Thanks so much for your good wishes in regard to my eye issues. I think I am getting better. The eye is better, but the swelling has moved down my face so now I look like a big red pumpkin. Lovely.
Beverly in WA had a question for me. She asked if the plastic storage box shown in my recent post on the Toulouse project was my typical method for keeping track of works in progress. It got me thinking of all the different storage containers I use in various stages of my fabric acquisition and turning those fabrics into actual quilts.
I love to buy fabric bundles and collections of fat quarters, and like to have them front and center in my stash closet where I can pass by and fondle them and dream of their future transformation into quilts. So, this is their first landing spot. The stash closet in my sewing room.
Once I decide to make a specific pattern into a quilt, I store the cut pieces and pattern in a Rubbermaid box. I have dozens of these boxes. They are a nice size that stacks and fits well on my shelves. (Note: the fuzzy thing on the shelf above is not one of my dogs. It is a lambswool duster that ended up there somehow. I really need to find a better spot for it).
Sometimes I get an idea that I want to make a certain pattern with a specific fabric line, and I may put the "ingredients" into one of these boxes before doing any of the cutting. The box labeled "Mojo-Four Seasons" is full of a fabric collection called Four Seasons that I want to make into Miss Rosie's pattern called Mojo. I'll get to it one of these days. So, those boxes are my real work horses. You can get them at hardware stores, drug stores and places like WalMart. If on sale, they are pretty cheap too–around $4.00.
Sometimes I start collecting fabrics for a specific project and need a box bigger than the ones shown above, in which to store them. My Morris fabrics, for example, need a good size box to live in while I figure out what on earth to do with them. (We should talk about that in another post. Is anyone else having an issue deciding how to use those prints?) Anyway, here are my black and whites.
Finally, the place my random fabric buys and leftover fatquarters and scraps end up is here. In the garage. Where I have two, make that three, metal shelving units loaded with two different sizes of plastic tubs. Got those at CostCo for $70 each. The shelving units, that is.
You get the idea. Yes I know. I have a lot of fabric. But, hey, at least it's all paid for. I know a woman who has $7000 racked up on a credit card, and it is all for fabric that she is paying for in installments. And, I know another woman who had to rent a storage unit to store all her fabric off site so her family didn't commit her to a mental institution. Oh, oh, and the poor thing that keeps all her stash in the bathtub in her spare bathroom? Pathetic. I'm not that far gone. This was going to be a post on fabric and project storing methods, I truly didn't mean to go there.
So, how do you dear friends keep your fabric organized? Better yet, do you know any scandalous stories of fabric hoarders who need intervention? Tell. Tell.
102 responses to “How Do You Store Your Projects and Fabric?”
Nicole, can I come visit your stash? Huh, huh, pleeeaassee!LOL Hope the eye is getting better!
Nicole, can I come visit your stash? Huh, huh, pleeeaassee!LOL Hope the eye is getting better!
Ooh la la, look at all that fabric. You better make sure to never accidentally leave your garage door up.
I bet you get tons of comments on this post, I’ll have to check back at the end of the day to read the good hoarder stories. Who could improve on your method, WOW, that’s organized!
I did not see a single quilt at the “Road to California” quilt show using William Morris Workshop…I know folks bought that fabric, why aren’t any designers coming out with patterns using it? I bet I saw Rouenneries made up 6 different ways. It may be up to us to come up with something.
I think I read this hoarder story in a magazine but I thought it was funny and it has stuck in my memory. When one quilter’s husband told her he thought she had enough fabric she told him she was the “fabric keeper” for her quilt club! That the fabric was everyone’s not just hers….and he bought it!! I’m keeping that one in the back of my mind just in case I need it someday.
Ooh la la, look at all that fabric. You better make sure to never accidentally leave your garage door up.
I bet you get tons of comments on this post, I’ll have to check back at the end of the day to read the good hoarder stories. Who could improve on your method, WOW, that’s organized!
I did not see a single quilt at the “Road to California” quilt show using William Morris Workshop…I know folks bought that fabric, why aren’t any designers coming out with patterns using it? I bet I saw Rouenneries made up 6 different ways. It may be up to us to come up with something.
I think I read this hoarder story in a magazine but I thought it was funny and it has stuck in my memory. When one quilter’s husband told her he thought she had enough fabric she told him she was the “fabric keeper” for her quilt club! That the fabric was everyone’s not just hers….and he bought it!! I’m keeping that one in the back of my mind just in case I need it someday.
Last year a woman around the Washington, D.C. area began sending out emails saying she was selling fabric out of a storage area. Turns out that she saw a quilt, decided she wanted one and started buying fabric. And I mean fabric. The reason she was selling (and it eventually got down to 50 cents a yard) was that she bought and bought and bought, filling up, I counted, SEVEN storage units at a UHaul storage center. And these weren’t small storage units. Someone in her family lost a job and she was paying as much for these units as she was her house mortgage. So something had to give and one can only assume her husband said “it’s the mortgage payment or me!” It was crazy how much she had. Even crazier was that it was cheap, cheap, cheap stuff from JoAnn’s, nothing really quality. Many in my guild bought from her but it was for backings for charity quilts. And you know what? She never, ever, not even once, made a quilt. She just spent thousands buying fabric. It was a sickness.
