3 Ways to Organize & Store Fabric 

I love the open shelves but my cats would totally see that as an invitation for free bedding lol.

I love taking a smallish project, placing the fabric, notions and pattern in one of those scrapbooking bins. It's like a kit, ready to go. I often sew in my dining room when my guest/sewing room is being used. They are also great for appliqué pieces ready to sew or iron on. And I love to take a few to my sisters so I can sew while visiting if she has to work while I'm there. We have the same machine and she sews here when she comes to visit. Wish we lived closer!

I use each of your ideas! I love them! But... I also use the "mini bolt" method also. I add one thing though that save me from unrolling it and it not being enough for my needs... I add a tiny label at the top of my "board" with exact measurement of the piece of fabric. ie: 45 inches wide - 1 3/4 yard. or whatever... GREAT VIDEO! Thanks!

I love to store my fabric in baskets! And some in cubbies. But I do have several totes with fabric. And after your talk at the end, I realized that maybe I didn’t want to look at that fabric because I’m kind of done with those and should pass them on! Thanks!

Love the cubby method of storing, it’s definitely more inspiring when you have your fabrics on display. Hubby is in the process of building me a sewing den so I am definitely open to storage ideas. Thanks for the excellent tips.

When our local K-mart finally went out of business this spring my Hubz bought one of their chest of drawers. I collect fat quarters and novelty yardage so my d-I-l organized the drawers by color for the “gazillion” fat quarters I’ve collected. Then she used the bottom drawer for folded yardage. On the back of the door I have a series of hooks with those space saver closet thingies holding fabric for upcoming quilt projects...

This is the best storage system I have seen. Thamk you. I have been using bins and have already run into not liking to put my hands on the fabric and opening and shutting lids. Keeps me and the dust out but that is about all the movement the fabric is getting. Lol

This one of the smartest if not THE smartest ways I've seen to store the stash! Thank you!

OMG you are great!! This made me smile and motivated me. I'm brand new to quilting. Really needed your cheerful, realistic tips!

This video was so helpful! I liked that you were so detailed about what storage methods worked and which didn’t ✨

Thank you so much for the info!! Been thinking of using those boards but after watching this I think I'll fold and stack. And you are so right about bins, I have several and am emptying to shelves.

Yes thank you! This is what I am going to do. I like the idea of wrapping things around a bolt of some kind however you are absolutely right - then you have to rewrap it every single time. I'll check out your tutorial for baskets. Great video, thanks so much!!!

I sort my scraps by color and store them in the same color of Tubtrugs. They even have one that is multi-colored for when you can't decide what the main color is!

Thank you so much for your sweet encouragement! Blessings! :)

I love your storage methods! If I sewed more often, I would definitely use your first method. I use medium size clear plastic storage bins and place the folded fabric vertically in each one so that when I open the lid, I can see every piece. The problem is that only one bin fits in each cubby (I have the same IKEA unit as you). I have smaller shoe box size bins with fabric scraps that I put on top of the medium size bins, but it doesn't look as nice, and makes reaching for fabric a little more difficult.

I LOVE those scrapbooking bins! I use then the same way you do! I have multiple quilts I'm working on one right after another or I'm switching back and forth between and those are the perfect way to keep everything, including the matching thread, together. I also have my special fabrics that I'm too greedy to use for anyone else in one. 😉

I love being able to "play" with my fabrics! It needs to be accessible, you're right! Last night I spent two hours with my fabrics and guess what? I didn't pull anything out of the bin in my closet or even the bin sitting out in the room! Your comment about that was indeed an eye opener! Guess I need more shelf/cubby space!!!😂

☕️ yep, I totally agree with you about those big ol’ STORAGE BINS. . . , nothing good will come of those unfortunate fabric purchases once they get put in the big plastic bins 😂

Thank you so much for your ideas! 😊❤ I love them. I am at a loss about storing scraps. And your videos is very useful. And I love the baskets yiu've sewn! Greetings from Argentina 🇦🇷

OH MY GOSH! I am such a fabricaholic. Thank you for the motivation to get things organized.

I like wrapping my fabrics around magazine size cardboard (you can purchase on Amazon) and stacking by colors on its side (like a filing cabinet) and keeping them in a large clear bin.

I like your recommendations for fabric, and your thoughts on bins🙈😢

I too love the scrapbooking snap bins to use while I’m in the middle of a project. I have a tall three stack that I use to separately cut quilt pieces and another for my finished blocks then the third for the large pieces of fabric that I’m using to make my smaller quilt pieces to keep available during the project. Such a wonderful way to keep organized and tidy!

I WISH I could just keep all my fabric in cubbies! But I use to work in a fabric store and a lot of the fabric followed me home . But at least these bins are nearby, in a room over my garage, sorted by color. So I can still "shop" my supply without leaving home.

Very helpful. Thank you so much.

Love the idea of folding and keeping your fabric on display but without a dedicated sewing room that is hard to do. Plus with furry friends living inside with me, it’s better to keep my fabric in small and long storage bins. It works to keep them clean and dust free. Maybe one day I can have a sewing room and would love to have a cutting table like yours. I’m 5’4” too and a taller table would be great. I love your hair cut and color. It really looks good on you. Happy Sewing Caroline. PS - I subscribe to your RU-vid and newsletter. Thanks for all the awesome tutorials you do. I’ve got a lot of them bookmarked to make. Great stuff! Hugs! 💝

She, who dies with the most fabric, wins!

hahaha loved the "dying with fabric". it's funny and serious at the same time lol. . thank you for the video

beautiful organization ideas

Really good tips🌹

Great idea

love the tips

I also the scrapbook containers for my current projects. I also take 2 finished blocks pin them back to back so if I have the lid open I can see the block for reference and when closed I know what project is inside.

