Fabric Storage-How to Maximise your Space
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 มิ.ย. 2024
- Get your first purchase from Blueland for 15% off by clicking my link www.blueland.com/justgetitdon...
You know how quickly fabric can accumulate and become a challenge to keep organised. In today's video, I'll share some practical strategies and tricks to help you maximise your fabric storage and I have a couple of hacks to make it easier.
So stick with me and I will show you how to do it.
iDesign Plastic Refrigerator and Freezer Storage Bin with Lid
geni.us/9ZIpccN (amazon)
6 Pack Clear Scrapbook Paper Storage Boxes, Portable
amzn.to/48hBznS (amazon)
🧵 SCRAPS - HOW I PROCESS MINE THROUGH MY SEWING SPACE AND INTO MY PROJECTS
• 🧵 SCRAPS - HOW I PROCE...
COLOUR SWATCHES-FREE DOWNLOAD
www.justgetitdonequilts.com/c...
DECLUTTERING MY FABRIC - DID I REALLY GET RID OF MY BATIKS?
• DECLUTTERING MY FABRIC...
Want to become a member of Karen’s Quilting Crew? Sign Up Here For Exclusive Perks:
/ @justgetitdonequilts
Want more Just Get It Done Quilts content?
Newsletter: www.justgetitdonequilts.com/
Facebook: / justgetitdonequilts
Instagram: / justgetitdonequilts
Recommended Video Series You Should Check Out!
TIPS & TRICKS FOR BETTER RESULTS
• Tips & Tricks for Bett...
KQC/KAREN’S QUILT CIRCLE PLAYLIST
• Karen's Quilt Circle 🎙
COLOUR YOUR QUILT - THE COLOUR THEORY SERIES
• Colour Theory - How to...
Download My FREE Fast And Easy Stashbuster Patterns
www.justgetitdonequilts.com/s...
My Most Watched Videos
BUDGET SEWING - TOOLS & HACKS FROM THE DOLLAR STORE
• 🛍 BEGINNER SEWING - 10...
FAST AND EASY BEGINNER QUILT - QUILT-IN-A-DAY STASH BUSTER - FREE PATTERN
• Fast and Easy Beginner...
My Favourite Tools, Furniture and Gear
Here are the links to my favourite things. Only where indicated in brackets are the links are affiliated where I will receive a small commission on your purchase which helps support my TH-cam channel. There is no obligation to purchase from these links. These items may be available locally or you can use or modify something that you already own.
Sewing Room-Home
Fold out sewing table www.sylviadesign.com/
BERNINA 790 www.bernina.com/en-CA/Home-En...
Sewing Light daylightcompany.com/us/slimli...
Panasonic NI-QL1000 cordless iron shorturl.at/elmE4
Tractor Seat Adjustable Chair geni.us/YM4WV (amazon)
Sitting Pad shop.vigurus.com/justgetitdon... (Virgus Technologies)
Sewing Studio
Wool Pressing Mat 17x24 geni.us/shw7seK (amazon)
IronMATIC Mat & Glove ironmatik.com/collections/the...
FlexiSpot E7 standing desk: bit.ly/45EaI4C - US bit.ly/45Zik1R
Flexispot Chair shorturl.at/emvVY
Panasonic NIWL607P cordless iron geni.us/wwA8BN(amazon)
Ipad stand geni.us/7F7Z (amazon)
Sitting Pad shop.vigurus.com/justgetitdon... (Virgus Technologies)
Tools
Ultimate 3-In-1 Color Tool geni.us/8QezMZq (amazon)
LDH Lightweight Scissors ldhscissors.com/zepsdb (LDH scissors)
Laser Square geni.us/u2zDx4 (amazon)
Alarm Timer Cube geni.us/FHElloG (amazon) amzn.to/3sXZLNA
LED Lighting Strip geni.us/FxOE (amazon)
Floor Lamp geni.us/CNx3RUB (amazon)
OMNIGRID 8.5” x 24” Ruler geni.us/H9Fprrw (amazon) amzn.to/3t214en
Olfa 2.5” x 18” Ruler geni.us/Y00AO (amazon)
Add a quarter ruler geni.us/sffqxS (amazon)
Olfa 60MM rotary cutter geni.us/hbmq3 (amazon)
Olfa 45mm rotary cutter geni.us/eBvSBx (amazon) amzn.to/3GsHlrn
Clover 28mm rotary cutter geni.us/CLeF (amazon)
Clover Stitch Ripper geni.us/gLL6A (amazon)
Violet Craft Seam Roller geni.us/Bk7YHo (amazon)
You can find me hanging out most days on
Instagram: JustGetItDoneQuilts
Facebook: JustGetItDoneQuilts
Feel free to email me: info@justgetitdonequilts.com
Or by snail-mail
Just Get It Done Quilts
3911 Chesswood Dr
North York, ON M3J 2R8 - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
By popular demand…The containers can be purchased here
iDesign Plastic Refrigerator and Freezer Storage Bin with Lid
geni.us/9ZIpccN (amazon)
6 Pack Clear Scrapbook Paper Storage Boxes, Portable
amzn.to/48hBznS (amazon)
I, to have been sewing since a very young age but only clothing. I’vev aquired a considersble amount of very good fabric including silks and wools. It;s difficult to find people who sew garments and what I have isn’t quilting fabric for mose quilters. I started quilting in 1992 at 44 when our youngest son was graduating high school and asked if I would make him one. THEN I started buying quilting cotton and my quilting life started. Now at 78, I think I would feel ever so much better if I wasn’t insulating our home with all kinds of fabric! I’ve donated 7 boxes to my guild a few yrs ago. Now I’m donating to a mennonite group qhi uses both kinds of fabric. Good luck to all who are doing their best to be a controled quilter!
