Folding fabric for best storage?
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Centerville, WA
Posts: 1,254
I, also, ruler fold anything 1 yard & under. All larger I wrap on the blot boards I get from the fabric stores. They just toss them anyway, so I always ask if I can take them off their hands. They are always eager to give them as they don't have to fill up their trash bins with them.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 416
I originally used the comic book boards and folded my fabric onto these. At that Time I did not have any shelves/cabinets to place the folded fabric in, so I store it in bins - folded on the boards. When I finally got around to buying cabinets (my husband wanted it hidden from view). My cabinets were much deeper thatn the comic book boards. So I started over.
I have two cabinets of different depths. one is about 18 1/2 inches deep and one is 23 1/3 inches deep. I decided to start loading the 18 1/2 inch deep cabinet first. I folded my fabric with selvedges together. Then I folded in half (fold to selvedge) - making it about 11 inches X length of fabric. I then folded one more time - fold to selvege. This makes it about 5 1/2 inches wide X length of fabric. I then start folding the length at about 17 1/2 inches (one inch less than cabinet depth).
I then stacked it in the cabinet by color - 1 fabric on top of the other. The comic book board method was a little more convenient for getting to an individual fabric. However, it did not utilize my space as well. Also the depth of the cabinet allows me to store more stuff. I have an embarassing amount of sewing related stuff. Including some WIP's which are stored in bins - so that I do not use up those fabrics before the project is completed.
I bought both my cabinets at IKEA. They were both wardrobe cabinets. I customized the inside by adding 2 wooden drawers on one cabinet and 3 wire drawers on the other.
I will try to load pictures of my organization later. Just wish I had room for 1 more cabinet. I still have odds and ends in the garage - including unquilted tops.
By the way I now have a lot of comic book boards if anyone is interested - probably 300-400.
I have two cabinets of different depths. one is about 18 1/2 inches deep and one is 23 1/3 inches deep. I decided to start loading the 18 1/2 inch deep cabinet first. I folded my fabric with selvedges together. Then I folded in half (fold to selvedge) - making it about 11 inches X length of fabric. I then folded one more time - fold to selvege. This makes it about 5 1/2 inches wide X length of fabric. I then start folding the length at about 17 1/2 inches (one inch less than cabinet depth).
I then stacked it in the cabinet by color - 1 fabric on top of the other. The comic book board method was a little more convenient for getting to an individual fabric. However, it did not utilize my space as well. Also the depth of the cabinet allows me to store more stuff. I have an embarassing amount of sewing related stuff. Including some WIP's which are stored in bins - so that I do not use up those fabrics before the project is completed.
I bought both my cabinets at IKEA. They were both wardrobe cabinets. I customized the inside by adding 2 wooden drawers on one cabinet and 3 wire drawers on the other.
I will try to load pictures of my organization later. Just wish I had room for 1 more cabinet. I still have odds and ends in the garage - including unquilted tops.
By the way I now have a lot of comic book boards if anyone is interested - probably 300-400.
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Gladstone, Oregon by way of Washington(the state)
Posts: 1,018
The problem with the Alaskasunshines tute is that not everyone has that much room to waste. I admit I started out with those and quickly found that they we not cheap to buy then take the time to cut, nor did I have that much room to waste. Even if each one was a 1/4 of an inch that was one inch of wasted space for every 4 boards.
The Comic book boards are thin enough to not use up very much space and they are also Acid Free. That means that no chemical reactions will go on between your fabric and the boards. I asked the Co. I got the foam/cardboard-like boards from and they couldn't answer that question. You can get the Comic book boards in 3 sizes and for a package of 100 is less than $11.00 a package. If you want smaller boards for FQ's they can be easily cut with an old Rotary blade. JMHO
The Comic book boards are thin enough to not use up very much space and they are also Acid Free. That means that no chemical reactions will go on between your fabric and the boards. I asked the Co. I got the foam/cardboard-like boards from and they couldn't answer that question. You can get the Comic book boards in 3 sizes and for a package of 100 is less than $11.00 a package. If you want smaller boards for FQ's they can be easily cut with an old Rotary blade. JMHO
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 653
I really like the comic book boards. I had so much fabric and now that it's wrapped around the boards, I have put them on shelves and I can actually see what I have! For smaller pieces that are too big for "scraps" but not big enough for the full sized boards, I cut the boards in half and wrapped the smaller pieces around that. They are shorter than the regular boards, but again I can see what I have.
#15
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 110
I use the comic book boards for yardage 2 or less. I purchase some foamcore boards from Uline for larger yardages. I have two closets with shelves. I stack the fabric like library books. I can organize by project or my color. Best idea I've ever used and I found out about it here on this board. The problem is I keep running out of boards. Hmmmmmmmm..yep there's an addiction problem.
#16
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Corpus Christi, Tx.
Posts: 16,105
I have learned to fold like I do my regular laundry which is pretty much the same as the tutorial mentioned. I don't use a ruler but I get the same effect. I have categories. I have charm, fat qtr, then 1/2-1yd and up goes on comic book boards. BUT I have 1yd +, then 2yds +, then 3yds+ which are all wrapped on comic boards. The + is the extra piece attached. Depending on the + determines if it goes into the scrap bin. The + may be a strip that I need and is the right length. Works for me.
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