I am going to have to buy a new cabinet or something. The one I had- I broke. We got a new aquarium (my other addiction) and had to move everything around to make it fit. My husband said we could trade spots with the 3 aquariums that are in our bedroom- for the table. Then I could have the computer and sewing machine on the same table. Anyway I thought he ment for me to move my cabinet, it was only 3 inches so I didn't say anything. I shoved and shoved and then it busted. Fabric was everywhere. Now I have it all in laundry baskets. When I had him come look at it he said he was sorry, he just ment that it needed to be moved 3 inches, not for me to do it. I don't have anything else to put it in. I already have containers under the couches and under the bed. Wondering if there is anything out there that will hold alot of weight, and doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
thanks

Most of my fabrics are in built in cabinets in my sewing (family) room. The rest is in 64 qt size clear rubbermaid buckets in the garage. I have about 12 out there, organized by color, or flannels, or back size pieces.

What size aquarium did you get? Freshwater or salt.
I have a 100 gal freshwater in my living room. I love my aquarium and fishes. I'd love to get another but dh says "no".

I keep mine in huge chests, have about 8 of them.

I have my yardage folded on bookshelves. I have fat quarters in baskets and also in an over the door shoe holder. It's clear plastic and holds dozens of fat quarters in each section. I can see at a glance what I have. I paid about $8 for it at Walmart.

The shoe bag's a great idea--Thanks. My FQs are folded (ha!) in a couple of old wooden peach crates set on edge. Looks nice for a while and then I start digging and it's a mess.

Most of it is on my shelves my husband built in the closet and fat quarter or smaller in plastic bends by color.

I have 2 dressers and an armoir that holds my fabric.
I went and bought this little cabinet thing, but it doesn't hold much.
Try looking at thrift stores for dressers/cabinets. Most of them are cheap and most are pretty sturdy.
The last one I bought at a thrift store was $30 and is pure wood, no press board anywhere in it.

i keep mine in the walk in closet in my sewing room. DH lined all 3 walls from floor to ceiling with shelves.

We got another freshwater tank to help consolidate LOL.Now after this one this is what we have
125 Gallon, 75 Gallon, 55 Gallon planted, 55 Gallon, 15 Gallon planted, 10 Gallon, 10 Gallon, and 2 Betta Bowls
African Cichlids (lots of different ones-and I can name them lol), Pleco's, Channel Catfish, Cherry Shrimp, Ghost Shrimp, Killifish, Guppies, Green Glow Fish, Corey's, Tropheus Kaiser, Convicts, Jack Dempsey's, and puffers.
Now I have 4 empty tanks sitting on my porch- We need to sell them before we find something else to put in them.

That's ALOT of tanks and fish!
I used to have a small tank....10 gallon and put some pretties in there, but with moving all the time, was hard. Had to find new homes for the critters. Can't wait until I get MY OWN house so I can have a tank again.

Most of my fabric is in my "fabric shop" room, in IKEA bookcases with glass doors - here's a pic of 2 of the 3 bookcases:
.

i use stacked drawers from walmart. i get the 7-drawer sets. in this photo, the sets are stacked 2-high. (just remove the top from the bottom set, and the top set snaps into place.)

when i don't double-stack, they roll around wonderfully. if i double-stack and fill them, the wheels get all wonky so i have to leave them off.

the double-stacks are in my store-room. i have a few rolling single sets in my sewing area to hold the fabs and tools for current projects. since the drawers come all the way out, i can swap them out between the "current" stacks and the storage stacks so the unfinished projects don't haunt me while i'm working on something else.

Wow!! You ladies have some fabric!! I'm still a newbie only been quilting for a year and a half, I have one bookshelf full of fabric and one big container of scraps. I want to go shopping in your sewing rooms!! Really well organized, just like a store. :D :D

I have mine in a small roll about made for scrap booking, also in a box that held reams of paper. My stash is pretty small compared to some of yours.

yowza! I only have a small small amount of fabric. I have this neat little in the wall shelving unit dh built in my closet and that is where my pitiful stash is. If I had what some of you have we'd have to add on to the house.....or kick one of the kids out! lol!

