Welcome Craft Organization Camp attendees!
Hello and welcome to craft camp!! I am so excited to be participating in Craft Organization Camp this year! As someone who has quite the quilt space evolution (aka I’ve moved too many times to mane note) I’m excited to share my best tips for storing your fabric, no matter the size.
Having the right tools makes quilting easier and more enjoyable. You don’t need every gadget out there—just a few essentials to get started.
Over time, you’ll figure out what works best for you and add to your collection as needed. The key is to have reliable tools that help you cut, sew, and press with ease. With these basics in place, you’re ready to start your next project with confidence.
This is me – Becky, I help quilters use what they have, finish what they start and build friendships along the way.
To get you started, let’s find some great notions that are very basic – but will serve you for years to come.
- Rotary Cutter The blades are very sharp and cut fabric quickly and accurately. The blade rolls, just like a pizza cutter. There are many different sizes. I use the small-sized cutter most. It whips around curves like nobodies business, and is easy for me to grip. There are a few different kind of handles and blade sizes. Before purchasing one, I would suggestion giving them a try.
- A Self-healing Cutting Mat allows you to use the rotary cutter for cutting fabric. Mats come in many different sizes, but an 18 x 24 mat is a good size to start with. Need to clean the mat you have? Here is a quick how-to to help you out.
- Rulers My favorite size is the 6″ X 12″, but I find that I use other shapes and sizes almost as much. Depending on the project that is being worked on, the ruler might change. I suggest trying out a few of your friends to find out which one is your favorite.
Storage Solutions for Organizing Your Sewing Room
Organizing your sewing room is pretty important! The better you know where things are in your sewing room – the more you’ll actually use what you bought. When your notions go hiding. The fabric is in piles and you can’t tell what you really have, putting things away and having a process for organizing really does help. You can find more help on organizing as well as a whole series on the blog.
- These are similar to the storage bins mentioned in the video – they are grey weave, and fit fabric scraps, full project kits or whatever else you have in mind. Also they fit the cubby system that I have from Ikea as well.
- This shorter storage bin is similar to the one that I use on the counter of my cutting mat to catch all the little scraps and cutoffs.
- Woven baskets are something that I have and use as well for other pieces of fabric.
Here are some additional storage ideas to get you started:
- Ideas on storing thread
- Organizing your magazines and books
- Storing scraps of fabric
- Ironing Board station ideas
Instant access to more than $150 worth of patterns for only $11!
Sew you your stash with the printable library. While you can organize all you want… at some point it’s time to actually use what you have. You love the fabric. You love your stash – but hey, let’s love it in something finished. Get all the sewing and quilting tutorials I have published so far (currently 40+) for one low price.
All ‘Optimized for Printing’ Patchwork Posse blog tutorials at your fingertips & next to your sewing machine!
PDF Patterns Library
Get access to over 40 printable PDF’s patterns for quick and cute quilt projects – including bags, hot pads, small quilts and more!
More Quilting Resources:
- Buying supplies from thrift stores to save money
- How long does it take to finish a quilt
- Creative ways to use your fabric stash
- How to clean fabric after water damage
Giveaway time!!
I have a fun giveaway as well!!! yay!! Win a $50 Gift Card to Patchwork Posse! 🎉
Use it to grab a planner and a pattern to help you stay organized and sew something beautiful this year! It’s the perfect time to pick some things that will help you use what you have. With the gift card you get to pick and choose. You can check out all the patterns and the planners here in the shop.
To enter – Drop a comment here…. what is your favorite tip for keeping your fabric stash in line…. and I’ll be picking a winner March 30th!
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🎉 Giveaway Winner Announcement! 🎉
Thank you to everyone who joined in on the fun and entered the giveaway! I loved reading all your comments and seeing the excitement around this one.
I’m thrilled to announce that the winner of the $50 gift card to spend in the Pattern & Planner Shop is…
✨ Nicole Voelkel ✨
Congratulations, Nicole! 🎊 Be sure to check your inbox — I’ll be sending you all the details on how to claim your prize.