Last year a woman around the Washington, D.C. area began sending out emails saying she was selling fabric out of a storage area. Turns out that she saw a quilt, decided she wanted one and started buying fabric. And I mean fabric. The reason she was selling (and it eventually got down to 50 cents a yard) was that she bought and bought and bought, filling up, I counted, SEVEN storage units at a UHaul storage center. And these weren’t small storage units. Someone in her family lost a job and she was paying as much for these units as she was her house mortgage. So something had to give and one can only assume her husband said “it’s the mortgage payment or me!” It was crazy how much she had. Even crazier was that it was cheap, cheap, cheap stuff from JoAnn’s, nothing really quality. Many in my guild bought from her but it was for backings for charity quilts. And you know what? She never, ever, not even once, made a quilt. She just spent thousands buying fabric. It was a sickness.
Excellent organization of all your stuff. Looks great.
Excellent organization of all your stuff. Looks great.
Wow! $7000 worth of fabric on a credit card. That’s bad (but what a guilty pleasure). On the one hand I’m thinking $7K in debt!!! On the other I’m thinking $7K of FABRIC!!!! Oops I just drooled on th keyboard.
Wow! $7000 worth of fabric on a credit card. That’s bad (but what a guilty pleasure). On the one hand I’m thinking $7K in debt!!! On the other I’m thinking $7K of FABRIC!!!! Oops I just drooled on th keyboard.
wowowwww,I just wanna be your guest for a while ;-)))))
wowowwww,I just wanna be your guest for a while ;-)))))
Your “Green” and “More Green” bins always make me smile. Glad to hear your eye is better, but pumpkin face is not a good look on anyone!
Your “Green” and “More Green” bins always make me smile. Glad to hear your eye is better, but pumpkin face is not a good look on anyone!
I all of a sudden feel so much better about my stash lol. I have two smaller pantry cupboards from a hardware store, and some large baskets and maybe a few of the clear rubbermaids…ok now I’m not feeling so great lol.
Lord and I still have stash envy over yours.
I all of a sudden feel so much better about my stash lol. I have two smaller pantry cupboards from a hardware store, and some large baskets and maybe a few of the clear rubbermaids…ok now I’m not feeling so great lol.
Lord and I still have stash envy over yours.
Thanks for the ideas. I have a great sewing room, but the cupboards are full. I need to do something with leftovers and odds and ends. I’m currently trying to clean up my cutting table, but my cabinets are full, so I decided to sew my way through the mess.
It’s going pretty well, thank you!
Thanks for the ideas. I have a great sewing room, but the cupboards are full. I need to do something with leftovers and odds and ends. I’m currently trying to clean up my cutting table, but my cabinets are full, so I decided to sew my way through the mess.
It’s going pretty well, thank you!
I am so not worthy. Love the thought of having that much fabric. Glad to hear that your eye is doing better.
I am so not worthy. Love the thought of having that much fabric. Glad to hear that your eye is doing better.
I officially have stash envy. I have my stash in three bins: One for earth tones (from ivory to brown), one for red, greens and purple and one for blue and black. I have a smaller bin where I have a few UFO’s from years past with the fabric needed to complete. The thing is, I tend to have very few UFOs. I start a project and rarely do I put it aside until the top is finished. I think it has more to do with the type of projects I pick up. I tend to cut up all my fabric for the project and then I sit and sew. and sew. and sew. I do have a BOM that I started several years ago that is in a small bin like the one you have. It’s the only UFO that has it’s own bin just because I used several fabrics to make the blocks and there are 8 blocks still uncut.
Happy to hear your eye is better. Although the whole puff fish look isn’t much better, I’m hoping that the pain and discomfort have been reduced.
I officially have stash envy. I have my stash in three bins: One for earth tones (from ivory to brown), one for red, greens and purple and one for blue and black. I have a smaller bin where I have a few UFO’s from years past with the fabric needed to complete. The thing is, I tend to have very few UFOs. I start a project and rarely do I put it aside until the top is finished. I think it has more to do with the type of projects I pick up. I tend to cut up all my fabric for the project and then I sit and sew. and sew. and sew. I do have a BOM that I started several years ago that is in a small bin like the one you have. It’s the only UFO that has it’s own bin just because I used several fabrics to make the blocks and there are 8 blocks still uncut.
Happy to hear your eye is better. Although the whole puff fish look isn’t much better, I’m hoping that the pain and discomfort have been reduced.
Hi Nicole, glad to hear that your eye is getting better. Hopefully you will be in tip top shape in the next couple of days!
I have a stash that I am embarrassed to admit to. . .I’ve been quilting for over 20 years and probably still have some of the first fabrics that I purchased in the basement somewhere.
My problem is that it is not organized any more. When I lived by myself in the condo I was better able to manage the fabric, books & patterns. When I moved into my house 12 years ago I had the entire basement & was able to keep the entire stash of fabric & yarn in one area.
Then I got married & needed to downsize. . . DH was being helpful & started putting boxes away. . .well, the fabric got to be all through the basement.
A year ago we had a flood in the basement. We had to move everything that we were able to save (and what was on the shelves). The restoration company people helped us pack up the loose stuff & the stuff that was on the shelves. . .so fabric got mixed into household stuff which was mixed in with CD’s. . .well you get the picture, don’t you?
All of those “mish mash” boxes went into a PODS unit for 2 months. Then, since it was too expensive to keep the PODS unit without the insurance company picking up the tab we took everything back into the basement & just put it where we found an open spot.
It’s been a year & I still don’t know where all of my “stuff” is except for being able to say “it’s in the basement, in a box, somewhere”.
I envy your organization. . . .do you think you would like to come East so you could help me????
Have a wonderful day!
Hi Nicole, glad to hear that your eye is getting better. Hopefully you will be in tip top shape in the next couple of days!
