Project storage is for the in-between stage where you have a half finished project. This page looks at how to keep unfinished projects together, so that you can pick up where you left off.
What is Project Storage?
Project storage is keeping everything together in one place for a half-finished project. This may include things such as tools, materials, instructions, scraps, templates, notes, and small parts.
Project storage is different from general storage in the sense that it’s organises everything by project, rather than by general type of material. You can think of a drawer with glue, scissors, and paper as supply storage, whereas a tray with a half-finished card-making project is project storage.
Why Project Storage Matters
Storing projects has several advantages:
- It stops half-finished projects from getting lost
- It keeps small pieces from getting lost
- It makes things much easier to leave off where you stopped
The Easiest Project Storage Method
The following tips should help you to devise your own storage system for half-done projects.
Use one container per project
Each unfinished project has its own container, for instance:
- A shallow tray
- A lidded plastic box
- A zip pouch
- A document wallet
- A basket
- A scrapbook case
- A shoebox
But the project itself, plus any notes, supplies, and loose pieces inside. When you want to resume your work, you only need to find one box!
Best Project Storage Ideas by Craft Type
Paper Crafts
- Document wallets
- 12×12 paper cases
- Flat trays
- Folders with pockets
- Expanding files
Miniatures and Models
- Shallow boxes
- Divided organisers
- Project trays
- Small tubs for any loose parts
- Boxes with lids to protect painted pieces
Sewing, Embroidery & Needle Crafts
- Zip pouches
- Fabric project bags
- Baskets
- Tins for needles and thread
- Folders for patterns
Messier Crafts
For soap making, clay, painting, or crafts that involve glue:
- Wipe-clean trays
- Lidded tubs
- Washable mats
- Boxes kept away from dust or pets
Project Trays vs Project Boxes
Project trays are good when:
- You are working on something regularly
- The project needs to dry
- You have a shelf or side table you can rest it on
Project boxes are good when:
- You want to stack projects on top of each other
- You want to keep dust off
- You have children or pets around
- You want to put things away fully, out of site
How to Store Several Projects at Once
You can use a simple, three part system to do this:
Active project: you are currently working on this.
Paused project: you want to finish the project, but it’s not urgent
Maybe later: you are uncertain whether you want to continue, it may be picked up in future
What to Put in Each Project Box
You can put the following things in:
- The main project piece
- Materials you have already picked out to use
- Embellishments
- Instructions or patterns
- Colour swatch charts
Labelling Project Storage
A useful way to label your storage could be by including:
- Project name
- Craft type
- Date started
- Next step
- Deadline (if necessary)
- Any other notes to help, e.g. ‘Needs Glue’