Monday, August 8, 2011

Mess Management Monday: Craft Room- Fabric Organization

I tried EVERYTHING to organize my fabrics- neat stacks fell over, baskets overflowed, and even folded and stacked in a dresser made them impossible to find. So here's what I do now:


The dressers are full of most of my fabrics.  That's 4 dressers, 5 drawers each, storing about 25 yards of fabric in each drawer.  Of course they don't ALL have fabric in them!  The dresser on the right has finished products ready to ship, and the fabrics that I have more than 3 yards of are stored on top of the dressers. But I will show you that another day.

How it works:
I used to fold the fabric cut ends together- kinda like you fold towels or sheets, but EVERY time I wanted to cut it, I had to unfold the whole thing and refold it.  I'm too lazy for all of that, so I would end up with a huge pile of fabric at one end of my cutting table. 


Now I fold it just like it come on the bolt- selvage ends together, and fold it using a plastic template as my guide.  


Prince Charming cut this plastic piece for me.  It is 6" by 22". If I did it again I would make it 24" so it would be easier to pull out when I am done.






When I get to the end, I simply pull out my plastic piece, and fold it in half. 



All my fabrics are stored by category, then by color.  Categories include solid color cottons, cotton prints, minky, terry, upholstery, flannel, etc. 



All of my fabrics are easy to access, and put back in the right place, and I don't have to unfold and refold every time I take a fabric out.



The only rule you have to remember is when you fold directional fabric is to start folding from the TOP!  When you unfold it to cut, your fabric will be facing up, otherwise you have to turn your pattern upside down!  I made this mistake more than once!


I even have a drawer for the fabrics I am selling in my etsy shop since Prince Charming asked if I would sell some of my fabric before buying anymore!




58 comments:

  1. amazingly well organized, well done!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love this idea!

    Please stop by my blog, and share it with my girls on my Sundae Shake Up party. I'm sure they would love to see this clever idea!

    Jacque @ Jacque's Soda Parlor
    thesodaparlor.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a great use of space. I would love it if you would stop by and share at the link party going on right now at Lines Across My Face.
    :)Rachel
    http://linesacrossmyface.blogspot.com/2011/08/cure-for-common-monday-3-craft-link.html

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am in LUV with your fabric organization! When I saw the long shot photo of how it all looks displayed in the drawers it was almost as if I heard harps playing!
    I'm also headed to check out your stash on etsy!
    Glad to have found you via Polly Want a Crafter. You have a new follower too!
    Stop by sometime!
    Kim tiarasandbowties.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh. (sniff) I'm so jealous. I, too, have tried all the different ways to store fabric. Right now I have it in 4 cabinets. Still have the "bottom of the pile" problem.

    ReplyDelete
  6. How inspiring! It looks like a fabric shop....perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Totally inspiring!! Love this idea!!

    We host a linky party "Help a Momma Out Tuesdays" Would love it if you linked up! Thanks for sharing!!

    Kristine
    www.jandmseyecandy.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. WOW! That is amazing. I'd be happy if I could just fit all my fabrics in the same room. Let alone have then folded and color coordinated. Great Job!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm drooling here! I'm not sure if it's over the fabric or the organization - I love both!

    ReplyDelete
  10. From one fabric lover to another, very well done! Thanks for sharing! We hope you will consider helping kids with cancer by linking into the Miracle Makeover party this coming week
    at http://www.designgivesback.com. Together we can change things! We appreciate you.

    Love,
    Sherry, DGB Team

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh my! Can I come and play in your space?? Great organization and it looks so pretty all color coordinated. Thanks so much for linking up to The Creative Spark - hope to see you again next week!
    Jenn :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. You sure are organized! I guess you have to be with all the craft material you have. I viewed a few of your other post and really like what I saw.

    I host a party on Wednesdays that is a showcase for bloggers with less than 500 followers.... and I would like to invite you! (the linky is open now)

    xoxo BunnyJean @ BunnyJean's Decor and More!
    www.BunnyJeansDecorAndMore.blogspot.com

    I am # 141 in the Met Monday party.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I envy you for your great organisation!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Great idea! I love that you can see what's in each container. Looking for ideas on how to organize my material as well. Love this!

    ReplyDelete
  15. It's like a candy store! I love how uniform and neat it all looks. TFS

    ReplyDelete
  16. love. i have to do this. my fabric is an out of control MESS! thanks for sharing :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love this idea!! It is so difficult to keep my fabric collection organized. And I love the fact that you can see the fabrics without having to rummage.

    I would be honored if you would link this to my Commercial Break Thursday!

    suzy
    www.suzyssitcom.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Can I just come shop at your house!! Great job!!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. My towers of fabric in a cupboard isn't working for me at the moment, so I think you've inspired me to try something different. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  20. That is a lot of fabric! I'm so envious with how organized you are!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I'm drooling over all that fabric. The OCD in me LOVES the organization of it all. Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  22. You're so organized! I love it!

    www.inside-outdesign.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. Very organized, looks great! Thanks for sharing how you do it!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Oh, be still my beating heart! You have a better selection of fabric than my local fabric store, and its so well organised! Looks fantastic.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I have the same drawers! I just need to fold my fabric. Currently I'm using the stuff and shove method to get the drawers closed. Looks great!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Fantastic idea! Not that I have anywhere near that much fabric, but probably one set of drawers would be perfect for me.