If you didn’t win this time, don’t worry! There’s always more fun (and giveaways) around the corner. Until then, happy sewing and planning!
Becky Jorgensen is the creative quilter behind Patchwork Posse, the Patchwork Planner and her online quilt group Patchworkers Plus. You can find her patterns in books, magazines, and her quilt membership. Gather your quilting supplies, organize your sewing space, explore the process of disappearing quilt blocks, or finish a free quilt pattern. I'll help you use what you have, finish what you start and make your quilting journey fun!
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Cubby system by color of holiday
Thanks for all the tips!
My favorite tip for keeping my fabric stash in order is to stay out of the fabric store. LOL!! I actually have it sorted by type of fabric, then by color.
I hope this is the correct way to enter your giveaway. I did not see any clickable link to do so.
LOVE having fabric storage ideas…I have so much fabric! Thanks!
My favorite tip for keeping my fabric stash in line is rolling them up like socks, stacking them upright and pinning a paper tag to the top with fabric’s specs.
I have always wanted to learn how to make quilts, for many years and I still have not started! I love quilts and I know that one day I will learn how to make them.
Right now all the fabric I have is in a drawer but I am quickly out growing that system.
My favourite tip is to use clear boxes; being able to see everything at a glance makes all the difference!
My favorite way to keep my stash under control is to cut it into various size strips and squares, and leaving larger pieces whole for yardage.
I use a vintage wardrobe converted to a sewing cabinet and store fat quarters grouped by color in the drawers
My favourite tip for storing fabric is to keep is in clear bins according to the fabric type.
Favorite tip is the reminder to sort fabrics from project bag/bin once project is complete.
I love all the tips.
I’m just getting into sewing, so I am excited to put the tips to work!
Love these ideas!
My favorite thing to do with my storing my fabric is to keep my most favorite patterns and fabric that I use the most in my craft room nice and neat in a drawer. The stuff I don’t use so much I have in storeage containers stored in the basement, so they are kept nice and neat for when I need them or want to use them.
Love the jar storage for scrapes and it doubles as decor.
Love the jar storage for scraps and it doubles as decor.
(Oppps….I had to fix the typo.)
Thank you! I learned to sew as a kid and have done it off/on over the years. I don’t store a lot of fabric because it was always an issue. I’ll definitely try out your tips with the little bit I do keep.
I try to keep my fabric organized by keeping it all in bags labeled for the project it was intended for. Random fabric and scraps are kept in a basket for future creativity or quick projects.
I absolutely love the put the project in a bag. I am going to make Quillows for Christmas gifts this year and this will be fantastic.
Thanks
I loved the tip to have designated bins to sort scraps by color or size right away!
Is this where you enter the giveaway?
Thanks to your generosity I have a huge collection of great ideas! Especially making my own quilt kits. That works for any craft!
When I went thru my fabric stash recently I took digital pics so that later instead of rummaging thru my stash to decide what I wanted to use I could just look thru my online Google Photo album then find that fabric. I numbered my clear bins and used the bin # as a “tag” as well as the type of fabric (ex cotton)
Saves me lots of time
Great and helpful ideas…Thank you!
I use one of my rulers to fold the material, store it in IKEA bins, and dig through them when needed. If I find something I like, I’m doubling or tripling my purchase. I’m looking for a better way to store my materials. I have some stored upstairs and downstairs. It’s going to be another year of downsizing.
I recently carefully wrapped all my fabric on boards and organized by fabric type in cubes. My next step is to cover the cubes with a curtain to keep light from fading the edges of he wrapped fabric. Its wonderful to have easy access to my fabric to pick out quickly without hunting in several areas for the one piece I am looking for.
Loved your advice about having a bin to put fabric in “temporarily” that you can later sort through! Very Realistic plan.