Several of you mentioned the "No Buy" rule.
I, personally, like the NPR rule. (Net Project Reduction)
Pick a number -- doesn't matter, just so it works for you.
Let's say that it's 4.
For every 4 projects that get finished, you have permission to go out and buy whatever is necessary for 1 new project.
You're still ahead by 3 projects, but you've also given your creativity a chance to exercise itself.
Not my idea, but from a lecture at a national quilt show I attended in the 90's. I think it was Roxanne McElroy, but I won't swear to it...
I'm avoiding plastic products, so just placing fabric on the shelf (lined with unwanted fabric) works for me
I think we are sisters from another mother! My organization is so similar to yours. I have been sewing since a very young girl. My husband's grandma started me on quilting in 1973. It took me until 2020 !!! to realize this passion. I will be 74 this year, so I knew that I would need to be careful acquiring fabric. I have dedicated no shopping months. I have cancelled emails from shops that sell fabric to help with that. This past weekend I finished a quilt top that I had wanted to make. So my deal with the devil in me was to take one that I had problems with finishing because of math issues and 'just get it done'. That included finding yardage in my closet to make the backing. Think 'after quilt'. Well, it worked out well. I think I am more pleased with finishing this challenge quilt than the pattern one I followed.
The key was organization! And my mind is less cluttered as well!
I am getting there. I started with the 2023 Declutter Challenge and failed miserably. I couldn’t let go of much. In 2024’s challenge, I made a reasonable dent, but I fell short when I got to tossing and sorting sewing patterns. Undeterred, I trudge onward. Am Decluttering fabric by making and donating stuffed bears to hospitals and Samaritan’s Purse. I really enjoy making the bears for unknown children. The bears will be loved, and that gives old fabric new life and value. We crafters are a unique bunch-afraid to let go until we know we are making a difference and comforting someone else. God bless you, Karen, and all your viewers. Together we make a difference! ❤❤
It’s amazing how every year you uncover another layer in your sewing room. Don’t be hard on yourself. Slow and steady always wins
What a great idea, then 😊I don't have to be upset about some of the stash I don't like
Despite my good intentions this past sewing renaissance I was loosing the battle of excess fabric. And thst was before I was gifted a quantity. What I did was make a quantity of crib sheets; crib sheets fit toddler beds too. My only requirement was/ is that the yardage be 100% cotton. I began with 2 yard-ish pieces closer to the top that I wasn't wowed over. Then I moved into the pieces I was definitely not in love with. These actually looked and felt pretty darned good as crib sheets. I made a couple utilizing left over pieces of used bed sheets for the mattress top portion and 9" wide strips which came with my gifting. - I gifted a bunch of these via Buy Nothing to fulfill a request for a recently relocated special needs child who was going through more sheets than laundry days; that was SO easy, I didn't even need to post! The others, I dropped off at an/ outside of an office in town whose purpose is to help families of young kids; not quite sure what all they do but they work with ECAP through the school district, CPS/ DSH, and others on a part time basis. They assured me that what thier clients couldn't directly use, that the sheets would gladly be passed on to an eventual home. Again, very easy for me; easier than Buy Nothing even because I could/ can drop off week days during an extended number of hours.
Hi! That’s a wonderful idea to make stuffed bears for donating. I’m sure the kids love them. Could you please share a pattern for me to try one
@@madhuriadapa2448 I would like that bear pattern too please, thank you
12 years ago, we moved/built a home; I finally got a dedicated bedroom to use as my quilting room; right from that moment, I got clear bins, and shelving and organized my space right away....and have kept it this way all these years - as I am naturally a very organized person! So that is one issue, I don't have to deal with...it is the hoarding of all the organized fabric! Thankfully, my mom's church has a Blanket Making group, who collect completed tops/flimsies...then they 'Hand Quilt' them all for an organization called M.C.C....who provides batting and backing on huge commercial rollers! So I get to do all the fun of making tops,...then pass them on to be completed...a Win Win for all concerned, including the people overseas, in need, of them!
