Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: bridesmom
Date: 10-11-2005, 05:50 PM (1 of 22)
|
I'm planning my sewing room and have yet to figure out where to put the fabric I have. I need some ideas. What do you do for storing your fabric?
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: debsews
Date: 10-11-2005, 06:17 PM (2 of 22)
|
I had the same problem and bought a cabinet that is about 6 feet tall wth shelves and doors. I put that in the middle of the wall and bought four shelving units each about 3 foot tall and two foot wide. DH put those together, and stacked them one atop the other with the one on top upside down the other one. They are on either side of the cabinet. The upside down part was so they wouldn't have a useless space in between. He bolted the cabinets together but since I don't have small children around I wasn't concerned about bolting them to the wall. The shelves are adjustable in the whole thing so I can stack bolts or lay stuff flat or put things in clear bins and see what's there. I also have some notions in small plastic drawers on the upper shelves. I have tried to then divide the fabric into the bins according to what i bought it for. I have summer cottons for the shorts and tops, flannels for the winter pj's, all the material for purse making, one bin for interfacing and so on. Works ok however, having said that I want DH to build me a large high cutting table with storage under for patterns and fabric. I've even sketched it out for him. Just waiting for the spirit to move him to the garage and start building!! Let me know what you decide, I'm always looking for ideas. |
User: debsews
Member since: 09-16-2005 Total posts: 254 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 10-11-2005, 09:38 PM (3 of 22)
I have LOTS of cheap plastic bins from Wally World. Some are 'drawers', some are semi-flat stackable and I have a shelving unit in my 'sewing/computer room' closet. Yes I DO rotate stock in the bins and leave them open. (actually none of them really close they're so full  )
Chrys
|
User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
|
From: plrlegal
Date: 10-11-2005, 10:48 PM (4 of 22)
|
Actually, wherever I can find an empty place to stack it at this point in my sewing world! I have bolts of satin and red and green sequin fabrics waiting to be sewn into costumes for our Christmas musical so I only have a path at the moment to get to my chair from the door. Hopefully, this will be remedied in the next couple of weeks and I can reclaim my sewing room for my own sewing again. Patsy Patsy
|
User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 10-12-2005, 08:19 AM (5 of 22)
|
I had it in big plastic bins but then I couldn't close them so I bought some shelves. Now I can't stuff them any fuller so it is stacked up next to the shelves and I am thinking about getting some more shelves or more bins or something. My husband suggested I quit buying fabric--- silly man. We have added not having access to the $1 and $2 bins there to the list of good reasons not to shop at Wal Mart. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: LadySloPokes
Date: 10-12-2005, 10:10 AM (6 of 22)
I keep my fabric in large plastic bins. One has wheels on it and fits perfectly under my sewing desk. It has my holiday fabrics in it, so it's out now for the next couple of months. When the holidays are over, it fits perfectly on the floor of the linen closet in our bathroom. I have a bigger bin without wheels that holds all of my non-holiday fabric, and like Dorothy, it's so full it won't stay closed very well. Thank goodness I'm making my little grandson blankets and sleepers for his birthday and Christmas (which are 15 days apart). Maybe I'll be able to make room for more fabric after the holidays without having to buy another bin! 
Cookie
LadySlo...yes am I, but hey, I'm gettin' there! Are you sure it's supposed to look like this?! Proud owner of Singer Quantum Decor 7322 & Singer Quantum Futura CE 200.. "A balanced diet is having chocolate in both hands!" |
User: LadySloPokes
Member since: 08-15-2005 Total posts: 198 
|
From: HeyJudee
Date: 10-12-2005, 07:42 PM (7 of 22)
I am using my smallest bedroom for my sewing room. The closet is approx. 70" across. I've bought four 60" x 16" shelves and adjustable shelving brackets etc. I have installed one shelf up above the existing shelf that is directly above the closet rod. I use the top shelves to store my quilting batting and stuff that I don't use that often. Then I installed three shelves below the closet rod where I put my fabric. I have tried to order my fabrics by colour...but ended up running out of space for some of the colours and having free space for others. So now when I come home with new fabrics they get put where ever there is room....and like everyone else I am running out of that! 
TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366 
|
From: vickki
Date: 10-12-2005, 08:59 PM (8 of 22)
|
My sewing room is also one that you walk in and back out,however I am happy with that....I have no windows so all my walls are narrow shelves this way I can fold the fabric and see the colors I have on all shelves.(ceiling-floor)Any bins I have I do inventory on each one and place one cards inside,this way I don't have to take out everything ....Just read the cards..I use wall space push pins,and plastic bags to hang other things.... It works for me.....Vickki :
|
User: vickki
Member since: 08-21-2005 Total posts: 374 |
From: Sailorliz
Date: 10-13-2005, 08:19 AM (9 of 22)
My sewing room was once a small bedroom with a small walk-in closet. I have most of my material hanging with plastic bags (that clothes are shipped in), in order to see the fabric, but also to protect from dust. The fat qtrs. I seem to be collecting since I've started to learn quilting are stored in a dresser drawer that is also located at the end of the closet. I have a few bolts of material (sunbrella and canvas) that are stored on the floor, under the hanging fabric. The hanging material is sorted by type of material, then colors. I have pictures of my sewing room and my fabric storage in my photo album, under sewing room. This system works well for me. I use to have it all in those "rubbermaid" containers, but I would forget what material I had and which one it was stored in. Plus when I just wanted to look for something to inspire me to sew, I would have to dig in each container, then put it all back. Now, I can walk in to my closet and look at it all without digging. 
Happy sewing/quilting/crafting
Liz Visit my photo page http://new.photos.yahoo.com/sailorlizmi/albums |
User: Sailorliz
Member since: 07-20-2004 Total posts: 386 
|
From: LauraM62
Date: 10-13-2005, 09:04 AM (10 of 22)
|
I'm planning my sewing room and have yet to figure out where to put the fabric I have. I need some ideas. What do you do for storing your fabric? Okay I am not a good girl when it comes to the fabric stash world  I keep all my fabric in one large rolling plastic bin. If that bin is full, then no more buying fabric, it is time to sew up the fabric I have. I have let it run over a couple of times, and have stuck to my guns about sewing up some before buying more. I have yet to empty the bin, I get about 1/2 way down then end up buying more fabric I really try to keep my fabric purchases specific to project, and project specific to time, not to say that some get out of my grasp or I wouldn't have the bin at all If I had that much fabric I would feel frazzled that I don't have it completed into something, kind of like having uncompleted projects It is just one of those compulsions of my own, hate having uncompleted projects hanging over my head
LauraM
SW Indiana If everyone cared and nobody cried; If everyone loved and nobody lied; If everyone shared and swallowed their pride; Then we'd see the day when nobody died --'If Everyone Cared' by Nickelback |
User: LauraM62
Member since: 08-10-2003 Total posts: 246 
|
From: mommydionne
Date: 10-13-2005, 09:09 AM (11 of 22)
BIG rubbermaid bins in my laundry room (5 of them now at last count) fabric gets washed and folded into the bins, ready to go when the muse hits, also there is a laundry basket sitting under the cutting table full to the top, and another rubbermaid bin tucked under a shelf with large pieces leftover from previous projects (good for little things for the kids or to send to the school) and a stash of sport fabric (ie fleece, wicking polypropelene etc) stuffed under the extended arm of the sewing table (never gets folded up and away like the pretty picture in the koala catalogue  ) and the notions and zippers and buttons are all over the place b/c the baby likes to play with the zippers while I sew basically just one big wonderful mess! 
Jeanette
|
User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838 
|
From: jenny-o
Date: 10-13-2005, 02:21 PM (12 of 22)
|
I used to have all my fabric in boxes that wound up in storage rooms. They were inconvenient to get to so I would just buy new fabric everytime I wanted to make something. And of course the stash would grow and be put away out of sight out of mind into the storage room. I finally bought a huge cupboard from IKEA (about 3 feet by 3 feet and 7 feet high) with shelves and a shallow (6 inches deep?) drawer. I think I will get another drawer since it is so handy. The drawer is great for my quilting fabrics, I can see them all and get to them without having to open boxes and rumage through. I do have clear boxes stacked in there too but I find the drawer is really awsome and since I am extremely lazy I need quick access. I'm going to attach a cork board inside the cupboard doors to hang rulers on. I have a smaller cabinet (IKEA too) with four drawers that I keep all my notions in - organized into sections with boxes (no lids) for easy access. I would like to make some kind of peg rail thing for all my thread and bobbins. If anyone has a great idea for organizing thread and bobbins, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!  Jen
|
User: jenny-o
Member since: 08-28-2005 Total posts: 132 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 10-13-2005, 02:49 PM (13 of 22)
|
You have some great ideas everyone! For those of you who use bins, are they clear so you can see the colors? I'd thought about stacking fabric on shelves but I was wondering about the dust and fading. I don't have a closet to hang everything in, which sounds like a fantastic idea but I am leaning towards the big cupboard with shelves and doors.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: Helen Weiss
Date: 10-14-2005, 11:28 AM (14 of 22)
|
Great question and answers!! Please, does anyone have any ideas about the storage of leftover fabric. By that I mean, the small (sometimes larger) remains of a piece of fabric left over from cutting a garment. I hate to toss this fabric, but am at a loss as to how to store it. I usually roll it up, then toss them into a plastic tote. Finding something specific is a pain.
