|
Organizing fabric
I am cleaning out my craft room and I am trying to be more organized. lol. I would like to know how to store fabric quarters, Panels and half yard fabric. I put 1 yard fabric on the comic boards that were mentioned on this board. Thank You very much for this tip. My fabric now looks neat. I found doubles of fabric I didn't know I had so I purchased more. Now I have to organize the rest. Thank You for your help. Everyone on this board is always very helpful
|
I have one of the plastic drawer units on rollers for my smaller pieces. Top drawers is fat quarters, second drawers is bigger pieces and panels and the bottom drawers is for a mess of scrap pieces.
|
I have many of the larger plastic bins that I store fabric in. I make them with sticky notes that are also taped to the plastic as they tend to fall off otherwise.
I use labels like "baby related fabrics", "pillow case fabrics", or use color schems "blue and yellow patterns", "nature patterns" or use the name of the fabric collection (sometimes using one box to store several fabric collections that I feel will work well together) All of these I have stacked in the closed in the basement bedroom (which has recently had the bed moved upstairs to another bedroom so now it is all mine!!!) I also use the plastic drawer systems on wheels with labels like "cuts under 1 yard", "fat quarters" (which I sort by color), "strips" (which contains misc jelly rolls and strips that I have cut from left over fabrics), "backing fabrics". |
I also use those plastic drawers that are on wheels. I like to buy the ones where the drawer actually can come out so I can move it around when I'm working on something. I use my label maker to make labels for the drawers or that painters tape and a permanent marker if I know it will just be a temporary place to store stuff. I have a friend who bought an old dresser at an auction which she uses to store her fabric in and she converted the top to an ironing board.
|
I bought a tall clothes dresser (4 good sized drawers) at a garage sale for $4. It was in pretty tough shape. I sanded it, and painted it white and purchased new handles for it. I now keep all my fabric in it. I use the ruler fold method, and store all my folded fabric on end with the fold up, so I can see every piece. One drawer if for flannels, one for larger pieces (backing sized) and full lines of fabrics, One drawer if for the remnants I can't seem to stop buying at JoAnns, and the final drawer is for LQS fabrics that I like to keep separate. I love this method. I can see all my fabrics quite easily, and pulling fabrics to audition for projects is quite easy. I also try to keep the fabrics in color families in the drawers, so all the colors run together. reds into oranges, into yellows, greens... etc. Like a fabric store in a drawer.
|
I have an open bin where I put my FQ's and cuts that are folded using the ruler method too. I put my larger cuts on foam board and they are on a shelf. My current fabrics being used in projects on the table, are ironed and hanging on hangers so I can access them and see them as I go. I use clear containers to hold my scraps. I also have a three basket rolling cart thing, I use it for scraps, and precuts. I can just roll it out or pull the basket and put it where I can use it as I go. Very large cuts or bulky fabrics are folded and stacked on the shelf.
I have a walk in closet in my craft room, dh put floor to ceiling shelfs on each wall, one side is for sewing and fabrics, and the other is for scrapbooking... This all works for me. |
Mine our stored in plastic shoe boxes and bins in the closet on a wire shelf. I mark the box the the size of fabric and can just pull one out to see what fab is inside.
|
These are in 30 gal tubs no matter what size pieces they are:
Holiday- each holiday (xmas, 4th, halloweenie, easter, etc) have its own tub Flannel Vintage fabric (35in xWOF)- all goes in one tub Authentic 30's feedsacks All my Bolts (3+yards) are on the bookcase and in walk in closet. All my 1-2 yards cuts are ruler folded, then separated by theme (floral, kids prints, asian, etc) and solids, blenders, and the rest are seperated by color on bookcases Batiks are in a see thru sterilite three drawer separated by light med dark.. Fqs are separated by color, floral, novelty in it's own sections on wall cd racks, closet maid 24/36 bin shoe organizers.. Each area has its own 'theme' so i can find what I'm looking for. My scraps are in specific see- thru bins, tubs and drawers depending on size.. Each Accuquilt Die cut shapes have a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own- I do have most if not all the dies already.. lol.. strips less than10 inches but longer than 5 inches of has a a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own Strips longer than 10 inches but less than WOF has a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own 2 inch strips are hanging on the back of the door 1.5 x wof has a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own 2.5 x WOF strips has a a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own 3x WOF strips have a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own 5x WOF strips have a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own all other strips x WOF are separated by colors and has a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own Crumbs have a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own Scraps less than a fq but larger than 6x6 has a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own- these are waiting to be cut with my Accuquilt 2 in sq have a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own 2.5 in sq have a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own 3 in sq have a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own 3.5 in sq have a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own 4 in sq have a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own 4.5 in sq have a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own 5 in sq have a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own And my selvages are kept in recycled plastic Ice cream tubs by length.. And that's how my room is organized.. I followed Bonnies method.. www.quiltville.com. My 1930's fqs section- (just one of my fq sections) http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...eorganizer.jpg |
If you are on a budget or just like to "re purpose" you can ask at your local grocery store for the cardboard boxes that hold the packages of spice/ gravy mix! They hold 50 fat quarter perfectly! I keep my 1/3 yard cuts separate,foldedover cardboard but standing on end in an empty 9x10 box (a box that held 500 envelopes), this way I can spot smaller amounts of fabric easily. Good luck! I know I love being organized and buy so much less. Plus when I find a fabric I just love I can afford to get it!
