I have been reading about some of you folding your fabric and placing on a shelf so that you can see what you have. I would be concerned about the fold fading from the light. Am I wrong? Do you have the fabric behind a sheet or doors? On the other hand..are the plastic "fumes" in my rubbermaids going to damage my fabric.
I only ask because I have enough fabric to last 58 years.

Carole

Right now plastic storage boxes are my only choice as I have a built in cupboard. Shelves are too deep. I've seen some amazing shelf storage some board members are blessed with though!

Your stash sounds like some place I'd like to come & play. HeeHee. I keep all my good cotton quilting fabric in cabinets behind closed doors. I don't want it to fade either. The fleece, flannel, velvet, etc. I keep in plastic bins. I'm not sure about long term storage in them. I will be curious to see what others will have to say.

Hard plastic bins do not outgas, so are safe for fabric storage. You just want to be sure they are not so airtight that moisture becomes trapped inside; a little air circulation is good. Some of my fabric has been in bins for years with no damage, so I don't think moisture is a problem in my area. Quilters who live in highly humid areas may want to drill holes in their plastic bins so there is a little more air circulation in them.

I use both

I have my fabrics on bookcases. The room only has 1 window and the cases are on the same wall as the window. I don't open the blind in that room very often as I would be looking at the neighbors house up close. If I do open it it is only open while I am in there.

All my quilting fabric, with the exception of my flannels, which I don't use very often, are 4" ruler folded, and put into drawers by background color, I lay the folded fabrics on their side, so I can see exactly what I've got in the drawers. You only have enough fabric to last you 58 years? I probably have enough for 100 years. LOL

I keep most of mine in plastic tubs. I have big south and east facing windows in my sewing room.

I toss a dessicant packet into my fabric bins, the kind that come with electronics, shoes, and lots of stuff. Some people use the small ones that come with some medications, too.

I have no available wall space and no closet in my studio, plus I live on a dirt road. Bins are the only option for me so it's a good thing I like them better than shelves. I use relatively small ones, the clear 27 quart size.

58 years ?? Ummm...You got it down to a science. I have mine stored in plastic storage containers and kept them in a closet. I added 3 extra shelves under the clothes rod shelf. I can store 16 large containers and 4 that are shorter in height. They are clear so I can see inside.