I've only been quilting for 2 years but gave a big stash already. Last month I reorganized my stash. I pulled evetything out, but only sorted by color and winter the first day. The next day I worked for 30 minutes to fold my reds, the bnext session the blues, etc. I kept plaids together, no matter the color. It took me a bit over a week, but I Only worked for 30 minutes at a tine. I'm so happy I took the time to do this!
I wish I could pull it all into one place lay it out and sort it. What I have been able to do is, as I pull items into my sewing areas sort them, put yardage away, then fat quarter to half yard go into a bin with a particular line, or a set project with pattern and all materials for the project. Anything smaller than a 1/4 I've been cutting by size, and then I sort it into my containers. Thank you Pat, You have been a great help
I am trying so hard to organize what I have. It's so hard for me. I had to down size from my home to a room in my sons home. Most of my sewing things went into storage. But it's amazing what I have gathered in just a few years. I keep thinking there is a way. I need to be able to see what I have.I'm a widow so Half of my closet is used for fabric. Longer yardages are hung on clothes hangers. Because I'm beginning to make things for donation.I use everything. I have been so blessed to have fabric gifted to me. And I'm using every bit of it. I'm hoping this series will help me figure it out. I'm also making doll clothes so there are smaller bits of fabric for that as well. I will be watching for the next video. I'm taking notes.
If you saw my stash you would be calling Hoarders show for me. This is an awesome tutorial on how to organize fabric. I just A. Have way too much B. Do not have enough room. I have bolts, folded, thrown, etc. :)
I put my containers upright side by side, no stacking just pull them out. I use scrapbook containers, and I have specific projects in each one, that way I can see what is where. Looking forward to this series. Thank you.
Last year I reorganized all my stash. Any fat quarters and precuts went into bins in the closet. My room was much neater and super organized but, I totally forgot about them!! I did to much to fast. Needless to say, other than solids for background I’m shopping from stash!!
First I want to say your new hair cut is beautiful and looks great on you. So I think I’m really going to do this. May take a while but i really need to organize my sewing/craft room. I appreciate your inspiration.
This summer I organized "most" of my fabric after watching Quilt Addicts Anonymous video showing the Konmoori method of folding fabric. Still have a tote I need to get under control...for the most part it's all blues and yellows. I have charms and fat quarters in separate boxes. Then a tote of half yard and one yard cuts sorted by color. Layer cakes, jelly rolls, fat quarter bundles and larger yardage are on open shelves. Recently purchased Art Bin containers for current projects which has been an immense help. Also have a couple of smaller containers with leftover fabric from projects. So I am much better organized now.
One of the things I have started is when I make a project, is looking at what I have left for usable scraps. I determine what I can make out of it whether it be 2 1/2" or 5 inch. I take any 2 1/2? pieces and determine whether it is a usable strip or to cut up for squares.
I just did this when I moved I to my new sewing cottage. I organize everything 1/2 yard and more on comic book boards placed on shelves (like fabric bolts) by color. Everything less than that goes into then12”x12” plastic boxes by color. I have a box for 2.5” squares, and one for 5” squares because those are what I use the most. My fat quarters are in a 3 drawer stack unit, my jelly rolls and charm packs are stored in a cabinet and fat quarter bundles are on a shelf until I break them up and make something, then they go I to their appropriate box or drawer. It works for me, I tend to make controlled scrappy quilts where I need to grab a green or a red or a particular color. Thanks for sharing! Always love organizing videos because I’m always re-organizing!
Vicki Robles mine, too! I still have some that won’t fit anywhere in my sewing room. My goal has been to eliminate all the ziploc bags. Finish projects that need completing, get quilt tops quilted and outta there. I want clean, organized and conducive to creativity!
Hi Pat, Thank you for the organization series videos. Organizing is such an overwhelming process. I spent a few days months ago and went thru everything in my sewing room and tried to control the chaos. I now my fabric pieces that are bigger then a scrap and smaller than a fat quarter in in see thru shoe boxes by color stacked on shelves in my closet, I did work on one color at a time and cut them into 2.5 strips and 5 inch squares. All small scraps go into a large basket that I keep by my sewing machine and use for string and scrap quilts.. In my room I have an old dresser, and my fat quarters are stored by color in a few of the drawers, I store them upright so I can see at a glance what I have, Larger pieces less than a yard are wrapped on comic book boards stacked upright in plastic drawers,
@@vickirobles3406 I just retired this year and decided I finally had time and the space to attempt a large quilt. I am doing the Merry and Bright quilt that Pat had a year or two ago, with modifications to make it a bit bigger.
I just did this in my sewing room, purchased shoe size or a little bigger,with covers, I am unable to carry heavy containers, and sorted many pieces of fabric, that were left overs from previous projects. Wow do I have lots of batiks, did not know that till I did this, and flannels Wow..so scrappy it is gonna be for a good project. Thanks for your input,
I am ready for some organization! It will make the project time so much nicer! I have been gearing up for this in organizing my sewing things...just not the fabric yet. Great timing. =]
I already have all my fabric sorted out and neatly folded. I did a few weeks ago. Hubby was complaining about how messy my sewing room was. That Old fabric you said you had for years, you never know when you will need it. I have a few pieces that I have had for over 15 years and have now a project for them for 2 boys who I never had before. So some times it is wise to keep THOSE PIECES as you will never find anything like it again.
Good information! I do keep a small bin of comprable style scraps, ie. modern vintage, for Lori Holt sew alongs and scrap quilts. I also put all my batiks together since I don't use them offten.
