Organizing the "stash"
11-11-2011, 05:19 AM
#21
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: ohio
Posts: 1,039
I ordered the fabric boards from M.I.Late here and they are the only thing that keeps me having any idea what I have!! Not really organized in a great way yet, but these things are great!!! I definately recommend them!!! 
11-11-2011, 05:55 AM
#22
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Missouri
Posts: 1,250
Congratulations on your 'she cave'. I also took over my sons room when he moved out. LOL
I sort my stash in wire baskets, hubby bought them from Lowes, instaled them in the closet.
I sort by color, a separate basket for crib/childrens prints. All my solids in another bin.
When I purchase fabric for a specific quilt I keep this fabric in its own stack with the pattern on top. Then when I'm ready to start this quilt top, all the fabric is in one place, keeping the fabric from accidentally being used in another quilt.. Every one organizes their stash differently.
Just keep in mind you want the fabric away from sunlight, and do not store fabric in plastic bins, fabric needs to breath.
Have fun, when organizing you get to see all your beautiful fabric. :0)
I sort my stash in wire baskets, hubby bought them from Lowes, instaled them in the closet.
I sort by color, a separate basket for crib/childrens prints. All my solids in another bin.
When I purchase fabric for a specific quilt I keep this fabric in its own stack with the pattern on top. Then when I'm ready to start this quilt top, all the fabric is in one place, keeping the fabric from accidentally being used in another quilt.. Every one organizes their stash differently.
Just keep in mind you want the fabric away from sunlight, and do not store fabric in plastic bins, fabric needs to breath.
Have fun, when organizing you get to see all your beautiful fabric. :0)
11-11-2011, 06:15 AM
#23
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Northwest New Jersey
Posts: 168
I am real new to quilting but my stash seems to be growing. I organize my stash on cardboard and then sort by amount and color. All the 2 yards one place, etc. Then when I know a project needs so much I can go to that area first. Fat quarters are organized in shoe boxes by general color or theme. If I have a complete project all set up, I keep it all together so I can find the thing when I am ready. I use plastic food storage boxes from Dollar store to organize projects and then label the outside. I use to use baskets but sometimes they fall over and everything falls out. Plastic boxes have lids and the clear box makes it easy to see inside.
11-11-2011, 06:32 AM
#24
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,225
I mainly have FQ and charms etc so I use plastic boxes from the dollar store. We live near a stone crushing plant so we always have dust so I keep my fabric in boxes for protection. Larger pieces are store in copier paper boxes I get from work. My scraps also go in copier boxes or if cut to a particular size into the cheap zip lock baggies.
11-11-2011, 06:58 AM
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Northern Indiana
Posts: 2,680
I have my fq sorted in 3 grps, light, dark and the odd that don't fit in either grp, stacked on two shelves. All Christmas fabric on a shelf, cat fabric on another, and solids shared between those two shelves. All fabric 1 yd or over has been wrapped on foam core boards, then sorted by light and dark. Have some rolling 3 drawer cabinets that I have all scrap pieces in. This works for me most of the time.
11-11-2011, 02:00 PM
#27
Power Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Southern California
Posts: 19,131
Originally Posted by AliKat
I do a variety of stash organizing. Yes, I do keep some groupings together because they are enough for a project .... these I label so I won't forget, like I used to do.
Then I bread down the fabrics into categories: batiks. cats, Christmas, florals, and other themes.
I tend to fold my fabrics differently so I can tell at a glance how much is there. FQ's are folded differently than 1/2 yds, 1 yd, and 2 yds. If needed I can attach a label as to how much I have. Generally the folding is more than enough.
I bought IKEA Antonius system with the non-rusting wire baskets to store my stash. I have 2 sets, one on top of the other. They easily roll out of my closet if needed. Usually all I do is pull out a drawer and I can see what I have without any problem.
With my arthritis pulling out material off shelves would be most uncomfortable. The baskets help me preserve my hand function.
I have a separate Antonius system that fits under my embroidery machine table to put upcoming projects.
At least it looks organized.
ali
Then I bread down the fabrics into categories: batiks. cats, Christmas, florals, and other themes.
I tend to fold my fabrics differently so I can tell at a glance how much is there. FQ's are folded differently than 1/2 yds, 1 yd, and 2 yds. If needed I can attach a label as to how much I have. Generally the folding is more than enough.
I bought IKEA Antonius system with the non-rusting wire baskets to store my stash. I have 2 sets, one on top of the other. They easily roll out of my closet if needed. Usually all I do is pull out a drawer and I can see what I have without any problem.
With my arthritis pulling out material off shelves would be most uncomfortable. The baskets help me preserve my hand function.
I have a separate Antonius system that fits under my embroidery machine table to put upcoming projects.
At least it looks organized.
ali
11-11-2011, 03:14 PM
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 811
I am still building my stash and only have a couple hundred yards of fabric ( sincere thanks to a friend who moved). I try to organize by color, but most of the time I end up dumping it all in the floor, look through it for a few hours and then put it away. I have even been known to take a nap and use the pile as my pillow. Good luck!
11-11-2011, 03:32 PM
#30
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Florida - formerly Montana
Posts: 3,504
I store my stash in a couple different ways. If I have a series of fabrics that will make a quilt, those go together and I have a notebook with the patterns and colored pictures of the fabrics so I won't forget what kind of quilt I am making with that fabric. Then the "Just have to have this fabric because" I store that by color. I have mine stored on plastic boards that are acid free, but hold the fabric much like it does at the store, except I fold it in half one more time.
You will find that something may work right now, but maybe at a later date, you aren't happy with the way it is stored and you can start again and use a different system. In other words, your storage system will evolve as time goes on. Good luck and be sure to post pictures when you are finished.
You will find that something may work right now, but maybe at a later date, you aren't happy with the way it is stored and you can start again and use a different system. In other words, your storage system will evolve as time goes on. Good luck and be sure to post pictures when you are finished.
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