Organizing Craft Projects

Many crafters may be working on multiple projects at the same time or they can only work on their projects when time allows. This is a guide about organizing craft projects.

Solutions: Organizing Craft Projects

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Organizing Individual Fabric Craft Projects

When I am pulling fabrics together to make a particular pattern, I place all the fabric, the pattern, any notions, trims, and such in a large Ziploc bag and hang the bag on a pants hanger. (Ready to go.)

I just hang it in my sewing room closet along with others that are ready. This is especially nice when I go to sew the crazy quilt purses, because there is a lot of piecing as well as a lot of embellishing to do.

By Judy from Birmingham, AL

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Pencil and Lunch Boxes for Kids Crafts

Pencil boxes and lunch boxes can be turned into "craft boxes" for kids, holding paints, crayons, and other arts and crafts supplies. They are also handy when used to organize sewing notions.

By duckie-do from Cortez, CO

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Binder for Organizing Craft Projects

For organizing craft projects, I use binders for project ideas with protective sleeves. I also keep a list of items needed to finish a project. So in one sleeve would be the pattern for a cross-stitch project and a list of items for finishing the project. This way, when I get ready to do the project, I know what I need. Then I get out the Ziploc bags to store the items needed to finish the project and place them in binder as well. I will punch holes and use reinforcements or clear nail polish to keep the holes from spreading. I use a large bag to hold the material (Aida cloth). I do about 6 at a time so that when I have all items on hand.

This saves time, as I then have one list with items to purchase for the things I do not have on hand, I don't need to search all the storage units, but one time, I have all of these in a basket. Then when I go shopping I take a dry eraser and the list in the plastic sleeve and get the items crossed off when I pick them up. I also keep a sleeve in the binder to track what I spent on the purchases, so if I sell them I can have the cost already laid out if questioned.

I also have 2 large white binders that I keep all patterns and ideas in that are stored in a craft organizer with wheels and is stored in closet, along with all my tools. Hope this helps someone out.

I also found a perfect storage unit. If I had the money and space for it I would have gotten it. It's called the original scrapbox at theoriginalscrapbox.com. It is ideal for all crafts and has a work space that folds up. They come in several sizes. This site also has other storage items to purchase

By Carol from Minot, ND

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Jewelry Armoire for Jewelry Crafts

Free standing jewelry armoires make attractive storage units for beads, jewelry findings, and tools. The armoires can be found for reasonable prices at Wal-Mart, thrift stores, and yard sales. Mine has hooks on the main door that are great for hanging bead strands and chains, shallow lined drawers with separate compartments for beads and findings, a large cubby for hand tools, and deeper drawers for other odds and ends. The best part is that the armoire is a small attractive addition to a bedroom for those who do not have their own craft room.

By Tracey from Duluth, MN

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Reuse Laptop Carrying Cases For Craft Projects

Do you have a laptop that is not working anymore? Save that case! Especially the type of case that unzips all the way to lay flat, and is lined with a flannel-like material. Those are great for organizing your craft supplies.

I had a case from a Sony Vaio like that, and when the computer was gone, I turned it into a bead project case. I took the leftover containers from my son's Gerber baby food (the new plastic ones) and put heavy duty adhesive velcro on the bottom (the hook side). These stick to the flannel lining of the case, and I can hold 15. The outside pocket holds my pliers and other tools that don't fit in the containers. When I need to go teach a class, I just zip up my case, and I am off.

By Regina from Rochester, NY

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Keeping Track of Patterns and Materials

I purchased a one drawer plastic container (from Wal-mart or a dollar store) and I filed all my patterns for sewing clothes, crafts, projects, plus my quilt patterns. You can also file your fabric swatches (glued onto a piece of construction paper) so that you can then tell what you have on hand. I made an index so I would know where to find each pattern or material. I put it on my file where my fabric or project is located (in tote a, b, or c). I found this is helpful if you need space. I was forever hunting things in my craft/sewing room.

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Organizing Craft Projects

I do a lot of quilling and card making in quantity. One way I keep my "stuff" organized is to reuse large meat trays. I am always multi-tasking on my projects. I wash them thoroughly and then as I work on a project I put everything in that tray that pertains to the project I am working on. Paper, embellishments, pens, paints, anything that I am using on that one project. Then these trays stack nice and neatly and I am able to pick up whichever one I want to work on and go with it. Happy Crafting!

Source: Me, myself, and I and my sister Larue suggested

By Linda from Ashdown, AR

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Organizing Sewing Projects

I have recently made up my mind that I really need to organize my sewing/crafting room. It looks like a cyclone has gone through it LOL! Any way, this is what I have started with:

I bought some XL Ziploc bags and have some gallon size as well. My plan is to gather up all of my different projects that I have bought supplies and patterns for and bag each one. I may even label the bags for future reference.

Next I plan to hang the bags on those hangers that have those "pinch" clips on them and keep them in my closet until ready to work on. This should clear up a lot of space and allow me much more flexibility when sewing and/or crafting.

By Judy from Birmingham, AL

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Store and Organize Needlework Patterns on Your Computer

I have been knitting/crocheting and doing other needlework for over 45 years, so I have lots of patterns and instructions to keep track of. I also love using computers, so I decided to put the two pleasures together and save some space.

I have books of patterns that I have neatly compartmentalized in a tall "tower" shelf, organized by project type. Individual patterns or small leaflets I've picked up, I have scanned into my computer. I have a main folder in my Documents section for Needlework, then I have subfolders for the different project types: scarves, hats, rugs, baby blankets, etc. I used to divide the patterns only by knitting, crocheting, or whatever the technique, but discovered it was too time-consuming to remember where I'd put it. Now, I just look in the subject folder and they're so easy to find.

I have a laptop, a netbook, and a 7 inch tablet computer. I share all my needlework files between these computers, so no matter where I am, I can just look up the instructions - no paper patterns to lose or get ripped up. I can even use my computers to keep track of rows knitted or crocheted!

If you don't have a network set up so you can share your files between computers, there are many "cloud" services that allow you to store a limited number of "bytes" for free. I confess, I take advantage of these, too. That way, I don't worry about backing up my files too often, because they're available to me from 3 different computers, plus whatever cloud service it's on.

By Granny Sue

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Questions

Here are questions related to Organizing Craft Projects.

Storing Finished Craft Projects

I haven't actually participated in a craft fair yet, but I'm trying to build up an inventory of my finished craft projects in preparation of a craft show. How does everyone store their finished crafts to keep them clean, etc.?

Brenda from Muncie, IN

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Most Recent Answer

By junebugg_5305/08/2008

I like to use those plastic zipper bags that curtains, etc come in. I collect them from friends and family and store them until needed. They keep my projects clean and still allow some air to circulate. I do a lot of plastic canvas and these bags are great.

Craft Projects to Help With Organization

I'm a girl who needs to organize, and I'm good and love art. Does anyone have any crafts that can be done to help organize? Also, I would be interested in free crafts. I don't have money to spend right now, the bank of Miss Daphne is broke. =)
Thanks!

By Miss Daphne

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