OK, So I was doing a little lunchtime shopping, when I decided I have to find a way to keep track of what I already have :? :? I cannot remember if I have a few of the fabrics I was thinking of getting, so I didn't :( :( There has to be a good way to stay organized with a listing of what I already have..I know one of you out there has the perfect solution for me. I know I have to write it down, but a list? Index cards?? PLEASE..tell me what it is :shock: :shock: :shock:

I have too much fabric to do that! But I do store it mostly on open shelves, sorted by color. Example: the blues are separated by dark blues, greenish blues and light blues. I also have the Novelties/ Kids prints separate, and my holiday fabrics are in a bin of their own. I keep separate bins and boxes for planned projects so I don't forget and use them in something else. I also have UFO boxes.

If you want to shop for a particular fabric to go in one quilt, clip a small square from the ones you have and tape them to a paper or index card, tuck it in with your pattern inspiration and shop with those. You can match colors that way.

I have wayyyyyy too much fabric to track.LOL I have 7 of the pattern cabinets that the fabric stores have-all full of fabric, about 2 dozen of the large plastic totes, all full. I have them sorted by background color, like white backgrounds are all together. Hope you get some good ideas. Then 6 of the cabinets are back to back, I have a 2 piece counter top on top, this is my cutting table.

Guess I didn't get the memo about not getting fabrics you might already have. :shock: The concept of "too much fabric" is beyond my comprehension, but I stopped trying to remember what was stashed a wicked long time ago. :wink: Good luck with your organization project!

I'm with the others. If I want to make something with a particular fabric I probably don't have enough of it anyway so I may as well buy more and if it is something I really really like I will probably use more anyway. So, no, I don't stay organized with a list and I have a tendency to be ubber organized in other areas.

There is no way to keep track of all the fabric I have either. I have many times bought another piece of the same fabrics. I figure if I like it enough to have bought 2 pieces, than I must like it!!! If I am trying to match for a project, I will bring a couple of small scraps with me to the store to match. Though, I don't always remember and have brought home lots of fabs that don't quite go with whatever it was I was trying to coordinate with.

I usually buy for a particular project, etc. To keep track of what I might need to add to my projects, etc I keep a written list in my purse at all times. When and if I find what I am looking for on sale, etc....I pull out the list. Otherwise if I am trying to match something up w/color, etc I keep some corner snips on a safety pin. So my swatches are always w/me. Skeat

OK Good!! I thought maybe I was out there by buying fabric more than once, but I see I am much more normal than I thought :lol: :lol: :lol: Besides, if I see it on sale and still like it..well, it can be used for more than one project!!! I've always had a thing for fabric, but just started quilting this year, so I thought maybe I was missing something. I do really like the idea of putting all the pieces parts for a project together in one tub so they don't get used by mistake. I really really like the pattern drawers back to back for a cutting table, but I think they're pretty hard to find :(

Thanks for bringing me back to the real world :wink:

Mary

what about taking a picture w/ digital camera. Cameras are quite small anymore & will fit into most purses &/or shopping bags. All you would have to do, is bring up the picture.
Just a suggestion.
Billie G

I have each of my projects in a small clear plastic tote with the pattern on top, and the thread I bought for the fabric in the tote.

When I finish a project, I put all the scraps into my "scrap" bag, which is really just a recycle grocery bag. I want to buy a tote for my scraps, just money too tight right now.

I have childrens' fabrics all together in one section of my sewing room.

I only buy when I am getting ready to start a project (though I buy more than one project at a time) and don't buy in-between. This keeps my stash smaller.

My project totes are stored on head-high shelves in my sewing room. They are just the size of shoe boxes and the next size up.

I have mechanics bins on the wall that have see-through covers on each section, I use these to store my used thread when I finish a quilt. I check it before I buy more.

My stencils are on a pegboard on the wall, along with my rulers. I keep my rotary cutter on top of my cutting board on my little card table in the room.

I have a big quilting frame in the middle of the room.