Thank you. Love this and love that you said, "Fabric is our paint!"
So, if *fabric is our paint, then our sewing machines are our paint brushes!* I like that!
I used the easiest possible method of sorting my fabric and storing it because I have tons. Or so it seems. I have one container of "fabric for the husband," one "fabric for the kid," and one "miscellaneous," but then it spread out of those.... that's what happens when you go to the fabric store with a husband who goes "Oh.... this is nice. We should get some." Now I need to sew it all!
That's pretty fun that he gets involved!
My husband does too, and I adore that we can connect even over *my* hobby
I've been away for a while (life happens), but I'm always glad to return. You're so sensible, helpful, non-judgmental, and encouraging. Thanks for the care you put into your wonderful videos.
In downsizing from 4000 sf to 460 sf, I am frustrated by storage. In trying to splain it, I am getting a glimmering of a solution. Back to the struggle...
Very thoughtful video. Now at 65 I’m giving things away by donating and passing some fabric to a known quilter. I do keep project items together in clear tubs. That’s fabrics and patterns in a grouping so I’ll get to it sooner. Pre cuts are also together in clear tubs. Although I know I won’t keep to a ‘no buy’ rule I’m trying to be more selective.
Interesting your donating at 65, that’s when I started quilting 😂. Now 71 I’ve taken on the NO BUYING RULE 😂. I have a fair amount of fabrics certainly enough to keep me happy. So hopefully I can keep to using what I have, because quilting shops are like candy stores
I’m going on 66 in a few days! I would consider swapping fabric with friends and relatives but I’m not giving away any 😊 I have to many plans with all of my collection 😂 I can spend hours in the fabric store too 😅
I've told my financial advisor that my fu do need to match the amount of fabric in my Stash! He is scrambling for better investments😂
I’m 65 also. Sewn and crafted most of my life. I, too, have downsized my stash in the last few years. I donated and passed on to others quite a bit-of not only fabrics but also projects in various stages of “non-completion.” I still have projects I want to do, but I felt a sense of relief when I finally let go of many things I have been holding on to for years. They are no longer part of a long to-do list and I not only have more physical space but “mental” space.
Clear containers work best for me, too.
I had room for all of my fabric. I just donated 45+ metres of Blender fabrics to Victoria Quilts Canada Edmonton. I learned that that lots of printed fabric is donated, but they were short of Blenders. It felt good to let go of fabrics that I was not able to use.
That is awesome!
For one project, I didn't buy any fabric until I used up what I had. I decided to make a patchwork Bear Paw -- but found I could not cut the fabric, since Bear's Paws are not light blue with pink roses! I mentally changed the name to "Pretty Paws" -- and my son has an awesome quilt now!
Does “Great grandma fabric “ and Grandma fabric….. count as a category for fabrics….lol….I’m a sentimental hoarder. 😮
I don't have quite as much fabric as you do, but I still really needed to sort it somehow on a super low budget - $0. I washed and re-used those clear salad containers. They wouldn't hold up to a lot of handling, but they're free with the salad mix (baby spinach, etc) They are clear, straightsided and have a lid that snaps closed. I sorted by fabric by color. For colors with more fabric I used some containers I bought at Costco; they're sturdy and also clear. I made labels for each color. For now, this is working for me on the cheap. My storage is old shelving left behind when the kids moved out.
Those salad boxes are a fantastic idea! When we get done with one, I'm always reluctant to recycle it, because it seems so perfect. NOW I KNOW WHAT I'M GOING TO DO WITH THEM! Thank you!!! 😀
Omg we go through so many of those with our tortoise, great idea to upcycle them for fabric
Thank you! This is a wonderful idea!
A container for pre-cut fabric that can be used for testing tension, seams, leaders and enders, making a practice quilt sandwich, etc. So there's no temptation to grab the good stuff. Thank you for the colour charts!
All of my fabrics are 100% cotton. I wash upon bringing home, and store by color, since I use only one fabric. I applied the Marie Kondo method of folding and storing and WOW!! -- It changed my space!! All is now beautiful, visible, tidy, and accessible --100% of the time -- and greatly reduced by volume. This applies to my tools, also. I keep all my fabrics in open wire baskets, as plastics off-gas -- plus I can see what I have.
Hi Karen, For 4 years now, I watch your videos repeatedly because they are so informative. I have reorganized my fabric cupboard as you might know if you saw my FB posts. I paid particular attention to making the best of my space in the lower portion and will be revamping the top portion once I can find the right containers. Once again, thank you for your guidance. I'm feeling great about finally getting everything sorted, decluttered and organized everywhere in our home. Still have lots more to do, but that is okay, it is coming along.
THANK YOU for this video! I have more fabric than any one person should, but I can’t part with it! I think I will try to organize by yardage. Thanks for inspiring me to at least start SOMEWHERE! 🥰
Please do a video on exactly how you turned that tote into a box bag!! Especially how you figured the measurements.
