Tool Tips – Sewing Storage Ideas

sewing storage ideas

We've been looking at sewing tools recently and asking if you can get better sewing results, save time in the sewing room or just have more fun if you spend more money, or if the budget versions of your favorite tools are “good enough”.  

Covered so far:

Sewing Storage Ideas – Small Tools And Things

Today I'm looking at basic sewing room storage for your tools and equipment.  Do you like something custom designed for sewing, or do you keep everything in a big cardboard box and rummage about, or something in between?  Maybe you have a custom-designed sewing space with peg boards or dedicated sewing storage.  Is your storage also a decorative item, and are there practical reasons why spending more is going to get you better organized and save you time?

Why Have Organised Storage Anyway?

The biggest reasons I can think of to invest in good storage are really two-fold.  Save time by making things easier to find – we all need more sewing time so if it takes 10 minutes to find that zipper foot you know you have somewhere, well then that's 10 minutes less sewing time.  The second reason is monetary.  If you can't find something you might have to go and buy another one, and by proper storage, you can also prevent damage or rust too and keep your tools in tip-top condition.

Let's Have A Look At Some Of My Sewing Storage

I live on a small island so I use what I can get locally to keep my sewing supplies in order.  You don't need specialist storage solutions for your sewing room, but OK, let's admit it, there is nothing nicer than seeing things all neatly set out and beautifully organized, and given the choice, we'd all go for perfection.

sewing storage ideas

Yep, this is NOT my sewing room, not even remotely like it I can assure you.  This is pretty darned nice to look at and practical too – check out some more pictures from I have to say… Let's leave me sewing dreams and get back to the practical reality of my own sewing storage.

Bobbin And Tool Storage

I don't actually have a lot of bobbins to organize simply because my local sewing shop only has a very limited stock of thread colors anyway. The ones I have are in this small box.  It's designed specifically to be a bobbin box and it works OK. It's perfectly adequate. This is what it looks like when it's all neat and organized.

sewing storage ideas

But this is what it actually looks like most of the time  🙁  The bobbins are all loose and rolling about, the threads come undone and get tangled, and I fish about making it worse when I want to get something out.  I can do better!

sewing storage ideas

There are SO many ways to organize and store your bobbins, maybe I should write a fun article about that (coming soon).  I've treated myself and have something new on order just because I felt like a treat and this looked so pretty as well as interesting!  Again, it's not here yet so I'll write about it when I get a chance to try it out in real life later on.  This is the Nancy Zieman Stack and Store Bobbin Tower.

sewing storage ideas

This looks really funky and interesting and obviously, anything with Nancy's name on it has to be worth considering. You can get one of these fancy bobbin storage towers at Amazon US   or   Amazon UK.

This is one place you really don't need to spend a lot of money to store your bobbins, but it can be fun if you do!

Sewing Feet Storage

One of my “make do with what you can find” examples.  In this case, a weekly pill reminder case has little spaces which are perfect for storing my sewing presser feet!  Who would have thought it, but everything other than the automatic buttonhole foot will fit in here nicely.  You can even get 3 or 4 feet per section if you want to.

sewing storage ideas

The last section I keep for my needles so as I change from a Universal to a stretch needle or a twin needle, I swap them out in that end section.

sewing storage ideas

While we talk about sewing feet, let me give you a little sneak peek of something else I have on order and am very much looking forward to receiving.  All the presser feet I will ever need I should think, and some I will probably never need. There will be some duplicates with what I already have, but well worth it for the price I paid.  More on this great box when I get it.

sewing storage ideas

Rotary Cutter Storage – FAIL

My sewing room is almost right on the beach.  When I look outside my window I see the sea right there. Lovely, except with the humid and salty environment and the breeze coming right in the window off the sea here in Cayman, rusting is a real issue, and certain of my sewing tools are no exception.  I've tried all sorts of solutions for my rotary cutter from zip-loc bags to pelican cases and everything in between.

sewing storage ideas

This is how I currently store my rotary cutter – in this plastic case filled with silica gel sachets from the camera shop that are supposed to absorb moisture.  Basically, it's not working. This is how the blade looks within 2 weeks of opening it, even if I've only used it once.  It no longer cuts anything, so I have to consider my rotary blades as almost single-use!

sewing storage ideas

As soon as I've finished using it, it goes back in the pink case with the silica gel and gets put in my sewing toolbox with the lid closed.  More on that next.

Storing Other Sewing Tools

My sewing toolbox is just that – a toolbox from the DIY Store.  It's not pretty, nor designed for sewing items but it works for me.  Room in the top for clips, walking foot, seam ripper, lip balm, etc.

sewing storage ideas

Then there is a removable tray on the inside for other seam rippers, yes I have too many (see the previous article), small scissors, tape measures, seam gauge, needle threaders, marking tools and pens, etc. I admit, I tidied it a bit before taking the picture.

sewing storage ideas

In the bottom layer are the bulkier tools such as scissors, rag quilting snips, pins, more seam rippers, small bottles, pins, needles, and other stuff.  I admit I tidied this too.

sewing storage ideas

I also try to keep rusting here to a minimum too.

