Maybe this is the year to get the entire stash of fabric organized. Maybe.
If it is, here are some tips for storing long lengths of fabric. Most quilters store their fabric by color reds together, yellows together, etc.
When it comes to prints, it becomes a little more difficult. Many of us look at a print and pick out the main color and keep it in that group. Others keep all of their prints together.
I keep my prints mixed in with the colors, and separate my batiks, wools and flannels. Within the batik, wool and flannel piles, the fabric is organized by color.
That makes it easier to sort the fabric for a flannel or wool quilt. And when working with batiks, I usually begin with that fabric, and then go to my cotton stash to fill in the remainder of the quilt.
Here are some general tips for organizing:
- Hang your fabric on pants hangers fold the fabric in half, selvedge to selvedge. Then fold it either accordion-style or as if it were coming off of the bolt in the fabric store so it is the width of the clamps on the hanger. Clamp the selvedge edges on the hanger.
- Roll your fabric on cardboard mailing tubes
- Fold it neatly on shelves with the folded side facing out. If your shelves are open, you can use roll-up window blinds to cover the front and prevent the fabric from fading.
- Fold the fabric so it is approximately 8 by 11 and then place it, fold side up, in drawers in a filing cabinet, like you can buy at an office supply store. (This one is especially nice for making your quilting look like a business. Keep the cabinet locked and everyone will think you have a ton of important papers!)
- Fold the fabric and stack it in plastic see-through boxes or other plastic tubs. If you use boxes that you cant see into, be sure to label the contents.
- Install a few shelves in a spare closet and use them to store your fabric. Or, empty part of a closet and install shelves for your fabric.
- Fold your fabric and place it in baskets, antique furniture or hatboxes
Happy Quilting!
Penny Halgren
Master Quilter
