I have not yet reached the point where I am convinced I have too large a fabric stash and I am not sure I ever will reach that point! I envy you ladies who feel you have too much fabric and I would love to come play (steal) with your cast-off fabrics!!!!!!!! :mrgreen:
~Tiffany

i agree with the idea that since quilts can be hundreds of years old, why can't just the fabric? washing it periodically will help with deterioration issues, but i like the idea of using open-top plastic bins to hold them in and also if you can find large mesh bags, that would let you see your fabric, let it breathe, and also keep the bugs out of it. when i see older quilts that have been put away a while, there are those "rust" looking stains on them from time to time. i did my homework and found out that they aren't old blood stains, but actually bugs that have gotten into the quilt and died. the same thing could happen to your unused fabric as well. Keeping out the bugs and letting in the air isn't always the easiest thing to do, but i think garment or lingerie bags might be a decent solution! :mrgreen:

Other than a field of wildflowers, I can't think of much that's more beautiful than a clothes line littered with quilts put out to air. That'll make me smile everytime!

I confess... the guilt got to me. I spent this afternoon cleaning up the Pink totes.

Every time I hear of these large stashes, the joke about the woman who insisted that it be buried with her stash comes to mind. After she dies, she gets to heaven, stash in tow, only to be asked by the quilting circle there if she'd thought to bring a needle. :D

Those red rust stains could also be from the batting. If there are any seeds in the batting, after awhile the seeds will leak an oil that leaves a rust like stain. We don't have to worry about that so much now, not with all the wonderful battings that have no seeds in them. I love not having to pick seeds out of my batting. :!:
~Tiffany

:wink: OOO Fabric doesn't have an expiration date.Heehee , Though don't store it in a cold wet place it might mildew. The plastic boxes are good and so are the space bags which I had mine downstairs sealed up for 4 years and no damage, I was glad never used sb or downstairs either. I collect fabric even if I don't sew and quilt at the moment. Though I hate it when they ask What are you going to make? MMM Like I really know? I Love Fabric!!!

I think fabric can be kept indefinitely. I had a friend whose mother in law died several years ago, in her 80's. She had worked at a department store chain like Kresges that went out of business and had stashed 3 yards each of many different fabrics from that store. My friend shared some of it with me and I made things like jackets, vests. skirts, etc out of it. I preshrunk all the fabric and the clothes have been fine.

I have shelves inside a closet, and fabric spilled out on floor........I have a bin of flanell and two of stuff for curtains and clothes. I have yet to see rotten fabric unless it sits out side in all kinds of weather. Waterproff bins are a god send for many.......if you plan on keeping it that long.....I don't know what to think........any way if you have that much and are worried about send it to me :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :wink: :wink: :wink: :wink: :wink: :D :D :D :D :twisted: :lol: 8) :shock: :D :) he he he ha ha ha lol lol lol

Ruth - I want to come play and roll around your sewing room!!
~Tiffany

PS - I take any scraps that are 1/2 inch or bigger, for those who feel they've got too much fabric and need to pare down a bit. (Hint Hint)