Happy Wednesday! It's Spring, which means it's time to add to the Sewing Room Organization Series with some new posts. I highly recommend checking out the other posts from this series, we've covered a lot of topics over the last few years! This post is a big one, I'm sharing ideas for storing notions. This includes storage ideas for zippers, buttons, needles, trims, machine accessories, pins, thread, hardware and more. I hope you'll find some ideas that can help improve the organization of your space!
We're going to start by diving into the bins you see in the above photo! I keep the majority of my notions in these clear storage containers.
One quick thing before we look inside my bins. I always get asked what they are and where to find them. These are the Sterilite 15qt Clear View Storage Bins*. Two fit perfectly in my cube storage unit from Ikea (Expedit/Kallax). They stack on top of each other easily and they've held up really well. Some of these bins I've had for almost 10 years now! I buy mine from Target.
Okay, now that we've got that bit out of the way, let's look inside the bins and chat about a few different ways I store notions.
Zipper Storage
My zipper bin is overflowing with color! My storage solution here is really simple, but it has worked well for me for years. The key is, it's easy to keep up with!
I cut up some index cards and punched a hole in the corner of each piece. The zipper length is then written on the card. A simple length of ribbon or twine holds all the zippers in place with the label attached. Each time I add zippers from the bin, I can find the size, untie the ribbon and add them in.
Machine Accessory Storage
This bin is a bit random, but the common thread is that I don't grab for these groups of items very often. It holds my leather supplies, serger accessories, accessories for my backup sewing machine, plus extra glue, basting spray and basting pins.
For my sewing machine and serger accessories, I like to store them separately so they are easy to grab when I need them for a specific machine. I've used a plastic container that came with the machine and reused a padded zip bag for the other.
For my main machine, I keep all the feet in a tin that sits on the shelves above my machine. It's nice to have everything within reach of the machine! I try to keep bobbins and other notions out of here, to keep it neat.
Tool, Rotary Blade and Glue Storage
This is my tool bin. I've used a variety of containers here to keep things organized.
Take-out containers hold rotary cutter blades, binding tools, and extra pins.
A handmade storage bucket holds glues and iron cleaner.
Zipper pouches hold extra scissors, tweezers, marking tools and hand-sewing needles.
Buttons, Hardware, and Floss Storage
This bin holds a ton of different small notions, hardware, and my button collection. This is probably one of the most organized areas in my entire sewing room!
These little storage boxes from Harbor Freight do most of the work in this bin. Each box has 25 little boxes that fit inside. I have buttons separated by color and type. Another box has all my snaps, eyelets, and other similar sized notions. This has made it extremely easy to find what I need quickly.
My embroidery floss is all wound up on spools and stored in a clear storage container. I bought my container at a craft store many years ago, but don't forget to check the storage section of your local hardware store or even a fishing section of a sporting goods store for lots of container options!
Trims, Ribbon, and Webbing Storage
I have a bunch of bins dedicated to trims, ribbons and elastics. This particular bin holds pom-pom trim, cording, hand quilting thread, and elastic. I've reused some ziploc bags here to keep things somewhat organized!
Another trim bin holds nylon paracord. Not super organized, could improve this one for sure!
The last bin of trims holds webbing, twill tape, and some ribbons. Some lengths of webbing are simply tied together with some twill. Others have been wrapped around a piece of cardboard and pinned in place.
Twill Tape Storage
Speaking of twill tape, this is how I store tapes I'm currently cutting off of for sale in my shop! Since they're on a dowel, they can easily spin as I pull lengths off.
Thread and Bobbin Storage
My personal preference for thread storage is to have it on the wall! You can of course use a ready-made thread holder for this, but I built my own a few years ago and still am loving it. I added nails along each shelf to hold bobbins which has been extra nice. Want to make your own? Check out my tutorial for it here: DIY Thread Storage Shelf
Sewing Machine Needle Storage
For needle storage, again I like to keep things within reach of my machine. I used this little chest of drawers to store mine, separating by needle size. It's great to be able to quickly grab what I need and keep an eye on what sizes I'm running low on.
I made a long scrappy pincushion (and a tutorial for it too), to hold my lightly used sewing machine needles and sits right in front of my sewing machine. It's empty in this photo, but is full of needles as I write this post. Find the tutorial here: Long Scrappy Pincushion Tutorial
Clip and Basting Pins Storage
For wonder clips and basting bins, I prefer jars and tins to store them. They look cute sitting on my shelf, and I like that I can easily grab them to travel with if I need to.
Miscellaneous Notion Storage
I like to have a place within easy reach where I can keep a few random items. I use this metal baking dish to hold batting tape, lip balm, extra pins, chalk, extra tape measures, glue, etc. Any small notion that I want to be able to get to quickly!
I hope this post has given you some ideas for how to store and organize your sewing notions! My biggest advice for organizing in general is to start with that you already have on hand. Look through your recycling bin, throughout the rest of your home (or apartment or room), or even consider sewing some storage containers! I find I need to buy much less when I look for solutions I already own first. Better for my wallet and for the planet, so a double bonus!
I'd love to hear how you store any of these items in your space. Let me know in the comments if you have a storage idea or storage product that you're loving!
Happy Sewing!
*Note: Any links marked with an asterisk in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click through and buy something, I make a small commission, at no extra cost to you.