I have a stash that I am embarrassed to admit to. . .I’ve been quilting for over 20 years and probably still have some of the first fabrics that I purchased in the basement somewhere.
My problem is that it is not organized any more. When I lived by myself in the condo I was better able to manage the fabric, books & patterns. When I moved into my house 12 years ago I had the entire basement & was able to keep the entire stash of fabric & yarn in one area.
Then I got married & needed to downsize. . . DH was being helpful & started putting boxes away. . .well, the fabric got to be all through the basement.
A year ago we had a flood in the basement. We had to move everything that we were able to save (and what was on the shelves). The restoration company people helped us pack up the loose stuff & the stuff that was on the shelves. . .so fabric got mixed into household stuff which was mixed in with CD’s. . .well you get the picture, don’t you?
All of those “mish mash” boxes went into a PODS unit for 2 months. Then, since it was too expensive to keep the PODS unit without the insurance company picking up the tab we took everything back into the basement & just put it where we found an open spot.
It’s been a year & I still don’t know where all of my “stuff” is except for being able to say “it’s in the basement, in a box, somewhere”.
I envy your organization. . . .do you think you would like to come East so you could help me????
Have a wonderful day!
I’ve made it a goal to use up as much of my stash as possible – it’s like making a quilt for free! I have projects organized in either plastic containers like yours, or large plastic ziplocs, depending on the size of the project.
For stand alone fabric and leftovers I use plastic containers. I used to do it by color, but now I do it by size of the piece of fabric, and by color within that. Fat quarters are on their own, but then everything else I have: less than a 1/4 yard, 1/4 to half yard, half to one yard, etc. It’s working for right now.
I’ve made it a goal to use up as much of my stash as possible – it’s like making a quilt for free! I have projects organized in either plastic containers like yours, or large plastic ziplocs, depending on the size of the project.
For stand alone fabric and leftovers I use plastic containers. I used to do it by color, but now I do it by size of the piece of fabric, and by color within that. Fat quarters are on their own, but then everything else I have: less than a 1/4 yard, 1/4 to half yard, half to one yard, etc. It’s working for right now.
You are quite organized…and I love the labels. I’m a label fan myself, and I think that you’ve done an excellent job of keeping everything in it’s place. This year my husband and I are FINALLY credit card debt free 🙂 so I can’t imagine $7000 just on fabric! I too am proud to say that all of my fabric is paid for!
You are quite organized…and I love the labels. I’m a label fan myself, and I think that you’ve done an excellent job of keeping everything in it’s place. This year my husband and I are FINALLY credit card debt free 🙂 so I can’t imagine $7000 just on fabric! I too am proud to say that all of my fabric is paid for!
Nicole, I am sorry to tell you that I think you need an intervention and I’ll be glad to fly out to CA and take care of the problem for you. NOTE: I’ll be bringing and extra suitcase.
Nicole, I am sorry to tell you that I think you need an intervention and I’ll be glad to fly out to CA and take care of the problem for you. NOTE: I’ll be bringing and extra suitcase.
Nicole, so glad the eye is better and hope you’re back to 100% soon! I love the idea of the boxes. My stash is on shelves, too, in a closet in my sewing room but since I only do ‘collections’ occassionally, I sort by color and also have shelves for geometrics, solids and a few other categories. I love the William Morris fabric too! Ann Loar (she teaches at Thimblecreek and makes beautiful quilts) used a Fig Tree pattern called Sugar Swirls and it’s gorgeous! You can see a picture of it on Barbara Brackman’s blog (Nov. 20). It’s my next project as soon as I finish the Red & White Snowball.
Nicole, so glad the eye is better and hope you’re back to 100% soon! I love the idea of the boxes. My stash is on shelves, too, in a closet in my sewing room but since I only do ‘collections’ occassionally, I sort by color and also have shelves for geometrics, solids and a few other categories. I love the William Morris fabric too! Ann Loar (she teaches at Thimblecreek and makes beautiful quilts) used a Fig Tree pattern called Sugar Swirls and it’s gorgeous! You can see a picture of it on Barbara Brackman’s blog (Nov. 20). It’s my next project as soon as I finish the Red & White Snowball.
I keep mine in cabinets I got at OSH (floor standing)and Home Depot (wall storage). They are in dire need of re-folding. My “miscellaneous” fabric is stored in large plastic tubs in the closet. I thouht I had lots, but I bow down to you!
We heard of a lady that kept fabric in the trunk of her car so her hubby wouldn’t see it. Then she got rear ended…….
I keep mine in cabinets I got at OSH (floor standing)and Home Depot (wall storage). They are in dire need of re-folding. My “miscellaneous” fabric is stored in large plastic tubs in the closet. I thouht I had lots, but I bow down to you!
We heard of a lady that kept fabric in the trunk of her car so her hubby wouldn’t see it. Then she got rear ended…….
Oh, swelling and redness moving south, doesn’t sound fun at all! But at least you can see to cut and sew and blog!
I like those snap top Rubbermaid containers too, but they are expensive here for some reason—at CVS they are like $7 bucks each! Luckily my DD works there so I can get a discount…
Your stash is impressive and obviously high quality. I can’t imagine having that much to choose from but I know it is never enough because there are always new and yummy lines being made that you have to have! So its a never-ending circle. Enjoy it!
Oh, swelling and redness moving south, doesn’t sound fun at all! But at least you can see to cut and sew and blog!
