Workshop organization and tidying for cosplay and LARP
I'm pretty messy. Impulsive. And I always forget everything.
So cleaning isn't always easy for me. I can even forget where the cutting boards go in my own kitchen (even though I've stored them in the exact same spot for over 10 years!).
So yeah, that's me. I live with a brain that doesn't work in a straight line. It's always busy thinking about a million things. That's clearly what makes me a creative person. But it also makes everyday life not always easy. Over the years, I've still managed to develop tricks and tips to organize my workshop and my day-to-day, just so I don't lose everything...
Whether you sew cosplay, build LARP gear, or both, the organization challenges are usually the same: too much material, too many tools, and a space that fills up fast.
So, if you want some tips for organizing your workshop, follow me, I'll share what works for me!
| Quick note before we start: this article is about how my workshop lives day to day. If you're looking for how to SET UP your space physically (furniture, lighting, workstations), I've got an article on setting up a workshop that you'll definitely like. |
In my workshop, the key is easy storage
First, to know where I'm at and easily find what I need, I need a well-organized workshop. And to keep my workshop well-organized, it has to be simple, easy, and fast.
If you do both cosplay and LARP, start by separating your materials by project type: a section for fabric, one for foam, one for sewing hardware. They're not the same materials, and it's really quicker to find things when they're not all mixed together.
Bins for everything
Next, everything needs a home. And I mean EVERYTHING! I even have a bucket for stuff I don't know where to put (but it has to be a small bucket, otherwise I put way too much stuff in it).
But beyond having a spot for every tool and every material, those spots need to be easy to access. 26 bins with lids, all stacked up, looks nice, but it's not for me. Even if they're well labeled.
Because I take stuff out, and then, it's just a bit too much hassle to put it all back in its box. I'm already off somewhere else, thinking about the next step of my project.
So, bins, no lids. So it's easy to dig through, and easy to toss everything back in after. And they're lined up neatly on a shelf, so even the ones at the bottom are easy to reach.
Everything needs to be labeled
Because yeah, it's nice to put everything in bins, but you've got to label them. If I don't know where my cutting boards are in my own kitchen, I definitely don't know where my lace, cardboard, and buttons are. And sometimes I move bins around... I need to be able to find them again, you know?
So, clear labeling.
The bins are old laptop boxes. I picked them up when they upgraded the computer fleet where my husband works. Maybe it's not Pinterest-beautiful, but it cost nothing, it's eco-friendly, and it really works.
The regulars go on a pegboard
For my tools and everything I use really often, I have a pegboard. I should say pegboards, plural. Because I'm a bit of a pegboard freak. I admit it. But pegboards are so handy! I love pegboards.
... did I mention it already? You need a pegboard!
There are tons of hooks that make arranging your tools easier*. And it's super simple to rearrange when a new tool joins your collection.
Fabric needs to be visible at a glance
I have a lot of fabric. Not just a little. And putting it in bins or boxes that are too deep means you lose track of what's at the bottom. I love my Ikea mesh drawer baskets for this. They're not too deep, and they're mesh, so I can see straight through, all at once, without needing to label the drawers.
I organize my scraps by style, stretch, and color. And most importantly, instead of stacking the fabrics, I file them vertically. That way, I can easily see all my colors. And I can also tell right away if I've still got a decent amount of a fabric left, or not.
I'm not organized enough to also write down quantities. But at least, by the thickness, I can get a pretty good guess whether I've just got a tiny scrap for a small detail, or probably enough for contrasting sleeves on a shirt.
Every project gets its own basket
Since I often work on several projects at once, buy fabric ahead of time for certain costumes, and switch between projects pretty regularly, I set up a system to keep track of everything: it's simple, every project gets its own basket. And I label the baskets with little cards so I know what's where.
All the fabric, all the patterns, all the accessories, all the scraps go in that basket. It's simple, I throw away almost nothing while I'm working on a costume. Even the pieces that didn't turn out the way I wanted and that I redid (just in case).
This is especially useful if you're working on several LARP costumes at the same time (one for yourself, one for your team, one for your partner). Each kit in its own basket makes things so much clearer.
Same idea, I don't waste time searching for things when I start working, and it's simple to put away: I toss everything back in the basket and that's it (and I do a full clean-out of the basket right after the project's finished).
Storage EVERYWHERE
I've genuinely got shelves, baskets, and pegboards everywhere. Seriously, there's barely a wall in my workshop that's empty (ok, except the wall I keep clear for taking photos of my finished costumes, but that doesn't count...). I make the most of every inch of space. I even placed my cutting table in the middle of the room to free up the walls for storage (and also because I like being able to work from every side of the table).
Because when you make costumes, you end up with a truckload of tools and materials. And you don't throw anything away... just in case it comes in handy.
Also, think vertically. The more stuff you put on the walls (and the ceiling, why not?), the more workspace you free up.
I know, if you're 5'2", you're probably thinking "yeah, high-up storage isn't exactly accessible." I hear you. But find yourself a little step stool, a pulley system, something. But clear off your work table. It's essential for making your work easier.
It's always a work-in-progress
My workshop is constantly evolving. I add things, I tweak my system, I improve my storage.
my workshop in 2017
my workshop in 2018
my workshop in 2020
my workshop in 2021
I make changes constantly. I test out new ways of working and new ways of storing things.
And what works great for me isn't necessarily going to work for you. And I'm well aware not everyone has a workshop as big as mine. But try things out, and you'll eventually find your own recipe. Promise.
*If you want to see how my workshop kept evolving, I did a major overhaul a little while after writing this article. With new furniture, a new lighting system, and 3D-printed compartment drawers. It's all in my article on setting up a workshop in 5 phases.
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In the meantime,
Happy sewing! Happy crafting! 🤓✂🐙