I live in an apartment. My fabric storage is one three tier plastic drawer unit. I’m not allowed to go beyond it in fabric (except for backing sized pieces. Those I can hide in the linens 😂)
Collecting fabric is a hobby all onto itself…..😊. ..keeping a bulletin journal of the intent of the fabric helps me organize my fabric and motivates me to do my over enthusiastic project appetite. I am a project organizer. Ever evolving!
Love the idea of noting what your plan is for certain fabric is fantastic!
Yes! I have to do this with yarn as well. I try to always buys with a project in mind, though sometimes the intent is lost when it gets here and then gets added to stash 😂
I’ve started making project piles for any new quilt idea so I don’t forget; sort of ‘build your own quilt kit’ to have ready to move to when I’m done with my current one.
Fabric IS our paint-nice saying! Love this and will remember this!
I like to sort my fabrics by value-light, medium, dark. Love your videos.
On my vacation last year I pulled every piece of fabric from my sewing room and gathered it in my living room. I sorted it in piles of fabric by one yard cuts and more, fat quarters and under 1 yard, craft market project, works in progress, projects with the fabric, and donate). Then I labelled a plastic container with latch lids from Canadian Tire. For the work in progress and projects with fabric I listed them and put a copy in the container and on the side. It felt sooooo good to have it organized 🎉❤🧵
You and your templates! The tape rectangle is something I could have used all day yesterday. Genius. A couple of years ago your video on making your ironing station out of the storage rack inspired me. I hated using my ironing board and wanted storage under it. I found a $20 bookshelf at a thrift store. Made an oversized ironing board to attach to the top and covered bins to hold scraps on the shelves. But my iron had to sit on a wobbly folding table down and to the right and was a pain. So over the weekend I upgraded to the $5 dollar thrift store dresser sitting in my garage and the bookshelf replaced it in the garage. It's longer so now the iron sits up on the end of the dresser with plenty of room for my ironing board. I worked for hours yesterday transfering fabric to the drawers then to another drawer maybe. Labeling them and making dividers from another idea from you, foam core board. This spring and summer will be spent using fabric I already have to offset the price of my very first retreat in October that I will be signing up for on Saturday the moment it becomes available. Thanks again for all the great ideas.
I actually help others to reduce their fabric stash down by at least 50%. It is so much fun. So many of your tips and tricks find their way into the new spaces. Thank you so much for your inspiration
Karen I felt every bit of "it took four years to make this video". Thank you! I'm getting prepared to embark on a scrap/stash management journey and your videos are always so helpful and inspiring!
I don't know where to start. I did the declutter challenge last month. It was a good start. Donations to the quilt guild. Recycling magazines (not all of course). Then I took my main sewing machine in for servicing. The past two and a half weeks were overwhelming, but more organized except for fabric. I even found more in a dresser drawer that I had forgotten about. Bins, bins everywhere!
Take it 15 to 30 minutes at a time. There was a moment this week that my space looked like a bomb went off. The trick is the under lying order. It took me less than 30 minutes to put it all away
I just spent about 10 days decluttering & reorganizing my fabric storage. I cleaned out about 8 large paper grocery sacks worth of stuff! It’s still a little hectic, but it’s much tidier and more “shoppable” now. 😊
Thank you for great thoughts and progress I have gained, in organizing my new happy space! Since Covid, I see an increase of managing scraps, scrap patterns, tutorials and many terrific ideas. I finally realized I have spent all this time trying to put all this information to make my fabric scraps usable, handy and into something useful. SABLE has allowed me to “LET GO”! I have struggled with getting it done, because of the amount of scraps I have, what I spent and feeling inadequate about my efforts. So, last week I allowed myself to part with ALL of my scraps! I started by getting rid of pieces way too small, then finally realized by keeping any scrapes, kept me from enjoying my New Fabric! I can’t wait now, to start new projects with my happy collection of useable yardage and fat quarters! Thank you again, for ALL of your wonderful videos over the years. You are a genius for making this all make CENTS! Can’t Wait “To Get It Done! “ always, Sherry Melendy,
I've found lots of great storage containers at Thrift stores!
I don't have a whole room. I have my dining room with one of the large Arrow Sewing cabinets. I did get maybe 7 containers from TJ Maxx and labeled them by color, then 'big pieces' and holiday. I keep them on shelves I had built in to the guest bedroom closet. (We don't use it for clothing so I had lots of shelves built for quilts and storage) I can't keep the amount of fabric that you guys seem to be able to do.
Over the holidays, I tried to think of things to make to use up a certain shape that I always end up with after a a continuing project. It's the length and width of a pet carrier. So, I make bottoms for them using left over batting and fabric. We give them away to people who adopt a kitty from PetCo. Three seams and a hem, done. People LOVE free things and I get rid of fabric.
