I am working on getting my quilting room a bit more organized. Thread storage was a big problem for me. I had my quilting thread stored in three different locations. A shelf on my fabric storage shelving that Greg built for me in my closet. An actual shelf unit that I stuck in that closet. And, I had some in the linen cabinet that I bought for quilt storage, located in my living room. I had been given a $75.00 gift card from Target, as a Christmas gift, last year. I finally spent it this week, on these rolling drawer storage carts. They are the perfect size for the large spools, and they keep them protected from dust. I was able to purchase three of them with my card, and for now, it’s enough space, though I will probably need to purchase one more in the near future, as I expand my thread inventory for my customer quilting. They aren’t made for stacking, but as you can see, I did stack one on top of the other. The wheels on bottom are removable, and it worked out fine.
A favorite find this week, though, are these storage boxes for my embroidery threads, that I found at JoAnn’s. I love these! You can easily see your thread, and they have little “pegs” on the bottom, that fit into little receptacles on the top of another box, for secure stacking. They hold thirty spools each.
Having all my thread neatly contained, easily accessible, and protected feels awesome! And, it freed up space on my fabric shelf for more of my fabric, that I had nowhere to put. And, it freed up enough shelving space for these:
This would be the reason that I have decided to drop my quilting mag subscriptions. These are the issues from the last several years, of at least three mags, that I cannot give or throw away because there is at least one quilt in them “that I want to make someday”. Ok, so obviously I’m not going to live to be 250 years old…I cannot keep piling up magazines. It’s going to be hard. Not getting that little fix of quilter’s crack in the mail, every so often. I may start to shake a little as I walk by the magazine rack in stores, maybe get a little sweaty, weak and nauseous…as the withdrawals hit…but I must be strong. Because truth be told, there are a few more scattered throughout my house, and then there are the books with patterns, and then the single patterns that I have bought. And the set of double wedding ring templates waiting to be used. They are taking up too much space in my life. I have more than enough to keep me busy for the rest of my life and probably most of my readers’ lives, as well.
And, I bought another kit, jelly roll included, with a pattern book this week. Yep, needed another project to put on the list. See? I have a problem. This is the rest of the loot from my excursion this week.
I don’t know how much I will use that calculator, but it was on sale for $19.99. And, when I made that apron recently, it called for bias binding. Since I’m already short on time in this life to finish all the projects I would like to make, I decided time shouldn’t be spent on making that stuff myself, so I bought an assortment of ready made, to keep on hand. I also picked up several colors of rick rack to have handy, for projects. Of course, you know that when the time comes, I still won’t have the right color. Isn’t that the way it always works?
Now, I must get back to the cleaning part. I have dust bunnies to chase. Have a great Saturday!
Ramblings From Randi, The Wild Rose Quilter 
Those rolling drawers for thread are a fabulous idea!! When you are done will you come organize my studio next?!
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I think you had a fabulous time shopping! What great finds! I also have that calculator and surpisingly have used it a lot more then I thought I would.I love mine.
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Once you start to use that calculator, it will be the only one you carry. It has a handy pocket built in for the booklet with the main functions already printed under the cover. I have found it to be very accurate for determining border and binding yardage when I work in the quilt shop.
I too have been trying to do some organizing. I think it is an endless job. sigh, big sigh
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Please get your organizing done so that you can be at my house right after Christmas. I need the same thing!
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Love, love, love the organizing, good for you. Totally understand about the mags…those things can truly pile up. 🙂
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Love your thread storage. I’m thinking all quilters have way too many magazines, books, patterns . . we do need to live at least 200 years to get it all done. Looks like you found some good stuff!
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Great thread storage ideas…. I went through that stack of magazines and took out the patterns that I wanted….. then I took the stack of almost intact ones to our guild Christmas dinner and they got snapped up like you wouldn’t believe…. and the calculator! I have customers that ask me to write how many strips of binding they’ll need to cut for their quilt and they think I’m so wonderful!
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I finally organized my magazines a couple years ago. I went to an office supply store and had the bindings cut off. I then went through each page and saved only the patterns I thought I might make someday. The rest of the advertisements, etc. went into the garbage! The “keepers” were then put into page protectors and put into binders according to type (pieced, applique, seasonal, etc.) This has worked wonderfully for me!
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You cracked me up with the quilters crack line! At first I was picturing the plumbers’ crack…you know..when the plumber is crouching under the sink and his pants don’t cover the crack? Sorry….I shouldn’t even go there!
Love the stacking thread holders! And doesn’t it just make thread look even prettier?
Have yourself a great week!
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So tidy! I don’t know how you have time during the Xmas season to tidy up!? Hugs!
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This looks great! I keep my threads in those plastic shoe boxes neatly stacked on a bookshelf…except inside the boxes the threads are all a jumble!
I stopped getting magazine subscriptions a few years ago and two years ago I went through the stacks of old magazines, donated a bunch and cut out the pictures of those quilts that I just had to have to look at and inspire me.
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Randi, I recently bought that same apron pattern book. Isn’t is yummy?!?
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OK….I have a severe case of thread envy! 8-/
Just this week I collected a tote bag full of magazines to share and they all went to good homes! It’s nice to know that someone else will enjoy them and it’s especially nice to have the shelf space back.
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I have the same magazine problem. Last year I bought magazine organizers at Ikea–they are cardboard with a neat design. They were all filled up and now all the new magazines I buy have nowhere to go. I am cutting back on hard copies. Number one, I have enough projects already started to last several lifetimes-last week I filled 4 large storage tubs with WIPs. Number 2, there are so many great patterns and ideas on the Internet. I find that the magazines are largely in business to sell new fabric lines. Have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy your orderly workspace!!
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Those threads do look efficient.
I gave in 12 months or so ago and purchased a huge bookcase for magazines…..it is full…..so have had to decide which are the main ones.
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