Know? You're joking!

I have so much stash, I have no clue what's there. I decided to order the comic book boards and my DH said he would work on them while we watch TV. I ordered 200 but I know that I will have to order way more than that. I am determined to clean up my sewing room and will be selling many of my quilt books here on the board to clean things up. I have way too much stuff to know what is actually in my sewing room. I do have things sorted by color though !

I have a general idea but I need to organize my fabric . Right now it is basically in color batches but as I add to the stash I find I have no more room in the color bins. Are you seeing chaos.

I actually know what is in my stash! Especially since I am moving back to California, I had to box it all up!!! I take all my scraps after i finish a quilt and cut the fabric. If is at least 1/4 yd than i fold and put it away. But you know what even when i know what I have, I always need more fabric). It's a disease!!!

HAD to chuckle at your response, because I see me! You might say I have a stash, but if I see a pattern I like and think I'll make it at some point, I will purchase fabric for it and put the pattern with that purchase. Never mind it may be a year or so before I get at it, but at least the pattern and fabric are together. I also have pieces of fabric just because it's pretty and I wanted it. Stash? Yes! Organized? Nope!

I can honestly say that I know what's in my stash (rulers, patterns, and fabric), but I have 2 advantages:

1. I've been collecting less than 2 years, and my stash is "only" one bookcase big (not including the scraps or packaged batting)

2. I'm a computer geek and I wrote a program to keep track of all of it: Fabric, patterns, notions (mostly tools), thread, books/magazines, even projects and equipment (info about all of the sewing machines, and last time serviced, etc). Then when I add to it, or I'm going shopping, I make pdf files to send to my tablet to compare with. It took me a few weeks of programming, and then another 2 days of photographing stuff, or finding pics on the internet and entering data and then folding all of the fabric on boards like AlaskanSunshine posted about here: http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...om-t43871.html.

Tammi: I am in awe. That's just amazing! Just started putting my ruler folded fabric in bookcases that look too be the same size as Alaskasunshines. Two full and only the pinks, reds, greens and blues housed. There won't be a computer program or any other inventory but I can really see my stash for the first time. It is really a great method.

I really love being able to walk into my sewing room and just see everything. I know what I have, even without the program, because I get a reminder everytime I walk in there. I also think it helps creativity to see it all laid out in front of me all the time, because my brain works on "combinations" all the time. I tried hiding my stash in the closet, it didn't work for me. The program is great for me when I'm away from the house and thinking, "I think I have fabric and thread for that, but do I have enough?", then I have yardages, colors and fabric patterns to look at and don't end up buying more of something I already have.

Well let me know if you ever want to come to Dallas, TX! I am pretty sure I could swap room & board

:D I bet I could make my way half way around North America that way :)

Wait, timed right, that would mean I wouldn't have to do winter at all....