Just read the 'too much fabric' thread. My question now is.. How do you store your fabric so that you can easily access it?

Funny! I am trying to organize my as I write! So far I have mine in plastic bins sorted by color - all cotton. The specialty fabrics go into their own box. But I have an overflow problem just like many of you so it still looks messy. Just have to play with and fondle often to remember which fabrics I have. It is stored in every room of my house, 2 storage rooms and on TV shelves. But I love it!

I have 15 large 96Ltr. roller bins full and still have things in cupboards. Only trouble is the boxes are stacked in rows 5 boxes high so have to get Dh to lift them down because I always want the one at the bottom of the stack. I think a fork lift might be the answer he tells me. He! He!. Hugs Joyce.

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by kitty2011 06 Jun 2012

Oh Joyce., that's an enormous amount of fabric. See that's the problem with the stacking idea, just too hard to get to. A fork lift sounds like a good idea...lol

I use clear hard plastic boxes with lids. I purchased them from Costco. They come in three packs. They stack in a nesting way. I sort them according to use -- cotton flannel separate from fleece and UFO's get their own boxes on top. I keep my finished projects for sale in separate containers with scented sachets inside. I have paper facing outward in two boxes listing the contents. I also have seperate containers for the bits and pieces less than 1/4th yard. I use smaller clear boxes with lids to hold all my sewing patterns.
I live in a very dusty area so I must have tight lids. Additionally, I move so often I don't have to worry about boxing them up or lost fabric when I get to my next home.
The only way I "know" how much fabric is there is that I fold them all the same way. I doubt I will ever be organized enough to mark them all.

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by kitty2011 06 Jun 2012

rescuer, you sound very organised too. Yes, tagging each piece with fabric length/size seems like an enormous job!

I purchased about a dozen milk crate type storage crates. I got enough to stack width-wise and height-wise in a closet. I put them on their sides, and snapped them together, pushing them up against the wall. Then I rolled all of my fabric pieces and tied them with cotton twine so they would hold their shape. I tried to sort the pieces by color and filled up the crates. Then all of my stabilizers and such rest on top of the stack of crates. And the closet door closes to keep dust and kitties out. It has worked for me. Now I know exactly what I have (and don't have) and nothing falls out on my head when I pull a piece out of the bottom. One crate is just for the small pieces, so they are easy to find amongst the larger ones.
Good luck with finding a storage system that works for you!

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by kitty2011 06 Jun 2012

Oh., now I like the idea of rolling the fabric & securing them with twine. I think that would work well in those gorgeous cabinets jrob has.. must get me some :)

Thank you all for sharing how you keep your fabric.

My other question of course was how do you know how much fabric is in each piece?

I guess the only was would be to tage each piece as they do in shops with remnants.
.......... sounds a bit too organised for me ...LOL

Half of mine has been in packing boxes for years (still sealed)between moves. We have another move to make so when we get there I will have a HUGE sorting job :)

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by kitty2011 05 Jun 2012

Oops... 'way' not 'was' & no 'e' on tag.

Hi Kitty, I find the best system is in plastic baskets - I can see at a glance what fabric is where. And I have them in alphabetical order! e.g. Black, blue, cream, green, grey, pink, purple, red, white, yellow. Then I will have special Christmas ones and felts. In the drawers at the bottom are all my Metro large spool embroidery threads!! Is that organised, or what? Mind you, what you can't see is the wardrobes to the left!!! Love Chris

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by kitty2011 05 Jun 2012

Wow, another well organised cutie. Chris this looks great, thanks for the pic., how do you go with dust?

I use clear plastic bins on shelves. I fold the fabric so that the layers show. You can tell at a glance what the fabrics are.

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by kitty2011 05 Jun 2012

Another organised plastic tub person.. but then some of my bits are so small, but I still keep them..just in case :)

I ran across some metal pants hangers at the thrift store, they held about 6 or 8 pairs of pants (with the rubber thingy on the bar to keep pants from sliding off) I wish I had about 2 or 3 dozen more, they are great. I don't hang the fabric so it covers the below fabric, all the fabric hangs to the front and it is so easy to see what I have.

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by kitty2011 05 Jun 2012

Do you know I thought about this idea, but then you need a lot of hanging space.. depending on how big your stash is :)

I have these 2 cabinets. These pictures were when I first bought them. They are about to spring out fabric everywhere now.;)

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[2]

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by kitty2011 05 Jun 2012

Now this is my favourite. I just LOVE these cabinets & somehow I think even if the piles didn't stay straight, it would still look great.

by justonlyme 05 Jun 2012

I love your cabinets and drawers!! That is a fantastic solution!!

