Sewing Basket Organization! ~ Diane's Vintage Zest!

Sewing Basket Organization!

Hello again!

I was originally going to post this on Tuesday, but it seems a bit more appropriate to share on Friday, when I like to have an organization or tip-related post.  Also, Jen from iHeart Organizing is sharing her own sewing box!

Like Jen, I got my sewing machine about a year ago, but I don't have a super huge blog, three kids, and an organization empire to maintain!  Therefore, I spent a lot of time sewing projects up and my sewing basket (gifted to me by a friend) is chock full of almost everything you could ever need.

Here's my organized sewing basket!


When you first open up the basket, there are a few items in the lid:


- Sewing needles
- Darning needles
- Seam ripper

I don't like to keep my pins on the cushion, but you'll see them later!  Also, I always need my seam ripper handy, unfortunately.  :(


The top interior has a tray with a ton of goodies.


From L to R, top to bottom:

- Tape measure
- Binder clips: for thick fabrics
- Safety pins
- Poster tack (for winding spools of thread from the serger cones; I'll explain in a future post!)
- Bobbins
- Thimble
- Chalk and other marking items (I may get rid of these since I have my new Chakoner)
- Chakoner
- Rotary cutter
- Thread snippers (2)
- Gingher fabric scissors
- Point turners (2)
- Seam guide

It usually looks a bit more organized than this, but I spread everything out to show you guys!


Now, there's a deep, deep space underneath the first tray, but things always used to get jumbled up.  So what did I do?  I used fast food storage containers as little trays!


Tray 1:
- Pin cushion cuff
- Extra pins

Tray 2:
- Thread spools to match my bobbins

Miscellaneous
- My sewing labels
- Hem guide (the rolled up paper just under the sewing labels
- Tracing wheels (close-up in a moment)


Now, there's a little bit of wasted space towards the front of of the basket since it's rounded, see?


So, I tucked my three tracing wheels (needle, serrated, flat) in an envelope.  After looking at it here, I think I need to sew up something cuter for them!


The second layer of trays has a few important (but less accessed) items as well!


- Extra needles
- Sewing machine feet
- Other sewing machine accessories


The other tray holds a more items that I don't need often at all, but I hate to go searching for them when I'm in the middle of a project.


- Personalized labels
- Craft aid
- Fray check
- Scratch paper for jotting down notes, measurements, sizes, etc.


Behind the takeout trays, I have some other items that come in handy, but take up the entire height of the box.


- Bobbin box
- Rotary cutter disc refills
- Tracing paper
- Ruler
- Pinking shears
- Large fabric scissors
- Other marking implements


And it all tucks neatly away in one (somewhat) tiny box!


I know that I could purge a few of my marking tools or even keep my tracing implements somewhere else, but since it all fits in here pretty comfortably, I'm happy with my system.


On a side note, I loved this sewing box because of the fireworks/floral pattern and the pretty colors.  My friend gifted it to me, and when I brought it back home, I realized that I had bought the same fabric and made my sunglasses case out of it!  Score!

What does your sewing box/basket look like?




19 comments:

  1. This is such a great organizational post! I would love for you to share this on my weekly link party Blog Stalking Thursday. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  2. I have this same style sewing box in a different fabric print! I also no longer sew and have sold most of my supplies...what other things could I use this box for? Any suggestions? I love the fabric and do not want to let it go...but I no longer have sewing things to put in it...and now I have no idea what I should use it for!
    Kaila from whatidoalldaykr.blogspot.com

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  3. I love that you found ways to use every inch of space, curved and all, in the sewing basket. I'd love if you'd come and share at Inspire Us Thursday at Organized 31. http://organized31.blogspot.com/2013/06/inspire-us-thursday-link-party-3.html

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  4. I'll be honest. I don't sew.... never have. But this is really cute and awesome. I LOVE things that organize. So I love it. And I want one anyway. :)
    beforeduringandafterblog.com

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  5. I would hate to even show my sewing stuff to the world. You are so organized!

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  6. oh my goodness, I so need to do this! Thank you for spreading JOY and sharing at the Oh What a HAPPY Day party.

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  7. Ha! That's exactly how I felt up until a year ago. Loved everything about sewing (and organization of course), but never had. I think I even broke my mom's sewing machine trying to use it once. :)

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  8. Wow, you really packed a bunch of goodies in there! Thanks for all the inspiration and ideas. :-)
    His blessings,
    Kim @ Curtain Queen

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  9. Great organization!!! I love the blog I heart organizing too!! Thanks for sharing this on Sunday Funday!! I hope you will link up more projects!! Smiles, Jill

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  10. My granny used to have a sewing box like this, but it had little legs to stand on too! Thanks for reminding me of that - I'd quite forgotten it! I don't have a sewing box - I have a whole desk full of stuff!

    Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!

    Hope you have a fabulous week!

    Jill @ Creating my way
    to Success

    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

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  11. What a great basket! It is so pretty! I have a bunch of random little boxes that I keep my sewing supplies in, and then a couple baskets for knitting. Some day I will get it all organized, but for now it seems to be working - sort of. But, maybe what I need is a beautiful basket, I think that would definitely help :-)

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  12. Wow, mine is not nearly this organized. Yours is amazing! Thanks for the great tips, I am going to go get to organizing :)
    Heidi @ handmadefrenzy.blogspot.com

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  13. Mine is out of control. I don't sew much anymore, but it would be nice to be able to put my hands on what I need when I have to sew on a button or make a repair. I remember being fascinated with my grandmother's sewing box. She had one on a little pedestal and it sat next to her chair in the living room. Stopping by from Marvelous Mondays. Have a great week.

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  14. I totally understand! My mom had two sewing baskets, and she let me raid hers for sewing supplies before I bought any of my own. It was a bit of a mess, but now we have three really well stocked & organized baskets. Yay! Even my sister, who doesn't sew has one now. :)

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  15. Actually, I have two! An organized and ready to travel one and my junky one with all the misfit tools:)

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  16. I just stumbled upon this and I just adore your basket.

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