Most of my stash is now in Clever Store bins made by Rubbermaid. I don't like the deep totes - too much digging needed, which makes a mess. These are a little over 6" deep - perfect for fat quarters or up to about 1 1/2 yds folded and stood on end. Sorted by color. They fit well in a closet, and even full are easy to pick up so that I can move them to get to the bins underneath.


I don't have a sewing room. Here's a pic of my cottons (flannel, batiks, homespuns elsewhere).

I have most of my material in an computer armoire, the fleece and batting I keep in totes. I use those tall plastic 'dressers' on wheels that are 12-14" wide with 6 drawers (two different sizes) for projects, small squares that I made too many of, small pattern templates, scraps of batting.

Clear plastic boxes. So easy. no dust. And I can see what is in there.

I keep most of mine in a dresser. You can pick them up cheap at auctions and thrift stores. I got a dresser at an auction for $25.

FF

Clear plastic tubs. At one point in time my fabric was all sorted and organized. I guess I should go through and do it again since I inherited all of my mother's fabric when she passed away.

Give it a year - that will change :lol:

I have mine in rubbermaid containers inside cabinets. I wish I had done an open concept so I could see my fabric (or rather the colors) at a glance. I'm very visual. As is, I have to remember which cabinet holds which color and pull out the containers and then audition. .....but then I get to pet my fabric a lot and that's not such a bad thing. :-)

I have wire shelves with plastic coating that costs 16 dollars at Target.
They are not enclosed and are hard to put togather but they hold alot of fabric.
Each cubbie is 14 1/2 in. square and you get 6. You can put them togather vertical or horizontal.

OK. I have probably the smallest stash of anyone on this board. My stash fits in 3 plastic grocery bags.

I really need to start working on stash building. :lol:

Wow! Some of the pictures amazing. I have most of my fabric in huge rubermaid tubs. I had them stashed all over the house but have got them all contained in one room now.

I wish i could have those storage units, but like most u have i cant get in Norway :cry:

I use the same kind Patrice does. I also have some storage tubs for scraps and batting.

Everybody starts somewhere - and then, suddenly... Well, you can see the rest of the story.

I'd encourage you, while enjoying building your stash, to get some kind of organization going now, while it's small, and keep at it. Getting it organized after you have boxes, bags, etc. all over is a real pain in the neck (or something like that :wink: ). Having gone through that mess, I'd rather start when the stash is small and keep at it.

Wow! Some of you ladies have amazing stashes! How nice to have entire rooms devoted to your sewing!
I was lucky enough to inherit a large-ish antique cupboard. It is perfect for stacking various sizes of fabrics in the upper shelves. And I squeeze in most everything else in the lower shelves. If the stash starts to bust out of the cupboard, I try to put together a charity quilt or two. I won't provide a picture of the cupboard, because it resides in the catch-all room. I have to set up my sewing machine between the piles of stuff most of the time! Once in awhile I decide to move into the living room, but eventually I have to clear out in order to save the DH's sanity. Some day when the nest is empty, we are supposed to build a sewing room, but I will retain the antique cupboard.
Anyway, I hear you on the economizing. Even though plastics emit fumes or gases or whatever over time, they are still sometimes the most economical way for many of us to manage our stashes. Watch for sales or even garage sales.
I saw in a quilting catalog a nice sized canvas organizer that hung in the closet. I forget the price, but it was way more than I would pay. But similar organizers may be found at places like Dollar General or Wal-Mart, only they are labeled for sweaters. If I had a spare closet, I'd spend the $4.00 on a couple. I would use an old sheet or garbage bag to keep dust off, if necessary.
If you keep an open mind, you are bound to find something at a garage sale or thrift store. Whatever you decide, if you buy something wooden, you may want to line the shelves with acid free tissue paper, etc, just in case of transference. Oh, and give it a good sniff before you buy. You may not be able to cure a cupboard of mustiness, and that will spread.

Just wanted to say thank you to everyone. I have a pretty good idea of what I want now. Thanks again

The Ikea closets are a GREAT idea! I just may do that. Let's hope they open a new Ikea nearer to us soon.