    ReplyDelete
  27. This is so organized! I love it! (I found you over on the Serenity Now link up. Looks like you're one of my new followers as of this week. Thanks!)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Wow, awesome room full of fabrics!! Great organization!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Very nice!!!

    http://lilioshka.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  30. Great job! I'd love it if you'd link this up to my Home and Family Friday linky party!

    Becca
    becca-homeiswheremystorybegins.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. What a great idea, looks so good and neat !

    ReplyDelete
  32. That is an absolute work of art! Very, very nice. It never occurred to me to fold my fabric like that and file it.

    ReplyDelete
  33. This is amazing! Wish my craft room looked so organized! I used the same system for my scrapbook paper and it has helped immensely! Thanks so much for sharing with the Pink Hippo Party!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Wow! I am inspired to get motivated now! This is the prettiest fabric collection I have every seen! I love order! I would love for you to link up at my Savvy HomeMade blog party at http://www.homesavvyatoz.com/2011/08/14/blog-party-3/

    I look forward to blogging with you!

    ReplyDelete
  35. I love this idea. I hope to start with one and add more. I now have the fabric in bins and never can find what I am looking for.

    ReplyDelete
  36. "WOW" you have a huge selection. TO FUN. Love this idea, thanks for sharing it. p.s. i don't see my link button under your linkies, if I am wrong I apologize. Have a good night. Jen

    ReplyDelete
  37. Just found you through MMM on C.R.A.F.T!

    First, I am jealous of your stash! Second, what a genius idea! The template makes them all the same size! That's my problem!

    Would love for you to share at Calling All Crafters!
    http://allthingsfee.blogspot.com/2011/08/calling-all-crafters-20th-edition.html

    ReplyDelete
  38. So organized! Thanks for linking to the Tuesday To Do Party!
    Smiles!
    Jami
    www.blackberryvine.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. Wow! I wish I had this much fabric to organize. I am jealous! I am your newest follower, visiting from Craft-o-maniac blog hop. Hope you can stop by and visit soon.

    http://doodlesanddoilies.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. Is'nt it a wonderful feeling to be that organized? What a great idea!
    http://trescherechattel.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  41. Beautiful, organized and you can see everything at a glance. Well done.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Thanks for linking up to Delicately Constructed Friday! I featured this on my fb page!
    Hope you had a great day!
    Michelle
    www.delicateconstruction.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  43. Thanks for the tip! I could definitely use some help in this area...

    ReplyDelete
  44. This is a good idea! My little lady thinks it's a game to push all of my fabrics off of the shelves that I have them on. I think this will solve my problem! Please stop by www.laughloveandcraft.com and link up to my Share the Wealth Wednesday Link Party! I'm your newest follower!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Just great! I wish I could do that...

    ReplyDelete
  46. I so wish you could tell us what brand of cabinets those were....I have never seen that kind around here...mostly ones that have different sized shelves...I prefer this kind...

    ReplyDelete
  47. Oh, your drawers look so pretty! I think I would just sit and look at them (smiling of course), if I were you :)

    ReplyDelete
  48. LOVE this post! I definitely need to organize all of my fabric and now I have a starting point! :) Thanks so much for sharing at my weekend soiree! Have a great weekend! :)
    Crystal
    Homemaker in Heels

    ReplyDelete
  49. Awesome!! I wish that mine looked like this!! :) Thanks for linking up to our Strut Your Stuff Link Party every Saturday! We would love to have you come back tomorrow and link up some more amazing stuff! :)
    Camille @
    SixSistersStuff.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  50. This is truly an awesome idea! I will be featuring you on this week's Amaze Me Monday :D

    ReplyDelete
  51. @imklvrI bet you could use this same idea in your cabinet. Just use baskets from the dollar store instead of drawers!

    Lisa!

    ReplyDelete
  52. I love this idea...I wish I had room for a few of those nifty totes...my fabric is in bins, boxes, bags, you name it, they are in there!!!

    ReplyDelete
  53. @BeingBrookI tried the stuff and shove method too, but I found that I can fit a lot more in when it is all folded- works with my daughter's dresser drawer too! Now, if I could only get her to fold her own clothes!

    Lisa!

    ReplyDelete
  54. @Obsession With Online TutorialsI guess I should have said what drawers thes are in the post. They are Sterilite, I believe. They come as three drawers, but I just pop them apart and put them back together as needed. You can get them from Wal-Mart or Target.

    Lisa!

    ReplyDelete
  55. I've been looking for a way to store my fabric stash. Great idea. Could you tell what brand drawers those are?

    ReplyDelete
  56. Perfectly organized. I love how you can just reach in a grab what you need. Thanks for linking this to the Home Decor and Organizing Link Party. I'm featuring this on facebook.

    ReplyDelete

I love hearing from you so please leave a comment! If you enjoyed this post, please subscribe to the Sunla Designs feed to have future posts delivered right to your feed reader or simply click the "follow" link at the top of the page!