Magazines are another nightmare in the making. I subscribe to so many and at one point kept so many, I was developing a hernia whenever I had to go through them looking for ideas. Now, I only save a couple of my favorite mags in their entirety. The rest, I periodically go through when my stack exceeds 24" high. I remove patterns and articles that I want to retain, put them in transparent binder pages or group them in manila folders and file them away for future reference. The rest of the magazine I toss, which seems wasteful but it's necessary to "cut the cord" or else I wouldn't have room for more fabric and notions.

This is just from memory as I am at work and supposed to be working (it's a slow day for a change!)

Each cube is Approx. 6-7" wide, 7" high, and 12-13" deep. There are six per rack. I already had my material folded in about those shapes so they would fit in a drawer. I really like being able to see all of it. I am still keeping the fat quarters in a wicker basket until I find something better.

mpete -

A word of caution about those white plastic bags, especially those that are a little stiff and somewhat fluorescent. This plastic will leach the color right out of your fabrics. I'd rather see you use cardboard boxes and shove them under the bed. Fabric needs to breath and even those large plastic bins need to have holes in the sides and tops for breathing.

Suz

Hmmm..I'll have to get some cardboard boxes then. If florescent means shining...then no they aren't florescent. And I don't close the bags, I just leave them open on top of the pile cause I go through them every now and again. I'll have to get boxes..

Thanks,

Melissa

Another method is using muslin to make pillowslips...'course you have to mark whats inside...or you are still hunting.

Fabric does need to breathe, especially here in the humid South. I started hoarding the packets of silica gel that come in shoe boxes and setting them in the plastic storage bins and on the shelves with my fabrics. I use the shoe boxes to keep scraps organized, so that's my part for recycling.

Hope this is helpful!

My style is a little by color. I have one metal shelf' There are bags lurking under the cutting table......sale days and coupons. there is a large closet, but extra blankets have to go there as well as quilts. I hang large fabric and quilt tops on pant hangers. My scrap bin is a large laundry basket. I have three extra sewing machines under cutting table also. These are for when grand daughters sew.
I bought a supply of shelf brakets but haven't put them up yet, I think there is some wood down cellar.
I think I want to arrange some fabric, the way I bought it. Several cuts that would make a quilt
The worst thing I have done is put a bunch of nails in the back of the closet and put stuff in plastic bags and hang them. I can't find half the stuff I know I have.
Ok . now here is the truth, my kitchen is the same way, and so is my dresser and bedroom. I clean the middle and stack the edges
Boo Hoo I am a lost cause, but it it is fun going through the fabric to attempt to sort it better :lol:

I have another caution about using those plastic bags for storage. When I was teaching I had a big white bag full of wool given to the class. I stuck it under a table for later use. Alas, the custodian, being ever so efficient, threw the whole bag away. Now I know that we all 'know' what's in our bags but do the other helpful members in the household? Scary thought that we might lose a whole bag full of wonderful fabrics!

I think I'm like so many others here. I'm always searching for the perfect method of storage and sewing room arrangement. I've got a pretty good idea of what I want to do so now all I need are the $$$ to do it! Ha! Taking away fabric money to make the perfect storage space for the fabrics I already have. What's wrong with this picture? When I do discover the perfect solution I'll let you all know! :mrgreen:

Ruth, thanks for you frankness. You are not the only "lost cause". My kitchen, living room, bedroom and closet are past disorganized. It used to be organized chaos...not it's much worse. It's only organized on the edges, the middle is a mess!!

I keep mine in big rubbermaid totes. Quilting calicos are divided by color, style (yarn dyed plaids, batiks, colorwash, Depression era), and season (Christmas, baby). Battings are in totes according to fiber content. I have smaller totes for current projects. Dressmaking fabrics are in totes, not very neatly categorized. Notions are in smaller totes. I keep them all in the attic.

I have a LOT of Rubbermaid totes.