I thought I had alot of fabric, but some of you have me way beat. I don't feel bad knowing I have a few tubs of material. I do like the bookcases with glass doors on them, that is an nice way to see what you have. I have some clear tubs but most are in tubs I can't see through. Hubby will hate it when i show him that picture of the bookcases with the doors. lol He will say something like, "another honey do to add?" Great posts for ideas on how to store. Thanks ladies!
Cathy

I have two cabinet pantries I use. I also have a few larger rubbermaid containers I use for the different sizes of scrap fabrics I use. I use my hope chest for all my pieces of batting.

I'm fortunate to have a sewing room which allows for a bit more storage. Currently, I use a six foot professional bakery rack (5 shelves with wheels) to store my fabric which is folded using a 4"x6" ruler. A local warehouse club had them for several months for under $80. To keep fabric stacks in place, I lined three sides of the rack with home decorator fabric (it's heavier) tied at strategic points and use another hanging piece to cover the front. Hope this helps.

Pardon my ignorance but what does "dh" stand for? Dear Hubby?

I have 7 of the pattern cabinets(from fabric stores gone out of business), all filled and organized with fabric, the spillovers are in 2 dozen of the 66 qt. plastic totes, filled and organized. Scraps are in big plastic garbage bags.

My husband suggested I use my white Ikea bookcases and allow him to install a window shade at the top that I can pull down to protect them from fading. I may take him up on that. :) Finding money for new bookcases may be not so easy.

I too am surprised at how much fabric many of you have amassed. I did a lot of shopping while at home in the states when I realized I could buy 1 yd for what I pay for a FQ! I also discovered a little country store called Goods where they sell expensive fabrics at cut rates. I bought some Hoffman,Moda and other well known names for $2.35/yd. Also discovered that I can order on Ebay and even with the delivery to Norway, it is cheaper than going to the fabric store.

I am a happy camper, who doesn't love to find a bargain?

My stash is housed in a rented Space Storage Locker located about 7 miles from where we live. I live with my oldest daughter, Liz and her husband Mike, and 3 Rottwweiller males. As I no longer drive I have to wait for Liz to take me "shopping" from the about 35 plastic boxes the size of apple boxes.. I have moved my stash many times and the last time across the country. Liz & I share a sewing room in the house, and try to find sewing time. She isn't a Quilter yet, but I have plans. My other daughter, Mary, has made quilts, but lives in New Jersey. I keep an inventory of the numbered boxes, the fabric is storted according to color. In the house I have all my notions, 2 sewing machines, tables and quilting books. I belong to a Guild and a sewing bee, so keep busy, but still am the collecter of UFO's. Quilters Rule....CECELIA

you know them wire shelving units they sell at back to school time well i have awall aalmost full of them anon oppasit wall i hav wooden shelves.i bought an stained an put together my self.istarted all of this after the k-mart i was working at closed due to the rent the company didn't want to pay any more.an ihave a quilting machine on the window side of room .an sewing tableon wall oppasit of quilting machine.anonly aboutthree foot to walk around in rooom when it is at its sest but i found out this last winter my floor is going through it's self an i have to box it all up an redo the floor again.i knew i should of went ahead an put new wood down before i put my checker board tiles down.darn it i got to do it all over again. my dad left me his place when he pased away an he didn't know the floors were that bad.

Those stacked drawers are great. Never thot of it. I use the rolling three drawer ones for notions, lace, purse fixings and thread. I have my thread sorted according to purpose..... embroidery etc. My fabric is stores in 6' tall plastic cabinets with doors to prevent fading, also from Walmart's. Also have several chests of drawers that my kids left when they moved out with my fat quarters. Scraps are still in a big plastic bag in the closet.

Do you have any closet space?

I purchased a few of the canvas sweater hanging shelves. They hang in the closet and take only 12" of space...(my two take 24" !!!!)
They each have six 12" square shelves and you would be surprised just how much fabric one can fit into that space...each square is 8" high.

One can also purchase drawers for the opening which I did for a few. I store scraps for paper piecing in one and patterns in another...etc......

I also bought one of the hanging shelves for shoes and it is great for fat quarters and smaller items in your stash. This one has 10 shelves which are 12"x 5" and close to 5" high and there are 10 slots in each one......and think about it....it only takes about 5" of closet space.

For my much larger pieces, I store in an armoire. Hope that helps
MJ in NJ