So my stash is starting to get out of hand and I'm figuring I need to organize it in some way. I have been keeping them in colour piles already, but I'm starting to think now that I'm buying so much fabric online and large quantities, I should start some kind of journal where I can add a fabric swatch, where I bought it, how much I bought, and a place to show how much of the fabric I use.

Does anyone do this? Does anyone know where I can find a good link or something that I can print off that has that kind of information? I thought I could keep a binder of my swatches, then I know how much I have of everything and its easier to look at when I'm to start pulling fabrics for another project.

OOOOOOOOOOH, nice idea. No, don't have it, but I'd like to. What about checking at an office supply store....they have lots of stuff with great dividers.

What a great idea. Please keep us informed of what you find. Thanks. :D

I have seen forms online before that were made up by other quilters. I thought I could organize them in a binder and divide them into colours, novelties, Christmas, floral, etc. I used to have one of those forms but I can't find it to save my life!!!! :O

Its a great idea but would take too much away from sewing to organize mine right now!

Maybe you could make something up in a spreadsheet?
This site has these little boards for sale, maybe you could come up with something like this for the actual organizing?

http://www.cozycottagefabrics.com/catalog.php?item=89&ret=index.php

How about this site ...wow! http://www.lns-software.com/images/sewing/Screen_pictures/sfabricinventory.gif

Your binder idea is great! I'll do that when I am finished with all the binders and record keeping that go along with teaching!

A cute idea that works for me... I bought a small dollar store photo album... holds 4"X6" pics. I have cut index cards to fit each sleeve and when I am planning a quilt or trying to buy matching fabrics I cut little pieces and attach them with a glue stick to the card. Then I have a great sample card to pull out when looking for matching fabrics. I keep the cards in the book until the quilt and any accessorizing and painting is done, then file it in a recipe card box.

I also tuck paint chips that I am using, in there with the fabric.

It is easy to carry ( purse size) and gives me something to look at when I am waiting for appointments!

My system is similar to Mamagus. I use a Rolodex system with their clear sleeves for the cards. I tuck a swatch of each fabric in the back of the sleeve and print out a card with info on the front such as fabric line, manufacturer, where I got it, when I got it, price, how much I have, etc. I keep all the info on my 'puter in a database (similar to that second site thimblebug posted) and print out selected fields for the card. It's easy to update, simple to take any cards to find "go withs", and suits my "office geek" personality. :lol: I don't like binders...had one bite me in the third grade and have not trusted them ever since!! :roll:

I really like yours and Mamagus' ideas.... I will have to consider this one.. At the moment my little "geek" personality desk is rather small and I was planning upon my move to my house (ooh please oooh please before the end of this year) to convert my rec room into my studio... at that time I planned to get a bigger desk. I have my eye on a gorgeous desk at Staples. I will have more room for a rolodex system. I don't mind binders too much, I find they keep me a little more organized.

Lately I have been buying alot of fabric through thousands of bolts.com and each piece of fabric comes with a sticker attached stating how much yardage I bought of each, the manufacturer and the lot numbers. I want to keep doing that with all my fabrics if I can at all possible so if I needed to order more, I have more information to provide!

Thanks so much for your ideas!!!

Wow, those are some really great prices at thousands of bolts.com!

hi aggi try this web suite solution.com look it up maybe it will help nellie

Hey Aggi,

Try this form, it should work for you.

http://www.osatech.com/FabricOrganizer.pdf

This is exactly what I was looking for!!!! I just copied 50 pages!! LOL that should get me started :)

Thank you sooo much!!!

Thanks to everyone for their great suggestions!!!! I know I can always count on you all for great ideas and advice!!!

Cheers!!!

I have a sticker on my fabric that I use to tell me how much I have. If I cut any off, I just scratch out the number and add the new number. I have had to use a pin to hold the sticker because sometimes the sticker falls off!

Thanks for that site, I just printed off a bunch on cardstock!!

When you order fabric from Thousandsofbolts.com they put a little sticker on each piece of fabric stating how much yardage there is, along with the name of the designer/manufacturer and the fabric's lot number. Once I get my house and my "real sewing room", I will have a better handle on my stash. Right now unfortunately it has taken over every bit of my space. I have ordered so much fabric and notions on line lately I am drowning in my own stash!!! I cant' seem to stop ordering!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've become a fabricoholic addiction monster!!!!!!!!! I need to put in in a bit better order before I disappear in my pile of stash forever!!! I have a nice sice pantry cupboard in my little storage unit downstairs of my apartment and it is all colour coordinated, but sometimes after so many times going into it and pulling fabrics for the umpteen billion projects I'm doing, even more so with these flip flop bags I've been selling lately, my stash as gone all to pieces!!!!! I also need to figure out a way to reorganize my stash to make more room in the cupboard pantry I do have. I reallly need to get my house this year cause my fabric stash is starting to push me out of my apartment now!!! LOL

I just put mine on regular paper (shhhhh I just copied 50 sheets here at work before everyone arrived!! hee hee.. I tend to arrive at work a half hour before I am to start due to early bus route to work)
I have a nice size binder at home and I will get one of those Avery Divider binder tabs. I will mark them into each colour, floral, novelties, Christmas, other seasons, etc.

This is going to take a while to do, but I figure if I put a couple hours into it over a few weekends, I just might get this to work!!! Once I get it done (maybe a few years from now the rate I'm ordering fabrics these days LOL) I will post a photo of my stash inventory book!!

OK, this is probably over the top, but that's what organizing is all about! How about this notebook cover????

http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Shopper_id=962252411353596 22&Store_id=588&page_id=23&Item_ID=5550