Your's nothing compared to my mess of a stash. I am embarrassed, I won't even take a picture and post it that is how ashamed I am! My family threaten to call that show "Hoarders" and have them film my studio. I have shelves full of fabric and fabric on the floor that is knee deep (I am 5'1"). Fabric on the shelf is nicely folded, the floor is another matter!I have 10 large bins of fabric in my garage. I admit that I can open a quilt store with what I have. I keep saying that I am going to retire someday and really sit down and sew (7 more years if they don't mess with the retirement ages again). I do get out some quilts, wall hanging and table runners but not nearly as much as I really would like. Those sweet little grand kids keep getting in the way of my spare time, lol.

Hey, that's actually the first step- toss everything into a pile then sort into piles by colors. Then start the folding. You'll be so pleased when you're finished.

Best,
d

I think you copied my sewing space. LOL

Wish I was closer; I would come and fondle, errr, fold, your fabric.

Where in NYS do you reside?

Just poke in a bag and I'll pick it up, haha!!!

Take a small pile of fabric, right off the top, bring it into another room...maybe in front of the TV and fold what is in the pile. By removing/folding in another room you won't be visually overwhelmed by what needs to be done. Bring the folded fabric back into your room and put away. The 15 minute rule is a good way to keep at big task. You will begin to notice in short order all the progress you are making! Good luck!

I would also love to help. I enjoy organizing, my approach is clear out a small area, the laundry baskets was a good idea. Then turn your back to the bulk of it and only look at a small area at a time, while you fold and organize as you go. I use this approach of turning my back to the bulk of it when cleaning out the flower beds, I have a bad back and the whole of it overwhelms me! I work only on what's in front of me and before long it's done! Good luck!

Just take your 6 1/2" wide and a 3" wide ruler. Use 6 1/2 for larger fabrics and wrap around ruler. Slide ruler out half way, fold. Your now have a piece 6 1/2 x 22. Stacks well, can see what you have and fits on shelving nicely. Smaller pieces use the narrower ruler and do the same. You will have it done in no time. Can even do while watching tv. Have fun and show pictures when finished. Sort stacks as you go by color or type.

amen to that. my dd came home for xmas and we did that to the fabric down here. this summer we will get to th eupstairs room and empty the big tubs. course a lot of that is still on the bolt, so that shouldm't take too long. It is what is already cut into squares that might take the longest to do. will need to put into see thru containers and maybe put a few dozen quilts into bags to sew and that will take care of those. she likes to sew and if we get the fabric for a quilt together she can take it back to WY and sew it when she wants. then bring it home and we can put it together.

I was just going to suggest working on it daily. I agree that setting a timer is a good idea.

i think the 15 minutes a day idea is a good one, ibought some comic book boards yesterday and started on mine last night,, good luck

Wish I lived closer too!

After seeing so many references to comic book boards, I ordered some and started organizing fabric last week. I went through the first 100 boards and ordered more. I'm wrapping 1 to 3 yard pieces on the boards and standing them on bookshelves. I couldn't believe how much less space they take than the plastic tubs and bins my fabric was in. Now I will be able to see at a glance what I have and be more inspired to use it! I hated having to dig through plastic bins and still not find what I was looking for. I figure at the rate I'm going, and another couple hundred comic book boards, I'll have my fabric (1 yard pieces and up) organized in less than a month. Any thing under that will be folded on rulers or rolled and stored in baskets. All scraps will be cut with the Go cutter for scrap quilts and stored in labeled plastic shoe boxes. Good luck with your organizing. I've been trying to do it for years and this is the first time I can really see progress. Comic book boards are the best idea I've seen for organizing ever!

Barri, I'm south of L.I.E. Exit 68 - I could stop in, pick you up and just drive on up to Poughkeepsie!! I'd work for fabric as well, but I don't think right now I could afford the gas for my big truck!!

