riutzelj

sad to hear of the damage to your fabrics. Moths: use cedar balls and/or bay leaves to help keep them away. Mildew: use the dessicant you can find at WM ( in hardware section for drying out basements etc).
that said, i'm fortunate to have a daughter that sews for her family so the extra dressmaking fabric can always find a home. Periodically, i tell her to shop the fabric stash. I have too much fabric. My DH peeked in the sewing room when we were discussing moving a bookcase out of the living room, and suggested i downsize. i pointed out that would be like me suggesting he downsize his tools to make more room. However he does have a point. Humane societies often will take the mildewed fabric after it has been washed in bleach to use for bedding for the animals so even ruined fabric can be donated.

justflyingin

This is so true unless you are living in about 300 square feet for a family. Probably OP could find some space.

But for most people, think creative!

Get rid of half of your clothes and use the other half of your closet for fabric. Think RVs. Everything in one of those has storage--no space is wasted.

As to OPs original question...no, definitely not. I buy or gather as I go along--whenever or wherever I can. Without a stash, it would be difficult to sew.

Oksewnsew

First of all I will say, I have not read all the posts, so IF this was posted before, sorry. Do you happen to have a spare bed? Fold your fabrics so as not to cause a bump, and lay them under your quilt/spread. That way if you need a pc, just turn the bed down and there ya go - nice and clean, dry & light free. If you get your stash revived, then you can add to the layers. I guess if you have company very often, you need to have a plan as where to store the fabric til company is gone...;o)

Just a suggestion.

Writergrrl

I store in long, plastic boxes beneath the twin beds in my guest room. I try to only buy for each project, but I keep a hardy stash of solids for backing and sashing.

chuckbere15

I currently have one closest stuffed to the gills, God help me if I need to find anything in there. I just purchased some plastic totes in the hopes to de-clutter the house as I do not have a sewing room either. My plan was to move some of it out to the garage but after hearing your story I would die if I lost some of my fabric. About half is for projects and the other half is because I fell in love with it.

kateyb

We lived in a small apartment for a while and I had a small section of the closet that I hung my fabrics folded over on hangers. I have also used hanging shoe holders for fat quarters. There are bigger hanging shelves that work great for the larger pieces also. They don't take up a huge space in a closet but you would be surprised how much they hold.

Oksewnsew

I forgot to mention in my earlier post that my sewing room IS my garage! It's an oversized double garage, a 'small' section is still the garage, rest is mine, ALL MINE...lolo I have shelves, lots of cabinets, 3 machines, cutting table, design wall & my quilting frame set up there. I have heat and air, and I leave the inside door open so it 'flows' with rest of the house..I have carpet on the floor too. We've never had a problem with any type of bug either. I also have several large totes with 'not used often' fabric, batting, etc in them. Then have 4 smaller totes with all 'scraps' that I've cut into strips, squares, etc. If we need to open the garage door, we can without disturbing anything. It's MY haven...;o)

EvelynJ

How devastating and sad. I am heartbroken for you.

teddysmom

I'm a newbie so I just buy material for a quilt I want to do.

biotechlady

I am a newbie as well. And my plan is to buy for projects. I have very little "extra" fabric that is not going towards something.
I scrapbook as well, and have a rather large collection of supplies there. So trying not to have too much in this area.

I have a few smaller totes. 2 in my living room with fabrics. One in my hall closet with leftovers and one in my scrapping area with other leftovers. I am learning to make some smaller items so I can use up some of the leftovers. Also, my DD wants a scrappy type quilt eventually, so we are collecting for that.

Have fun picking out new stuff.