I've got you all beat! LOL!

I've been sewing for over 40 years. I think I have fabric from way back when and you wouldn't believe where I find places to store it all.

Under bed plastic bins- scraps.
Plastic bins on closet shelf and floor-garment fabric.
56 Quart plastic bins stacked in hall closet by color-quilting fabric.
Cabinet over the fridge-upholstery pieces to make purses, etc.
Dining room hutch has shelves on bottom with doors, put recent purchases of fabric there.
Hutch has two doors on top with shelves, keep all my thread and notions there.
I use the hutch drawers for notions, cutters.
Gave away my buffet, put a six drawer matching dresser in it's place, stored fabric in drawers (current WIPS stored here).
Bedroom dresser - larger yardage quilting fabric pieces (I now hang all clothes except for undies).
I also hang large pieces of fabric on hangers in the hall closet. These are mostly for backings.
File folder stand holds all rulers on my Bakers rack.
Shelves of Bakers rack holds finished quilt tops, waiting to be quilted.
I sew at dining room table mostly, but have a small folding table I can put in the living room and sew while watching TV.
I cut fabric using my cutting table in the kitchen. It's sides go down, is on wheels and is tall, so I can push it against a wall, cover it and it looks like a nice side table.
Replaced coffee table with hope chest, store fat quarters.
End tables have doors with interior shelves, and drawer, for patterns, and magazines.
Replaced entertainment center in LR with a six drawer dresser (TV sits on top) and I have six drawers to use that I have yet to invade.
Quilting/sewing books on book shelf in hallway.
You wouldn't know I sew except for the fact that the dining room table has a sewing machine on it! I no longer entertain so I leave it there.

I save some worn out clothing (mostly denim) to make purses.

The funny thing, is I am looking to downsize my living quarters in the next two years, so I am always on the lookout for furniture pieces with lots of storage for my sewing addiction.

I've recently given away craft type fabrics used to make stuffed animals, Santas, angels, and the like, and some upholstery fabric to a 4H group that was making eye glass holders. I've also started to cut strips out of fabrics that I can use for scrappy log cabins from those pieces I don't see a use for otherwise.

I'm hopeless but I LOVE fabric and creating things. I just can't pass up a beautiful piece of fabric or a great sale. My goal is to have enough storage for my addiction, but less furniture and rooms to clean! LOL!

Diane

Do you live alone?

LOL, You win and good for you!
Are you sure you want to move to smaller place? Happy sewing!
T.Farmer

Duh! Why didn't I think of that! My sewing room is on the second floor of a Cape Cod house, hip walls and all. I use a six foot set of rolling shelves (three sides covered) for storage, using a sheet as a "door" to access my fabric. I've been lamenting that I don't have a wall for a design board. The answer has been staring me in the face all along! Thanks, Sewing Grandma!!

I purchase trunks. Anytime I find one on sale. I like the idea of keeping my material out of the light. And I can sit them in any room, use them for stands or tables.

dmackey...you ARE the queen of storage!!! I love your ideas:D :D :D

I use the clear plastic boxes. I know that is not what you wanted to hear, but there is a shelf (of sorts) over my sewing machine and I store my fabrice not by colors, but by catagories. Christmas, Halloween, Animals, and one just has words like stars, flowers, music on the label. That way I know what box I want before I reach for it. Could hubby make a shelf like that for you?

Hnads down Dmakey, you are the best!! Love all your creative ideas!

Amma,

I don't know if I am the queen, but I certainly am a fanatic.

After I wrote my message, I called the DIL and told her she was welcome to all my serving dishes, platters, baking pans, etc, because they are just wasting space in my house. So, MORE STORAGE! LOL!

Diane

Store I understand. Organize? Wha....... If someone wants to come help me do that, it may be difficult to find me down there. Great ideas here, all kidding aside. A good winter project for me.

It is important to see your stash; otherwise, out of sight, out of mind.
Why don't you get a bookcase and store them in the bookcase-you'd be surprised at how much you can store in a bookcase! I bought those thin plastic 'mini bolts' - they'll hold a fatquarter or several grouped together on 1 mini bolt. You get a clear view of all of your fabric and it looks neat and decorative on a bookcase.
Kind Regards,
MaryAnna

I cut off a small corner of each piece and staple it to an index card. On the card I list the length of material, cost, date purchased and where purchased. This way I can use the swatches to match up with and know if I have enough material for my project. Then I go digging in the closet where the material is stacked on open front shelves. This works pretty well most of the time......until I get behind on my cateloging.

Out of site is out of mind to me so I like to see it and I have it sorted by color on book shelves. some in plastic bins that I have used before and know what is there.

You can send your stash to me and I'll manage it for you! :) lol

I have most of my stash in plastic bins in my garage on shelves like they use in restaurants. Each shelf holds two bins and I sort my fabric by type and colors. I also have a three drawer plastic storage I got at Walmart and a number of cloth bags (ones from Joann's) plus a couple of chest of drawers that hold extra stuff. In my sewing room I have those multi-drawer stackers that tuck neatly under my sewing table for scraps, threads, and other sewing stuff. I also have some of my bigger yardage hanging in the closet and a few pieces in wicker baskets. All my patterns are in an old five drawer file cabinet in the garage organized by manufacturer and pattern number - some day I'll get them all scanned so I can ebay or etsy them.

