katclock

Lots of good suggestions, I use most of them and I also hang larger pieces of fabric on hangers in the closet.

Sorry to hear about your illness, stay positive and joy the smaller space.

cellomom

Hi Sharon, This is my very first response on this site.. I just signed up today as a new member... We too recently downsized... I now have a small corner in our bedroom for quilting... I got rid of much... but kept all of my quilting stash.... just couldn't part with my collection... I suggest going vertical... using a wall with a cabinet or shelving is a good bet... I like to protect my stash from the light that fades... so, sewing a curtain and placing it up on the shelves with a tension rod is quite cheap and it will stay free of dust. It also keeps the common area looking tidy. My prayers are with you.... Keep quilting and keep your heart and hands busy and happy! God's love, cello mom

pw6

pack fabric in clear plastic tubs and stack to ceiling in closet, that is how I did mine when I lived in a one bdm, also can stash tubsin bathrm closet and well as put in shelves above washer/dryer.. there is usually a sm closet on the patio as well that you can store items that do not need to be in a protected area.. good luck and May God bless & keep you.

barny

Don't get rid of your fabric. That is your favorite thing. Get rid of other stuff. That murphy bed thingy sounds wonderful. And use the bedroom for sewing and storage. If people come to visit and don't like it, too bad.LOL. You could put a place to rest or nap in the sewing room too. don't give up!

pw6

as to the murphy bed, they have a new one on the market that rolls up into the headboard and has a lot of storage on each side as well...

tessagin

I really like the comic book boards. The clear under bed containers. One suggested a Murphy bed. I've never slept comfortably on a Murphy bed. And have had several. Some times in an apt. you can go up depending if they allow you to attach any shelves but I would see if I couldn't find maybe an entertainment center that you could surround your tv, dvr (?) with fabric on display on the shelves. make it easy for yourself. Check out the different studio and small areas that are in the organization section here on the board and YouTube.

tessagin

Sending prayers from the Gulf. it's been one year since I've been diagnosed and had a lumpectomy and the HRT therapy. And as we all say and know 'EVERYDAY IS A GIFT!"

echoemb

Go UP. I just moved out of a very small bedroom I used for sewing and put up wire shelving on two walls and put some of my plastic containers on those. It worked great and gave me room on the floor for my tables which I also put containers under. Good luck, you can make it work

amyjo

Sorry to hear about your illness and having to lose your home. I would get a day bed to have in the living area and use the bedroom for my sewing. You can keep a nice coverlet on your daybed and can sit on it during the day or if you need to lie down take it off. that way it doesn't look like your bed. also the idea of bookcases are awesome. I got all my cardboard for making my own mini bolts free from Joanns when they were throwing them out in the trash. meant they didn't have to carry it out there. makes 4 same size boards to fill. I have some cupboards with doors that I store my fabric in besides the totes. That way something I don't use very often is not taking up space with what I use a lot of. Take care, Amy

bearisgray

I think part of the answer depends on what you are able to to.
Are you able to reach high? Bend down and pull totes from under the bed? How much weight can you lift?

A 56 quart size tote full of fabric is heavy.

I have some industrial shelving that stands by itself and the shelves are adjustable. Tennsco is the maker. I needed help to set it up - a 24 x 48 x 84 inch unit. I had to have some of the tall ones cut down to 78 inches.the only tools needed were a rubber mallet and a hammer. These units can be confiigured in various sizes.