Fabric Storage FAQ
This is a summary of ideas for fabric storage. It is largely concerned
with storage of small pieces of fabric such as quilters tend to
accumulate, but there are suggestions which are appropriate to large
fabric "stashes" as well. This FAQ is based on responses to queries on
these subjects posted to Quiltnet, alt.sewing, rec.crafts.textiles and
rec.crafts quilting, and materials that Jean N has gathered in my own search
for the perfect way to organize my fabrics.
Questions addressed in this FAQ include
1. What are good ways to store my fabrics, especially ways that will
allow me to tell what I have on hand?
2. Should I use acid free boxes to store my fabrics and quilts?
3. Are there good ways to store fabric to prevent fading from sunlight?
4. What's the smallest size scrap that it is reasonable to keep, and how
do you store scraps?
1. What are good ways to store my fabrics, especially ways that will
allow me to tell what I have on hand?
I have an antique dentist's cabinet that had been in the family. It's
great for fabric storage --it has seven trays in the upper portion that
swing completely out for viewing and sorting. The lower part has four
drawers for fatter-than-quarters and notions. The top is flat and houses
part of my quilting book collection. All in all, it's great, and is only
about 2' x 2'--not much floor space! I am a charm square collector and
otherwise usually only buy fat quarters, so being able to see and sort my
collections easily is a must. Maybe you could look for a used cabinet of
some description *at* a Goodwill store. Even a pug-ugly might be
redeemable with a coat of paint and quilt-block stencils. This might
help your dilemma concerning not being able to see your collection. (RR)
* * * * * * *
I had my husband build shelves in the closet (so the light wouldn't fade
the fabric). That way I have my fabric stacked by color. The closet can
be dark.......so he nailed a light inside, tacked the cord against the
wall with an extension cord going to the wall plug. I can turn the light
on when I am looking for a piece a fabric. It's (somewhat) neatly
stacked and out of the way. I tried stacking the fabric on a book case
in the room, but heard tales of fading fabric from just the day light
that enters through the window. I really like this arrangement. (S/C)
* * * * * * *
I think I became a quilter because I needed an excuse to collect fabric.
Anyway, I'm always arranging it, because I love to handle it. I built
shelves into a small closet in my sewing room and have all my medium
sized pieces kind of stacked like books, by color on the shelves. I also
keep smaller pieces like fat quaters in a drawer and even smaller pieces
in notebooks and then even smaller pieces in shoe boxes. I do a lot of
applique and it helps me to sort by size of piece as well as color. (E/I)
* * * * * * *
I like to stack fabric and "stuff" on open shelves, but don't like that
it gets dusty. Maybe those "lawyer" bookshelves would solve that--those
are the shelves with a glass door hinged at the top of each shelf. You'd
be able to see what you've got and not fret about dust at the same time.
I also have a wardrobe chest out in the hall that I use to store yarn.
It doesn't have shelves, so if I want the yarn at the bottom, I have to
take it all out. (ER)
* * * * * * *
I bought an etagere, an open-style book case made of wicker and wood. I
carefully sorted fabric into color families and was proudly displaying my
stash to a professional quilter in our guild. Instead of being
impressed, she told me the light would fade the edges of my fabrics where
they were folded. AAArgh! I just keep the blinds drawn most of the time
and paw through the stash fairly often, refolding as I go. It is very
nice to see it all at once, even though I had to give up half of a
bedroom wall and we now step over furniture that has been dislocated.
Also, because the etagere is so big, it minimizes the amount of fabric I
actually have, which can be helpful when I'm in the mood to collect more
(A/T)
* * * * * * *
I had a 5-shelf bookcase I was using and all my fabric was falling off
and I could never find anything. My husband bought me three 12 7/8 inch
by six feet tall bookcase/storage shelves. They are wooden and each one
has six sections in it. They are thin and tall and I set them side by
side. They only take up 39 inches width so they are about the same width
as my bookcase was. I have 18 sections to sort and store my fabric in.
Because there are sides to each section, fabrics don't fall out. I've
rolled my fat quarters and eights and put them on top of the larger
folded pieces of fabric so I can see them all. I also have divided my
fabric colors in each section. You can get these shelves Service
Merchandise, Dania or K-Mart and they are about $30.00 each. (PP)
* * * * * * *
I too have extremely limited space. My Sewing, library, computer, and
work room is only 9 by 11. I store my fabric under my cutting/work table
(card table) in cardboard four drawer units. These can also be stacked
in a closet. When I need a certain color range, I just pull out the
drawer. Of course I usually end up with stacks of fabric on my desk and
one shelf too. (CY)
* * * * * * *
Use the lids to the cardboard boxes that reams of copy paper come in.
