when ever I am 'recycling' fabrics I de-construct the item (shirts, pants, skirts, dresses-whatever) removing buttons, zippers, seams -- so I have the largest pieces possible from each section of the item- unless I am working on a project that needs a specific piece I fold and put them on the shelves with the rest of my fabrics. I have separate places for flannels, wools, corduroy, denim, other specialty fabrics- that are not cotton.