I like those snap top Rubbermaid containers too, but they are expensive here for some reason—at CVS they are like $7 bucks each! Luckily my DD works there so I can get a discount…
Your stash is impressive and obviously high quality. I can’t imagine having that much to choose from but I know it is never enough because there are always new and yummy lines being made that you have to have! So its a never-ending circle. Enjoy it!
So glad your eye is better. Who knows what caused that, but Sophie could have had something on her. My husband can just drive through the woods and get poison ivy.
WOW at your fabric! You are very organized indeed. I bought some bookcase type shelves at Lowe’s last year and my closet is finally organized. Such a good feeling when I open the closet doors.
Take care.
So glad your eye is better. Who knows what caused that, but Sophie could have had something on her. My husband can just drive through the woods and get poison ivy.
WOW at your fabric! You are very organized indeed. I bought some bookcase type shelves at Lowe’s last year and my closet is finally organized. Such a good feeling when I open the closet doors.
Take care.
oh what a stash. I have fabric envy. good thing I don’t live in the US where fabric is half the cost as it is in Canada. I have my fabric in those hanging shoe/sweater shelves and fat quarters in a plastic bin. I have strips seperated into different little bins, one for light strips, one dark and one brights, crumbs etc. so far it is working out ok.
oh what a stash. I have fabric envy. good thing I don’t live in the US where fabric is half the cost as it is in Canada. I have my fabric in those hanging shoe/sweater shelves and fat quarters in a plastic bin. I have strips seperated into different little bins, one for light strips, one dark and one brights, crumbs etc. so far it is working out ok.
i’m sending this link to my husband so he’ll know that i’m actually quite sane when it comes to my stash! i’m like you–i have my stash out in the garage in plastic bins–when we started having kids–my sewing room had to be transformed into a nursery and now i sew on the kitchen table (sigh).
my favorite story is one i read on a blog (but have forgotten the source)–where the husband went and saw his wife’s stash and was aghast–and asked, “what–did you spend like $500 on all this fabric?!” and the wife wisely said yes 🙂
thanks for showing us pictures–i love looking at other people’s fabrics 🙂
i’m sending this link to my husband so he’ll know that i’m actually quite sane when it comes to my stash! i’m like you–i have my stash out in the garage in plastic bins–when we started having kids–my sewing room had to be transformed into a nursery and now i sew on the kitchen table (sigh).
my favorite story is one i read on a blog (but have forgotten the source)–where the husband went and saw his wife’s stash and was aghast–and asked, “what–did you spend like $500 on all this fabric?!” and the wife wisely said yes 🙂
thanks for showing us pictures–i love looking at other people’s fabrics 🙂
I am so sorry your eye has been bothering you, I read your earlier posts about it. I really hope you get all better soon. I would bet it had something to do with Poison Ivy, that stuff is awful and spreads so easily. (I am glad you got your dog back too…) I hope you can have a relaxing weekend for once!
Your stash is so wonderful. I love stash, and have accumulated quite a bit. The problem I have is I don’t have a designated space for it, our three bedroom house is full, both of my kids have their own room, and then our master bedroom, leaving no other rooms for my stash. I have two large Rubbermaid bins in my daughters closet, one in my closet and several long flat bins under my bed. I somehow manage to not buy any more because I have nowhere to put it. I am trying hard to use it up though, and am doing okay at it! The Schnibbles a month, well I decided I can only use my stash to do these, and that has helped! 😀 thanks for sharing your ideas!
I am so sorry your eye has been bothering you, I read your earlier posts about it. I really hope you get all better soon. I would bet it had something to do with Poison Ivy, that stuff is awful and spreads so easily. (I am glad you got your dog back too…) I hope you can have a relaxing weekend for once!
Your stash is so wonderful. I love stash, and have accumulated quite a bit. The problem I have is I don’t have a designated space for it, our three bedroom house is full, both of my kids have their own room, and then our master bedroom, leaving no other rooms for my stash. I have two large Rubbermaid bins in my daughters closet, one in my closet and several long flat bins under my bed. I somehow manage to not buy any more because I have nowhere to put it. I am trying hard to use it up though, and am doing okay at it! The Schnibbles a month, well I decided I can only use my stash to do these, and that has helped! 😀 thanks for sharing your ideas!
There is a woman in my sewing circle who has built a storage unit on her property that is about 600 sq ft. which is filled with fabric. It’s regrigerated to keep the fabric cool and preserved better. Her house has rooms like mazes filled with tall stacks of fabric… it’s like being in a library but with fabric instead of books. I am claustrophobic… so it’s way out of my comfort zone. Did I mention that she (& her husband) sleeps in a travel trailer next to the house because there is no room inside? I know this is going to sound bad but… it isn’t even good quality fabric!
There is a woman in my sewing circle who has built a storage unit on her property that is about 600 sq ft. which is filled with fabric. It’s regrigerated to keep the fabric cool and preserved better. Her house has rooms like mazes filled with tall stacks of fabric… it’s like being in a library but with fabric instead of books. I am claustrophobic… so it’s way out of my comfort zone. Did I mention that she (& her husband) sleeps in a travel trailer next to the house because there is no room inside? I know this is going to sound bad but… it isn’t even good quality fabric!
Wow, some of these comments are amazing. I couldn’t imagine being in c.card debt because of fabric shopping! Maybe because I lived in Canada when I started quilting and the cost of fabric is so much higher, I didn’t get into the “stash” building early on.
Wow, some of these comments are amazing. I couldn’t imagine being in c.card debt because of fabric shopping! Maybe because I lived in Canada when I started quilting and the cost of fabric is so much higher, I didn’t get into the “stash” building early on.