Combating Rust As Best I Can

See that little blue pot in the bottom right-hand corner?  That's my homemade humidity remover. I use a product called Damp Rid. I buy the refill packs of the basic granules and have made a small humidity collector out of a couple of plastic ramekins.

sewing storage ideas

The top has holes in it so that the granules inside can ‘suck'  the moisture out of the air inside the toolbox and into the granules inside.  Then that inner container has holes in the bottom and the moisture collects and drains down into the outer / lower plastic container where I can pour it away.

sewing storage ideas

Over time, the granules dissolve as they collect all that moisture from the air.  I empty this about once a week and change out the granules infrequently, I'd say about every 3 months.  So it's easy to use, economical and it does keep the rust away from all of my other sewing tools – works well.  Shame about the rotary cutter!

Storing Sewing Thread

Let's take a look at my embarrassing ‘ thread storage system'.  Yep, it's a plastic tray from the dollar store that I keep in a drawer.  Again, my local store doesn't have a lot of thread color choices anyway so I only have a few reels to store.  It looks a bit sad though.

sewing storage ideas

There are far more attractive thread storage and organization gadgets and racks out there.  Check out some of these examples.

Thread racks

  1. Art Bin Super Satchel Box with Removable Thread Trays
  2. Traditional wooden thread rack in a multitude of sizes
  3. ingenius idea that holds all of your threads at the machine, and you just leave them there and thread the one you want to use.  SewTech 20 Spool Thread Stand
  4. Wire Black Spool Thread Holder Rack Victorian Heart Top
  5. Sewing machine spool rack

Other Bits And Pieces

We often collect up lots of other small tools, bits, and pieces that need to be kept tidy and organized.  I use one of these small desktop 3-drawer units for all the small things.  They stack too and you can buy them in sets of 4 if you have a lot of ‘stuff' to organize.

sewing storage ideas

In here you'll find all of my needles, more than likely more blunt seam rippers, small rolls of elastic, knit stay tape, bias tape makers, Frixion marking pens,  my thermal thimbles for pressing (I swear by these), dental floss for gathering, and usually a few bits of bag hardware such as magnetic snaps or rectangle rings.

sewing storage ideas

I also have a thing for buttons it seems, but just for collecting and sorting them instead of actually ever using them.  Check out my nice bright button collection – I can't think that I have ever used a single one of them – except for on my Spring applique pillow cover which I do adore.  Shame on me for being so wasteful.  They do look nice though.  If anyone has any ideas for how to use them, please let me know!

sewing storage ideas

So I think that's everything.  All the little bits and pieces are carefully stored away and organized into their own little spaces.  You've had just a little peek into my sewing space.  It's by no means a dream sewing space, and it's usually messy so I don't think I'll be revealing any sewing room pictures any day soon.

I have dreams though of the perfect sewing space one day.  I'm collecting inspiration and ideas on my Sewing Spaces Pinterest Board.  Check it out below and prepare to drool and be green with envy.  How amazing to have room/spaces/custom furniture etc like some of these…

Follow Deby at So Sew Easy's board Sewing spaces on Pinterest.

Fancy splurging on some fun additions to your sewing room?  Here are some ideas for you from my own wishlist:

Wayfair

One day my dream sewing room will come…

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Nana2many
Nana2many

I have various storage items for different things. Recently I’ve redone the storage and am so happy to have things easier to find. I found several things I had re-bought since I couldn’t find the originals!!! NO MORE!!! I will give the duplicates to my daughters or friends who need them!! Sure wish you could save your rotary blades in a way that they wouldn’t rust!! Too much money for that. Have you tried good plastic food storage container that seals well with the silicate?? Thanks for your wonderful articles!!

lesbro
lesbro

During the lock down for Covid I passed some of the time decorating my plain Tshirts with buttons. It certainly brightened them up and gave them a new look. A great use for some of those lovely coloured buttons.

Cherie
Cherie

What if you filled that pink storage container with dry rice and then stuck the blade down into the rice until it was covered? Might that help keep your blade rust free a bit longer?

CDNSalix
CDNSalix

A great storage idea that I probably stole from somewhere else is an over-the-door shoe storage organiser. It has a bunch of see-through pouches I can store a huge amount of notions in. Each pouch can fit three serger cones of thread, but I also use it for lesser used tools like a hammer for grommets, wound ribbon and elastics, machine needles, etc. I hang it on the outside of the closet door of my sewing room so everything is within sight. It’s been a storage boon for me!

Mayra Cecilia
Admin
Noble Member
Reply to  CDNSalix

Does it look messy? I guess if it is behind the door it does not matter and you can see exactly what you have. Yes, I can see myself using this idea.