I too use most of the ideas already submitted: clear boxes, drawer units, baskets, underbed storage (mostly for other things). The best thing I've ever done is fold my fabrics on sheets of plastic canvas and put them on shelves like little books. It's like I have my own quilt store in my room. Very impressive to all who've seen it. If I could figure out how to send a picture on this new forum system, I would show you.

I would love to see it

I retired from a grocery store and during my employment (37 yrs) I hauled home shelf unit after shelf unit that was just going to go in the dumpster. You might check with different retail stores and see what they do with what they no longer want. I do live alone in a big farmhouse so have a bit more leeway on what and where I have storage. I do have a lot of junk that could leave and give me more room for fabric.

Here's a pic of my bookcase of fabric.

I tried the "shoe under" for shoes -- they are floppy -not what I thought it would be. I was told you shouldn't store fabric in plastic?? is this true?

I found the solution to the storage issue by having all my children leave home and sending the accumulated goodies to his/her house so he/she can throw away whatever isn't important. I took over one bedroom and gradually have taken over the guest room also. I hope plastic is ok for fabric storage because I have several of the storage cupboards.

holy carp, more places to hide, er store, material! Besides a few dust bunnies (I raise 'em :thumbup: ) and maybe a dog bone, there isn't a thing under any of my beds! My DH lets me buy all the fabric I can hide

PineyRiver, I love the look of your bookcase.

I got hubby to add additional shelves between the existing shelves in the wardrobe. The pile is still just as high but being split in half makes it less heavy and easier to get to whatever you need.

I hear you. I have the same issues. I envy all those with space to spread out what I have and enjoy it.

The only problem I've had with storing fabric in plastic tubs is when the tubs are clear -- the sun will fade the fabrics right through the tub. But otherwise, clear plastic tubs are ideal -- you can pretty much see what's in there and they keep out the dust, dirt, insects, and kitties.... :D

lol gosh i don't know. i don't have that problem. :?

PineyRiverQuilter - The best thing I've ever done is fold my fabrics on sheets of plastic canvas and put them on shelves like little books.

Piney, what do you mean by plastic canvas sheets? Are these available at Joann's?

I just finished reorganizing my stash and quilting room after I had to completely empty the room to replace the carpet. What a mess but I now have a really really organized room. I have a smallish dresser that I use as a cutting table and for storage. I also use yaffa blocks and the wire snap together blocks leftover from my college days they are great. I also use lots of plastic bins and try to keep everything labeled. I have seasonal fabric and Christmas/Winter fabric in plastic boxes. I also keep my fats in the smaller plastic shoe boxes by color.

I have a set of wooden shelves that hold plastic containers and my books/magazines. Optimize your vertical space think fabric from floor to ceiling :) A shelf above your sewing table made with L brackets and a piece of wood will hold a lot.

I just saw these bed risers at Walmart on the same aisle as the ironing boards. I use them under my old low couch and chairs b/c my knees are bad. I you are in the market for a new bed you can buy a raised platform bed with lots of drawers for storage. I know the a CD tower will hold fat quaters. good luck maybe I'll do this after Christmas. :-D

I don't - manage it - I need to excavate and/or move a lot of things when I'm looking for something.

But this is about 20 years accumulation, too.

I do usually know where to START looking, though.

Don't know what I'll do when I'm unable to move the plastic (58 qt) totes.

Sorry, I forgot to answer your question, QBeth. I found the plastic canvas large sheets (6 to a pkg) at our local Walmart and then cut them into 4ths. They then measure approx. 61/2 x 11 inches. Fold the fabric selvage to selvage, then selvages to fold. I pressed as I go to make it nice and flat, then just put the plastic sheet inside and keep folding, then I put a couple of pins to hold it together at the last fold. Hope this helps you and others. It's done wonders for my stash. The smaller pieces are in drawer units by color or theme.

Thanks for the info, Piney. I use the same size ruler to fold fabric but then, of course, slip out the ruler. I like your method. It really lets you see our fabric. Mine is stored flat on shelves and it can be hard to see what I've got, especially fabrics where I only have a yard or so. Great idea!

Really great ideas! Thank you for his forum. My first time registering (Durham, NC), altho I have been reading joyfully for a few months. I'm also in the living room! I have to see my fabric, and just packed away books and pottery so I could use the bookcase with clear plastic bins. For me, color groupings and also small and large work the best. I put accessories like extra thread and spare parts in the labeled underbed boxes. Again, thanks!

LMBO now...if you could just sign up for enough take out food...you could empty the kitchen cupboards even more LOL No cooking...disposable plates, bowls.... AND more time to sew :D :D :D

oops

Can you send your Santa to my house?? :-)
Hugs
April

My Aunt used the Freezer to store/Hide things, I never did nor do I now, I use Plastic Boxes Colors as DD likes to Borrow things and that way can't see Stash,DH goes Fabric Shop with me so he Knows Anyways, But I have a Huge House and Big Closets to put the PL. Boxes. I'd put it anywhere I could find.

I use boxes with lids and air holes on side so air can get in and the fabric can breath. Fold each piece to same size. Turn box on end and stack the fabrics on top of each other by color tightly like newspaper. Then when you open the box to search for a certain fabric you don't mess them all up to get to the bottom. I like my fabric very neat to lessen pressing.

What a great idea! I always hate digging to the bottom 'cause it makes a mess! Although I can see from the side what is in the bin, it always seems what I want is near the middle of the bottom. :x

LOL...Patti, I love how you think! :lol:
(a girl does have to set her priorities after all!)