From fat quarters to large quilts we all have the need to store our quilting possessions in an organized way. I’ve created a video that shows how I do this. Join me in the closet and we’ll explore together.
Here are a few still images that may give you a better view.
Quilts stored up high in my closet. They’re wrapped around a closet rod.
Fabrics rolled so they’ll stand up and be visible.
Storage for about 1000 fat quarters. Each piece is folded and standing up in the appropriate drawer.
What storage tips do you have? I’d love to hear them. You can leave me a message in the comments section, below.
Ellen Lindner
These are excellent ideas. If I had a closet rod I could use, I would definitely be rolling quilts. I do have some rolled in a large covered basket, and the others are either on a quilt rack or being used. I don’t have a large inventory because I gift almost everything I make. I may try rolling my fabric in my closet to see if that method would work better for me. Thanks for the tips.
Glad you enjoyed seeing my ideas, Kay.
WHERE do you have odd-sized pieces, Ellen?? Tell me it isn’t always this neat!! I have rubbermaid bins (sweater size) by color of scraps folded every which way. More bins with half yard or more pieces. Another bin for novelty/conversation prints. More bins for non-cottons–silkies, wools, fabrics I wove once upon a time, ethnic fabrics, printed or hand-dyed and stamped, for my own artsy fabrics, for felt, for flannel. Nowhere are the fabrics neatly arranged…I don’t have the time or interest in that. I just have to dig, or sometimes spill out all the contents to find the best fabric for the challenge ahead, and then I iron what I’m going to work with.
Wow, Eleanor, it sounds like you have a huge stash! I had to think about it, after your comment, and I don’t think my stash has ever been disorganized. I AM left-brained and I need order, so I guess that’s why. (Although you couldn’t find much order on my desk or my studio table most of the time.) Odd sized pieces are folded or rolled to fit in either large or small drawers.
Although I didn’t clean up for the video shoot, it was not quite as messy as usual.
I’d love to see a photo of your fabrics – especially mid-project.
I store my fabrics in stacks by color on shelves. (I am a very visually oriented person.) I am fortunate to have a 9×12 fabric closet with shelves on two walls, and bookshelves on a third wall. I have storage carts for art supplies along the fourth wall. I admit to having storage containers under the fabric shelves – they contain special collections. Need I admit that I hoard fabric? 😉
Wow, Maeve, it sounds like you have a wonderful set up. What a huge closet!
I also have a rolling cart with art supplies and one with threads and sewing machine items. I forgot to show both of those.
We HAVE to own lots of fabric, right? It’s our palette. It’s not like we can mix colors the way painters can. We have to own it.
I store my fabric in Tupperware containers categorized by color. Each piece of fabric no matter what the size is folded and tucked into these large containers Hopefully by value.
That sounds like a good system, Peg. I’ve always stored my fabrics by color and value, as well. Recently, I’ve been thinking of scrapping the value idea, since I can SEE the different values in each color drawer. (Or am I just getting lazy?)
I store my threads in a rolling tool chest, the kind that carpenters might have in their workshops. It’s a two part cart. The bottom which is on wheels has 5 drawers, two deep ones and three shallower ones. The top chest which sits on the rolling cart has 4 shallow drawers. The drawers are lined with vellux so the thread doesn’t roll around so much. Each drawer has one color of thread which makes it easy to see the range of colors within that range. The deeper drawers at the bottom store my yarns and embellishment threads. I can roll the cart out of the way or close to my sewing machine while working. It’s worked really well for me.
That sounds like a very good system for your threads, Kathy. And also like you have a LOT of thread. Having it on wheels is a great idea. I can only visualize a shiny red tool cart like my woodworking husband uses. Is that close?
Yes, Ellen. That’s close. When I bought my cart, my husband said it’s not very sturdy – we got it at one of those salvage places. I told him it’s only storing thread, not tools! And it works.
Sounds perfect, Kathy.
Thanks for sharing the storage ideas, I love the closet rod hangers up high, also, the use of the under bed storage..
I’m glad you found some useful tips, Clarice.