You’ve just signed up for a block-of-the-month program. Congratulations! Now, you need to decide how you’re going to store everything. You have fabric for this project, new finished blocks each month, and the patterns and other downloads to go with it all. Let’s go through my best tips for staying organized all year long.
A Literal "Kit and Caboodle"
I love these large shoe boxes from The Container Store. They fit perfectly on my shelves and are big enough to store my fabric, blocks, and patterns for the year. I have to do a little creative cramming near the end of the year, but it has never been unmanageable or bothersome.
Storing Fabric
If the idea of putting everything in one box isn’t for you, try storing your fabric in a separate stack in your fabric stash. Just make sure to label the stack with the project name. You don’t want to accidentally use some of it for another project and then run out sometime in October!
Storing Finished Blocks
Storing finished blocks. In my “kit and caboodle” approach, I have to fold my blocks to fit into the box. If you know you won’t take the time to press them again during assembly, you can always clip your finished blocks to a skirt hanger and put them in your closet. This keeps your blocks safe throughout the year.
Storing Patterns
I take a digital-first approach to storing patterns. At the beginning of the year, I create a new file on my computer with the BOM name. When I download the patterns each month, I add the month number to the file title so they’ll sort in order. So, “00 – Planning Pattern,” “01 – Friendship Star,” etc. The complexity of the pattern determines whether I’ll print a copy to work from, but those get recycled at the end of the year since I already have my digital archive.
If you’re new to BOM programs, you might have to try a couple of storage options to find the one that works best for you. I can tell you from experience that staying organized makes it so much easier to get right to sewing when it’s time to make progress. It’s worth taking the time to think about this before the year gets started.
Are you ready to jump into a BOM program? Then, welcome to Star Rise, my exclusive block-of-the-month program for 2025. Make 12 blocks in 3 sizes in this intriguing design with PDF pattern downloads delivered to our online portal on the first of every month. You’ll also have access to monthly video tutorials, block assembly demonstrations, live sew-ins each month, and an online community to meet your fellow Star Risers. Registration is now open, so join in with quilters like you as we build an out-of-this-world quilt together.
PS - This is part of a series on block-of-the-month programs. You can read more:
