How to Organize Your Fabric

[@anikareddy3963]

I'm 11.5 years and I have sewed a quilt on my brother sewing machine. I followed your quilting series, super helpful

[@gigiontube]

To organize scraps: Buy transparent plastic bins from dollar store (the size of a shoe box) and organize based on background color, thickness of fabric, size of scrap, overall color, print category etc. They are stackable and you can label them. The ones “in work”, chosen already for your current project, store them on a “desk file sorter” similar to this: Lorell Desktop File Sorters (LLR84153),Black Hope this will help someone reading the comments. I always get inspired by other peoples’ comments 😊

[@ankimo1957]

I did this to my fabric stash, using foam board from the Dollar Tree. Cut to size to my shelving, I can get six pieces from one foam board, and it's so much nicer than the fabric piled horizontally, which made a MESS if I wanted a piece from the bottom! Awesome idea!

[@klvcatlover]

Hi Melanie, I love this way of storing fabric. I have been slowly putting my fabric stash on bolts that I get from the fabric store (for free). They have so much fabric and they throw out the bolts that they display the fabric on when the fabric is gone! I don't think these are made of archival paper, but when the fabric is in full view you tend to use it up faster! It is really nicer to display your fabric this way and you are right, it makes your studio or sewing space feel more likea place you can create in. Kathy :)

[@lisaclark3405]

I also use the comic book boards. It's nice and easy. I love how you display your fabric, Melanie. It's so pretty.

[@DixieGirl9876]

Nice videos. I can see if you have smaller pieces of fabric going this way. As someone who buys by the yard or more and have tried ma-ny ways of storing through the years, the best I've found is to roll the fabric and stack them on each other( like remnant are sold in fabric stores). Then store like colors together.

[@bonnieb8099]

Thanks for your videos, I enjoyed this one as well as the baby crib sheets I made about a dozen for 2 babies, I’m sure the moms enjoyed them

[@elaineronning3638]

This is how I organize mine but I cut down foam poster board from the dollar store to size.

[@jeannieleasa1579]

I am wondering if there is enough space at the top, you could use painter's tape and write what the fabric measures. I was thinking that would be handy to know without having to unroll the fabric each time you are considering using it in a project.

[@ladettekerr8134]

Love this idea!! I was trying to figure out how in the world I could keep measurements-- painters tape is brilliant!

[@janetehoffman]

ApplePecan Sews Post it notes makes a product that is a stiff, thin, colored PERFECT for this application, if your shelf is tall enough. I believe they are about 3/4" high.

[@wendyfay16]

I also measure & tape them to my fabrics before folding & storing them. I also keep a swatch of the fabric attached to a card with the measurements so that if I am looking for something in particular it's easy to see what I have, and if I want threads, buttons, etc. for the fabric, I can easily take them with me when out & about.

[@rachelbaldwin7936]

ApplePecan Sews Was

[@homebodyheaven6114]

I bought a large quantity box of hard cardboard flat mailing envelopes about 9x12 inches. They have pull off strips that expose the sealing flap which is perfect for holding my folded fabric inside end. Then I wrap the fabric and pin the outer end in place.

[@kandisirizarry1506]

Thanks for sharing!! Ive been indecisive on whether or not to buy the polar notions...the comic boards have worked great so far. I dont mind spending top dollar on sewing notions, but this does seem to be a bit expensive. For my fat quarters, I usually slice the comic board in half, to get more folds on the board.

[@Happybidr]

I use the same system and it looks fabulous. I keep it on open but deep shelves so I can see and enjoy them.

[@wendyfay16]

I also love to enjoy my fabrics, ribbons, buttons, flowers, lace, rick rack, etc. while sewing. They give me no end of inspiration! I was making my granddaughter a hair clip hanger & a tutu for Christmas ... the hair clip holder ended up a LOT different from my basic original idea, and the tutu ended up with 20 layers of tulle ruffles! Being able to see everything I had just gave me so much more inspiration that they 'evolved' into gorgeous pieces! lol

[@justinegibbons8214]

Love the way it looks! I'm about to redo my sewing area so this came at a perfect time :)

[@dulcilass]

I have far too much fabric to do this mini bolt idea. I label clear plastic bins and store my fabric by color or by project. I think this is a great idea if you have just a small amount of fabric.

[@PeskyRaven]

Damn it lol. I paused when you mentioned the monthly box. I subscribed to it! Ugh I need more. Thanks so much for this video too! I need the help for sure.