I’ll ollo
Clear bins are the cure for knowing what's inside. ))) Ditto a color label on the front.There must be 100 pieces of each 'family' of color per bin. BIG fabric goes to backing or backgrounds, stacked on closet shelves... but all the littles go to patterns. Backgrounds of "almost identical" one color make sweet texture. All fabric in the quilt room is for quilts. All for repro costuming in another room. Bales of stuffings stacked in the shower of the quilt room. Fabric migrates secretly to my porch from people who heard I make quilts. There's going to be on heck of a fine estate sale when I'm done. )))
Hello my dear friend Karen!! A new video from you brightens my day as well as teaches me new things. Yes I'm a Platinum SABLE club member because I shop faster than I quilt. I truly appreciate your experience and input. Stay safe and warm. ~~ Lynne
Thank you! You too!
I converted the built in wardrobe in my sewing room. One half all shelving, other half, half shelves and drawers below. I fold all my yardage in uniform size, store by colour and backings all go on bottom shelf. With the drawer side I store all the fat quarters by colour in 2 drawers and oatterns and embroidery items in top 2 drawers. The shelves above house jelly rolls, layer cakes and narrow containers of braids. I had a purpose built cutting table made on castors, to the size of large cutting mat, height to suit me, 2 doors open to reveal storage for all my clear tubs of projects, labelled. My rulers sit at back of cutting mat. I have accumulated far too much and know how you mean it is overwhelming so this year am making simple quick charity quilts from all the older fabrics. This is enjoyable as I can try various easy blocks. Having some solids helps pull it all together. Thank you from Australia , for your very helpful videos.
Wow! Great ideas, thank you 😊. 🇦🇺
I love your decluttering videos. I also like that you add how long you have been working on it and that it evolves over time. I am lucky. I started quilting again 8 years ago and try to be very conscious about my purchases, trying to purchase enough for a project, but without leaving me with a lot of left overs. My space is also very limited. I learned that I can use big left over pieces as backing. That’s a big plus for me, especially when working on smaller pieces. And you are so right, if everything is cluttered and we do not know where our fabrics are, it puts a block on our creativity. And cleaning up after every project is helping me to stay on top of my organization, knowing everything has its place. So thank you, for sharing your ideas and solutions.
I divide my fabrics into size, and pin a note on each one. I amend the amount on the note as I use some of the fabric, and put them back in their new designated spot.
Hi Karen Great Video. I store my fabric like this. 1) Flowers 2) Foliage 3) Paisley 4) Pattern, 5) Novelty 6) Solids 7) Batiks 8) Reproduction 9) Designers Tula Pink, Kaffee Fasset, Mark Lipinski, Tilda, Liberty. I store my fat quarters in a old Pattern Drawer and my Yardage folded in a Vintage Dinning Cabinet. Any scraps from my Categories I cut down to 10, 5" and 2 1/2" and Store in 2 Dressers with each drawer as per my categories. I have been using this system for years. Thank you for letting me share. Love your channel.
This year during the declutter I needed a place to store my batik fabric that are mostly fat quarters and all the rest of my fat quarters. I don’t buy by designer or full lines of fabric ever. I really love batiks. I do a lot of appliqué work. Batiks and there simples texture type patterns are great for this and the colors are so beautiful. So I thought. In a friends garage was an old CD tower. Tall and skinny, it fits in a spot next to my shelf with yardage. I sorted it by batik and prints, then by color. They lay perfectly on the shelves where I can find what I need. Best storage I’ve ever used for this and I didn’t have to get rid of fabric or lose it in a box.
Those old CD towers are perfect for FQ 👍
My sewing room is an extra bedroom in our house. I built a shelf for the closet that fits the flat, clear Rubbermaid containers and folded all my yardage sideways into them. This way I can just pull out the container with the color I need, hold any in need of matching fabric over them, and quickly see how all the various colors stack up. It's really helped to use what I have more instead of always buying new stuff when I need a match lol
If I could get everything in one room, I would be happy, but a couple of kids need to fly the nest first. If I could free up one Billy bookshelf in my son's room, it would make a huge difference! I am going to donate some fabric and supplies next month when I have a little time off.
Totally agree about keeping fabrics visible in their containers! I bought cheap shower curtains to hide my shelves of fabric and to keep sunlight and dust away from them. Loved the idea of comic book cardboards as mini bolts to wrap fabric around them since I have some boards with no intended use!! Great advice all around❣️
Loved the video a lot. Gave me an insight of how to organise my quilling strips. Will be organising it over the weekend. Thanks a million for the video.