|
does anyone know the best way to store fabric in a really humid climate. We are moving to the wet side of Hawaii (big Island) and I have heard there is a lot of problem with things getting moldy ;o(
|
Thank you all for the great ideas. Now I just have to get to work and continue my quest for a neat sewing room. lol. As usual this board always has a lot of great ideas.
|
You can also buy fairly cheap cd/dvd cases / towers. I have one that holds my fat quarters perfectly - there are many shelves and each section is a perfect fat quarter size, and it is tall but small in size they usually are about 20"L x 10"W x 50"H in size and start at about $25. You might even find one at a thrift or goodwill store.
|
fat quarters
Originally Posted by crowley7
(Post 5461230)
I am cleaning out my craft room and I am trying to be more organized. lol. I would like to know how to store fabric quarters, Panels and half yard fabric. I put 1 yard fabric on the comic boards that were mentioned on this board. Thank You very much for this tip. My fabric now looks neat. I found doubles of fabric I didn't know I had so I purchased more. Now I have to organize the rest. Thank You for your help. Everyone on this board is always very helpful
|
Originally Posted by Mgrubbs
(Post 5466641)
I buy the small (3 litre) size plastic container boxes from Office Depot. Fat quarters fit perfectly. The handles snap into place and boxes are stackable. Clear ones work best for me. I found them on sale for $2.00 one time but usual price is either 2/$5. or $3.99 each.
Great idea! Haven't that many but I used a plastic container set on its side and stacked the folded pieces on top of each other with the folded side showing. However, the one I always need, is in the middle or the bottom, so the whole mess topples over. I have a number of the 14" sq. ones for thread and blocks, but this idea for the fat quarters is next on my list of to-dos. Thanks! |
I have mine in plastic bins, one for fat quarters, one for scraps, one for holiday fabs., etc.
|
My son built a system similar to the picture and all my fabric is sorted by color, holiday, boys, girls, etc. It is floor to ceiling on one wall. Then I have the drawers on wheels and keep my fat quarters in them, and all the other ones have special fabrics in them. I makes it easy to see what I have. I have a huge open grid metal rack that is full on fabric that is also ruler folded. I love having my fabric ruler folded. I have a huge closet that is full as well but there are no shelves in it and things are in bins. I don't like bins. I have to pull them out to get in the bottom ones and it's a pain. Part of the problem is I have tool much, LOL, fabric.
|
I live in Louisiana, pretty humid here, and keep my fabrics on shelves in an open closet (no door). We have an A/C in the studio and I keep it as cool as possible so that it removes the moisture as much as possible. I don't really do anything else except try to keep fabric stored so they aren't in plastic bins. However, I do have some in closed up plastic and it's been fine. I've been quilting for 20+ years and have old fabric from my mom that may be 40 years. So far I haven't had a problem with mold or moths (although mom's stuff did smell musty but washing took care of that). If you're still concerned, visit an LQS once you get there and ask if they or their customers do anything special about the humidity.
Oh, and good luck! Enjoy paradise! |
1 Attachment(s)
My fats are stored in baskets from Dollartree. Color coordinated.
|
Originally Posted by Tartan
(Post 5461502)
I have one of the plastic drawer units on rollers for my smaller pieces. Top drawers is fat quarters, second drawers is bigger pieces and panels and the bottom drawers is for a mess of scrap pieces.
|
I have an entire wall of white Ikea book cases ('Billy' I believe) that are inexpensive, with glass doors installed. I fold the fabrics to fit inside (about 11" deep) that are at least fat quarter sized. These are sorted by colors, baby/children, batiks, unusual, Australian, Christmas, metallics and a section for 'All Creatures Great & Small' which is critters that will go into a quilt eventually. Separate containers hold the pre cuts that I cut down the less than fat quarter sized fabrics. It works quite well for me.