The only fabric hoarder I know is one of my sisters…. I think I need to have an intervention to help her deal with the excessive amount of fabric she owns. Maybe she can off load some of it my way…. xxoo
The only fabric hoarder I know is one of my sisters…. I think I need to have an intervention to help her deal with the excessive amount of fabric she owns. Maybe she can off load some of it my way…. xxoo
you opened up a fabulous topic! I read ALL the comments too LOL. I am very impressed with your organization. I don’t think I have quite that much fabric but I’d like too and have it that organized. thanks for the post 🙂
you opened up a fabulous topic! I read ALL the comments too LOL. I am very impressed with your organization. I don’t think I have quite that much fabric but I’d like too and have it that organized. thanks for the post 🙂
You store your fabric and projects the same way that I do.I keep them in labeled see through storage boxes. Only thing is I think you have me beat by about 2 shelf units!! :o)
You store your fabric and projects the same way that I do.I keep them in labeled see through storage boxes. Only thing is I think you have me beat by about 2 shelf units!! :o)
Now I don’t feel so bad about my stash … actually in comparison it is quite lean. Hmmm, maybe I need to go out to buy more fabric! Where’s my credit card? Lordy, $7000 in cc debt … I feel quilty if I spend $100.
I have a sewing room with a closet to store my stash. I have fabric organized in plastic containers and projects stored in large Ziploc bags. Sometimes I go into a cutting frenzy and cut my scraps into strips and squares. I store these in labeled containers.
I used to buy fabric on weekly basis with no project in mind…just because it made me happy. One day I decided to de-clutter my stash (horror!) and gave some of it away to my daughter and my best friend (both newby quilters). But now I have room to go buy more fabric!!
Now I don’t feel so bad about my stash … actually in comparison it is quite lean. Hmmm, maybe I need to go out to buy more fabric! Where’s my credit card? Lordy, $7000 in cc debt … I feel quilty if I spend $100.
I have a sewing room with a closet to store my stash. I have fabric organized in plastic containers and projects stored in large Ziploc bags. Sometimes I go into a cutting frenzy and cut my scraps into strips and squares. I store these in labeled containers.
I used to buy fabric on weekly basis with no project in mind…just because it made me happy. One day I decided to de-clutter my stash (horror!) and gave some of it away to my daughter and my best friend (both newby quilters). But now I have room to go buy more fabric!!
I have loved reading all the comments. I don’t have quite as much stash as you but all of mine is stored in a small bedroom that is now my sewing room. It seemed big when I took it as a sewing room but now I can hardly move in there. I have the closet full with shelves of fabric and the other side is plastic tubs full of projects. And then there are tubs stacked all over the room full of more projects. A couple of years ago I started putting everything together for each project. Border and book or pattern because sometimes I would have a great idea and buy the fabric and by the time I would get around to making it I would forget what I was going to do with that fabric. They say the mind is the first to go -ha. Anyway I have decided that 2010 is going to be the year I stop buying and get to using the stash. It’s almost Feb. and I am doing good but I have 11 long months to go and I’ve already seen temptation in my future. I need to stay off Fat Quarter Shop!
I also have an eye infection but mine seems to be ongoing. I have dry eyes and they drive me and the Dr. crazy. At least yours will clear up and be gone. I hope your eye is better soon.
I have loved reading all the comments. I don’t have quite as much stash as you but all of mine is stored in a small bedroom that is now my sewing room. It seemed big when I took it as a sewing room but now I can hardly move in there. I have the closet full with shelves of fabric and the other side is plastic tubs full of projects. And then there are tubs stacked all over the room full of more projects. A couple of years ago I started putting everything together for each project. Border and book or pattern because sometimes I would have a great idea and buy the fabric and by the time I would get around to making it I would forget what I was going to do with that fabric. They say the mind is the first to go -ha. Anyway I have decided that 2010 is going to be the year I stop buying and get to using the stash. It’s almost Feb. and I am doing good but I have 11 long months to go and I’ve already seen temptation in my future. I need to stay off Fat Quarter Shop!
I also have an eye infection but mine seems to be ongoing. I have dry eyes and they drive me and the Dr. crazy. At least yours will clear up and be gone. I hope your eye is better soon.
I’m all over the map but mostly I use Ziplock containers with index cards taped to the front. …and a lot of ziplocks with instructions and labels. You cracked me up with the wooly duster.
I’m all over the map but mostly I use Ziplock containers with index cards taped to the front. …and a lot of ziplocks with instructions and labels. You cracked me up with the wooly duster.
This post is a scream…I’m dying reading about the hoarders. Though, really, it’s not funny. You having a lot of fabric under conrol = no problem. When a person has so stinkin’ much fabric that it interferes with normal living = BIG problem. My mom knew a store owner who told her one time about a woman who had no problem buying quilt quality fabric. Her husband grew up in the Depression era and knew that his mom and sisters sewed because it was more economical. So he presumed that his wife was being economical, too, by buying fabric and sewing with it….and she just let him believe it.
My stash storage is all in my sewing room…closet, shelf unit, dresser. And none of them are full…they’re holding other things, too. So now I do not feel badly about having “so much” fabric. We’re looking into getting some cupboards from IKEA to pull the room together and organize it better. I have fabric in plastic tubs: small, medium and large.
This post is a scream…I’m dying reading about the hoarders. Though, really, it’s not funny. You having a lot of fabric under conrol = no problem. When a person has so stinkin’ much fabric that it interferes with normal living = BIG problem. My mom knew a store owner who told her one time about a woman who had no problem buying quilt quality fabric. Her husband grew up in the Depression era and knew that his mom and sisters sewed because it was more economical. So he presumed that his wife was being economical, too, by buying fabric and sewing with it….and she just let him believe it.
