Fabric Storage for $1.50!
I am self-confessed fabric hoarder.
I do limit myself to remnants, but my obsession has seriously gotten out of hand. So much so that one of my goals for 2012 is to NOT buy any fabric. At all!
In the meantime, I needed to find a good way to store/display my stash.
Over Christmas break I decided it was time to tackle this problem.
And I found a way to do it for $1.50!
1. I found a large moving box at Walmart for $1.50.
2. Cut down one of the seams (very carefully!) with a box cutter so that...
3. ...you can open the box out flat!
4. Decide what size is suitable for you to cut the box down in to and mark it with a ruler and pencil.
Mine are 6"x7" to fit in my shelving.
5. Carefully cut along the lines you drew with a box cutter.
6. You should now have a fairly large stack of cardboard!
I had roughly 65 pieces.
Any smaller pieces of cardboard left over can be used for smaller scraps.
The good thing about remnant fabric is that it already arrives home all wrapped up.
But when it gets used, it needs to find a good home.
Enter my new cardboard pieces!
I took all my used fabric that had been stashed away in bags until it could be properly stored and started wrapping it around the cardboard. I used straight pins to make sure the ends would not come unfurled.
Its neat. Its tidy. Its cheap!
How do you store your fabric?
I would love to hear your ideas!
I use a template to fold fabric to the desired size. Then I slip the template out so i can reuse it. I use a strip os 1 1/2 x 14 copy paper arond the fabric bundle to keep it from falling apart. I store them in semi clear stoare bin to protect them from dust.
I go to my local fabric store and ask for their empty fabric bolts, cut them to length, and, voila! Free cardboard to roll my fabric on. Love it, don't have to hunt and search any more.
Looks great! One word of warning...corrugated cardboard is full of acids that leach into fabric and discolor the fabric and break it down. Use it as fast as possible. You can buy acid free comic book boards in packages of 100 boards or more for less than $10 and they won't harm the fabric at all. It is a really cheap fix I have taught to sewing students for years. I have wrapped hundreds of yards this way over the years and some of it has been wrapped a long time with no damage. Best of luck-you have a great start on fabric organization.
Great idea! My fabric pieces are a lot bigger, but I guess I could cut larger pieces of cardboard.
Awesome idea! I'd love for you to link this up at our party! http://housewivesofriverton.blogspot.com/2012/01/one-year-blogaversary-and-new-linky.html
so smart, what a great idea!
http://www.notimefortea.com
All my large fabric pieces (for clothes, et al)are stored folded in boxes. I have a notebook that lists each box and what it contains by type, colour and size of each fabric.
Wee scraps are in a pillow case.
Intermediate sized pieces for quilting are in a sideboard, folded and stacked willy-nilly. This is where I will use your idea. Hopefully they will not only be more visible but I will be able to put more on each shelf.
Thanks!
this is a FABULOUS tip! I have a friend who just moved this weekend and know where I will be getting them for FREE to tackle this project.
I would love it if you would hook this up to my new linky party:
http://creatingyourhome.blogspot.com/2012/01/make-it-yourself-mondays-linky-party.html
Great idea!! We just moved, so I will be cutting up some boxes around here.
Thanks
Melissa
redflycreations.blogspot.com
I store mine in drawers in my sewing room...by color...they may be in a mess, but they're at least by color...lol...Mel's Designs..'n Harmony blog
Love this! Sharing on FB http://www.facebook.com/theoldblockhouse and Twitter
that seems much easier and cheaper than the foam boards! Thanks! I would love for you to link up at Handmade 52! http://raisingoranges.blogspot.com/2012/01/handmade-52-3.html
I am working on this idea to organize my fabrics. Looks great
This is a great idea!! TFS!! Stopping by from What Allie's Making Now linky party.
Here is what I shared this week: http://craftybrooklynarmywife.blogspot.com/2012/01/hollys-first-coat.html
This looks great! I definitely need to do something like this! My fabric is folded in boxes right now. Thanks for sharing!
This is one of those "why didn't I think of that" moments! Great idea and thanks for sharing with us!
Ann @ Suburban Prairie Homemaker
http://www.suburbanprairiehomemaker.com
(visiting from someday crafts - following)
thanks for sharing this great idea. I am going to have to get me some boxes and make some. my fabric stash is crazy: I have started a new linky party today and I would love to have you add your project: http://asouthernladysramblings.blogspot.com/2012/01/pinterest-love-and-thursday-link-party.html
I SO need to do this!! I have so much fabric, but it's all a mess. I end up having to press it because it's all just stuffed in a drawer! Genius, Michele!
Amazing idea - I will be doing this - and for free because I also hoard boxes! Thanks a lot for posting!
I really need to do this....I'm drowning in fabric:)
Love this idea, I'm going to try it. Thank you for sharing.
I use the same method but I paid for comic book backing boards; now I know that I shouldn't have. Great idea!
Great idea! I just might have to implement this in my office/craft room!
Great idea! I also have a bit of a fabric problem, but mine is due to the fact I've inherited TONS of boxes from grandparents!
I love this idea. I don't buy much fabric but what I do have is in a box. I like to have things out where I can see them because then I will use it. This is a great way to keep that fabric where I can easily access it. BTW - mine is in a box π
What a a great way to store fabric. Mine are all thrown into plastic totes...and that makes it difficult to see what you already have. Thanks for sharing this great tip with Trick or Treat Tuesday!!!
Love, love this. I will start cutting a box up tomorrow.
Thanks!!
This is a great idea! My fabric supply is much smaller than yours, but I think this would still be a great thing to try since I'm always losing track of the fabric I do have. Thanks!
Love it!! I have some extra cardboard and I have LOTS of fabric that needs organizing. My new weekend project!!
This is such a great idea! My stash continues to grow and could really use some organization!
I roll mine up in drawers but I like this so much better!!!
I just saw this on Pinterest. I actually did the exact thing last week. I had some empty cardboard boxes and use those. Silly me though I cut them too tall so now they are in the drawers but are still so organized and I love that!
These are great!! I just love the way the fabric looks all cute and wrapped on the mini-bolts. π Mine is wrapped on either cardstock (if the fabric is thin) or cut up foam board. It makes it soooo easy to see what you have!
Very cool and super affordable! I used to buy a ton of fabric from the remnant bin at HL too, but I had to put a stop to it! π It was getting a little out of hand. All of my fabric is currently stored in a big, giant bin...not very craft friendly as I cannot see what I have on hand. π
Down the road, after this sweet little baby makes his appearance, I might dive into getting my own craft space and get back to it. π
Miss you, sweet friend! π
You crack me up! I swear, do you sleep?
If we lived closer, I could have saved you the cash. A few too many empty boxes in this basement...
Neat idea. I too have a fabric issue. I was big time into sewing about 10 years back and when that faded for a while, I got rid of most of my fabrics. But just in the last year, I have started accumulating fabrics again!!! lol I keep them all in a china cabinet in my studio. I can see them through the windows. I pay my daughter to re-organize them every so often. On top of it, a designer friend of mine downloaded a ton (I mean a ton) of designer fabric swatches on me. I keep them in the garage stacked up on top of each other.