Organizing your Stash on a Budget

Friday afternoon I picked this up from the mailbox. After I began my new organization routine it dawned on me that maybe I should share this all with you. Like most people I am always looking for the next best thing. That new tool that will make my life just a little easier. When I heard about Polar notions fabric boards, I wanted them badly.

However though, realistically I buy way to much fabric to afford those things. I would have to stop buying fabric for a bit just to catch up (there is not way I could handle that) I felt the insanity coming thinking about how many fabric buys I would miss out on just to buy those boards.

So I tried this.........

These are comic book boards, available at most comic book shops in your area, or you can get them here where I did on amazon.com They were about 15 dollars for 100 boards (maybe a little cheaper in the comic book store but we don't have one here) If you spend 25 dollars or more you get free shipping to.

Now as much as I would love to take credit for this idea, I did not invent the idea by any means. It was brought up in a fabric group discussion a few months back, and I must admit I was sceptical. I thought there was no way this would work.

To my surprise, not only did it work.... but I could wrap 5 or 6 yards of fabric on them maybe even more. They looked neat, organized and I could see each and every print I had available.

Here is how I did it.

I folded the longest part of the fabric seam to selvage making the fabric about 10 inches by the length (whatever yardage you have of the print)

Put the board on the edge of the fabric with a little extra to start the wrap around the board, You do not need to pin this but if you would like to you can.

Wrap up the yardage until you get about 12 inches from the end. Then fold over the top edge towards the bottom selvage to make an angle seam. After you have the angle finish wrapping the fabric around the board and pin the edge in place.

See the angle there right on top of the pin??

Now all those new fabrics are organized and ready for when I need them. I also cut them from the mini bolts when I do projects. There is no more unfolding the entire piece every time I need to use a print. Plus this is a good way to keep my eye on what is running out.

Another tip I did was fabric that had more then one piece I overlapped and continued on the roll so it was all kept together nicely.

Now I have cute little fabric mini bolts well at least I have 100 for now. It works so I will definitely be getting more :) Try it you might like it.


Do you have a great organization tip??

HAPPY SEWING !


EDITED:: People are asking what the cut increment is that I put on the mini bolts. I did a yard or bigger on these. For the smaller cuts I am thinking about cutting the boards in half, I will let you know if it works :)

New Tips:: 
You can double up your boards for larger cuts of fabric to make the board stiffer.

If you cannot find comic book coards, head to the craft store for syrofoam board used for craft projects. And cut to the desired size, much like cardboard but usually in white. 

Go on and read posts added after this one to get tips on your smaller cuts.