Getting Organized - Once Again
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Carroll, Iowa
Posts: 3,490
Yes, I went with the comic book boards also after reading about it on this site. I've gone thru 600+ so far. 5yds+ are on bolts as its too much for the boards. My fat quarters are in plastic shoe totes as are my scraps cut in sizes between 1+/-, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 5 and 2 totes just for large scraps waiting to see when I need them. I'm working on 2 scrappy quilts from the Craftsy 2012 BOM March. Even though I've stitched up 64 of the spider web blocks and am now on the 6.5 blocks, my box of scraps I pulled doesn't seem to have dimished. They must procreate during the night when I'm not looking. Guess that means more scrappy quilts to make.
The nice thing about having your fabrics all organized is you can see what you have and what you need to get. Just recently when I knew I was going to start the scrappy blocks, I wanted to use muslin for the foundation and thought I had some but couldn't find it. After getting all my fabrics organized and after I had already purchased a bolt more of muslin, I found my original bolt of muslin lying on the bottom shelf hidden by a pile of fabrics to be put away. That there told me I needed to get organized as we all know fabric is getting really expensive and a bunch of us are on fixed income so every little bit helps. Thank goodness I like scraps.
Suz in Iowa
The nice thing about having your fabrics all organized is you can see what you have and what you need to get. Just recently when I knew I was going to start the scrappy blocks, I wanted to use muslin for the foundation and thought I had some but couldn't find it. After getting all my fabrics organized and after I had already purchased a bolt more of muslin, I found my original bolt of muslin lying on the bottom shelf hidden by a pile of fabrics to be put away. That there told me I needed to get organized as we all know fabric is getting really expensive and a bunch of us are on fixed income so every little bit helps. Thank goodness I like scraps.
Suz in Iowa
#12
I am using the ruler idea I found on here to fold my material and boy does it work and look nice and don't have to buy anything. Only thing is I gave up and have to get going on it again and finish.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Michigan's Upper Peninsula
Posts: 857
I think organizing and/or reorganizing comes along naturally when we have a change of season. For me, the major project just completed was going through the home file cabinet, desk drawers, shelves, etc. I purged so many things as what we need to save today varies greatly with what we needed to keep a decade ago. I tossed messy file holders and used new ones. Insurance policies, instruction manuals, and individual health histories are neat and accessible.
Along the way, I have gone through piles of quilting ideas and patterns that I just HAD to print...... I was surprised at how few I've decided to keep. My quilt books and magazines need another examination, but that will have to wait until I feel like doing that.
I find organizing gives me peace of mind and more freedom to concentrate on the things I really want to do. To think I started this last purging by sorting and identifying electrical cords is a hoot! Most of the cords have been identified and the others we kept are in the "unknown" container. Cell phones, cameras, Kindles, laptops, radios, etc. and you end of up with cords from floor to ceiling.... Of course, that doesn't even factor in the sewing equipment!!
I hope those who are organizing their sewing rooms find their efforts are very productive and inspiring. It is always easier to take on these projects when you have support of your family and friends. We all know how demoralizing it can be when we are tackling a project and others do nothing to allow us the time and energy to work on that project.
Happy Spring
Along the way, I have gone through piles of quilting ideas and patterns that I just HAD to print...... I was surprised at how few I've decided to keep. My quilt books and magazines need another examination, but that will have to wait until I feel like doing that.
I find organizing gives me peace of mind and more freedom to concentrate on the things I really want to do. To think I started this last purging by sorting and identifying electrical cords is a hoot! Most of the cords have been identified and the others we kept are in the "unknown" container. Cell phones, cameras, Kindles, laptops, radios, etc. and you end of up with cords from floor to ceiling.... Of course, that doesn't even factor in the sewing equipment!!
I hope those who are organizing their sewing rooms find their efforts are very productive and inspiring. It is always easier to take on these projects when you have support of your family and friends. We all know how demoralizing it can be when we are tackling a project and others do nothing to allow us the time and energy to work on that project.
Happy Spring
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mass
Posts: 314
COuple of questions, where can I find the directions for "ruler" folding, and does the fabric take up less room like that? I have way too much fabric for the small space I have and need to do something, I can't stand the mess.
#16
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 233
Would someone please say where you order these 'boards'? I know this sounds silly but I have never been an organized quilter. I've always done it for the fun of it . Now I need to organize so I don't need to tear my whole sewing room apart to find what I want.....
#18
Cindy: There are probably better written instructions here on the board but just to give you an idea of what we are talking about: Fold the width of the fabric in half and then in half again, this gives you a width of approx. 10 inches assuming your fabric is 40 inches wide. Then take your 6X24 inch ruler and fold the length around the ruler. When done slip it off of the ruler. You should have a very neatly folded book like piece of fabric. I have mine on shelves standing up. I think the greatest advantage is the visiability and the ability to pull it without messing everything up, not sure it really takes up that much less space.
#19
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Iowa
Posts: 206
if you have a comic book store in your community you can order them from them. I got mine from ours 100 for 10.00 but decided not to use them as my dh came up with a different idea for my material that works for us.
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09-28-2011 07:12 AM