asked if we should get some string to which I asked "What do we need string for?", to which she replied "to sew with.". Yes, we'll need some string : ) That was my little chuckle for the day. I found these gorgeous threads over at Raggedroses shop on Etsy. She's got other cute vintage items in her shop there, and recently started a new site MillieandDottie.com, which is also very cute, you should check it out!

Pretty Tools of the Trade: In a Bind

I live in the city of Halifax, where unfortunately, I find the supply scene for crafters to be lacking. At least by way of fabric shops. We have a couple that have been around forever but come up short on variety. What would we do without this beautiful thing called the world wide web? I wouldn't have access to all the great fabrics and notions I need to make my little pouches. And that's probably one of my favorite parts of the whole process! Hunting and surfing around for my next great fabric find. I came across this little etsy shop, Notions by Polly Danger, that sells double fold bias tape in the sweetest designs, and the best part is that all these notions are handmade! So cute!