I agree about accessibility and viewability. I use yarn in my business and it's only in large bins if it is extra from the skein I can presently see/use-in other words, cataloged storage. I do have a great deal of fabric going into a new space, and I am very interested in your thoughts.

I use scrap piecing bens for my quilt projects, I fold pieces of fabric and store by color on shelve and use small tubs for scraps by color. When I cut squares, I Store these in plastic baggies by size. I have small baskets for my precuts. Working on getting my Monday sew quilt groups fabric out of the large bens so it will be easier for us to know what we have. For these I need to make room for a special shelf, so they don't co-mingle with my fabrics.

Love the video and tips 😊

Well that escalated quickly.😳😳😳

But I’ve always heard that fabric should not be stride where light can get to it. How do you protect it from light if it’s on the shelves?

Thank you very helpful.☺️

All of my fabrics are hidden from the light..too exspensive to replace...I just open the doo4s to the cabinets n look...☺️

I use bins, I have reds in one and blue in another and so on. I have three deep shelving units side by side and they are deep enough to hold the bins. They are marked by color so when I need something in that color I can pull it down. Works for me, now my scrapes..... another story, I am overwhelmed.

I don't like my fabric out in the open collecting dust (and cat hair), I've used many methods of storage and I agree big bins are the worst especially if you can't see through them. I have found that I like the clear plastic tower of bins on wheels,I bought mine on sale and each drawer, or two has one colour or season in it and a big label on the outside! I also save those silica packs from purses and boxes and add several to each drawer to keep the fabric fresh!

How scary, I don't wanna be that lady who hoarded so much fabric and died! I better get sewing, quick. I use the scrapbooking storage containers for current projects in the works and plastic storage bins for other Fabrics. Thanks for sharing!

Thank you

I like what you did with the cubbies! I am moving from a sewing room in a 1900 sq ft house to a sewing corner in 600-900 sq ft apartment. Everything needs to be toddler proof but first I have to figure out how to pack it in a way that will be easy to store in the same bins they travel when they get there. On a budget to so I can’t afford to be getting the perfect size for moving everything and then the perfect size for storing them...do you have any advice pleeease?

You're a girl after my own heart! I'm working on storage for my fabrics and sewing items right now. I've inherited my Mom's and much of my aunt's sewing accessories and fabrics, on top of my own. Yikes! 😂

I use all three of those methods, maybe I have too much?? I also have cubbies that are designed for shoes that are wonderful to hold fat quarters. I can sort them by color and can easily see what I have and what I can use. I also agree with the thoughts on bins. Once the fabric go into the bins, they often don't come out:(

I'm a beginner sewer so I'm trying to become familiar with the various fabric types. I organize my fabric by type and then color, so if a recommended fabric for my pattern says broadcloth, I go to my broadcloth stash and then choose the color I want to use. I also like to keep my fabric clean and dry so I do like the idea of the plastic bins. As long as the bins are clear and I can see the fabric, I'm not concerned about never using it. I would never put fabric in a storage unit, that seems like a waste. I'd just donate it to a local sewing school or give it away.

How do you keep the dust off?

I store my fabric pretty much the same way, but I pretty much still store mine standing up. I will have to give the lying down some thought. I made my cutting table. And I used cubbies to hold the ply wood.

Good ideas re storage ideas, however my sewing room is above the garage with slanted roof, so I have very little straight wall space. So jealous of your storage units. My only option is keeping my stash of material in clear plastic containers and I know I have way too much! Today, I am having another general reorganisation and sorting out fabrics that I no longer want to go to the charity shop.

What about moths ? Having a lovely dinner munching through the fabric. Noooo I keep my fabric in clear plastic containers My fabrics never smell. And i regularly declutter so i only keep fabrics i absolutely love and will Definitely use in my next project. Any fabric i am not using goes to charity shops for fellow quilters to acquire.

I use shoe cubbie holder from Walmart to store all fabrics less than 1/2 yard. All others are folded and arranged by color in my closet. As much as I love my fabric out, I feel it stays cleaner in the closet. Where do I find the pattern for your boxes. Thanks for sharing

Where can I find your foldup baskets tutorial? I don't want a PDF as I am a watch and learn person. Thank you

Where do u buy ur fabric from?

You organize depend on colors, a Question pop >>>> are all of the same fabric type?

7:14 am how do you store fleece

How do you store your large yardage of fabric?

You have me laughing so much I can hardly right this. I get a lot of my fabric from estate sales!

What percentage of black do you have in you ?

how to keep fabric rolls 54" -60"?

I store my fabrics in large bins. I make clothing from my fabrics and had no sewing/craft room, so I had to find a method of storage that would work for me. I am now in the process of creating a dedicated sewing/craft room. I am also money poor right now, so buying cube storage is out right now and the bins will have to last a bit longer.

oops just found link. Thanks again

It took my 7 truck loads to get it all

Yes, I love this but I also love fabric. I have too much but help me give some away. HELP!

It's funny u just said that about the lady whom past with storage units full of fabric. I Kidd u not I just inherited a lady's two storage units. That past away a year ago. I have enough fabric for the next 6 years for all the quylting I want to do an imagine.

That got unexpectedly dark.

Too much truth. My hoarding, don't-wanna-KonMari feelings can't handle it. I would like to a 6 cube shelf sometime soon. Hope it's enough. Yikes!

Cant hear you!

You pieces look so small