Wednesday, March 31, 2010

wip wednesday... organizing the fabric stash

the day has come.
that my stash needs an overhaul
a total reorganization.

so you have seen my studio
and the mess my stash was last time i moved
but i've never shown you my "fabric closet"
until now...

here it is.
about 1/4 to 1/3 of my walk in closet...
isn't clothes... it's fabric.
some organized.. some not...
this is 8 years of leftovers & such.

so if you saw my recent sunday stash report...
you know that i discovered "mini bolts" by polar notions
and i'm totally hooked!

check out their site for a video on how to wrap the blots.
i've been doing my by project.. or by fabric line


i started with this pile of food fabrics...
which i'm adding to for "one day"

and turned it into this!!
one bolt of licorice.. because i have lots of yardage
and the other bolt is all the assorted yardage of other prints!


then i threw a whole bunch of fabrics...
{ mostly new stuff }
that hasn't found a home yet... into this laundry basket.

i took the basket... a bunch of mini bolts...
and went to work!

here is the result!


my favorite section so far.
by far.
is the land of tula pink
left to right
neptune, neptune, full moon forest, flutterby, nest, and more fmf on top.
i've got more... probably enough to fill an entire shelf.
i need to add plume... hushabye... nest flannel... and more

my 23 "mini blots" so far...

top shelf
chelsea's boutique by blackbird designs for moda
verna by kate spain for moda
sonnet by april cornell for moda
figgy pudding by basic grey for moda - 3 bolts

left
tula pink.. see above for details.

middle
rouenneries by french general for moda - 3 bolts
beach house by blackbird designs
love by amy butler for rowan
posh by chez moi

right
assorted snack fabrics - 2 bolts
assorted lakehouse fabrics - 3 bolts


--

i haven't decided yet where my pre-cuts are gonna go...
and fat quarter stacks...
but i'm getting there..
and happy as can be so far!!

--

how do you organize your stash?
and do you need to go back and re-do it?


hop on over to quilter's daily to join the blog along...
share your stash storage methods!

24 comments:

rosie/the fabric shopper said...

Oh WOW! Mini bolts! Who knew!?! That looks great. Love how everything is folded on the bolt to show what the different fabrics are.
That has to feel so good to have gotten this far. YAY!

B said...

love it. in the 5th photo, top bolt that looks like peppermints- what is this line and do you think it's still available anywhere? thanks.

B. said...

I am sitting at work, literally, drooling over your Flutterby . . . ahhhhh.

Sandy said...

This looks way too organized for such a "creative" person:)
MOJ

Dresden Quilter said...

That looks fabulous Julie. Now I have the urge to reorganize.

wishes, true and kind said...

Organized fabric fills me with bliss. I was just looking at my disorganized closet o' fabric last night, but decided to just shut the door and go sew ;). I definitely need time and a better system. It's fun watching your progress.

Unknown said...

Ok WOW. Now I'm hooked on those just seeing what it did for your stash.
I did an organization about two years ago, needless to say it desperately needs it again.

Unknown said...

that looks so yummy..love your stash

Needled Mom said...

It looks fabulous. I just reorganized my closet and was in a quandry as to how to organize the stash. I finally did it by colors and it is working well for me.

Melissa {polkadot chair} said...

okay,
come over and organize mine for me know -k-???
Melissa

Anonymous said...

Are you trying to tell me that I could actually be organized, and have everything right where I want it?! I justmay have to look into this....

Natalia from Piece N Quilt said...

I hadn't ever heard of the mini bolts before but that is a fabulous idea! Thanks for sharing, you've inspired me to make over my stash! :)

Laura D said...

Yay, Antonius! I really love using the Antonius storage from IKEA to store fabric. It circulates air, so nothing gets musty, you can see what you have. I have mine on wheels.

Angela Nash said...

Those bolts are so cute. I have all mine folded in the china cabinet in stacks of blues, greens, pinks, orange/yellows, then solids. I decided to break up the collections since I seem to use them more by color.

The FQs are the most problematic to fold, and then there is the plastic bin-o-scraps that just doesn't ever seem nice!

Cyndi loves to stitch said...

love the mini bolts with the staggered collections on each. GREAT idea. I've been here several times because your blog name and real life name keep catching my eye.....I just have to ask because curiosity is getting the best of me. Are you a graduate of JCHS, somewhere around 77-80's? and are you related to Bruce and Mark?

Denise :) said...

Very nicely done. I love the look of the mini-bolts! Clever, indeed. :)

Karin said...

Your stash is looking great! How many Mini bolts did you end up buying, to get everything organized?

By the way I was totally thinking of you and being called young all the time. Being pregnant must have knocked years off of me. Not only did the politician ask if my Dad was home the other day, but Monday I guy selling windows came to the door and asked to speak to the home owner. On one hand I am flattered but on the other I am insulted.

Audrie said...

So I've got your address... when are you going to be out so I can raid your stash? Kidding! Sort of...

Material Girls said...

Wow! that looks great!! I am kind of a disorganized mess, and know that my daughter has caught the fabric bug we are up to our elbows in fabric, patterns &......., I am going to have to get me some of those, before my son and husband have to take up residence in the shed!
Nadine

Leslie said...

oh, i would be so happy to live in the land of tula pink. the mini bolts make all your fabric look amazing. like it is all being showcased

Christine said...

Oh I love it!! I want to come shopping :) Christine

Mystica said...

You've done a wonderful job of clearing it up.

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

Ooh, I love love love how you have organised your stash so beautifully. Thanks for showing up mini bolts, fabulous idea! xo

JariJari said...

your fabric stash is looking pretty and well organised. Good job!