[@ashley.522]

Would love to see a video on how to organize scraps, as well :)

[@Kate98755]

Ashley Kern check out lori holts video on strip storage

[@gigiontube]

Buy transparent plastic bins from dollar store (the size of a shoe box) and organize based on background color, thickness of fabric, size of scrap, overall color, print category etc. They are stackable and you can label them. The ones “in work”, chosen already for your current project, store them on a “desk file sorter” similar to this: Lorell Desktop File Sorters (LLR84153),Black Hope this will help someone reading the comments. I always get inspired by other peoples’ comments 😊

[@BoojiePanda]

Thanks for the great storage and folding tips!

[@robertdonolli3579]

Just a hint here if I buy lots of yardage I ask the fabric store for an empty bolt cardboard. I am wondering if they could be cut smaller? Just an idea.

[@MelanieHam]

yes that's a great idea!

[@Cneumann22]

I do it this way too. You cant be too organized. Sure makes quilting go smoother.

[@yvonnethomas7725]

Thanks for the organizing tips! I'm always looking for ways to organize. I have way too much fabric and storing it in any kind of logical order takes a LOT of brain matter...last year, I decided to try to take control of the dozens of fabrics I have that contain several yards - what I would think of to use for backings, etc. I had my husband cut some 'hardboard' from the lumber department at any big-store type - Menard's is less expensive than Home Depot or Lowe's - and he cut them into 6 inch strips - they are 48 inch when we buy them. About 1/4 inch thick. I then wrap them in clear plastic - purchased from moving company, cheaper than buying the kind you would get at a craft store, ex, that would be adhesive - you don't need the adhesive as the plastic will stick to itself. I do this to avoid any residue from the hardboard. Then I wrap the lengths of fabric onto the boards, just as if it was still on its original bolt. The board is longer than the folded fabric. I then store the boards on their 'ends' (as in the 6 inches are standing on the 1/4 inch) and put them on the shelves, similar to what you show in the video. I also measure prior to putting on the bolt and this way, I always know what I have so don't have to measure to decide if there is enough. If I use any, I subtract. Great way, bit pricey to set up, perhaps, but I have over 20 years of fabric and not enough room for it. The hardboard cost about $8 and I get 8 boards, so really, not that bad, considering durability.

[@gigiontube]

You can buy boards of different sturdiness from dollar store and cut them to your specific sizes. Also, if you ask, you can get emptied bolts from your fabric store; just ask for them !

[@tracywodonga8112]

also makes the fabric look irresistible!

[@jgamsky]

I use cardboard boxes . I cut them about 7 inches by 10 in the height of my shelves and fold the fabric around them. Then at a place on line called Cleaner Supplies I get these things called pant strups they are like $16 for 1000 and they clip on the ends to keep the fabric from unrolling instead of pins. They work great

[@LorenzoGodio]

can you give some more information about this "pant strups"?

[@queen_judgypantspft932]

Comic book boards are also great for making templates

[@creativeeverydaylife]

Thanks :-) I tried it just with breakfast cardboard - it work so well :-)

[@leahsjs8393]

Your fabric collection is amazing! I want a dresser with doors to eliminate constant dusting! x

[@marlenedruck6796]

Leah Smith (

[@vicki8042]

I use the comic book boards. Doesn't it make the fabric look sooo pretty. Thanks for the video. I've watched it a few times

[@grammaali3462]

Save your money and use free boxes from the post office. They work great, they're free and when they get wonky, you just pick up more when you're at the post office. Great tutorial Thanks!

[@MelanieHam]

+Alison Janvrin you totally can do that, keep in mind that those boxes are not archival and how long you would take in getting them and cutting them etc. I'd rather pay $10 hehe. Its a great option though!

[@nanabeck3877]

You can use study cardboard from boxes you receive items in.Just cut out the size you want and you can get the same thing you pay so much for. Check it out it work great. Please try it out. Let me know what you think

[@MelanieHam]

+wanda mccarter hi Wanda! Regular cardboard is not archival which is why I didn't go that route :) also it would take a lot of time to cut, so that's why I went with the comic book board option

[@trudythomas5036]

Great tutorial, can you cut the poplar Notions paper to be able to fit the fat quarters, also since these are so inexpensive, you could write on them with pencil the size, and designer, etc.and where you purchase material, in case you need more. they would lay flat in bins you used in that tutorial.. Would love to find those bins you use. Thanks, Trudy from Maryland

[@tialing32]

I like to have a little of the board showing and I write in how much fabric there is on it.

[@jgamsky]

I write the number of the fabric the name of the fabric how much it was per yard and how many yards I bought. Also where I purchesed it

[@jayashreesrisatextiles7354]

Its really helpful. Thank you.

[@vivianaecheverri6632]

you are just an amazing girl, thanks for all videos

[@lindawagner963]

great video's!!! Thank you for sharing all your ideas. Linda

[@Threadystitchsew]

Hi just watched your video am just wondering where did you get your shelf unit for your fabric. Did you getting from ikea thanks

[@patg8932]

Those are very expensive compared to comic book boards and comic book boards are archival.

[@virginiacannon2023]

How do you secure the fabric on the outside? Do you use pins, tape, etc.?

[@YayaBolender]

Excellent idea!

[@CreationsOfAMoonChild]

Are the comic book boards able to be cut in half to use them for fat quarters?

[@tjackson42257]

Silly question...other than having your fabric be more visible...does this method save space? And what is the most fabric that would fit on a bolt? Could 3 to 4 yards fit on one?

[@MelanieHam]

Yes I can really fit a lot of bolts on these shelves, so it is a space saver. Oh yeah you could do 3-4 yards on these bolts. If you wanted to do more, I would look at the thicker bolts I showed that are plastic ;)

[@yarniawools2656]

Love your videos they really inspire me could you do another crochet video on how to crochet a throw blanket . thanks!

[@mayal6072]

I love ❤️ it 😍❤️

[@tressiecarter3811]

Great idea ❤

[@robertdonolli3579]

Great job! Thank you.

[@chandracox6814]

Just curious, why do you leave white space on the tops and bottons of your fabric bolts? Most videos I've seen are organized to where there is no white showing. I was just wondering if there's a reason behind it. Thanks, Melanie!! Xx

[@jlynn8843]

Chandra Cox I don't know her answer for why she does it, but if I'd have to guess, I'd say showing the white keeps your edge from rubbing on walls or shelves, or even other fabric. I could be wrong but that would be my guess lol😊

[@jennyr562]

How do you store your scrap fabric ?

[@MelanieHam]

+Jennifer Ruiz I am currently playing around with that, so I will do a video once I decide :)

[@ashley.522]

+Jennifer Ruiz I was wondering the same thing! A lot of people have mentioned that they cut all of their scraps into 2.5" strips and make their own fat quarters.. not sure how to organize mine!

[@amadagwerra697]

Do you have any old board-game boxes? If so, use them for storing scraps. You can design these boxes scrapbooking paper

[@miahelenjolly6742]

Where did you get the cabinet that your store your fabric in? :)

[@sarahlee5403]

#lifegoals 😁👍🏻 love this!!

[@piscesperson1495]

You're paying more than a $1 for a piece of cardboard? Just cut up some Amazon boxes silly. Punch a notch with a box cutter in them if you want a flap. C'mon, we're the creative, crafty, frugal types ; it practically goes against the grain for a sewer to pay that much for a bunch of pieces of cardboards.

[@dulcilass]

Watch out for outgassing of chemicals from cardboard and possible staining of the fabric

[@cwfan2]

I have a friend who gets the used bolts from WalMart for free. Her sewing room looks like a fabric shop.

[@lorenaloupe9053]

I love to sew a lot of things

[@debbiechittick4755]

Are those plastic or card stock?

[@katherineskaggs6739]

Cake boards work well for yardage. Just cut them in half.

[@donnanorris2939]

How do you store zippers??

[@wendyfay16]

I attached a cardboard to the end of my zippers, then punch a hole in it & then either store them on a large metal ring that I can hang from pegboard or a rod, or you can attach them all to a bulldog clip & hang from a hook.

[@lorenaloupe9053]

I love to sew

[@swhjlh412]

Clever product. :) TFS! xoxoJanet

[@lifeisgoodinthesouth210]

I see no reason to unfold the fat quarters and refold them onto these boards. They’re already neatly folded when you buy them. But I do love the idea for the larger pieces of fabric.

[@daedhalabi8093]

You organize depend on color. Without a doubt, I like that but are all of the same fabric types!?

[@ruthhevia9217]

GRACIASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

[@donnarichey144]

For cardboard for fabrics did you ever order the comic book boards on amazon, I think they are not to bad of a price. This is from your organizing your fabric video. Thank you for coming back.

[@liliebobadilla1467]

😍

[@mariaroma542]

c'est pas en grancais

[@TheDonovanu]

Why would you pay for these would you not use cardboard like a used cereal box or something?

[@ioanasabau9578]

I can't believe that you wasted money on some pieces of cardboard when you can cut a box and use the pieces! But anyways, your money must flow too.:)

[@vickylongcrier2376]

However most cardboard is not acid-free and will yellow or stain your fabric.

[@shannon1793]

Ioana Sabau This will stain your fabric and with the time and precision this would take for my 60+ bolts, I'd rather spend the money and save time

[@jgamsky]

I wondered about that. I use cardboard boxes. I wonder if there's anything to spray paint them with or wrap around them (saran wrap)

[@katyjudd1061]

Surely it depends on how long you plan keeping the fabric for - archival standard (rather than any old cardboard) is surely unnecessary if you’re going to use it in a year or two?

[@shannon1793]

Katy Judd you'd be surprised how quickly acidic paper can discolor fabric