How do you store your stock of Fabric?
By coffeebreak
@coffeebreak (17798)
United States
December 24, 2011 7:18pm CST
If you are a sewer or even buy fabric for other crafts (while on sale to stock up) how do you store it? I have moved to where the nearest fabric store...only one in the entire area...is about 30 min away. I can't run down and pick up something when I need it and the fabric is so expensive these days, I can only afford to buy when it is on sale and stock up on it. Few months ago, broadcloth (solid) was on sale from $6 a year to $1.99 a yd. so I stocked up on the colors...just bought 3 yrds of each and every color that I thought I'd use. It is coming up again on sale next week and I want to get more.
My problem tho..and part of it is cause I am an over-organizer...my problem is how to store it so I can see it, but at the same time..not be a mess!
Right now I have a book case in the closet and I have 2 shelves with the fabric stacked on it (folded in square). I had it with all same colors together... all shades of purple together, all shades of green together etc.
However, since then, I have used some, pulled it off and on the shelf matching or not matching etc. Now, it is a mess. I could go back and take it all off and do it all over and be ready for the new stuff that I get next week, but still..first time I need something...off it comes and a mess it makes.
So, does anyone else have an idea that works for their fabric stock? I have thought o taking the shelf out, and fold the fabric so that it hangs on a hanger and do it like that and still might, but then... I loose 2-3 shelves that I have other things on, plus I'd have to ask my hubby to pull it out and he is on the lazy side and I can't do it myself and I don't even want to go there! If it don't work to have the fabric on the hangers, I'd have to have him put it back...geez..I REALLY don't want to go there! But the hanging fabric just seems like a really cool way to have it! Easy to get, easy to see, easy to organize.
Anyone have any thoughts? I am getting all this organized because first of the year..a quilting maniac I will become! I have recently gotten back into quilting and have some ready to go. Just finished T-shirt quilts for my 2 GD's. Also have some dress sewing coming up come spring...Need to get this room organized and FAST!!!
6 responses
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
25 Dec 11
I have tons of fabric, some in storage bins in the garage and some in the house. The ones with quilt fabric in them are opaque and shallow, since a lot of the pieces are less than 1/2 yard. They are organized by color or by event, like Christmas fabrics and color. Clothing fabric is usually in Rubbermaid containers. But the problem arises as what fabric I have and where is it? I have a scanner with my computer and have organized many of my quilt containers by scanning the fabric and storing .jpg of the pattern, color, etc. and then number the container they are in. That has helped a lot with finding something I've purchased and stored for any length of time. Yes, I have a big stash. I do keep my quilt fabric and sewing fabric separate but the organization works well. lol...but finishing the organization, that takes time and as most of us find I locate fabrics periodically, that I've have purchased more than once. Another issue is when you fold your fabric and then can't get the fold marks to go away. At this stage, I've quit buying and made my use what I have. It just takes up too much room and uses too much money. Maybe I'll get all the things done I want too before I die!
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
25 Dec 11
I also learned to buy fabric for quilts on ebay and from online fabric stores. I can get pre-cut squares on ebay and I really like that with the way my back is bothering me these days. Obviously those kinds of squares usually 4", don't organize into colors well, because they usually are already coordinated. I keep them in small storage boxes and use them to just make quick quilts or small pieced ones. I have found many reputable quilt stores online today and most will accept paypal or a major credit card for the purchase. Besides I can shop for fabric at home and in my slippers. Believe it or not, some of the shipping today, is far cheaper than gas to go to the store. Trust me, I organize the boxes first then I inventory them when I get time. Still have a lot to do. I love getting fabric at my front door without having to get up and drive. Obviously, those kinds of squares are usually 4"
1 person likes this
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
25 Dec 11
Arghhh, I hate not being able to copy and paste on here until I get to 500 posts.
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
25 Dec 11
Good grief!!!! I don't think I could be THAT organized! That is to cumbersome for me! Good idea tho, but not for me! I did similar when I was scrapbooking. I had tons of punches...so I punched a punchie from each punch and then glued it to plain paper. I had them organized in flat totes that slide under my bed. Each tote had specific ones in it...like 2" or "flowers and leaves" or "shapes" etc. Then I titled each paper with the same title as on the tote. Then I'd just have eto look at the papers to find the punch I wanted nad open just that tote.
I know what you mean about the crease in the middle anda that is another reason I am thinking of hanging the fabric. I don't have as much as you do, but kind of on my way to it! I have just started "stocking" and only cause it is so expensive (remember back in the day it was 77cents a yard and $2 was high priced!) Plus I moved to where the only fabric store in town is about 30 mintues away so no "run quick to the fabric store..." for me! And the price.. I have to stock up. No other choice!
@ElicBxn (63638)
• United States
25 Dec 11
I've been planning to stash my fabric into ziplock bags and then put them in a general order, in sealable bins - since I will have to store my stash out in a shed... great idea to stash them in color order, I do plan on having something like that too, blues together, purples, etc.
1 person likes this
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
25 Dec 11
Storage totes would be a good way to go in your case. And...now they are on sale for about $5 for Christmas storage. I even color coordinate my storage totes...red/green ones for christmas stuff, black/orange ones for Halloween, and a grey one for Easter and Valentines day stuff (can't find a pink!)
1 person likes this
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
25 Dec 11
Right after is good...Target now has green/red ones for $5 - 18 gallon ones. They stack really perfectly and nothing gets messed up..don't have to worry about the box breaking or getting wet or anything!
1 person likes this
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
28 Dec 11
I am having the same problem. Right now, it's just kind of shoved into a bookshelf, but I need some kind of a system. I'm still not certain what to do.
1 person likes this
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
26 Feb 12
It has worked great for me to hang it, but I couldn't do that if I didn't have the extra closet. I would look into one of the free standing rack things...kind of like you see in stores... I have seen them at Bed Bath and Beyond and used to think one of those would be great for hanging/storing winter/summer clothes, but again, if you have room for it, which I didn't.
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
26 Dec 11
Clear would be best. I don't have room for the totes...would have been a good idea while living in an apartment and had to store everything in the closet nad then haul it all out when I got time to sew, but now, thankfully i have a room just for my sewing and computer and it is already full, but I have the closet to do something with. I plan to be here ALOT!
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
26 Feb 12
I sure would like to be better organized. What fabric I have is folded and placed in cardboard banker style boxes which I bought at the office supply store in cartons of 10 for $1 per box about ten years ago while they were on sale. I put a plastic garbage bag inside each box to keep the dust and crawlies out.
1 person likes this
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
26 Feb 12
My problem with everything..is... "out of sight, out of mind". If I can't see it I forget I have it and don't use it or buy what I already have! So annoying!! So I always try to find ways to be able to see everything. Not an easy task! But this hanging the fabric is great. I have large scraps on the book shelf in the closet other side and a box of the small scraps.
@savak03 (6684)
• United States
25 Dec 11
I don't know if this will help but I have a system for storing my crochet yarn that I think you can modify to fit your material. I use plastic milk crates which I can sit on their side almost anywhere, in a closet, on a shelf or stacked in a corner. I then place the skeins of yarn, sorted by color in each one. It is easy to pull out the skeins I want to use and the rest just settle down in place even if I pull a skein off the bottom. If you folded and then rolled the fabric I think it would work the same way.
1 person likes this
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
25 Dec 11
Now there's a thought. I have the concern about that center fold not ironing out well if they are folded and stacked...which was the other reason for the hanging idea. I am thinking of getting back into crosheting too...I will keep that in mind for that! You could even put all the colors you are using in one crate, and then take it with you to the living room or where you crochet...instead of one skein at a time in a tote bag. Good idea.
