question for fabric organizers...
 

i have my stash stored in various plastic containers. just folded, no real rhyme or reason. for those of you who have folded onto the comic boards, or the bolt boards, etc....do you find that it actually SAVES you space?

Interested in your replies--thank you!

Betsey

I use bolt boards not because they save space but because they are free ( i can use the $ for more fabric)
I ruler fold half yards to under 2 yards on bookcases so i can see them.. I dont like my fabric hidden, i wont us them if I don't remember what i have.

I can only imagine the comic boards, the fabric boards, the corrugated boards are a space savers...

Truth is I see those who put fabric on folding 'boards' to me its a waste of space/time/$$ better spent on fabric! LoL
I store my fabric in See through Plastic Dressers and Label the drawers By Color with Paper 1 inch Medical tape on the front. I have bought them at Second hand stores, On sale at Target ete.... they have wheels, so can move around.
I think they keep your Fabric clean,dry Ete....

It probably doesn't save on cost or even storage space, depending on what kind of storage you have available. But it does save me money because now I can see what I have and don't end up going shopping instead of staying home and digging through those storage containers!

I already had shelves in my closet so it was easy to clear them and use three of them for fabric. I use comic boards for pieces bigger than a FQ but smaller than 2 yards. Longer length yardage I fold on the ruler then keep them all on one shelf. FQ's have a couple of little shelves for themselves.

I just recently decided to switch from folding my fabric with the quilting ruler to using comic book boards. To me its an easier way to see what you have and it makes it so easy to go through your fabric when looking for a particular print.

What was interesting for me is that I had no idea how much fabric I really have. I am on my third package of comic book boards which come in packs of 100 (I use the Golden size). I have sorted them similar to how they are at a fabric store - general cottons, novelties, holidays, etc. What I didn't realize is how many blenders I actually do have!

They look so nice and neat. Not finished yet though!

I just finished using the comic boards. Love seeing my fabric in rows. Easier for me to keep neat when pulling fabric. Cut what I need, put left over folded back on shelf. Hopefully I can keep doing that.

I ruler folded mine. I don't know if it saves space. But, I do know that it now gets used. It was so much easier to go buy more than to go through those totes. One quick glance and I know what I have.

I find that I'm better able to use the displayed fabric. Sometimes I just look at it for satisfaction (dumb, huh?) and get new ideas for future projects. My next quilt will be designed for using up the 'less than fat quarter pieces' that are in Rubbermaid totes. Some of that fabric has been untouched since I started quilting a dozen years ago!

I have very limited space for fabric storage on one small bookcase. I tried the comic boards but found I really lost space with this method. I use the ruler method and stack the fabric with the folded side out. A smaller ruler for small pieces and a larger ruler for two yards and up. I can still see my fabric easily but can store so much more. It's a piece of cake to pull out what I want if I slide my ruler in. I also sort my fabric by color and by Christmas, 30's prints, etc. The larger folded pieces go on a separate shelf.

I was inspired by a posting on this board to buy the foam boards from the Dollar Store and attempt to organize my fabric. I kept buying more boards and finally ended up with 42 boards...which means I have 252 pieces of fabric, larger than 3/4 yd. I cut the 20x30 boards into 6 pieces, 10" square. I absolutely love it!! It seemed like I was always looking for one particular fabric. And making a huge mess, while doing it. My fabric is now on 6 shelves. It is easy to see what I have and easy to "audition" fabrics for a WIP. Only downside is that my husband now knows how much fabric I have. It is fun to "shop at home" though and much less expensive. I also folded and sorted smaller pieces by color and put them in bins. Found some fabrics I won't use so they are going to a deserving home. Lots of work but I am feeling much more in control which is just wonderful!!
I think everyone has their own method of organization. I love the visual of neatly wrapped fabric, organized by color. Think my sewing room looks more professional and I will be be more organized, which is a bonus!

I use comic backing boards (100 for $11.25 no shipping from Amazon) for the reasons you mentioned. I want to be able to see everything or I'll forget what I have and not use it or buy more of something I don't need. To me, that justifies the small cost of the backing boards. It looks nice on the shelves, too. I never compared whether or not it saves space but the look is great and organized better, I think.

I have mine on comic book boards, and love the way I can see all my fabric at a glance. Not only is it organized but it is so pretty to look at. Every time I go into my sewing room I smile because my fabric looks so lovely. I think it's the only way to go. When I had my fabric in plastic tubs, I always forgot what I had.

Any type of board you add to your folded fabric will take up space. Think about a stack of 100 boards needed to fold 100 pieces of fabric. For many people, that's fine, but if you're short on space, you may have to find another way.

Out of necessity, I am sewing clothing now, but I want to get back into quilting as soon as I can. Organizing my fabric stash so that it is neatly stacked and visible is important to the way I like to quilt. I've gone so far as to estimate folded yardage and how much shelf space is required to hold it! One yard of fabric folded 6" X 11-12" takes up an average 1/2" of vertical space. Thickness of fabric and weight of stack makes a slight difference. I like the ruler method to fold, then stack into shelves with dividers, so I don't end up with teetering stacks. I have a few shelves now, but need to subdivide in some way.

i was asking myself this same question , but i am slowly putting my fabric on boards and i like the way they look , i have found some fabric that was down at the bottom of the pile that i forgot about . now i can see it all and it makes my sewing room more inviting to me

http://www.quiltingboard.com/mission...s-t179823.html

Above is a link with another GOOD discussion going.

