Design Wall Monday

I have mentioned before that I periodically have these bouts of organizing. Things pile up and then one day there's just one too many things piled and I have to stop everything to declutter. That's what happened this weekend.

Two things set it off. First I have been missing working on my kaleidoscope projects but I hate getting all of that fabric out and living in the mess. I have to have all of the fabric out on the floor so I can see it all but when I am doing that I can't do anything else in my sewing room. I've been pondering other ways to work on them. 

Secondly, we got a bigger TV. I thought Chris would want the old one in the bedroom. We haven't had a TV in the bedroom since the last one died and I haven't missed it. I never watch TV upstairs. He didn't want one there either and suggested that I put the old (big enough) one in my sewing room. Great idea but there's no room for it!

That set off 2 solid days of decluttering and reorganizing! I decided that I had the perfect floor space for spreading out my kaleidoscope fabrics under the longarm downstairs. It's a big space, it's unused and I can have it covered and it wouldn't interfere with quilting at all. Off I went and I

• filled two black trash bags with actual garbage
• filled a paper grocery bag with old magazines for the recycle bin
• filled the equivalent of 2 black trash bags with donation fabric and supplies for VCU School of Fashion Design
• filled a box with books for Goodwill
• set up a sewing space in the basement without buying anything except a $7 tabletop ironing board

Oh wow, I can breathe again! I didn't realize how overwhelming the space had become for me. I rearranged everything that was left (and honestly I should still get rid of about a third of what's left) .

I was able to remove half a shelf to make way for the TV. I think this one is big enough for a sewing room! I can't help it, I enjoy watching TV. I was able to clear away enough things to move some of my books here. There's still 2 baskets of crap on the bottom shelf to go through.

I really should have taken before photos because my cutting table hasn't been clear for a VERY long time. Now only today's project is up and the floor is finally clear underneath. You can't imagine the dust I dredged up. What a pigsty it was!

I cleared out the book shelves and my two large fabric cabinets also have some breathing room now.

Finally, I got my sewing station set up in the basement. None of my spaces are fancy or pretty. I'm a function over form person in most everything so this folding table on a concrete floor works perfectly for my needs.

But it wasn't all work! I started on my Golden Harvest quilt. I'm working it a bit backwards and starting with the borders. This week I will finish the 4 corners and hope to start the centers at the weekend.

My decluttering episodes seem to be genetic. I talked to my oldest brother this weekend (we are almost exactly a year apart in age). His hobby is woodworking and he spent the weekend decluttering his workshop and shed. We were both happy with our results.

I hope the upcoming week is equally productive! Check out other design walls at Patchwork Times.

Comments

[Kaen]

every now and then I need to do that too. I have so much clutter and so many scraps - one day I really want to get all of my scraps cut into reusable pieces because I know I have enough scraps to make a zillion quilts but I hate tackling it. I really need to do that though to get this room better organized - under the quilting frame - well that needs to be reorganized too to make better use of the space.
I like how you are doing yours - it does have to be done now and then doesn't it.

[Ruth Lane]

Wow - did you want to come to Montana and clear out my room?? Please....

[Libby Fife]

It was a de-cluttering weekend! Your space looks great and good for you:) I wrote today about visual clutter and the very bad rug in my studio. Looks like we are on the same wavelength.

[Stephanie]

Lightning the load feels good. I just did some deep cleaning but I do have more to do. Function is what's important although I admit to liking pretty for myself as well. :o)

~Piecefully, Stephanie

[elle]

Something very satisfying about decluttering and reorganizing!

[Doreen]

I just finished doing the same thing. It is amazing how much stuff you find, that you know you will never use.

[Jo]

Well, you almost inspired me to shovel out my sewing room... almost. I cleaned up just enough to get block one of BBs Grandmother's Choice done and called it a day.

[Cheryl K.]

All that organizing, decluttering, getting the TV in -- and you still had time for that beautiful piecing! Wonder Woman!!

[D]

I'm your long lost cousin from the black sheep side of the family! Although on our side of the family we don't call it "organizing," we call it finding the floor. And for me the most rewarding part is the deep philosophical discussions I have with myself such as "Why do I still have polished cotton?" But on the serious side: what fabric does VCU School of Fashion take and how much will they take? I just weeded my stash and I have piles looking for a new home. Tommyandjimmy

[Laceflower]

Decluttering really lifts the spirit and a clean slate for beginning something new. Congrats for the actual divesting of stuff; I find that the hardest thing to do especially as I always want the thing that I got rid of last week. AND what a lovely TV; I too like a TV in the studio but I mostly listen as it's too small and gets bad glare from the window.

[patty]

I straightened up my quilting thread this weekend does that count? I have this wooden thread holder with those little silk buttonhole twist spools and there was enough room in my Sulky rayon thread cases to put them plus the wooden spools of silk thread that were gathering dust. Now I have room on the wooden thread holder to keep my threads in some kind of order for the wedding quilt I am working on which is using lots of different colors. This made me question why I bought a bunch of dark colored cotton quilting thread as I was straighten up the two boxes of cotton quilting thread. I rarely use dark colored thread. I must of had a reason why I bought them, I just wish I could remember!

[Carole]

Wow, it's Tues and you still haven't blogged! Are you feeling okay?! Just teasing you! De-cluttering is always good for the soul! Gets the old creative juices going. Not that you need it, Ms. Busy Bee! thanks for allowing me to bug/tease you! Cheers!

[Gari]

Today is my do to do the same thing. I have machine applique to do so I will applique, clean, applique, clean, applique, clean the day away (I did housework yesterday). I can't see any of my cutting table so that will be the first cleaning chore.