My stash storage is all in my sewing room…closet, shelf unit, dresser. And none of them are full…they’re holding other things, too. So now I do not feel badly about having “so much” fabric. We’re looking into getting some cupboards from IKEA to pull the room together and organize it better. I have fabric in plastic tubs: small, medium and large.
Sigh! Serious storage space envy and shelving envy here. I have my fabric on three bookcases, one built-in bookcase, rolling plastic drawer units that fit under my cutting table, two chests of drawers, and a gazillion boxes (each labelled). My sewing room is about 10’x10′ and I mistakenly had the movers put a filing cabinet in the small closet the day we moved in. I have a few pathways from machine and computer a quarter turn away, to cutting table, to stash hither, thither, and yon. My family won’t come in here ….! DH built me a screened door to keep the 2 cats out.
I heard that a woman in Chicago bought the two houses next to hers for fabric storage. When she passed away, her husband had a fabric sale, announcing it with an ad that said, “Doris WINS! She had the most fabric! Come buy it!”
Fabric destined for specific quilts are tied in bundles with lovely ribbons and the pattern or my notes are tucked in. I never buy more than two fabrics in a fabric line because I want all of my quilts to be one of a kind. Okay, Flower Fairies panels excluded, but who knows how I’ll put them together?!
Glad to hear your eye is better. Don’t be surprised if the swelling continues southward – gravity, you know.
Sigh! Serious storage space envy and shelving envy here. I have my fabric on three bookcases, one built-in bookcase, rolling plastic drawer units that fit under my cutting table, two chests of drawers, and a gazillion boxes (each labelled). My sewing room is about 10’x10′ and I mistakenly had the movers put a filing cabinet in the small closet the day we moved in. I have a few pathways from machine and computer a quarter turn away, to cutting table, to stash hither, thither, and yon. My family won’t come in here ….! DH built me a screened door to keep the 2 cats out.
I heard that a woman in Chicago bought the two houses next to hers for fabric storage. When she passed away, her husband had a fabric sale, announcing it with an ad that said, “Doris WINS! She had the most fabric! Come buy it!”
Fabric destined for specific quilts are tied in bundles with lovely ribbons and the pattern or my notes are tucked in. I never buy more than two fabrics in a fabric line because I want all of my quilts to be one of a kind. Okay, Flower Fairies panels excluded, but who knows how I’ll put them together?!
Glad to hear your eye is better. Don’t be surprised if the swelling continues southward – gravity, you know.
HI Nicole,
I have a fair sized stash- about 25 large plastic bins plus some overflow that is sorted into colors and some fabric specialities ( florals, batiks, stars, Christmas and children). I also have some fat quarters though not near as many as yourself. I love to pat the fabric and sometimes, if I go and pat the fabric then if feels like I have fed the need to have more fabric. LOL
I am not as organized as you, in terms of labelling projects and generally do not buy kits or lines of fabric.
I don’t have my scraps organized other than the small pieces are all in a couple of containers under a table in my sewing room.
Most of the fabric and sewing stuff is in one room with some spill over onto a landing upstairs in my house. All my fabric is stored in my house- no storage units for me…
I am sure I have enough fabric to make more quilts than I could create in two life times but it is my passion – collecting fabrics – playing with fabric – creating quilts with fabric… I could have worse bad habits :O)
Hope the eye continues to improve..
Warmest regards,
Anna
HI Nicole,
I have a fair sized stash- about 25 large plastic bins plus some overflow that is sorted into colors and some fabric specialities ( florals, batiks, stars, Christmas and children). I also have some fat quarters though not near as many as yourself. I love to pat the fabric and sometimes, if I go and pat the fabric then if feels like I have fed the need to have more fabric. LOL
I am not as organized as you, in terms of labelling projects and generally do not buy kits or lines of fabric.
I don’t have my scraps organized other than the small pieces are all in a couple of containers under a table in my sewing room.
Most of the fabric and sewing stuff is in one room with some spill over onto a landing upstairs in my house. All my fabric is stored in my house- no storage units for me…
I am sure I have enough fabric to make more quilts than I could create in two life times but it is my passion – collecting fabrics – playing with fabric – creating quilts with fabric… I could have worse bad habits :O)
Hope the eye continues to improve..
Warmest regards,
Anna
I do exactly what you do with the containers, and planned projects and the pile of fabric to caress. I have however added a special portion to my will as to who the fabric should go to. I love my stash, and feel it can get out of control if I let it, but I rein myself in periodically…and I am not a hoarder, I am a collector!
I do exactly what you do with the containers, and planned projects and the pile of fabric to caress. I have however added a special portion to my will as to who the fabric should go to. I love my stash, and feel it can get out of control if I let it, but I rein myself in periodically…and I am not a hoarder, I am a collector!
Glad your eye is getting better. I started buying fabric @ 10 years before I started quilting. I had to acquire services of Mayflower to move my belongs from Washington state to North Carolina 10 years ago and realized then that 2/3 of the load was fabric. When I moved to Texas 5 years later, my addiction was larger..to the point my goofy husband said, “if you buy more fabric you could open your own quilt shop”, so I did. Men…when will they ever learn? My personal stash is in my 3 bedroom home (that only houses 2 people) and had gotten so out of control, it was scary to try to walk into the room. I bought the most amazing baskets and stands (ANTONIUS) at Ikea for my fabrics. It is very sturdy, holds up better then expected, doesn’t bow out from weight…and I can pack those little suckers really full and tall. The best product I have ever found. I can now almost walk in there, lol. Now if I just keep watching HOARDERS on A&E, I’ll get this problem under control. That is my biggest fear…THE stranger comes to your door, followed by those pods, ready to clean your house! omg, nightmare time!