Hi Karen! I have more scraps than yardage because people give me fabric and scraps and have for a long time. I rarely have to buy yardage (never buy precuts!). Unless it's batting...when I run out of my Frankenbatting, that is! 😂I do separate my fabric scraps into categories, and I believe I have about 50+ clear bins of different sizes that are stackable. Christmas bin is big, but seaside is small etc. I have dogs and cats, cowboys, travel, farmyard, wild animals, paisley etc. It's however you want to separate them! I made a farmyard lap size quilt (or I Spy quilt for a child!) 😂and it still looks like there is so much fabric still in the bin! 😂 I am blessed to have a bedroom for my Happy Place! And I do sort through and take a bag to my quilt ladies meeting. Thank you for all your tips and tricks! ☺
Karen you created a great comprehensive video on how to best store fabric! I want to watch it again to improve my system. I love your videos because they are always well thought out and informative, simple to understand and timeless.
Agree!
At one time, I had all my fabric and sewing books beautifully organized and set up within easy reach in my attic room. Then my granddaughter came home from the Army, and it is scattered in lidded plastic totes in the small back room of the attic, basement, and in a 10×12 building I set up as a sewing area. I will never get it sorted and organized like that again because what is in the attic and basement were moved by my granddaughter and her friends one day when I was out. I am still missing sewing machine parts from some of my machines....Oh, I can't think about it, or I will get depressed all over again! So I just have to carry on and keep doing
Another helpful video. I recently used foam board to create vertical sections in bookcase shelf that now allow my fat quarters to stack neatly but remain visible. You inspired the idea.
This video was SO informative and inspiring! Exactly what I needed!
Hello from Portland Oregon. You have given me so many ideas for the sewing room I will be creating later this year. I am so excited to get started remaking a space now occupied by our eldest son. He will be getting married this summer.
This has been one of my biggest challenges since starting to quilt. I have fabric for sewing garments as well as quilting. A couple of years ago I sorted my fabric by type ie fleece, flannel, spandex, knits, heavy cotton mixes, and fabric purchased to make garments that are a mix. I moved my quilting cottons to my small sewing room. My leftover fabric from projects are somewhat sorted in bins, but I am feeling these need a declutter/organizing. I'm not surprised this video was in the making for a bit, because it seems a neverending juggle until you find what works best. I was so excited to be retired to make all the projects that I had bought fabric for over the years, but the process of going through and refolding and making decisions about what I am now going to do with it is exhausting. But I am fortunate to have adult children and grandchildren, with 2 more on the way, so lots of opportunity to sew my stash and leftover fabrics. Thank you Karen for the great video as always 😊
Thank you! I learned to quilt one year ago, and have grabbed free fabric everywhere I could; church, senior center, guild, library, etc. Now I have a crazy accumulation of these treasures that will end up in charity quilts but I need to organize. Your video gave me HOPE and lots of cool ideas. I will continue to add to my collection, but now it will be well organized in my room devoted to fabric. I love your videos!
I have my FQs folded onto comic book boards, i needed to trim down, and placed in large utility totes with their clear lids from ThirtyOne. The totes fit on a shelving unit I fit into the closet on one side. The other closet side has shelves, and there I keep,bins for projects, my tv and dvd player, and my three scrapbooking totes. Also, my sewing machine in its travel case when not be used.
My house is small, 920sf. Hard to believe we raised three kids in it!
Wish I could go on your travels, but the funds just don’t exist.
LOVE. LOVE your you tube videos….I have learned soooo much!!!!
Thank you Karen, I hope you have a very nice day.
Batiks are my favorite! Send them my way! 😉
Excellent video! Cleaning/clearing up is easier once "everything has a place". The hard part is delineating the categories of the things you need to store and then finding the solutions for designating those places. I primarily buy fabric by project but have reached the overwhelm stage so need to come up with a new system and you have given me a road map for thinking about and doing that. Particularly i have been toying around with figuring out what are the perfect containers for that depending on the project so will now try to figure out what works well for that.
One thought about fabric categories: under "Theme" or Fabric Style: Novelty or "To Be Fussy Cut" fabrics might also be stored separately from other fabrics.
You have given me courage to do what I need to do: redo my containers! This video helped.
With all those black and white fabrics, have you never considered making a black-and-white quilt? Challenge issued. Sorry. Not sorry! 😂😂
Common sense and well thought out. You are so wise! Thanks Karen!
I have a bookcase near my sewing machine that holds only my 2-3 current projects. I can quickly grab what I feel like working on that day. Everything else is stored on three bookcases and two old entertainment center pieces (shelves and drawers) located in half of a huge storage room off my mother-in-law's suite. Example: All templates and specialty rulers are in marked plastic storage bags in one drawer so I know where they are. Everything is close but not adding to the sewing area clutter.
Storage by (self-made) kits. I try to only buy fabric for specific projects. I usually gather the group of fabrics that I plan to use together in one container or bag, along with the pattern I plan to use for them. I don't buy random fabrics or pre-cuts so I don't have many orphan yardage or scraps. I do have favorite sold black, and white on white prints, that I buy in 6-8 yard chunks so I will always have enough background fabric to finish a project or start a new one.
