JudyTheSewer

Prism99: Thanks. Yes, I know the boxes are not good and I appreciate you mentioning it in case I did not know :-). I've decided against the comic boards due to my research on them being "acid free". I received suggestions in one of my posts to wrap the comic boards in muslin since I was concerned. But, rather than go through all that I decided to stick with my boxes (since they work for me pretty good and I already have the shelving for them) and line the boxes with muslin - LOL. Of course, I haven't gotten around to it yet :-). Thanks for the input!

Dolphyngyrl

II organize mine by project

kay carlson

After decades of trial and error my system has evolved to separate boxes for flannel, interfacing and specialty batting (Insulbrite), batiks, civil war, 1930's, two separate designers,solids, Christmas, I Spy, and backings. The sizes of these boxes vary according to importance in my collection. All fit on a shelf unit.

Next I have three shallow boxes of fat quarters arranged by color. As someone else mentioned, some fabrics have so many colors that those are grouped separately.

My homemade precuts are five and six inch squares; 1.5 and 2.5 inch strips; misc strips 2.0 to 4.5 inches; and a separate box of neutrals containing most of the above sizes. These precuts are in transparent blue boxes as a visual key.

This year I added transparent green shoeboxes for scraps awaiting the final decision. This way I can quickly sort and store the scraps neatly as I cut out a quilt. When time allows, I can go back and select items for a quick project or add to the precuts.

Miscelleous yardage is folded lenthwise fold to selvadge edge and wrapped around a 6.5 inch ruler. These folded pieces are stacked vertically in a large shallow box to I see the entire flow by color groups.

I have been advised by the sewing machine dealer to always use a double piece of fabric on the throatplate when starting and stopping sewing. The Bonnie Hunt system of leaders and enders fills the bill. Therefore, sometimes I am sewing two odd-sized pieces together, making a four patch block, or doing half-square triangles. This afternoon I trimmed several items while quilting in our small group. It was neat to discover some items I could combine immediately for a medallion for a small quilt.

Best wishes to you on your adventure. Many thanks to each person who contributed to this thread. Each time this topic is discussed, I learn new things which make my playroom more fun and attractive.

QuiltingGrannie

Mine are organized by:
1) Project complete with pattern
2) Color - solids
3) Color - prints
4) fabric stash to sell
And those are on racks attached to the wall like you used to see at some Walmarts ( We bought some when they were remodeling a couple of years ago.
THEN
I have a chest of plastic drawers with smaller pieces according to color
THEN
I have tiny pieces in open plastic bags according to color.

I also have projects I am working on each in their own plastic 12" x 12" box with pattern.

Phyllis
QuiltingGrannie
Quilter's Pantry

Silver Needle

My daughter visited from CA this summer and we had a great time organizing my meager stash by color. Next on my bucket list is to cut up my scraps and organize them by size.

jclinganrey

It looks like many of us use very similar approaches. I, too, primarily sort by color then by 'genre' i.e., batiks, plaids, patriotics, Christmas/winter, 30's, Asian etc. I have my FQ's in LARGE tubs that are readily handy. As others have said, do what works for you. There is nothing wrong with periodically re-organizing your stash and 'visiting' your fabrics. I re-fold pieces, rearrange them, etc. Most of all - - - enjoy!!!

Jane

rj.neihart

I organized mine by color...folded the material and then rolled each piece onto a piece of cardboard...put all into a book shelf. Easy to see and all in order! The smaller pieces are on a different book shelf, folded and stacked by color coding.

jitkaau

Sorry, I don't organise it and it leads to happy accidents sometimes when some combinations just work in the jumble.

RugosaB

Let's see, my divisions:
solids by color
large flowers
stripes
flannel
checks, gingham-like
bugs
Christmas
Easter
Halloween - every holiday really
white
ecru
patriotic
obvious children's theme
plaid, homespun
small prints, by color
animal print
border print
golf theme
black prints
30's prints
dog theme
theme fabric, bought together, which basically means anything that doesn't fit any of the above categories

That's a lot of categories! Somebody better get busy, as some of these categories have quite a bit of fabric in them
Thanks for the brain work though, it was fun going through my stash mentally

GrannieAnnie

I think you have to work it out by trial and error. RIGHT NOW, what works best for me is to group what I already have plans for together, usually in the clear shoe box plastic containers. Other stuff that is just stash gets sorted by color.

I also have a lot of regular sewing fabric. Right now, it's sorted more by type of fabric---------you won't get into this if you have only quilting fabric. I've got heavy wovens, heavy & light knits, fancies (satin, lace), on down the line. I even have a couple bins of "reclaimed".