Glad your eye is getting better. I started buying fabric @ 10 years before I started quilting. I had to acquire services of Mayflower to move my belongs from Washington state to North Carolina 10 years ago and realized then that 2/3 of the load was fabric. When I moved to Texas 5 years later, my addiction was larger..to the point my goofy husband said, “if you buy more fabric you could open your own quilt shop”, so I did. Men…when will they ever learn? My personal stash is in my 3 bedroom home (that only houses 2 people) and had gotten so out of control, it was scary to try to walk into the room. I bought the most amazing baskets and stands (ANTONIUS) at Ikea for my fabrics. It is very sturdy, holds up better then expected, doesn’t bow out from weight…and I can pack those little suckers really full and tall. The best product I have ever found. I can now almost walk in there, lol. Now if I just keep watching HOARDERS on A&E, I’ll get this problem under control. That is my biggest fear…THE stranger comes to your door, followed by those pods, ready to clean your house! omg, nightmare time!
Glad to hear you are getting better!
Your photos were overwhelming to see! It would feel like so much to do for me to see all that 🙂
I LOVE how organized everything is and labelled….great idea.
I have boxes of UFO’s all over the place and nothing is findable.
My stash is pathetic in comparison 🙂
Clearly I need to go shopping!
Glad to hear you are getting better!
Your photos were overwhelming to see! It would feel like so much to do for me to see all that 🙂
I LOVE how organized everything is and labelled….great idea.
I have boxes of UFO’s all over the place and nothing is findable.
My stash is pathetic in comparison 🙂
Clearly I need to go shopping!
Wow, I thought my three tubs of fabric was bad! Though mine do live on the loungeroom floor… You are so organised! A little stash envy over here 🙂
Wow, I thought my three tubs of fabric was bad! Though mine do live on the loungeroom floor… You are so organised! A little stash envy over here 🙂
OH Nicole what you have is what I dream of I wish I could sneak in when no ones looking.LOL you have everything so neat.I have never seen so much material you wont have to go shopping for A long time.HM then again will you?
Hugs Mary.
OH Nicole what you have is what I dream of I wish I could sneak in when no ones looking.LOL you have everything so neat.I have never seen so much material you wont have to go shopping for A long time.HM then again will you?
Hugs Mary.
Nicole, I bow to your superior stash organization. Sure beats my method of storing fabric and pattern in the bag from the quilt store. I’ve only been quilting about two years and have manage to accumulate quite a bit, but other than the bags, my stash fits into one large Rubbermaid container and a cupboard in my sewing/laundry room.
I thought about the woman who spent $7000 on fabric all night. I don’t even carry a balance on my credit card so I can’t imagine going that far into debt. But $7K buys a *lot* of fabric–she must have spent more time at the quilt store or online than at the sewing machine. Maybe now I won’t feel so guilty about ordering the occasional fat quarter bundle!
Nicole, I bow to your superior stash organization. Sure beats my method of storing fabric and pattern in the bag from the quilt store. I’ve only been quilting about two years and have manage to accumulate quite a bit, but other than the bags, my stash fits into one large Rubbermaid container and a cupboard in my sewing/laundry room.
I thought about the woman who spent $7000 on fabric all night. I don’t even carry a balance on my credit card so I can’t imagine going that far into debt. But $7K buys a *lot* of fabric–she must have spent more time at the quilt store or online than at the sewing machine. Maybe now I won’t feel so guilty about ordering the occasional fat quarter bundle!
Lovely stash! I have been trying to reduce mine by making up baby quilts with my older fabrics and then I blew it! How? A store that sold beautiful african fabrics went out of business and at 60% off I could not resist. I ended up buying about 130 yards of fabric! It is excellent quality fabric and about half of it I got for $1.75 a yard! I keep mine folded on shelving that I have collect over the years esp. from estate sales. I do have a friend and she has so much fabric she makes me look like a want-to-be! She could open her own store she has so much. It makes her happy so that is the only reason anyone needs!
Lovely stash! I have been trying to reduce mine by making up baby quilts with my older fabrics and then I blew it! How? A store that sold beautiful african fabrics went out of business and at 60% off I could not resist. I ended up buying about 130 yards of fabric! It is excellent quality fabric and about half of it I got for $1.75 a yard! I keep mine folded on shelving that I have collect over the years esp. from estate sales. I do have a friend and she has so much fabric she makes me look like a want-to-be! She could open her own store she has so much. It makes her happy so that is the only reason anyone needs!
How do you keep everything so neat???? How is your eye?
How do you keep everything so neat???? How is your eye?
I don’t know how many people there are like me, but I don’t have much of a stash. Only one large plastic box full. My problem is that even though I like a fabric, I have a hard time trying to decide what to do with it once I have it. I do much better if I pick a pattern and then buy the fabric specifically for that pattern. Is there anyone else out there like me?
I don’t know how many people there are like me, but I don’t have much of a stash. Only one large plastic box full. My problem is that even though I like a fabric, I have a hard time trying to decide what to do with it once I have it. I do much better if I pick a pattern and then buy the fabric specifically for that pattern. Is there anyone else out there like me?