You know what accumulates in my space? SEWING MACHINES! Lol
“There is no perfect storage”-this!!!! I really appreciate your discussion of the depth of shelves and comic board storage. So many people go out and buy comic boards because it is popular, but they can dramatically reduce the amount of fabric you can store. I ended up ruler folding my fabric around my 5” Missouri Star 24” ruler (the only thing I actually use it for 😢) to maximize how many stacks fit in my shelves. The depth of the fabric when wrapped around the ruler and folded in half is consistent and exactly the depth of my shelves. We also need to keep in mind each of those 2-3” stacks of boards is taking up 2’3” of storage space you could be using for fabric. I opted for the minor inconvenience of managing vertical stacks of fabric to maximize how much I can fit in my glass-doored antique book shelf. I lined the shelves with shelf liner to protect the fabric from the finish, just in case. The same consideration goes for containers. All of those containers take up space you could be storing fabric in, so you have to balance convenience vs. the pain of destashing fabric if you have more than will fit. I am trying to destash by sewing this year to give my fabric some breathing room. Next January, anything that doesn’t fit will get destashed during the Great Declutter.
I separate first by type (I have 4-cotton (vast majority), linen (one project worth, maybe a bit more, silk (old blouses I want to make a quilt with), and denim (old jeans I have deconstructed and have a project going with plus a bit extra). My cotton is separated by solids and prints and then by color. I don’t like to separate by size because it is too disjointed. I have everything 1/2 yard- approx. 4 yards ruler folded in my cabinet. Bigger pieces that can be backgrounds or backings are folded on cube shelves in the closet. My precuts, including fat quarters which increased dramatically during Black Friday sales, exceed my comfortable storage but are in shallow plastic bins or stacked in canisters in the case of 5” squares. Next January these will also be targeted for destash. I am in a no buy 2024, so no new fabric will come in to add to the problem. Quilt Con will be a struggle! 😂
Yes, that’s also why I haven’t gone to bins. I would rather use my 4”x8” ruler to fold everything to the same neat uniform stacks and manage it to save space.
Just the video topic I needed. 😂 I also came to that conclusion that there isn't a perfect system. Definitely what works for me.
timestamp 3:32: you forgot the "L" in Polka! just a gentle spelling correction! Thanks for the great tips!
I recently started quilting and had the good sense of keeping a photo of the fabric, brand or number of the fabrics I bought . I keep them in a computer file. Instead of going throught drawers of fabric, I make a preselection in my files before rumaging for the rest. I did the same with beading supplies.
I am still working with those batik scraps. My newest project is the 365 day scrappy quilt and they are going to good use! I can see the light!
send photos when you're done
This is so helpful. I am working on storage and decluttering. Thank you for sharing this with us 😊💖🦓
For my fat quarters, I took comic board and cut it to the size that would fit 3 wide in my drawer and I use those to wrap my fabric pieces on them. I re-use the comic boards as I cycle fabric through my stash. I use that for anything 1/4 to 1/2 yd. For yardage 1/2 yard or more, I hang them from skirt hangers in a closet, just like they would come off the bolt. I organize those by length as I do both quilting and garment sewing. I mostly buy quilting cotton to use for both, so that everything is multi-purpose and I can use the garment scraps for scrap quilts. I have all of my scraps organized by colors in my cutting table. I used the Trofast system from Ikea to make my cutting table. It's great because I can just pull out whatever color bin I need for whatever scraps I want. It's also easy for clean up as I just sort scraps by color and toss them in the bins as I go. Anything smaller than a FQ goes there. It's also nice because I can put cutting tools, some of my smaller rulers and marking tools in the bins as well and they are right at my fingertips.
Thank you, Karen. I keep almost everything in clear project boxes. These are fabrics I think would look good together waiting for a pattern. I have separate boxes for Christmas, Halloween, solids and checks. I also keep backings separate. Precuts go into a small bureau. I go through everything at the beginning of the year and make a list of quilts to work on. I find this system helps me not buy too much new fabric. If I do it goes into a new project box.
Karen. Your awsome I have some fabric but I have more yarn then anything lol slowly decluttering everything been giving my craft stuff I don't use to the art and craft teacher at my mom assistant living place where she lives I brought a tone of paint and stuff to her a few months ago and she just thank me again last week when I saw her
Karen, your logical approach and methodical descriptions are so very welcome by me!!!! Thank you for all the time you put into giving content that is real and valuable. Have a great week!!!!
I use the trick you do for folding in that I tape on the floor the size I want the completed quilt to match so they're orderly too!
Clever
😊i have found that my scraps give me anxiety. I am not a scrappy quilter, but I feel i should do something with my scraps. I have found it is best to donate them and start fresh. Once my scraps are moved on i feel free.
