QuiltingGrannie

Quick question -
when you shop for fabric in a store how do you prefer them to secure/fold/keep the bolts of fabric?
Pinned,
Bolt Buddies
or just folded back neatly
or what other ways have you seen them do it that you like

OR

Don't like?

I've seen a lot of ways and where I work it seems impossible for us to keep them all neat. (WM) Though I try.

How do you keep yours at home?

cjomomma

I guess it would depend on the storage space one might have. I have some on lg bolts and small bolts on book shelves. I also have fabric folded in drawers and tubs.

Beachbound

I like those clips...are they called bolt buddies? Pins work but you always run a risk of losing them & getting stuck. That being said I use pins at home in my stash but I'm the only one who would get pricked there.

craftybear

the John Deere fabric on the bolts I use a rubberband on each end and works great (that way I don't get stuck with pin)

Rachel

I just prefer them to be folded, that way I can unfold and don't have to mess with the pins.

ghostrider

When in the store, just wrapped around the bolt and displayed on end. That's what most places do here (Keepsake Quilting included). I always have to flip it open a bit to get a better view of the pattern and if everyone had to refasten some sort of pin or clip, it would probably damage the fabric fold over time.

It's almost instinctual to put wrapped bolts back with the loose end pointing out and that keeps the ends pretty flat when on the shelf. They may get crunched when pulled out, but they don't get 'pressed' that way in storage. Hope that makes sense...

The clipped fabrics in some stores get pretty beat up when they or their neighbors are pushed in or pulled out. There's no 'give' where the clip is. I've never seen bolts pinned, but would imagine the pulling and stress would really damage the fabric for the same reason.

At home, I store my bolt goods horizontally, stacked, no clips, just gravity. ;)

clem55

I don"t know the best way to store and show, but I do know what is bad for me. When the bolts are stored upright, and packed so tight together, I can't pull them out to really get a good look. Same if they are laying flat on a table. The weight of too many bolts makes it impossible for me to lift and get to the lower bolts. And fabric on high shelves or down to the floor, these are out of my reach. I always like the round tables with co-ordinated fabrics with a good loose flap to the front that I can just lift and get a good look and feel. Did I make sense on any of this???LOL

cjomomma

I forgot to say I use rubber bands because the clips get caught on what ever is next to it and cause an avalanche effect.

bearisgray

I agree with a lot of the above.

Especially the parts about:

1) The fabric being out of reach - I understand that floor space is expensive - but if I can't reach it without help (I'm 5'3" ) - I have to REALLY be interested in it to ask for help to reach it. Or else have a small ladder or step-stool available. (Don't know about liability with those - the local Mill End stores have them - so do some libraries)

2) Bolts being jammed in so tightly that it is impossible to get just that one out without pulling two or three other ones out with it.

I try to be fairly neat as a shopper and put things back in approximately the same place I found them, but when I need a crowbar to make a space to put the bolt back on the shelf, I will leave it in the vicinity - like laying on top of the row of fabrics - or if they have other bolts on the floor - on the floor in front of where I found it.

3) When they have those pretty drapey things of fabric - I know there's an easy trick to get them to do that - they look pretty - but if I want a better look at the fabric - I have never figured out how to get it to look like that again.

4) The round display things are pretty - but I think they are not particularly space-effective.

5) Some stores fold under a triangle and pin the end down. It looks neat. Some stores just leave the end "as is" and put it back on the shelf. I think they have a system for if it's folded end "up" or "down" -

There seems to be a happy medium between "so loose everything falls over" and "jammed so tight can't get anything out" - this also applies to the fat quarter displays.

bearisgray

More:

I've seen some places use the high shelves for storage - the "extras" are kept up there and brought down as needed.

I think many/some people have afflictions that make it difficult for them to reach and push - bad shoulders, arthritis, old age, etc.
so maybe a sign or something that says something like "We love to help - let us know if we can make something easier for you to see" - if you have the staff available to do so.