I have the same problem as you have. My DH is still not well to do the cupboard and shelves that I need, so in the meantime, I "live and work" out of boxes.***

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by kitty2011 05 Jun 2012

Hmmmm., yes I hear you. So much to be said for organisation. thanks

You people are really neat. I store mine in computer boxes along the basement wall and in plastic tubs. But they are not so neat as I rummage through them a lot. Need a fairy to organize them. Any one want the job? lol

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by kitty2011 05 Jun 2012

See, now that's my problem., I rummage through too, then get excited about my project, & things never seem to go back as planned

Here it is i hit the wrong button below lol

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by kitty2011 05 Jun 2012

Thanks for the photo., you abviously buy in bulk :)

Well in my basement i have one whole wall full of my sewing fabrics it needs to be refreshed but i know were most
of it is lol hugs carolyn

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by kitty2011 05 Jun 2012

Well that's the trick isn't it... knowing where everything is., I'm hopeless.

Make sure it's protected from sun and light so they don't fade. Some light bulbs will fade fabrics too.

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by kitty2011 05 Jun 2012

Thanks, yes - good advice, same with threads.
I've always had them in draws, boxes or shelves in cupboards.

Since my sewing room is in my unfinished basement, I use those heavy duty plastic shelves to store my fabric. It could use organizing, but it works for me, especially because the only ones that see it is family.
Maureen

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by kitty2011 05 Jun 2012

Oh I agree., I have always tried to keep my messy fabric stash hidden.
Again another user of plastic tubs. thanks

I use plastic roller bins, placed on shelves inside cupboards. I stack my fabrics on their sides so I can flip through them like files in a filing cabinet.
Each bin has a label and my system is what the fabric is best used for.
Babies clothes; girl clothes; boys clothes; adult clothes; embroidery fabrics; Christmas fabrics; Felts And crafts (ie: vinyls; plastic, furs & leather); satins & Laces; quilting/cotton fabrics; Asian fabrics; scraps.

I also have bins for ready cut projects; alterations & repairs; embroidery test stitch outs & scraps to use for test stitching; towels for embroidery.

I like the bins because I can pull them forward or take them right out, and they aren't too heavy for me to lift. Then I can put them on the table to browse through. Each one is labelled.

When Ray makes my builts-ins they will be made specifically to accommodate these roller bins because, like you, I have tried everything else and I find that this system really works for me.

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by kitty2011 05 Jun 2012

LOL meganne., I think you get the prize for being the most organised, but still the problem of how much fabric in each piece... do you tag each piece?

by meganne 06 Jun 2012

No, I don't tag each piece so it is a nice surprise when I pull out a fabric and I have more of it than I thought I did. LOL!!!

by kitty2011 06 Jun 2012

or not enough :( I can't wait to open all my boxes of fabric that I haven't seen for years. I guess it will all be vintage now...LOL

I wish I had a great picture to show off, but I have nothing. My fabric gets put wherever I can find a place, and sometimes stays in plastic bags for a while. My sewing room is the "catch-all" room, so it might be in there with tools, shoes, umbrellas, boxes, whatever. I am a pitiful excuse!

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by kitty2011 05 Jun 2012

lol... how on earth do you manage... haa ha... You are naughty. I feel I am getting like that myself. I need to do SOMETHING!

I have see through boxes with lids.and I sort it in colours or patterns. So I only have to pull the tub down I want. Problem: Some boxes are overflowing!

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by kitty2011 05 Jun 2012

I totally understand the overflowing bit.
Tubs seem to be a popular choice. thanks

My stash is not as big as "michemb" and I store in plastic tubs (clear ones). I just changed to doing it by colors (expect christmas and other things for a specific project).

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by kitty2011 05 Jun 2012

plastic tubs seem to be a clear winner :)

sorry, here is the pic

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by kitty2011 05 Jun 2012

LOL... it came through twice, so twice as neat !! I tried that, but slippery fabrics like silk, satin etc make the piles slip :(

by noah 05 Jun 2012

way to go sew neat and nice hugs:):)

Well Kitty I have tried many ways but find this one the most efficient. I see everything at a glance, it is easily accessible, when I need one and it is at the bottom, I pull out the pile. I just wish I had another closet this size for the rest of my material (now stashed in plastic containers) that I do not use as often.
Hope this give you some ideas,
hugs
Michelle

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3 comments

by kitty2011 05 Jun 2012

Wow., great collection & so neat. How do you know how many mtrs/yards are in each piece?

by shirlener88 05 Jun 2012

I lik how none of you shelves are to deep and that you can see what you have - at a glance - now to get you another closet for the other fabrics you have.

by justonlyme 05 Jun 2012

I like your stash. You obviously like the lighter stuff. Very nice!!