They are a perfect size for fat quarters and larger, up to two yards,
will fold perfectly to fit front to back. Then I stack them on a
shelving unit I have that is one of those industrial things, but is 24
inches deep. It's two shelves, plus the top I use for cutting, etc. Four
box tops high by four rows fit great on each of the two shelves; that's
32 boxes which houses a lot of fabric. They do need to be lifted out to
view the fabric, but there are no lids to lift off, the tops are rugged
and can be easily replaced. I have additional fabric in them and they
fit beautifully in the most unusual places, under the bed, under some
furniture that is on legs.. These usually can't be seen and for these
places you need only pull out a tray and can view... (K/T)
* * * * * * *
For larger pieces of fabric I cut a swatch, tape it to the outside of one
of these copy paper boxes. Tape the swatch to the the whole box, not
just the lid so I can see what's in each then I stack them. Sometimes
the fabric folded in these boxes is shorter than the height of the box...
I cut the box off around the top to fit the height of the fabric and I
stack the fabric, again, sort of front to back... I put the box on its
narrowest side and "stack" the fabric. Then when you lay it down, its
arranged like file folder and you can see all of it instead of stacking
it on top of another piece so that you have to get it all out to see what
you have. (K/T)
* * * * * * *
My personal solution to fabric storage problems is Pendaflex folders.
You can get Pendaflex
folders that are several inches deep and have sides, so the small stuff
doesn't fall out and end up in the bottom of the file drawer. I have my
fabric sorted by project if it's already designated for something
specific, and by color if I haven't decided what to use it in yet. The
greatest disadvantage of filing your fabric this way is that you can't
see all of it at once, just a drawer at a time. On the other hand, your
SO also can't see it all at once either. The drawers keep out light,
cats, and most of the usual household dust, and the hanging folders let
you flip through the collection easily to get at the stuff at the back.
I can't decide whether to file alphabetically or in rainbow order,
though. Decisions, decisions.
For non-quilting purposes this arrangement is fantastic. You can put
fabric, thread, pattern, zippers, and any other necessary junk (pardon
me, "fine sewing accessories") into one folder, and know that it's all
ready to go when the sewing urge hits. There's nothing that kills a work
spree faster than searching for that magenta zipper you just know you
bought two months ago. (AS)
* * * * * * *
My current method of storing the fabric is on a bookcase- carefully
covered with shelf paper so as not to transfer acid to the fabric from
the wood. I find the shelf method by far the easiest. I can sort by
color or value, I can see everything at a glance, etc. I keep the fabric
as far from a window as practicable, and the blinds are drawn 99% of the
time. (DS)
* * * * * * *
Tip storage containers on their sides and stack the fabric that way. You
could "stuff" the extra space if the bin isn't full, then lay it down on
its bottom. Fabric edges would all show (if they were big enough to
begin with) just as if they were on open shelves (like those great
pictures in the books), but with the advantage of keeping the dust etc.
out. (GH)
* * * * * * *
Store fabric in Rubbermaid bins, but fold the fabric in such a way that
you get rows of fabrics on end and when you lift the lid off, you see all
the fabrics at once. If you fold fabric, raw edge to raw edge, then fold
in the selvege edges (to make a third) and fold up this piece until it
fits the depth of the bin. You can stack the fabric on end (like files)
and you will be able to see all of your fabric, plus you will be able to
put more in the bin. This assumes that your storage bin is the sweater
size. (LK)
* * * * * * *
My sewing desk is right up against my craft closet. STUFF is always
spilling out of the closet and encroaching on the space in front of my
desk drawers. Hence, nothing (except the scissors and needles) gets put
away unless I do a major overhaul. I got a special box to hold all the
dangerous stuff and that does get cleaned up every time I sew. I just
have more STUFF than SPACE so things overflow. I periodically get great
satisfaction from taking an afternoon to sort it all out. The time lost
in rummaging for things is considerable, though. (PH)
2. Should I use acid free boxes to store my fabrics and quilts?
On acid free boxes - when I took that class from Barbara Brackman (on
dating antique quilts) she mentioned that a friend of hers that works in
a museum was upset about acid free boxes. It seems that although they are
lined with acid free material, the acid in the box cardboard works its
way through the acid free material after a while and affects what is
contained in the box and so she was advising against their use.
What she recommended was using a muslin bag or pillow case to store
fabrics and quilts in. (KC)
* * * * * * *
(Responding to above remarks...) This is why it is important when
ordering or buying a box which is advertised as being acid-free to ask if
all materials in the box and used in making the box are acid-free or
acid-neutral. Acid free boxes sold by Light Impressions (an archival
supply company) are advertised as being made from acid and lignin free
corrugated (I have not called to ask specific questions about their
boxes). If the boxes have any materials within them that contain acid
then this will eventually transfer to the top layers of the box and to
the materials contained within. Also, when using an acid-free box it is
a good idea to wrap materials in acid-free wrapping tissue. (DW)
3. Are there good ways to store fabric to prevent fading from sunlight?
Someone mentioned a professional quilter disapproving of exposed fabric
because of fading. I have since thought that with a reasonably-sized
bookcase one could create a door out of glass and attach it to the
bookcase with some hinges. Ordinary plate glass would block harmful
light rays but allow you to see your fabric. In this case you'd want the
back open to keep moisture from getting trapped. (CB)
Keep the shades down in the workroom if your containers are the
transparent plastic variety, to minimize sun-related fading. (GH)
4. What's the smallest size scrap that it is reasonable to keep, and how
do you store scraps?