|
as for fat quarters---I have 2 over the door racks that are supposed to be for canned goods, but I just fold the fat quaters and organized them by color. They hand on the closet door and the door to the furnace room in my sewing room in the basement. That leaves more space for yardage on the shelves, is out of the way, and I can see it all at a glance.
|
I have mine wrapped on Easy Cores and have taken over the pantry in the laundry room. The fat quarters are stored on the small ones and fit perfectly in the white metal racks (Lowes/Home Depot) that are sold for canned good etc. I screwed them (2) onto the back of the pantry door. Works great for me. Oh, and the overflow looked so good, they are in the bookcases flanking the Television in the living room. (They were there for a month before DH noticed it was fabric). If you need pictures - Holla! :) Gayle
|
this is a good way to organize fat quarters:
I use a old file cabinet and use the file folders...just fold the fat quarter over the top of the file...you can put 2 fat quarters per file (one on each side)...if you have leftover piece from the fabric you can place it in the folder. then they are organized by color. Looks really pretty too! |
Hi Everyone! I am new on the Quilting Board and love it! I have to ask a dumb question. I am trying to reorganize my quilting room and have read several times that the fabric is folded using the ruler method. How is that done? Thank YOU!!
|
I store fat quarters in clear plastic containers that salads & other produce come in. Then stack them on shelves. I can see perfectly what I have. Once I got friends and relatives saving these for me, I had plenty in no time. For yardage I use the empty bolt-holders from the LQS .... again free. Target has a perfect size cubby system with drawers that I use for scraps. Each drawer is the color of the scraps contained
|
Originally Posted by luvTooQuilt
(Post 5464813)
These are in 30 gal tubs no matter what size pieces they are:
Holiday- each holiday (xmas, 4th, halloweenie, easter, etc) have its own tub Flannel Vintage fabric (35in xWOF)- all goes in one tub Authentic 30's feedsacks All my Bolts (3+yards) are on the bookcase and in walk in closet. All my 1-2 yards cuts are ruler folded, then separated by theme (floral, kids prints, asian, etc) and solids, blenders, and the rest are seperated by color on bookcases Batiks are in a see thru sterilite three drawer separated by light med dark.. Fqs are separated by color, floral, novelty in it's own sections on wall cd racks, closet maid 24/36 bin shoe organizers.. Each area has its own 'theme' so i can find what I'm looking for. My scraps are in specific see- thru bins, tubs and drawers depending on size.. Each Accuquilt Die cut shapes have a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own- I do have most if not all the dies already.. lol.. strips less than10 inches but longer than 5 inches of has a a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own Strips longer than 10 inches but less than WOF has a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own 2 inch strips are hanging on the back of the door 1.5 x wof has a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own 2.5 x WOF strips has a a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own 3x WOF strips have a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own 5x WOF strips have a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own all other strips x WOF are separated by colors and has a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own Crumbs have a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own Scraps less than a fq but larger than 6x6 has a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own- these are waiting to be cut with my Accuquilt 2 in sq have a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own 2.5 in sq have a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own 3 in sq have a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own 3.5 in sq have a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own 4 in sq have a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own 4.5 in sq have a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own 5 in sq have a see thru sterilite drawer all of its own And my selvages are kept in recycled plastic Ice cream tubs by length.. And that's how my room is organized.. I followed Bonnies method.. www.quiltville.com. My 1930's fqs section- (just one of my fq sections) http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...eorganizer.jpg |
Originally Posted by DebbE
(Post 5497226)
I have an entire wall of white Ikea book cases ('Billy' I believe) that are inexpensive, with glass doors installed. I fold the fabrics to fit inside (about 11" deep) that are at least fat quarter sized. These are sorted by colors, baby/children, batiks, unusual, Australian, Christmas, metallics and a section for 'All Creatures Great & Small' which is critters that will go into a quilt eventually. Separate containers hold the pre cuts that I cut down the less than fat quarter sized fabrics. It works quite well for me.
Did the Ikea book cases come with the glass doors or did you add those yourself? I'm trying to come up with a better way to store my smaller (less that 1 yd, but larger than fat quarter) pieces of fabric. Those sound nice! |
hang on pant hangers and mark !!! Great for me .
|
Cat littler helps.
Originally Posted by Jakaby
(Post 5464912)
does anyone know the best way to store fabric in a really humid climate. We are moving to the wet side of Hawaii (big Island) and I have heard there is a lot of problem with things getting moldy ;o(
|
| All times are GMT -8. The time now is 03:04 AM. |