It really depends more on how tightly you pack them. My usual minimum is 1 yard. Shorter pieces can be folded the same way but do better with stacking on the shelf instead of being put in like a book. I also got my DH to install extra shelves for my bookcase. They are about 8 inches apart. I try to keep like fabric on the same shelf--kids' fabric, christmas fabric, blenders, blacks, whites, etc. Which reminds me--I really need to go thru my fabric and resort. Things are very mixed up at the moment.