Organizing UFOs?
#72
I've got UFOs stored in one of those zippered plastic bags from the bed in a bag. I doubt that it is airtight with the cloth zipper. IMHO, I think the problem with storing in plastic is if the environment is humid. The contents could mildew. We've got a central unit that is either running on AC or heat, so I think my fabric is safe.
I too used the large ziplocs to keep the tidbits and pieces leftover from the UFOs. But I've already been guilty of using up yardage that was pinpointed for binding. Yikes.
I too used the large ziplocs to keep the tidbits and pieces leftover from the UFOs. But I've already been guilty of using up yardage that was pinpointed for binding. Yikes.
Last edited by GailG; 11-18-2015 at 05:24 AM.
#73
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Lake Stevens, WA
Posts: 1,914
Everything for a project HAS to stay together! Plastic bags work as long as you don't leave the project untouched for a couple of years . I also have a collection of wannabees, with pattern and materials segregated from my stash.
#74
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Carroll, Iowa
Posts: 3,369
I have designated one cabinet just for projects and/or UFO's. It has 4 shelves so enough for at least 8 projects/UFOs. As I decide what fabrics to use for each project I add it to the pile on that shelf. If its a bolt of fabric I pin a note to the bolt telling me for which project/UFO it goes to and place it on top of the shelf unit. If I have 2 projects on top of each other I make sure the fabrics are so different from each other I'll know which goes to which plus I add the pattern to the top of the project to separate them from each other. Right now I have 14 projects in the shelf unit. Waiting to quilt the last UFO quilt top before I get to start on this year's projects. Told myself I couldn't start a new one till I had all the others done.
#75
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Va.
Posts: 5,752
I use a variety of things and spaces to store UFOs:
1. those scrapbooker's plastic expanding envelopes that hold 12" x 12" sheets of paper. They're clear, so you can see inside them, they close with a flap that is held shut with a string tie. Since they have a flap closure, they keep out dust but still allow air to get inside. I use them for orphan quilt blocks, tops that are pieced but not quilted, etc. They stand up in a cardboard box that holds a dozen or so at a time. The box sits under my quilting table out of sight but easy to get to.
2. for really small projects, or projects where I've cut out the pieces but haven't pieced them yet I use those plastic deli food boxes with the snap on lids, they're free and the lids are clear so I can see what's there. These boxes sit on top of the unit where I keep batting.
3. cardboard boot boxes hold UFOs that are smaller than quilt tops, but bigger than will fit in the deli boxes or that have specialty threads or other materials that I need to remember not to use. These boxes often have more than one UFO, in which case, each UFO is folded and then rolled around the loose materials that go with it. The boxes are labelled using painters tape and a sharpie marker. These also sit on top of the area where I keep batting, interfacing, etc.
4. UFOs that I'm actively working on at the moment stay out and are draped over every possible surface in my sewing studio/guest bedroom. Other UFOS that are in various stages of either being cut out, squared up, sandwiched or in the case of wall hangings are in the process of being mounted on foam board and stretchers are kept in my larger studio space (the room next to the guest bedroom) where I have a large table and huge cutting mat as well as my power tools for making stretcher frames.
Rob
1. those scrapbooker's plastic expanding envelopes that hold 12" x 12" sheets of paper. They're clear, so you can see inside them, they close with a flap that is held shut with a string tie. Since they have a flap closure, they keep out dust but still allow air to get inside. I use them for orphan quilt blocks, tops that are pieced but not quilted, etc. They stand up in a cardboard box that holds a dozen or so at a time. The box sits under my quilting table out of sight but easy to get to.
2. for really small projects, or projects where I've cut out the pieces but haven't pieced them yet I use those plastic deli food boxes with the snap on lids, they're free and the lids are clear so I can see what's there. These boxes sit on top of the unit where I keep batting.
3. cardboard boot boxes hold UFOs that are smaller than quilt tops, but bigger than will fit in the deli boxes or that have specialty threads or other materials that I need to remember not to use. These boxes often have more than one UFO, in which case, each UFO is folded and then rolled around the loose materials that go with it. The boxes are labelled using painters tape and a sharpie marker. These also sit on top of the area where I keep batting, interfacing, etc.
4. UFOs that I'm actively working on at the moment stay out and are draped over every possible surface in my sewing studio/guest bedroom. Other UFOS that are in various stages of either being cut out, squared up, sandwiched or in the case of wall hangings are in the process of being mounted on foam board and stretchers are kept in my larger studio space (the room next to the guest bedroom) where I have a large table and huge cutting mat as well as my power tools for making stretcher frames.
Rob
#78
Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 18
I put everything that goes to one quilt in a little stack then tie it (like a gift) with discarded long end strips of fabric I have trimmed. It keeps them all together and I can see what is there easily. I also do this when going thru my stash and finding different pieces of fabric I think would make a nice "someday" quilt.
#80
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Southwest Idaho
Posts: 589
I keep projects in Rubbermaid or other similar plastic tubs/boxes with lids. The pattern goes in the box with the fabric that has been selected for that project. That way everything for that particular project is together when I am ready to begin cutting/sewing. This works for me.
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