Hi Nicole,
Thank you so much for the great blog about your fabric storage! I really appreciate you sharing about your method. It was helpful. You are quite organized. I like how you have labeled your boxes and they are also see through. I need to ponder what I can do with my setup. Again, thank you, your description was helpful to me.
Have a great weekend!
Beverly in WA
P.S. How is your eye doing?
Hi Nicole,
Thank you so much for the great blog about your fabric storage! I really appreciate you sharing about your method. It was helpful. You are quite organized. I like how you have labeled your boxes and they are also see through. I need to ponder what I can do with my setup. Again, thank you, your description was helpful to me.
Have a great weekend!
Beverly in WA
P.S. How is your eye doing?
I need to take lessons from your organization. You’ve done a great job of storing fabrics. I’m happy to say I own all my stash.
I need to take lessons from your organization. You’ve done a great job of storing fabrics. I’m happy to say I own all my stash.
Yes, Bonnie, I too buy fabric for specific projects. I’ve also been told I’m “not a real quilter” because I don’t have a stash! That’s ok! Works for me!
Nicole, I sure hope your eye is better…and all the other facial parts that have been affected!
Yes, Bonnie, I too buy fabric for specific projects. I’ve also been told I’m “not a real quilter” because I don’t have a stash! That’s ok! Works for me!
Nicole, I sure hope your eye is better…and all the other facial parts that have been affected!
Check out William Morris in Applique by Michele Hill for ideas for the Morris fabrics. Her blog is http://williammorrisandmichele.blogspot.com/
Check out William Morris in Applique by Michele Hill for ideas for the Morris fabrics. Her blog is http://williammorrisandmichele.blogspot.com/
I felt right at home, literally, seeing your stash. It looks just like mine. Sometimes I just get a box out to refold and enjoy touching the fabric. It cheaper than a therapist, my husband know where to find me and it’s such a ahppy place!
I felt right at home, literally, seeing your stash. It looks just like mine. Sometimes I just get a box out to refold and enjoy touching the fabric. It cheaper than a therapist, my husband know where to find me and it’s such a ahppy place!
oh gosh I am right in the middle of fabric sorting again. I spent an entire evening just mad at myself for not keeping things tidy or even remembering I had this or that fabric. My favorite recent acquisition is a Kaffe Fasset bundle to make the Quilt Romance Pickle Dish. I bought the entire kit and then realized I had already bought that exact quilt kit this past summer. good grief. and it wasn’t cheap either! While I don’t have exactly this much fabric, I do have a ton…and need to get crackin! I think I need a fabric budget but that just doesn’t work when I see a line of fabric I cannot live without and I know it will be gone soon…it’s a problem but someone has to keep those shops in business!
oh gosh I am right in the middle of fabric sorting again. I spent an entire evening just mad at myself for not keeping things tidy or even remembering I had this or that fabric. My favorite recent acquisition is a Kaffe Fasset bundle to make the Quilt Romance Pickle Dish. I bought the entire kit and then realized I had already bought that exact quilt kit this past summer. good grief. and it wasn’t cheap either! While I don’t have exactly this much fabric, I do have a ton…and need to get crackin! I think I need a fabric budget but that just doesn’t work when I see a line of fabric I cannot live without and I know it will be gone soon…it’s a problem but someone has to keep those shops in business!
I’m in serious stash envy now. I have a fair bit, but nothing like yours! I keep mine in plastic tubs too, mainly in colour groups. I have mainly Repro fabric so that works. I do have a few UFOs in tubs on their own, and some bright fabrics that all hang out together except for black and white which lives together. Oh and then there are the solid colour fabrics that go together etc etc etc.
I’m in serious stash envy now. I have a fair bit, but nothing like yours! I keep mine in plastic tubs too, mainly in colour groups. I have mainly Repro fabric so that works. I do have a few UFOs in tubs on their own, and some bright fabrics that all hang out together except for black and white which lives together. Oh and then there are the solid colour fabrics that go together etc etc etc.
This is a *fabulous* blog! I have been so thrilled with it, I’ve sent it to all my quilt guild as well.
Now, it hasn’t helped me so far de-cluttering my quilting studio, but that’s okay. I’ll get to that soon.
My ‘tip’ is that I went through all my quilting magazines, and I have 14 boxes filled with them, took out all the pieced quilts that I actually thought I might make one day, all the information on historical quilts of interest(I’m a Baltimore groupie) and a few patterns for baby quilts. Then I passed them onto my quilting friends, who took out what they wanted, and passed them onto the next person. The woman at the end of the pass-me-down has a burning barrel and that’s what happened to what was left of the magazines. Everyone was happy…and me…a little more room so I can breathe!
This is a *fabulous* blog! I have been so thrilled with it, I’ve sent it to all my quilt guild as well.
Now, it hasn’t helped me so far de-cluttering my quilting studio, but that’s okay. I’ll get to that soon.
My ‘tip’ is that I went through all my quilting magazines, and I have 14 boxes filled with them, took out all the pieced quilts that I actually thought I might make one day, all the information on historical quilts of interest(I’m a Baltimore groupie) and a few patterns for baby quilts. Then I passed them onto my quilting friends, who took out what they wanted, and passed them onto the next person. The woman at the end of the pass-me-down has a burning barrel and that’s what happened to what was left of the magazines. Everyone was happy…and me…a little more room so I can breathe!
When the door of happiness closes, another opens, but often times we look so long at the closed door that we don’t see the one which has been opened for us.
When the door of happiness closes, another opens, but often times we look so long at the closed door that we don’t see the one which has been opened for us.