Hi...I had masses to do also when I did my sewing room out last year...this is what worked for me...I cut a piece of Artist board which you can get from most places that sell art stuff...cut it 18 x 6 inches (it was easier than using a acrylic ruler) put on a really good film and sat by the table in front of the TV and folded as I watched. In each folded piece I put a long quilting pin in it (i kept mine in but I'm sure the quilt police would say take it out) so if the pile fell on the floor it didn't unravel. It was amazing how much I got folded....I watched about 4 good films and most of it was done !

I have a son & daughter in law in Manhatttan. Maybe I should arrange a visit, we can organize and then shop the LQS!

I would love to go help fold and organize but alas I love on the other coast from you...

where in New york would love to organise for fabrics never can have enough.I'm in Rochester,N.Y. Maybe you should take a small portion at a time before you start sewing on a quilt project like a little work before a lot of play.

For technique, try Alaskasunshine's wonderful tutorial - it works great with comic book boards too. I prefer the larger sized magazine boards....less folding in the long run. Make sure you buy heavier boards- they come in different qualities.

15 minute sessions get you hooked on doing it and work great if your engine just needs a jump start.

I am so sorry I didn't look back at your thread.. You aren't that far from me.. I could've driven up there one day this weekend.. I'm stuck next weekend with my staff coming over.. I'm making them crazy chaos quilts.. We are talking about five of the same quilts.. They are coming over to pick their 6" squares.. so I can put them together.. I'm trying to convince them that there is more to life than their cell phones.. etc.. I have a staff of selfish humans..
Barri

I would love to help. looks better than going to a fqbric store in my area ,

ohio

WHile I haven't read through every pg. of replies, I'd suggest you start by wrapping ea. pc. around the 5X24" ruler to make consistant folds as somebody in the grp. showed us awhile back. While I mostly use the core boards, I use the ruler fold method with some pcs.

You'll be so happy with yourself once you put it in order. Good luck.

Me too. I'm in Nebraska

As Nike says, "Just do it!". lol. Take it in "baby steps" and it will be done before you know it.

Ooooooh.... i wanna play in that!! How fun would that be! Too bad I live hundreds of miles away! :(

I have a big plastic round tub that I put my scraps in. I have decided that each time I finish a project I put them in a ziploc bag so if I need more of that fabric, I can find it. The older fabric I just sat on the floor and sorted them by: 30s prints, Christmas prints, Thimbleberries, then by colors. So at least I have a start on my scraps! Setting the timer seems to work for me but not for everybody. Best wishes!!

I love looking through other people's stash! Would love to help you if I lived closer!

If you werent so far away I would do it just because!!! I guess you could ship it to me and I will fold it and send it back lol cheryl

Thank you all for such great advice and for the moral support! It really does help. I have started the 15 mins here and there and I am slowwwwly moving through it lol
MJ so good to see you my friend you look wonderful! I love your new picture. How are you feeling?
To those in NY I sure do appreciate the help. I am in the Town of Poughkeepsie and I will try to PM each of you. Even if we can't get together to organize my fabric maybe a shop hop to meet new friends would be in order :)
Thank you all again.
Hugs
April

Oh, that's just too much work for you. I'll help! Will send pre-paid mailers with my address for you to stuff, take to P.O. and voila! no more mess.:D

I honestly do not understand the hesitation. I would love to dive in head first. I have drawers of fabrics in colors, closets of yardage, and bins of strips. I belong to the Bonnie Hunter train of thought and stash sorting. Bonnie has quiltville and if you read her site she tells you what to do to get organized. I started out by cutting strips of all my fabrics - 1 1/2", 2", & 2 1/2" strips. For example, I have a ton of 1 1/2" strips, I outgrew my first big plastic bin and now have 3 - one for lights, one divided for light mediums & mediums, and one for darks. It makes life so easy to know what size strips you need and going to get them. I am a scrappy girl so no matchy matchy for me.
Wish you lived near me.

Oh, April, if we were closer.......... hope this means you are feeling fairly well, since you are thinking of tackling a big project!

I would LOVE to help,, just to far away