sewhappy
|
User: Helen Weiss
Member since: 10-16-2003 Total posts: 69 |
From: debsews
Date: 10-14-2005, 03:28 PM (15 of 22)
| Helen, I too have this problem with the leftover pieces. Sometimes there is quite a big piece although I seldom find a use for it. I tried to sell them in bag lots at a garage sale but no luck. We are surrounded by quilters but I guess this isn't what quilters like to use. I would think that some craft groups would use them but haven't found any that would take them here. I would love to find a use for them so I hope someone has some good ideas. I end up putting them in a bin and then throwing some away when it gets too full. |
User: debsews
Member since: 09-16-2005 Total posts: 254 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 10-14-2005, 03:38 PM (16 of 22)
|
I've started tossing anything less than a yard unless I have a specific purpose for keeping it -- cut out parts of the print for applique, cover buttons, make lapels or line doll clothes, something of that sort. I filled up a bin with little pieces that I have no use for and had no place to put the ones I wanted or needed so now I'm tossing them. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 10-14-2005, 05:37 PM (17 of 22)
|
There are numerous places out there that use small remnants of fabric.. Retirement Homes, Senior Centers, Quilting groups, 4-H groups, Girl Scout groups, .. Do you have a Catholic Charities group in your town.. They are extremely active here, and they help lots of underprivilidged people.. I have donated things to them several times.. At our Shepherds Center Quilting class yesterday, a person from another class brought 2 large cardboard boxes full of fabric pieces from her daughter who is a member of American Sewing Guild..I got a piece of Herringbone Tweed out of the box 1 1/2 yards and its Purple (my favorite color) and its 60 inches wide.. Plenty for a jacket for me.. We all found something to use from the boxes, and she took the rest to the Sr Ctr in front of the Wesley Nursing Center. (don't know new name, its a part of the Methodist Home) Salvation Army operates a large battered womens shelter here also, and they take a lote of fabric donations also..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
|
From: allie-oops
Date: 10-14-2005, 08:41 PM (18 of 22)
If you have an embroidery machine, those little scraps are PERFECT for doing applique- I save all mine for just that purpose! I used to have a wall full of shelves that I put my fabric on, every shelf had a curtain to keep the dust off - it was so easy [sob]. Now all my fabric is in those huge rubbermaid totes, and they're NOT the clear ones - it takes about an hour to go through them all looking for just the right fabric I need. I also have piles sitting around my sewing room, waiting for me to pick them up and start sewing. I'll probably have to wash them again to get the dust off.  Allie "onward through the fog"
|
User: allie-oops
Member since: 10-25-2002 Total posts: 282 
|
From: bridesmom
Date: 10-15-2005, 07:08 AM (19 of 22)
|
I keep my fleece and flannel pieces for backing baby bibs or making scarves, hats etc. And t-shirt knits, well you can get a nice little top or pair of pants out of a piece that is .4 of a metre. I don't know anyone who quilts (gasp) other than you people, so I usually end up throwing the pieces away. I have toyed with the idea of making a quilt every once in a while, but haven't yet. Come to think of it, doll clothes?? teddy bear clothes?? My sister makes bears and dresses them, I should see if she can use some of the scraps. I don't do little crafty things (yet).
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 10-15-2005, 08:39 AM (20 of 22)
|
Last time I was in Hancocks I asked what they do with the cardboard bolts when the fabric is gone. They throw them away but said I can have what is under the table to be tossed if I ask when I come in. I thought that might be a good way to store fabric. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Reba Hewitt
Date: 10-17-2005, 09:47 AM (21 of 22)
| My sewing room is small too. I have taken over the dinning room (we never eat there). I have several shelves in the sewing room where I keep fabric that I will use one day. The stuff I am currently working on is in the dinning room (we have talked of converting the dinning room into a seing room). All the little pieces are under the counter of the sewing room waiting for the day to be made into quilts/conforters. A someday project. I just hate throwing out any fabric. (I know I will use it for something?) |
User: Reba Hewitt
Member since: 10-10-2005 Total posts: 14 |
From: LadySloPokes
Date: 10-17-2005, 10:06 AM (22 of 22)
|
Here's an idea I saw on the sewing.org website. One lady has a closet in her sewing room that has two rows of hanger rods in it. Each fabric is hung up on plastic hangers (already washed) and she covers it with a clear plastic. She says this keeps her fabrics clean and dust free, as well as wrinkle free. The plastic hangers can be purchased at dollar stores in packs of 10 for $1!!
Cookie
LadySlo...yes am I, but hey, I'm gettin' there! Are you sure it's supposed to look like this?! Proud owner of Singer Quantum Decor 7322 & Singer Quantum Futura CE 200.. "A balanced diet is having chocolate in both hands!" |
User: LadySloPokes
Member since: 08-15-2005 Total posts: 198
|
Visit Sew What’s Up for the latest sewing and quilting tips and discussions.
This page was originally located on Sew What’s New (www.sew-whats-new.com) at http://www.sew-whats-new.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-17080.html
Sew What’s Up is hosted by ZenSoft