I have mine collected in several different plastic boxes, (warm colors,
cool colors, neutrals) but some of those pieces are mighty small and
stretchy. No problem with leftover strips; I like strippy, scrappy, baby
quilts. (PS)
* * * * * * *
I have a drawer in my desk that is strips 1 1/4 inch or more. I use them
for scrap log cabin quilts. If the strips are larger than 1 1/4, I cut
them after I sew them on. If it is too big a piece to go in my drawer,
it is not a scrap and goes back in the stash. (KM)
* * * * * * *
My scraps pieces must be larger than 1" sq or 1" by 2" if rectangular.
Anything smaller than that I won't use. I like using these to make the
foundation blocks. (ST)
* * * * * * *
I am the great moocher of the guild here; members bring me bags of scraps
they don't want to keep track of but hate to throw away. I also check
trash cans after quilting classes have been held at my local shop. It's
amazing what some people throw away!
I keep pieces if they are larger than 1 square inch (approximately). What
I DO WITH THEM is foundation pieced miniature blocks. The 3" pineapple
block, for instance, uses pieces that are 1/4 x 3/4" in the center spots.
Also, I use the scraps for applique: berries, small leaves, petals of
multi-colored flowers, etc.
I have mine sorted by color, stored in zip-lok bags, in a box on my
sewing room shelves. I have been thinking about putting them into the
bureau drawers in which similar-colored fabrics (larger pieces) are
stored. That way, I might THINK to use them in situations where I might
otherwise cut a small chunk off of a yard-size piece. (MF)
* * * * * * *
I usually throw chunks into a laundry basket under my cutting table, then
on a day that I need to play with fabrics but not think, I cut them into
1.5, 2, 3, etc. inch squares. I have been putting them into a clear
plastic shoebox. I use them for watercolor quilts, and my favorite --
nine patches. I once bought the tool (Scrap Saver???) but usually use my
favorite Omnigrids and just sit, slice and watch TV. I save the strips
too. Can't bear to throw much out, but I will discard less than one
inch. (CV)
* * * * * * *
I think it depends on what kind of projects you do and how expensive or
gorgeous the fabric is.
I make a lot of clothing, I save any scrap that is bigger than 2" x 6"
for repairs or covered buttons or whatever. About once every three
years, I get rid of anything that is no longer useful. I keep these
scraps in the same area as my fabric stash, so occcasionally these scraps
get used in quilts.
When I'm making a quilt, if I like the fabric a lot, I'll save pieces as
described above. If it's an okay fabric but nothing special, I don't
necessarily save any of it. I have made two miniature quilts, I do not
know that I will ever make another. This is the only use I'd have for
small scraps. I don't like dealing with fiddly little bits of fabric
that fray and stretch, I'd rather go get new fabric to play with:)
I do have a collection of specialty fabric scraps that I keep on the off
chance that an idea will come to me that needs just a little piece of
whatever. I can't go out and buy new silk or whatever all of the time
(although I'd like to). I also keep scraps of hand painted or marbled
fabrics for the same reason. If I ever decide that miniatures are my
thing, or applique with little bits, or anything else that would require
small peices, then I'll start to save them. (DS)
* * * * * * *
I keep rather small pieces and I will sew them all together then cut them
into strips. Then I make strip quilts out of them mixing them with
regular strips. It makes for some interesting quilts. (JR)
* * * * * * *
I use scraps sewn together and then cut into diamonds, squares or
whatever and used like any other kind of cloth. It also makes a great
scrap border. My mother called these string quilts. (KC)
* * * * * * *
One of the scraps I like to save is the thin little strip you cut off
when you are evening your folded fabric for rotary cutting. I'm saving
them, they range between 1/4" to sometimes 3/4" wide in the same strip,
to try weaving, or I've used them as fringe, inserting into seams on
vests, and I'd like to try knitting or crocheting them into accessories
like scarves, necklaces, bracelets with buttons &beads, etc. I also
save little wispy things that my serger cuts off, to use as stuffing for
the millions of stuffed animals, dolls, pillows, etc. I make, esp. if
they re light colored. - (TW)
* * * * * * *
I force myself to throw scraps less than about 6" square away, otherwise
they would take over my house, my life and endanger important
relationships. Sometimes I gather up a bag to give to a friend who makes
string pieced potholders to sell. I was amused by a friend telling me
that when she went through her mothers stash after her death she found
boxes labeled "large pieces", "small pieces", "large scraps", "small
scraps" and "pieces too small to use"! I think it is a fine line between
thrift and obsession! (TG)
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