Step 5: Decision Time

This is where the rubber hits the road.  It’s time to look at what you have identified in the first 4 steps and bring them together to create the craft space you want.  In step 1 you had an idea about what you wanted your space to look like and you set goals. Take a look at your vision and your goals.  Take a look at your inventory and your space for items you want to have available at all times and items you want to store in an easily accessible space.  Then, get to work and make it happen.

As I mentioned earlier, I don't want to do an entire sewing room makeover.  My goal is to have everything for each activity in the appropriate space.  I only want shop related things in my shop.  I want my sewing room to double as a class space and a personal sewing space.  The room in between the shop and my sewing room has been a catch-all but I want it to be well organized and support my work on my embroidery machine and my personal quilting and sewing activities.

Here are the results of my work. In the sewing room, I have organized the tables, machines, tables and drawers.  

The ironing board table had room for storage.

I used this storage area for my class supplies.  The sewing machines, lesson plans.  The supplies fit and are easy to retrieve. The fold away table fits right under the curtain and I can easily get to it to use for classes or anything else I need a table for.  

There was also a little slice of space under the ironing table where all of my Accuquilt Go accessories can hide.

My baskets hold items I need to get to all of the time.  This one has scissors, extra rotary cutter blades, tape measures, my cards and paper.  This basket is in the middle of my sewing room for easy access.  The other basket is located on top of the drawer units and holds my rulers, and tape.

The 'middle' room had the most organization because it is the space to do embroidery projects, store my apron supplies, my UFOs and keep my fabric stash.

The drawer below the machine holds the hoops and stabilizers.


My UFO's are on this shelf and the apron patterns I use are and machine embroidery thread sit on top.

The barristers hold my magazines and books, minky and flannel, my white-on-white fabric and apron fabric. The mannequin for my photographs stands in a corner.  

This storage unit has my fabric stash.  Since I have my own fabric shop, I don't need a very large stash.  I have batiks in the three drawers in the bottom chest and fabrics arranged by color on the rest of the shelf.  

My shop was pretty organized, however, both of the cupboards under my cutting table were crammed full of miscellaneous items, most of which didn't belong in the shop. 

I cleaned the cupboards out and put things in them that belonged.  This cupboard holds all of the items I need for shipping and sales.  It's easy to see what's in here so if any inventory gets low, I can order before the item is gone.  The cupboard on the other side holds my excess inventory.

The printer, computer, printing labels and shipping envelopes are kept on this rolling cart, which is also located in the middle room, right next to the shop.  I also put a tub of Christmas fabric on the bottom shelf which I will pull out when it gets closer to Christmas.

Doing your groundwork before starting a project, sure makes things turn out great.  I am very happy with my organization.  I hope this series was informational and useful.

Find All Of The Posts I My 6 Step Process HERE

Linking To:  Inspiration Monday