I'm still in the process of finishing my sorting. WORK FOR PAY is getting in the way of my quilting things :(

A while ago (while seeing pictures on line) I could not see the benefit of putting fabric wrapped on boards out for display - THEN - I saw other quilters' displays LIVE - and LOVED IT!!!

Another benefit for me...and I didn't expect it....I'm clearing out some of the 'stuff' that I kept on to for no other reason then it fit into the plastic tote. Having 'just the right amount of shelving space' - I can chose to be a little more picky on what I want to use and what I don't want to use.

It's a process but I'm sure I'll be very happy when it's all done and looking good and easily accessible. Maybe now that it's out in the open it'll help me to USE IT UP!

I love having my fabric folded on boards, I can pick and choose what I want and don't have to run out for fabric (of course I still shope when I just "need a fix"

I sort my stash by size and stack each size in its own pile. You can SEE the color, but you know at a glance what size it is. I wrap in around a rotary ruler like it's on a bolt and then pull the ruler out. Then fold it in half if your shelf is less than 22 inches deep. If you use a portion of a fabric, you measure what is left and then place it on the SIZE pile it measures now. Then you don't have to pull out a bunch of fabrics cuz you don't know their sizes and you don't have a pile to put away, you can just "get to work"

thank you all so much for your replies! i do think i like (no, LOVE) the idea of seeing the fabric...of what i have, and what i don't have <hee!>. now...the comic boards seem pretty popular...can you fold a fat quarter on them???

I have kept my fabric folded on shelves for years, then I discovered this board with the other ideas for storing my fabric, I think for me using boards is much better, it is easier for me to see what I have, and what I need, I have purchased two different types of boards, some foam core from the dollar store and some coroplast boards from a local sign maker, I cut them into appropriate sizes according to how much fabric I will be putting on them, Personally, I feel that I am getting more fabric in the space I have

WoW! So many of you have completed this project and I am just beginning! I am doing the ruler fold method, maybe will try the comic board if/when I come across em. Wish me luck! :)

I fold mine by colors. I need to be able to see it, so I can pick & choose. Please explain what, "comic boards" & ruler method is.:confused:Rowena101

I ruler fold my fabric and it does save space. Since all the fabrics are folded the same they stack better thus saving space.

Here is a tutorial that explains how to ruler fold your fabric.

http://turningturning.com/tutorial-folding-fabric/

I ruler fold my fabric and put in plastic bins marked with the appropriate color. Works for me! The strips and peices go in their own plastic drawers and I am very organized which I love :) I label all drawers/bins with the Brother Label Maker in LARGE FONT! :)

I currently have my stash in totes (clear Plastic and also fabric cases) which drives me nearly insane as I have to take everything out to look for what I want more often than not, so one day when I get to move into my sewing room I intend folding all my fabric on boards so I can clearly see what I am looking for with out having to go through piles and resort etc.

Mayvbe1day

Mine are in totes and folded to fit and standing up so I can easily see them. Then put on cheap metal shelves in my walk in closet.
Well they were nice and neat till I started running out of room and stuffing fabric in the bins.
I like this way for storing and it was cheap.

if i put mine on boards, it would take up too much space. i have mine ruler-folded on plastic shelves in a closet. they are organized by color.

I fold my fabric by using my 6X24 inch ruler and then folding in half. The fabric is then stacked in cubes according to color, season, children, patriotic, etc. It stays much neater this way for me.

And here's one more opinion.........I have attention deficit, I would see all these pictures of sewing rooms, craft rooms and everything organized to perfection and then I would look at my room and think "what is wrong with me". I am at my most creative when I had a small clear spot on my work table surrounded by a mountain of stuff. This has gone on for years, very frustrating. And then a very wise friend told me the connection between ADD and my stuff everywhere was that I could see everything. For me out of sight was very much out of mind. So.........I am waiting on the comic book boards, I figure it is one more way to get things in the open but, still be organized. And yes I tried the ruler fold method, it looked nice but still not what I needed.
Carol

Carol--i did the comic boards. I LOVE them. i feel organized and can see what i have and what i don't. my quilting fabric is all on comic boards. my other fabric-garment fabric ect, i still have in totes, but now much more organized.

I'm so glad they work for you. Mine will be here tomorrow, then the work starts. LOL

Yes,I love my fabric folded on comic boards. I find it neater and easier when looking for fabric, and esp.when it comes to putting it back in my stash. As the group stays neater when you take something out or are putting something back. Good luck with you stash.

Doesn't save space. But I can see what I have and it saves frustration. I wrap scrap strips around boards as well, sometimes up to 8 strips on a board. I can also see what I have then. Easier to deal with. Comic book boards are not as sturdy as say foam board from the dollar store, but it takes a less space so I am going in that direction as I get new fabric.
I have a new system. 1 yard or more gets its own board. 1/2 yards I do two to a board and 1/4 yards are three to a board. Strips - as many as fit.