Sewing and Serging Tip

Controlling the Chaos

My husband used to say that my studio was a mess. I preferred to think of it as creative chaos. But, I must admit, tracking down patterns, notions, and other sewing and serging supplies used to drive me batty. Inevitably, I'd be scrambling to make the last few samples by deadline, and be digging through boxes to find what I needed.

I vowed last year that this would end when we moved into our new home. The organizational drive is an ongoing process, but I'd like to share what I've done so far.


Patterns

I have several hundred patterns. They're constantly in use, because I need to make samples and also check tips and techniques that I'm editing. The patterns were getting rather dog-eared.

You've probably heard that patterns can be reinforced with interfacing. (Use cheap, lightweight fusible interfacing, and press to the back of the pattern with a hot, dry iron.) I've done this with some pieces, but it's too difficult finding a place store the stiff patterns. Professionals often make their pattern from a firm cardboard, and hang the pieces from racks or wall pegs.

I like to flip quickly through patterns so that I can find what I need. So each pattern is split up and stored in separate places. The envelope is inserted in a 3-hole plastic sheet protector and added to one of several large binders that are organized by garment type. Since the plastic holder is clear, I can easily read the envelope front and back.

The pattern pieces and guide sheet are placed in a side-opening 9 x 12 inch envelope. With the envelope positioned so that the opening is at the top, I write the pattern number and company (i.e. Cutting Line Designs, L.J. Designs, Vogue) in the upper right corner. These envelopes are filed numerically in a four-drawer filing cabinet.


Notions

Cabinets with lots of narrow drawers are my friends. Ikea has a great selection.


Bolts of Fabric, Pattern Tracing Paper and Interfacing

Last month, on the Christopher Lowell show, I saw a wonderful idea: two tall CD towers placed side-by-side, with wood dowels mounted between them. The dowels were held in metal half-cups that you can find in hardware stores. Intended for rolls of gift wrap and parcel packing paper, the idea will work just as well for my bolts. I can't wait to try this idea.


Book Pages

Part of my business is helping experts realize their dream of publishing a book or pattern. Since the studio takes projects from development to printing, there are oodles of 11 x 17 inch pages in various stages of development.

Did you know that these pages fit perfectly inside a suitcase? My collection of old, hard-side suitcases are stacked in my office, now filled with pages.