drgranny, that is the way to do it. I started using the small tubs that you see in the photos because if they were to big, I couldn't lift them. I can see what I have. The fabric is all 1 or 2 yards each. I can't afford to buy more than that at one time. Most of my quilts take 2 yards (very few more than that) of each fabric anyway. When I make clothes, then I buy just a little more.