Monday, September 20, 2010

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.

40 comments:

  1. What cute little mini bolts! Nicely done! Jenn

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  2. Oh my goodness.....that looks so amazing....you can truly see what you have....you are killing me, I want to do that....

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  3. Great idea! I'm always struggling to refold after I cut. Then I guess those smaller stacks are smaller cuts? I need to find a good system for my smaller pieces. Nice job!

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  4. what's the minimum length you are putting on the bolts?

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  5. Wow! That is a great idea. Also, you did a wonderful job at illustrating the how-to. Thanks for sharing!

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  6. another benefit of storing fabric this way is that the wrapped boards will fit on the shelves of 'traditional' book shelves. they are available at reasonable costs (usually under $25) from national chain stores (target,etc)

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  7. Wonderful idea, thanks for sharing!

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  8. great idea .. thanks for sharing!

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  9. Great idea - I totally have nowhere near that amount of fabric . . . still building my stash!

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  10. This is a fantastic idea! It makes me want to reorg my stash now. Thanks for sharing!

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  11. great idea! I am going to try this out!

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  12. This is a fab idea! My husband is a comic collector so we have LOADS of these comic boards. Definitely a project for weekend organisation.

    Thanks

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  13. Fabulous idea. Thanks for sharing it.

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  14. What an awesome idea Terri! I've never heard of this, but might try it myself. I recently cataloged and packaged an entire collection of comic books for a family member and have a few packages of boards left over. I too have seen those polar boards, but coudn't see myself paying what they want for them for the same reasons you stated. It would eat into my fabric budget! :)

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  15. Looking Good on your re-organization. I do the "fabric folding w/ruler" method which is similar, without the boards.

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  16. Great idea! It looks fabulous, I may have to try that!

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  17. Can you come to my house and do that? i will have the boards here when you arrive!! It looks fantastic!

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  18. This is a great idea Terri! I am going to have to try it.

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  19. i love this...baby bolts of fabric would be too fun

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  20. aaaahhhh it looks like a shop!!! How lovely! xx i want some!!

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  21. Great tip! Thanks for sharing!

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  22. Thanks but I am wondering about smaller cuts of fabric too. Cutting the boards in 1/2? have you tried that yet? and in 1/2 which way would you cut them? BTW, we have a comic book store and they sell them $9.00 for 100. Think I will be making a trip in there TONIGHT!!!!!!!

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  23. Folding now, this is such a helpful tip. And I'm lucky enough to have a comic book store within a few miles. Thanks!

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  24. Love this idea.. I will have to keep an eye out for a comic store or go to amazon. Thanks for sharing this...

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  25. I just want your fabric.... lol

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  26. Best fabric organization post EVAH! I am so going to do this! And here is another idea, since you are wrapping up your fabric, take note of what size it is (1 yard, 2 yard, so on) and then when you pin the fabric, pin the little note to that spot so you know how much you have wrapped up! LOVE IT!

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  27. Oh my now I am so green with envy that you have reorganised it in such a fabulous way. makes my attempt look totally feeble. Of to go find a comic book store thanks for sharing. New follower :)

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  28. I just ordered 2 packs! Just as a side note, I ordered them from the Canadian Amazon, they're only $7.21 a pack... that's like 1/3 the cost of the american website... maybe you'd like to import next time?!!!

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  29. I am just starting a makeover of my sewing studio and was planning on folding all my fabrics for shelves but these boards make it look so easy and neat! Love it!! Thanks for sharing!! Blessings...

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  30. I love this post! I've been using your method for a few months now, and it is perfect. I've actually been able to maintain it and everything. Thank you so much for this post!
    (And I even blogged about it: http://www.absolutelysmall.com/blog/2011/09/29/craft-room-organization-the-best-way-to-organize-fabric-ever/)

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  31. Uau !!! Just like me !!!! HAHAHA
    Congratulation I WANNA DO THAT

    http://tearpiaocupacional.blogspot.com/

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  32. Great share!! Thank you was looking on the best way to store my faux suede without so many folds. Tried it and love it!!

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  33. Great share!! Thank you was looking on the best way to store my faux suede without so many folds. Tried it and love it!!

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  34. sorry, did not mean to post twice!!

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  35. I did not want to use my money on organization either, need it to buy more stash. What I did was go to the office supply and bought a box of manila file folders. I folded down the top where you write file name on (or you could cut it off). I then folded my fabric like you did and wrapped it on the folder just like you did yours. I rolled it up and finished it with a couple of strips of scotch tape to hold it on the folder. You can lay it down or stand it up and it looks perfectly organized on your shelf.

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  36. Fantastic idea! I, too, saw those fabric boards, but at $7 a piece, just couldn't do it! I was going to use foam core instead, but comic boards are better and cheaper! Thanks for sharing, Terri!

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  37. Fantastic idea, Terri! I was going to use foam core, but like your idea better!

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