I limit the amount of material I can have on hand to what will fin in my storage bin. I fold or roll each piece of material and then lay them on top of one another
I love bins to organize.
i have my quarters in smaller baskets and larger pieces in an old suitcase
Great ideas!
I use cardboard to wrap my fabric on.
I don’t really have any tips yet for destashing, but love all of your ideas and will be checking out more! Thanks for sharing your time and talent with us during craft organization camp!
Lots of great ideas!
Keep it all in one place, divided by size (fat quarters vs yardage vs scraps) and then by colours within each size category.
I like to keep mine in bins by color.
I keep my fabric bundled by color, fabric type, projects and themes.
I fold the fabric then I tie them together with a ribbon, then put them in a bin.
These bins go into a cabinet for easy access.
Smaller pieces are all tossed together at the moment.
I bundle my fabric by color, theme, holiday, project.
They go in a bin then into a cabinet.
I loved your class on fabric storage ideas! It is my favorite class of the Craft Organization Camp. Thank you Becky!
My favorite tip was to put little scraps in jars where they can look colorful. I’ve also used bankers boxes for quilting fabrics, or plastic tubs. Someone asked about ‘plastic smell’ but not all plastic bins have a strong smell. I avoid the ones that do smell when closed up. My biggest problem area is keeping garment fabric stored without getting permanent creases. Not a huge problem for quilting, but garment fabrics can be 2 to 10+ yards, and the weight can fade creases and immortalize them from the weight over time.
Thanks for presenting today, I hope is the scavenger hunt location for the bins!
Have a can or a rotating round container on your desk for scissors and rulers or anything that can stand up for quick access
My favorite tip is to let go of fabrics that you know you won’t use again, even if you love them! Take a swatch of it and keep them in a project journal or a swatch album. Then donate them or trade with other sewing friends!
Thank you for sharing all this info
Love the project bin idea. I do lots with fabric but still have for card making and also thread to store. Getting some bins!
I don’t quilt at this time, but my Mom always did. She made beautiful patchwork quilts. So, I want to make some for my grandchildren in the next few years.
Thank you for giving me the freedom to not feel guilty when leaving fabric on bolts. Revolutionary idea to cut ny fabric down to manageable sizes and store them in those larger bins you showed us. This is the main reason I took this camp; to learn from you what to do with my fabric. Glad to know you too use thrift stores for craft purchases.
Thanks for all of the great information from craft camp. Looking forward to exploring the rest of your goodies and information in the near future!
What is your favorite tip for keeping your fabric stash in line? Mine is: Pick up and put away after each sewing session.
I really enjoyed your class. If you sew, you hoard, right? I wanted to share a strategy I came up with a few years back.
I took all my fabric that wasn’t on bolts and decided what I was keeping. I ended up donating a bunch of fleece to the special needs, no kill animal shelter. After that, from the fabrics I decided to keep, I measured them, made a tag attached to fleece selvage edge strips to put in the center, rolled them up and tied with an another fleece strip. I sorted them by type: flannel, fleece, cotton, tulle, etc. and put them on shelves and in milk carton bins stacked up to make shelves in a spare bedroom closet. It has been an absolute time saver to find what I need.
I inherited my mothers and sisters material when they passed away. I’m setting up my new craft room and this camp came at the right time. Love putting like colors together in baskets. I look forward to re-listening to this and glean other tips that I missed.
Tip to control the fabric pile, File on appropriate shelf in closet. I have shoe boxes for fat quarters and scraps.
I love comic boards for my fabric stash. They stand up well and I can easily see what I have. I use the 8.5 x 11 size sheet and wrap them with a 24″ piece of 1/4″ elastic tied in a bow. I have too much fabric because I love it.
I Haven’t yet gotten into sewing but I do have some fabric I have purchased over the years with this goal in mind to make pillows and bags. It’s a very small stash, it’s in a clear plastic bin,
I don’t have a lot of fabric at the moment but I love the idea of sorting by color, cutting sizes that I’ll actually use and storing them in clear jars or bins. They look SO cool!