Help! How do you organize smaller pieces of fabric?
11-17-2013, 04:50 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Pittsburgh PA - Leesburg FL
Posts: 537
Help! How do you organize smaller pieces of fabric?
I do like using the ruler fold method but my problem is that I have LOTS and LOTS of fabric that measures less than a yard. Other than sorting by solids, flowers, etc I don't know how to fold them and store them.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Pat
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Pat
11-17-2013, 05:18 AM
#3
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Missouri
Posts: 3,430
I use a 3 drawer roll around plastic container. I just fold the fabric, sort by color and place in the drawers standing the folded fabric on end so I can see the colors without needing to take them out of the drawers. I do like to place the larger pieces in the bottom drawer, the fat quarter sizes in the middle drawer, and the smaller pieces in the top drawer.
11-17-2013, 05:51 AM
#4
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 17,760
For me, I like my FQs accessible with my longer lengths of fabrics.
Anything over a metre is folded 1/4 WOF then to about a 6" width, and is labelled with painters tape as to the length.
Under a metre is folded like you would a FQ.
Shape tells me the basic sizing.
All are stored in plastic bins about 6" deep ... on end, so that when I open it up, I can see the different fabric and colour possibilities.
Bins are labelled (again painters tape to the rescue) as to contents and are sorted by colour(s), with extra bins for seasonal/Christmas, florals and birds, batiks and novelties.
Anything over a metre is folded 1/4 WOF then to about a 6" width, and is labelled with painters tape as to the length.
Under a metre is folded like you would a FQ.
Shape tells me the basic sizing.
All are stored in plastic bins about 6" deep ... on end, so that when I open it up, I can see the different fabric and colour possibilities.
Bins are labelled (again painters tape to the rescue) as to contents and are sorted by colour(s), with extra bins for seasonal/Christmas, florals and birds, batiks and novelties.
11-17-2013, 06:07 AM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Texas Hill Country
Posts: 948
Less than a yard, I store with my fat quarters in drawers by color. Scraps that can be folded, I store in a drawer by color. Smaller scraps are thrown in those plastic drawer bins by color. (I rarely seem to use them so when the bins get full, I donate them to a church group that loves to use scraps.)
11-17-2013, 12:05 PM
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Northeasten PA
Posts: 1,512
Well, I do a couple things. First I have fat qtrs. folded and standing on end in a shallow plastic container, all arranged by color. Secondly my Asian fat qtrs. are stored on my open shelving, stacked on top of one another. I attached a picture so you can have a visual. Then all my fabric yardage is also stored in these open crates stacked on top of each other on top of a filing cabinet/drawer unit. If I have a 1/2 or more yard of what I have in that same yardage I will put it with that fabric. If not it is put into another plastic container marked 1/4 yard. If I cut the leftover into strips or squares I also have corresponding containers for that piece.
One thing I have learned to do also is to have a separate container for pieces left from a project. If I finished a project and there is fabric left I will put it there and heaven for bid if I need to make a repair way down the line, I have the fabric I need. I'm not talking yardage or amounts like that, but will keep 1/4 yards and under. I keep it separate then I know I won't use it for future projects. And then again if I make something and decide later I'd like a pillow or a little wall hanging to coordinate with that piece, I have the matching fabric.
Hope I haven't confused you too much.
One thing I have learned to do also is to have a separate container for pieces left from a project. If I finished a project and there is fabric left I will put it there and heaven for bid if I need to make a repair way down the line, I have the fabric I need. I'm not talking yardage or amounts like that, but will keep 1/4 yards and under. I keep it separate then I know I won't use it for future projects. And then again if I make something and decide later I'd like a pillow or a little wall hanging to coordinate with that piece, I have the matching fabric.
Hope I haven't confused you too much.
11-17-2013, 12:13 PM
#8
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Corpus Christi, Tx.
Posts: 16,105
Mine is sorted pretty much the way yours is just doesn't look it.HMMM?
Well, I do a couple things. First I have fat qtrs. folded and standing on end in a shallow plastic container, all arranged by color. Secondly my Asian fat qtrs. are stored on my open shelving, stacked on top of one another. I attached a picture so you can have a visual. Then all my fabric yardage is also stored in these open crates stacked on top of each other on top of a filing cabinet/drawer unit. If I have a 1/2 or more yard of what I have in that same yardage I will put it with that fabric. If not it is put into another plastic container marked 1/4 yard. If I cut the leftover into strips or squares I also have corresponding containers for that piece.
One thing I have learned to do also is to have a separate container for pieces left from a project. If I finished a project and there is fabric left I will put it there and heaven for bid if I need to make a repair way down the line, I have the fabric I need. I'm not talking yardage or amounts like that, but will keep 1/4 yards and under. I keep it separate then I know I won't use it for future projects. And then again if I make something and decide later I'd like a pillow or a little wall hanging to coordinate with that piece, I have the matching fabric.
Hope I haven't confused you too much.
One thing I have learned to do also is to have a separate container for pieces left from a project. If I finished a project and there is fabric left I will put it there and heaven for bid if I need to make a repair way down the line, I have the fabric I need. I'm not talking yardage or amounts like that, but will keep 1/4 yards and under. I keep it separate then I know I won't use it for future projects. And then again if I make something and decide later I'd like a pillow or a little wall hanging to coordinate with that piece, I have the matching fabric.
Hope I haven't confused you too much.
11-17-2013, 06:15 PM
#10
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Pittsburgh PA - Leesburg FL
Posts: 537
Thank you all so much for your suggestions.....lots of good ideas. I did order 2 of those DVD cases and thought it they don't work for the fabric they would be very good to carry lots of my rulers back and forth when I go from North to South and back. Can't wait to get them.
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