I’m so excited for my new fabric storage solution. Half way through the declutter challenge I realize the thing holding me back was the 1950’s built-ins my closet had. They were poorly designed for modern needs and definitely not optimized for fabric storage. I took the plunge and bought an elfa closet system. I spent yesterday removing the wooden built in- they used three inch nails! When it all comes together I will have the storage I so desperately need. Thank you for the nudge to get things organized!
Love this - very timely as Im looking a fabric storage this week... thank you
I love watching all your videos, and this one was very good for me because I am learning to store my stuff better. I have use a lot of the craft bins and I have labeled them.
You are very creative women and full of pasion. ❤❤❤
You are amazing. Your shows are so informative and so helpful. I appreciate you.
Thank you so much!
Love this, no perfection, just adjusting, kind of like life!
Thank you, Karen for your encouragement. I tell myself that it's ok to work in the sewing room/dining room table for 15 mins because Karen said that's what you do! I even took down curtains, washed them, ironed and now back up. Yay! I have more donations to give away too. Let it go I tell myself. Thanks again. Marion in Oregon.
Great video as always! As I’m a quilter that only makes about 5 or 6 big quilts in a year and some little wall quilts, I try to keep my fabric stash in two big drawers and I usually don’t buy anymore fabric unless I truly fall in love with a collection. In one drawer I have the fabrics , fat quarters or smaller,according to designer and I have a separate section for my background ones. In the second drawer I keep either scraps or fabrics by the meter, alongside leftover fabrics that can be turned into binding. I’ve had to be disciplined as I don’t want to end up with heaps of gorgeous but unused fabric, money is tight and practical decisions have to be made. This approach keeps me calm and focused and I really appreciate it when I splash out on a new collection but I do that with a specific quilt in mind ❤
I love this video!! I've been sewing clothes for over 50 years. Organizing and storing quilt fabric is a new and exciting challenge for me. Your video gave me many ideas. I have quilter friends whose work spaces are so crammed and cluttered that I feel claustrophobic and devoid of creativity when I visit. I'm excited to watch your other videos!
You don't miss batiks??? Oh my! I can't imagine. thank you for the storage tips.
Thanks Karen! This is the Thorn in my side! My sewing room is very organized (OK a little OCD) but fabric storage is my downfall. Ideas in this video really help break down my roadblocks.
Karen, did you do a video on the multi color triangle quilt on the back of your wall. I love it.
Great ideas. I think I need to buy a bookcase so I can actually see my fabric.
you are wonderful Karen. Thanks so much for all you do and teach!!!xxxxx
Great video today, Karen. Your organization tips are so helpful. Thank you for your hard work creating this video. ❤😊
Thank you so much for the ideas and guidance for organizing my fabric and encouraging me to get rid of fabric I won’t make use of in my lifetime or that I don’t like any more. I’ve been encouraging my family to get rid of things they no longer have use for due to aging and limitations. This video has made me turn and look at my own things as well.
I discovered the refrigerator bins a couple of years ago. Love them! Clear and stackable.
Thank you. I just realized that I’ve outgrown my original plan for my space, which has only taken 3 years. This video gave me much to consider as I start to redesign my wonderful space.
Excellent video. Thanks, Karen, for all the helpful suggestions.
I sort by material type first, the solids are together. Then I sort by holiday (color family within holiday), then by major color family. If it’s 3/4 yard or more, it’s folded onto magazine boards. Fat quarters are sorted by holiday, then by major color family. This has worked very well for me. There’s some overlap with holiday and prints.
I always watch this sort of thing in case there's something new I haven't figured out yet. Looks like I'm doing ok for my tiny space.
Yes a lot of challenges keeping it small
To remove threads instead of using the sticky rouler I use à microfiber cloth. They are usually purchased for washing cars. Good luck with that.
I enjoyed your video, I am a fairly new quilter (started 1 year ago and I'm working on my 6th quilt) so I don't really have a stash or a sewing room for that matter! My sewing machine sits on my dining table and my cutting mat is out in our sunroom as well as my ironing board. So seeing this video has helped me to visualize what might be needed in the future as I start to accumulate fabric. Right now I just buy what a need for a specific quilt but I am ending up with scraps. I'll need to watch your video about scraps to see what to do with those!
Perfect timing! I did a fabric purge after the declutter challenge and am shopping this afternoon for a new storage solution. Thanks so much for all of your very helpful videos!
Bravo Karen. 🎉 I think I need to look and my material with new eyes
Love, love, love your video's. The list of fabrics, styles, colours, etc was doing my head in. How many more ways you could categorise!!!!! I seem to do more organising than sewing so I have decided - no more. You did allow me to say 'stick with what you have. I still have trouble letting go of fabric so have decided to put those in cardboard boxes till I'm ready which will give me bore clear boxes to play with❤. This was very informative, thank you ❤😊
I started clearing out my fabric on Saturday. Your video came at the perfect time! Thank you Karen! 😊