Lots of ideas on how to store fabric – drawers, boxes, hanging and more. Be inspired!
My fabric stash is overtaking the room! It started in my cute antique dresser. Then it grew into a couple of extra boxes. Then it grew a little more into a couple of baskets. Now I count at least 5 baskets, 4 boxes and the original drawers! There are piles that threaten to topple over when I move around. There are some fabrics that I’ve washed and some that I haven’t; some that I’ve ironed and some that I haven’t; some that I have ear-marked for a particular project and some that I’ve bought with no plan at all.
Bottom line? I need to sort and tidy and store them all better.
So I turned to my favourite source of inspiration and came up with some ideas.
Shelves
I like the look of shelves but I think I’d go for glass doors on the front to keep off the dust.
Find similar shelving units here.
Plastic Crates
These are a cheaper alternative and I like that you can see what’s in there without having to open every one. Plastic drawers would do the same job. I saw some at the Container Store.
I like these plastic crates on Amazon.
Drawers
Drawers work well to keep off the dust. My fabric in drawers is folded and stored sideways (like in the crates above) so that I can see what’s there.
Find a flat file drawer unit that would sit on a workspace here.
Boxes
I have solid boxes in my room which I can’t see into easily. This is a clever box though with slots for CDs – or fabric!
Find another CD storage box that could be easily used for fabric here.
Hanging
This would be a great way to see what you have at a glance. For a quilter, it would serve as a way to match fabrics too.
This file type hanging system is very clever! I can imagine it on wheels ready to slip under the desk when you don’t need it.
UPDATE: Thanks to Cathy who commented that this is something called a pants trolley. You can find them on Amazon here.
Folded or rolled?
Most options I found had folded fabric, but rolling fabric onto cards or just into rolls looks great too.
Scraps
I have my scraps currently in an open basket. These pockets hold ribbon scraps but I can imagine this idea working for fabric scraps, sorted by colour into the clear pockets.
Find shoe pockets to hang over your door here.
Small boxes within drawers keep small scraps sorted in this dresser. Find similar here.
Now that I’ve found all these great ideas, I just need to get organising!
Hmmm….
Maybe I’ll just finish this cuppa… and check my email… and…
Tell me: how do you store your fabric or other crafty supplies? Do they threaten to take over the room?
Note: Each image links to its original source so click each one to see the original.
Beautiful storage ideas – thanks for sharing!
My fabric is stored in see-trhough plastic drawers, batting in normal drawers. Scraps are sorted in to strings by length (15″+, 6-15″, -6″0), pieces, crumbs and triangles. The strings are kept in three separate plastic containers, the pieces in a drawer, the crumbs and triangles in 2litre icecream containers. Threads are stored withtheir matching bobbins in a see-trhough plastic case bought for that purpose. Needles, threaders, pins, scissors,etc. are kept within reach of the sewing machine but are properly stored in a sewing box (again see through). Balls of wool yarn, sorted by colour, in see-through plastic drawers; acrylic and cotton yarns in labelled (in pencil so changes can be made) cardboard archive boxes. Embroidery threads in numerical order in two plastic boxes made for that purpose. Acrylic paints and brushes ina plastic tool box. Dyes in a cupboard on the back verandah (with vinegar, salt, etc). Enough? LOL
Wow! You sound VERY organised, Lynne! I’m so impressed with all those details. I will aspire to come close to your level ;o)
Wow that is some serious organizing. My fabric is in large see through plastic bins on shelves in the garage it’s a pain when I have to go look for stuff, I have to move the bikes and the lawn mower and all kind of wood and stuff my husband piles in front of my shelves. Maybe I should bring some of it inside.
I REALLY need to get order into my stash… can you come round and do it for me?!?!?
Maggy
Sure. But mine might take the next few years so if you get a better offer, take it! ;o)
Hi! I love some of the ideas in this blog, and I’ve got your fabric hutch on my pinterest. You have amazing taste!! I have one more storage idea for you, which I posted about a while back on my blog. Check it out if you like, it keeps my crazy stash under control. 🙂 http://www.bclef.com/2011/01/how-to-turn-your-fabric-stash-into.html
I love how many ideas you have for storing fabric and staying organized. I think it is best to use air tight containers or even vacuum bags.
Such tiny amounts of fabric! I mean, overall, quite a lot, but so very little of each. Most of the “fabric organizing” tips I’m seeing online are from people who don’t appear to ever buy more than a yard of a single type of fabric. I’m trying to store things like a bolt of linen, 7 yards of damask, 5 yards of wool, etc.
I hadn’t noticed that, Mackenzie, but you’re right – all the tips are for smaller bits. I suppose I tend to buy smaller amounts to make patchwork quilts and small items. What do you make?
Recreation Renaissance dresses
Sounds amazing!!
(Well, and some of the fabric is going to be mundane clothes too, since I need some new skirts and dresses)
What size clear plastic boxes work best for say a yard to five yards of material of lots of different colors folded and irons ?
I really like your great ideas for organizing the sewing room. The best for me is the VERY CLEAR plastic boxes. Please tell me where I can buy them! My boxes are hazy not clear like yours/ My studio is in another building so my fabric must be enclosed. Thanks for all your good ideas!
Great tips, but I ae 4 rooms full of fabric..any suggestions? I use mostly clear tubs – big ones and shelves.
Just remember folks. . . . .”She (or he) who dies with the most yardage. . . .didn’t sew enough!! :)” There are several of those suggestions that I use, depending on the amount of material, the type, the color, the project, etc. . . . . .but heard, just recently from a tried and true seamstress, yardage should not be stored in plastic as it cannot breathe, and the threads break down over time. If you store in plastic, plan on using that material soon. Also, remember, material stored in containers of any kind that allow light. . . .sun or electric. . . .to shine on it over an extended length of time will be light-bleached and can have either a lighter crease at the fold, or even be worn and loose its integrity. Although I have many bins of various sizes and shapes holding yardage, yarn, batting, thread, etc.. . . . .and keeping out a variety of critters. . . . . . My favorite mode of storage: wooden cupboards with doors, or dressers.
I love the filing picture of the fabric. I just wanted to mention what it is for anyone else searching for it…it is a “Pants Trolley”, not a filing cart or office file system; on amazon now for $24. I looked for quite a while to figure it out. Love the idea for quilts in progress, and that it rolls. I use many of the ideas here, thanks for sharing it all in one place.
I make my own “fabric cards” too, for my bolts over 3 yards. I cut them 23″ long x 12″ wide, set them on an old pine bookcase that was 4′ wide, flipped on it’s side. I had my husband create short shelves to divide the bookcase into (2) 24″ high shelves. More than enough for my bolts of cottons, denim, fleece, and tall notions rolls (like fusibles, and interfacing).
Thanks Cathy – great to have some more details on these storage ideas
It is funny, you have used a dresser for fabric and now you are going for what I have been doing all along. Now I am in process of remodeling an antique dresser to store my fabric in now.
Hi there Tonya and eveeryone such great ideas one day I will come round too sortting out all of my fabric
Jan