Who’s ready for another post in the series called “Organizing Dilemma”? Oh good, me too!
This series is where I take a problem area that a reader needs help with and I create an organizing plan for their space. With the reader’s input, I provide tips and tools for how to solve their dilemma.
Today’s reader is Cassie. Cassie posted her two dilemmas via the MWM Organizers Facebook Group. (If you haven’t joined the group yet, you totally should!)
“Ok, I have 2 dilemmas: fabric storage and organizing/storing kids clothes. I have a set of shelves and a wardrobe for the fabric, and I’m weeding some of it out. But I’m a tad overwhelmed with trying to figure out how to organize it in a way that I can easily access everything. As for the kids clothes, I’m really at a total loss. We have one girl and one boy so far, and we hope to have 3 more kids. So I’m keeping everything to pass down between kids so we don’t spend a fortune on kids clothes (at least that’s the plan…).” ~Cassie
Kids’ Clothes
Cassie thank you so much for sharing! I’m going to start by talking about kids’ clothes. This is a VERY hot topic and one that many moms struggle with. (I know this challenge first hand!) Then I’ll also give you some ideas for your fabric storage.
Cassie has a growing family and she wants to anticipate future clothing needs by storing clothing from her current kids for her future kids. (This is a great way to not only stretch a clothing budget but it will also save time because she won’t have to shop for as many new clothes for her younger kids.) The best way to make it all work, is to have a plan! By using a sorting and storage system, Cassie will be able to keep everything organized and ultimately experience the benefits of hand-be-downs.
Steps
Here are my recommendations for how-to set up a sorting and storing clothes system, and more importantly how to maintain it too!
- Start by creating two baskets in each of your children’s closets (or rooms), one spot for clothes that need to be sold and/or donated and one spot for clothes that need to be placed in storage for future kiddos. This way, whenever you run across an item that a child has outgrown you can immediately put it away. Something like this pictured below would work great and make sure to place it up high so your littles aren’t able to see what you’ve put up there! Also, make sure to use something that is not see-thru. (Affiliate link.)
- Mark on your calendar the dates you will commit to going through the baskets. This could be seasonally, twice a year, or even only once a year. It will all depend on how quickly they get filled and how much clothing you need to sort and store.
- When you set out to organize things, commit to selling and donating any and all clothing you are not keeping ASAP. Then, with the clothing you want to store for future kids, create bins by gender and age/size range. I had success with bins like this (there is a picture above showing how I used them and a picture below of a similar product with an affiliate link). To label the bin, simply print or write on a large piece of cardstock paper and place in the front of the bin. (This makes it easy to update and change it out when you need to.) Also, make sure to be VERY realistic with this step! There is nothing worse than pulling out a stained t-shirt five years down the road and asking yourself why you bothered keeping it.
Tips & Tools
- Go through the storage bins first, before doing any clothes shopping for your little people!
- Shop for all new clothing items with a list and be very intentional (kids and adults alike!).
- Only spend time selling clothes that have a high value, carefully consider the cost of your time and energy.
- Save only the best of the best hand-be-downs. Kids have different tastes, fashion styles change, seasons play a factor in wearability, and storing items that will never be used again won’t equal any time or financial savings.
- Find a good option for donating your used clothing.
Fabric Storage
And now, Cassie’s sewing space…
First, make me something Cassie!!! 🙂 Secondly, do a BIG purge and keep only the best the best and what you’ll actually use. Also, make a point to not buy any more fabric until you have this better organized and create a list of your sewing project priorities.
Thirdly, I would work to only have one storage area. Can it just be the cupboard (pictured above)? I like that you can close it off and keep everything contained. You could add some inexpensive plastic baskets or bins with lids, and label them to create categories of different types of fabrics. This would help with order and access. I hope this helps get you started! Keep me posted on your progress.
What do you think? What has worked for you to keep clothing organized?
If you have an Organizing Dilemma that you would like me to tackle and help you solve, submit photos and a brief description to – morgan@morganizewithme.com.
Happy Organizing!