Alex
Alex

Try crystal cat litter to remove moisture, it’s a favourite for tool boxes as it’s often much better at sucking moisture up and keeping rust away. And it’s cheap, pop it in a mesh bag or sew a little pouch. I keep my rotary cutter in a ziplock bag (so I can’t accidentally nick the blade or cut something when I forget to close the plastic bit) and inside a hard pencil case that’s lined with felt. Found my decades old rotary cutter & still no rust so I think the ziplock works, as long as there’s no moisture on it when you put it away

tina
tina

Try using the food gadget that sucks all the air out to keep it from rusting. I’m sorry I forgot the name of it????hope you get something that’s helps.

Birgit Wium
Birgit Wium

Working in the steel industry, we package our coils with VCI paper and that works pretty well.

epona95
epona95

The Artbin containers are great, I have one for machine threads, one for overlocker cones and one with dividers for small chargers and their cables. Would it be worth trying a titanium blade for your rotary cutter, more expensive but if they last…

Rose McClanahan
Rose McClanahan

I do both quilting and sewing clothes so I have many different spools of both cotton and polyester threads. I use plastic shoe boxes to store the cotton and polyester threads. I glue golf tees to the bottom of the shoe boxes and slide the spools of thread onto them. I then cut a straw long enough and place onto the golf tee so I can use the top to store the correct bobbin with each thread. The boxes are labeled as either cotton or polyester and the thread is color co-ordinated within each box.

Robyn Garrell
Robyn Garrell

I have that same ‘toolbox’ ! Have used for years. Mine may be a bit bigger. Is PERFECT!

Sarah
Sarah

My sister uses a razor in cutting hair. Every time she uses it, she cleans the blade and coats it with oil. When she needs it again she wipes the oil off with a tissue. Would something like that work for your rotary blades?

Karen
Karen
Reply to  Sarah

Exactly what I was going to recommend. I do some refurbishing of old vintage machines and after rust removal, always coat the metal pieces with a thin coat of oil to prevent re-rusting.

Cherie
Cherie

Can you not store your rotary cutter in your sewing tool box with the damp rid?

Mike
Mike

A suggestion for your rust problems: look for VCI paper and packets. It stands for Vapor Corrosion Inhibitor. It’s a product that actually gives off a vapor that coats metal to help reduce or prevent rusting. It’s supposed to not leave a coating that would get on other items, like fabric. Amazon has a lot of products and I’ve seen it in some hardware stores.

Mayra Cecilia
Admin
Noble Member
Reply to  Mike

This is a great tip!

Nancy Buchanan
Nancy Buchanan

I think I have the same beautiful, colorful buttons that you do. How to use them? Make a simple bag from a solid color fabric and sew the buttons all over it.I did that on black and it was beautiful and fun!

Kathy Winks
Kathy Winks

I do a lot of machine embroidery and have over 200 spools of thread. I mounted clear plastic thread storage bins to metal pegboard on the wall. The thread stays dust free and away from the window to avoid fading.

Jerry
Jerry

Thank you for sharing these nifty ideas for storage, I just threw out 2 old pill boxes as my daughter gave me new one for Christmas. Dang. I am investing in the 3 drawer storage and looking for a container to store my fat quarters so they are visible as I am starting to make quilts for kids, grandkids, and great grandkids .

Jennifer Wright
Jennifer Wright
Reply to  Jerry

I have 3 CD cabinets bought from Ikea quite cheap, my FQ in in there on end in colours, they fit perfectly

Debbie
Debbie
Reply to  Jerry

https://amzn.to/2xyDEQF

I bought these for my fat qtrs. The way I folded them I can make 2 rows in each crate and I stand the crates up so I can easily see what I have. You can even stack them. Holds quite a few.

Cherri Eller
Cherri Eller

Have you tried putting your rotary blades in the fridge or freezer?

Mayra Cecilia
Admin
Noble Member
Reply to  Cherri Eller

What does that do?

Cherri Eller
Cherri Eller
Reply to  Mayra Cecilia

I wondered if it would help control the moisture because there is air constantly moving in the fridge. Some crisper drawers have humidity controls on them. Could also try the freezer. Just a thought. May not work.

Another thought….store the rotary cutter kn damp rid.

Mayra Cecilia
Admin
Noble Member
Reply to  Cherri Eller

Ah yes, I can see your point now.

Donnie Kirby
Donnie Kirby
Reply to  Mayra Cecilia

If you put bread wrapped in plastic, it still dries out some in the fridge. So, maybe the rotary cutter blades will stay dry, too.

Phyllis McGlynn
Phyllis McGlynn

you could try putting kitty litter in a old sock and put that in your tool box. also maybe store your rotary blades in a plastic container filled with rice.

Julie
Julie

The Art Bin Super Satchel box is fantastic – I have two – one for overlocker threads (Moon ones) and one for all other threads organised by colour – but then I am a bit nerdy …

Martha
Martha

As nice as the thread storage items look thread should not be out in the open where they can fade and collect dust. They could be hung in a closet or the spools kept in drawers. I was fortunate in finding embroidery floss drawers
which are perfect.

Donnie Kirby
Donnie Kirby
Reply to  Martha

You can also store your filled bobbins with the matching thread spools in the embroidery floss plastic containers that are divided into about twelve sections.

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