Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • Best ways to organize fabric >
  • Best ways to organize fabric

  • Best ways to organize fabric

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 01-27-2018, 05:26 PM
      #1  
    Super Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Join Date: Nov 2017
    Location: Portland, OR
    Posts: 2,247
    Default Best ways to organize fabric

    I am moving. I am sorting. I probably won’t be able to go through all my fabric before I move it. I will try. I am getting rid of what I don’t think I will use.

    Then I see a pretty scrap. i can’t part with it. It reminds me of something.

    So, what is the best way to sort scraps. By color or by value. Is their much of a difference in sorting by size if it is less than a fat quarter.

    I have some fabric sorted by projects in process. I have batiks all together. Then I have some fabric sorted by color. If there are better ways or difference ideas I am open to suggestions.

    I am a bit ADHD and always struggle with organization. So any help will be appreciated.

    Thanks, Shannon
    Darcyshannon is offline  
    Old 01-27-2018, 05:36 PM
      #2  
    Super Member
     
    sewingsuz's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Nov 2010
    Location: Arizona
    Posts: 7,850
    Default

    Bonnie Hunter has a good way to organize and cut scraps and I have done some of mine that way.
    sewingsuz is offline  
    Old 01-27-2018, 05:45 PM
      #3  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: May 2017
    Location: Sunny Florida
    Posts: 4,431
    Default

    I starch and iron scraps. Sort them into bins by either batiks or other prints. I haven't cut them down yet as some are going into some applique quilt projects. Larger size pieces (not fat quarter size) are folded on a 3 1/2 inch ruler and stacked in the bin.

    Seems like we both use similar methods. Good luck on your move!
    Rhonda K is offline  
    Old 01-27-2018, 06:59 PM
      #4  
    Power Poster
     
    QuiltnNan's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Mar 2011
    Location: western NY formerly MN, FL, NC, SC
    Posts: 51,430
    Default

    i sort by color except: Christmas, juvenile, batiks. also, with so many modern quilts these days, i've also sorted out solid colors. and, like you, there are some that are just too special and I don't want them lost in the mix... so I have a small pile of those.
    QuiltnNan is offline  
    Old 01-27-2018, 07:13 PM
      #5  
    Power Poster
     
    SusieQOH's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jul 2017
    Location: Central Ohio
    Posts: 15,236
    Default

    I do the same as Nan with one exception- I don't keep many scraps. I probably should but by the time I'm done with a project I'm really tired of the fabrics I used! ( I know I'm weird) Everyone else seems to love scraps! lol
    SusieQOH is offline  
    Old 01-28-2018, 01:17 AM
      #6  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Oct 2015
    Location: Va.
    Posts: 5,753
    Default

    I use a variety of methods for my scraps. I store all my fabric in drawers and like to be able to see what I have at a glance. Yardage, fat quarters etc. gets wrapped around comic boards cut to fit in my drawer units. These can then be filed by size (>1yd, 1yd, <1yd, fat quarter) with a separate drawer for each size. I separate by color and value within sizes.

    Here’s what I do for scraps- irregular and largish scraps get wrapped around comic boards also filed and arranged by color and value. I define largish and irregular as anything larger than a 10” square or Strips that are at least 2”wide and 12” long. Everything else gets cut into sizes that I like to use. Those are also stored in drawer units and are separated into stacks by size and value.


    Rob
    rryder is offline  
    Old 01-29-2018, 03:13 AM
      #7  
    Super Member
     
    jmoore's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Feb 2011
    Location: Boothbay Maine
    Posts: 9,518
    Default

    I do the same as Nan also...except I hadn’t thought about keeping any “special” fabrics aside. I have a bin of crumbs and another of strips that are of all color. And in my 2018 organizing, I now have two bins of larger scraps that are by color...one bin is of lighter/neutrals and the second is darker/brights. I keep FQs and half yards and more separate.
    jmoore is offline  
    Old 01-29-2018, 04:44 AM
      #8  
    Super Member
     
    ArtsyOne's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Sep 2011
    Location: Canadian in Minnesota
    Posts: 3,078
    Default

    I sort mainly by color, but also have containers for jelly rolls, charm squares, kids, vegetables (!), florals, christmas, Asian, etc. It's getting out of hand.
    ArtsyOne is offline  
    Old 01-29-2018, 05:23 AM
      #9  
    Senior Member
     
    Join Date: Jan 2011
    Posts: 659
    Default

    Originally Posted by SusieQOH
    I do the same as Nan with one exception- I don't keep many scraps. I probably should but by the time I'm done with a project I'm really tired of the fabrics I used! ( I know I'm weird) Everyone else seems to love scraps! lol
    I am with you - not everyone loves and saves scraps.
    junegerbracht is offline  
    Old 01-29-2018, 05:41 AM
      #10  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Nov 2011
    Location: Twin Cities, MN
    Posts: 1,141
    Default

    I store most of my scraps in shoebox bins by color... In addition, I have a bin of 5" squares, 2.5"squares and a couple of bins of strips... 2.5" and 2" (which I use for EPP) That being said, I understand those special scraps. For me, it's that last little bit from the Easter dress I made for my oldest DD 16 years ago.. or other scraps from early quilting... The ones that made it into several quilts for our closest family members.
    Kris P is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    lots2do
    General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
    5
    08-20-2016 06:24 PM
    bearisgray
    Main
    61
    07-23-2014 03:03 PM
    PaperPrincess
    Pictures
    90
    03-03-2013 02:56 PM
    Treasureit
    Main
    14
    03-26-2011 03:34 PM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter