World Wide Quilting Page
Question of the Week
Question for the week of September 1, 1997:
Our question this week comes from Janelle Parker
What is the best way to store our "stash", in a drawer, in plastic
containers, on a shelf, or...?
RC Gillmore :
On a shelf according to color
alice nied :
I went to that great quilt store, Walmart, and purchased (many) translucent plastic boxes. I then separated my stash by color, giving each color it's own box. I also have separate boxes for holiday fabric and each of my current projects is stored in its own box. This method has the advantage of ensuring that your personal fabric control officer has no idea how many unfinished projects you have!
Marty Armitage :
Do not store in plastic bags, as they can hold moisture too! I store my "cut pieces" for quilts in the pretty bags we get from specialty shops, marked with the quilt design on the front. This way, at least its all together, if I add a new piece, I know they are all in one place. Also, I make a small "picture" of my quilt and tape it to a receipe card, adding pieces of each material I have on hand to create the quilt. I can then have it in my purse when I shop to add colors, or hues when I see them on sale. I can also show my friends what I'm working on.....
Anthony :
I don't have a stash, I have a "collection." Most of my "collection" is stored in a two closets w/folding louvered doors. They have been outfitted w/wire shelves and the stackable "milk crates" turned on their sides. I also have an open area of stacked milk crates covered with an unquilted UFO used as a curtain to keep out the dust and light. Others are stored in recycled kitched cabinets. The key is to protect from moisture, light and dust. Be careful if you are using plastic. Pierce the plastic with lots of ventilation holes. Plastic, particularly the good stuff like Rubbermaid can seal in moisture. It also produces off-gases, that may react with fibres and with the chemicals used in processing fabric. Natural fibers like cotton need air movement to breathe or they become fragile and brittle. We've been warned not to store our quilts in plastic, the same should apply to fabric you intend to put into quilts. Cardboard contains acid. If you use cardboard (I use file storage boxes for short term storage) be sure to line them with bed sheets or acid free paper.
Jane W. :
I use a variety of methods. I have Elfa wire basket drawers in frames that allow for different size baskets. I have 1-runner baskets that hold template, triangle paper and other quilting tools. The 2-runner baskets have fat quarters and up to 1 yard fabrics. The 3 and 4-runner baskets have multiple yardage fabric and batt materials. I use the Elfa primarily for fabric storage. Another side benefit is that Elfa has little racks that can be hung on the sides of the frames to hold various rulers, freezer paper, etc.
Then I have plastic shelving that holds my project boxes (some call them UFO's but I call them technique samples!) For my project boxes I use clear plastic boxes in shoe box and sweater size depending on the project.
I have a crafters table that was getting a little wobbly and I use two shorter Elfa frames to support the table and, of course, more baskets to store stuff that I use more frequently.
I had to look at something that was portable and durable for storage since I live in apartments. I've been happy so far with the methods. I spent some time visiting stores that had a variety of container/storage options. Don't purchase anything...go home and mull it over and imagine using it. I then made a selection and tried it on a small scale and then gradually built it up...modifying as necessary.
Lauren W. :
The plastic in the see-through containers can react to the chemicals (ie sizing, dyes) in the fabric. LF (Loving Father) put together and finished a set of broad, deep shelves to store my stash. A large piece of discard fabric (leftover from clothes making days, but not suitable for any quilt[yet]) is draped to protect the marvelous collage of colors from the sun. Fat quaters are folded and placed in harvesting baskets. Fabrics selected for individual projects are grouped together in short wide baskets; cheese-making baskets are perfect. Baskets make it easy to tote and rearrange fabrics, and they look so nice.
Pam :
I also use the plastic (rubbermaid) boxes. They protect the fabric from dirt and light, but still allow you to see the contents. They are also stackable and they're the right size for lifting and carrying. The fact is they are not airtight and that allows the fabric to breath.
Jeannine :
I have a niche in a corner of my tiny sewing room. DH put shelves in there & I have each color in a stack. Really easy to see what I have. And the visual effect of the colors, stacked, is very nice. Makes it very easy to see what I have & what I need. (The operative word is "need" here!) I've also used the plastic sweater boxes, putting a color in one (or more) boxes & labeling the color on the end (blue, red, pink, etc). Works very well depending on your space & needs. Does protect from sun too, but who wants to keep it around long enough to get sun-faded?Small pieces are sorted approximately by size & put in baskets. Great for scrap quilts or fill-in pieces. Leftover binding, sashes, premade half-square triangles etc go in ziplock bags in another basket. And the baskets are attractive lined up on a shelf.
pieces :
I do keep mine in see thru plastic containers but as for by color... I wish I was that organized !! hehe I do like the plastic tho.. that lets me know when my stash is low and I need to go buy more fabric !! I have a friend that keeps her fabric on shelves and if I had room I would to.. it's easier to get to it. I think it's best to find what way you want to use, and is best suited for your needs and space.
Melodie Howard :
In see-through plastic containers, sorted by color, of course. This way we can find the exact fabric we're looking for and take it over to our design and planning table!
World Wide Quilting Page * Question of the Week