I am currently doing this in my room - I re-organised my scraps in to colours and I have found I used them soooo much more now, my large fabric was in drawers and I could never find anything - so I bought comic boards and am starting to fold them around the boards - yep should have done this years ago, can fit so much more fabric into the drawers it is neat tidy and I can see all the fabrics I have. :)
My hubby found some draws and removed handles so could be stacked like shelves in the wardrobe. I have containers stacked in those. Plus he has made book shelves for me to. My fabrics are in different places at that moment and I`d love them in one room so working on that which hopefully will happen in January!
I need this help in the biggest way! Thank you, Thank you for these challenges to help us organize and downsize our hoards of fabric. I'm going to start working on my "problem" this afternoon.
Thanks Pat - your tips are great!!!! I'm trying to organize my craft room, but it gets overwhelming and then I usually start working on projects instead.
It is amazing to pull it all out to work with. You make the best decisions that way. But i know it takes a while and we can't all do it or leave it out for the time needed, so it will take you longer color by color as you need to hunt in ALL the places but it's doable
Thank you Pat this was very helpful. I have my fabric stored in containers like your blue ones, my husband put shelves in a closet in my sewing room and it works perfect for me. They are stacked 2 high. I can’t work in a messy sewing room.🙂
Many years ago I washed ALL of my fabric and pressed and folded it. I organized it all by color and it looks awesome. Thank you for all of your tips :)
You are amazing . . how do you find the time to do all this for us and keep yourself organized as well. Thank you so much . . I do have most of mine by color, but it has kind of gotten messy . . . I also put the smaller piece with the larger ones and I have been able to use some.
So glad you did this. I'm fairly new to sewing and quilting and have a fairly small stash. However I organised my fabric by colour last year. It's so much easier to see what I have. I don't know if it'd be so easy if I lived in the states where you have better deals, coupons etc on a broader range of beautiful fabrics.
Hi Pat, I live in a small coastal town in the South East of England. In fact from your time in Europe you probably have an idea where Dover and Canterbury are, I'm kind of near them. Quilting so not that popular here, not openly anyway, although I believe it's becoming more so and there are groups around, once you start talking to people. The nearest place I know of that sells quilting fabrics is about an hour an a halfs drive away, but our local small fabric shop sells nice cotton. I visited California (beautiful) in the summer and got some Moda fabric (I managed to get Fat Quarter Shop, Quilting is my therapy and MSQC packages delivered to where I was staying) and it's just softer and smoother than what I get locally. Also visited Joanns and with coupons etc got some bargains. You're truly blessed in the USA far as crafting goes.
This is great Pat! I always wonder if I should keep the small piece (scrap) of a specific fabric with the larger piece of that fabric. Looking forward to this series.
Thank you for doing this video it helps one find a place and method for starting. I find the scraps multiply way too fast and organization will assist me greatly
Love these videos. How do you handle fabric that has several colors like a plaid? Do you put it in the dominate color bin or choose the color that you like in the fabric. I look forward to your other videos on this organizing journey.
I always keep 'lines' together, no matter the size; batiks are together, all Christmas together, new precuts all together...then bins by color including scraps....children's theme also together...anything over a metre/yard is on a bolt...my bins are all clear so I can see what is inside.
I'm late to this great idea video. I like the quilt behind you. Could you please tell me what it is called and where I can get the pattern? Thankyou. Also I have plastic drawer sets that fit on my shelves and can be easily removed from its holder so the fabric is easily accessed without having to shift other containers.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I have a lot of fat quarters that I do have folded and in totes. I'll get those sorted by color. However, in the beginning when I was first starting out at quilting, I prewashed everything. Now I don't prewash. I have a tote full of that fabric. I know that I shouldn't mix the two right? Also, I should use (in my case totes, dog hair) that will fit all the different sizes within the color I'm sorting right? I just don't want to go and purchase more storage totes.
you can mix prewashed and wash.. what does it matter? If you decide to wash before making a quilt, you just wash them again. Try and use what you have, stack ON END so you an see it
OK, I'm in! I have been wanting to do this, so lets go! lets Marie Kondo our quilt room.. LOL BUT? what is the name of the gray orange sun burst quilt behind you please?
I’ve been sewing for about 7 years. It’s probably not normal how much fabric I have. And I keep buying. My room is such a mess it’s beyond fixing. Some fabrics are so beautiful I’m afraid to use them in case I screw up. Anyway, thanks Pat.
and there is ALWAYS more beautiful fabric .. ALWAYS.. in 35 yrs I can promise you that most fabric i bought 35 yrs ago is no longer beautiful.. it's dated... use it while you love it
OMG! Does this mean I must ACTUALLY GET ORGANIZED? OH NO! Anything but that, Martha... But REALLY, thanks a million!! I want to email you. XXXOOO!! Is that better, GRAMMARLY??? Yes, Pat, I have GRAMMARLY (the free version - I will not pay $20.00+ a month to get my grammar checked!!) Pat- let me watch the video and then I'll go to Facebook and give you my personal review. I promise it'll be good.
I've only been quilting for 2 years but gave a big stash already. Last month I reorganized my stash. I pulled evetything out, but only sorted by color and winter the first day. The next day I worked for 30 minutes to fold my reds, the bnext session the blues, etc. I kept plaids together, no matter the color. It took me a bit over a week, but I
Only worked for 30 minutes at a tine. I'm so happy I took the time to do this!
I wish I could pull it all into one place lay it out and sort it. What I have been able to do is, as I pull items into my sewing areas sort them, put yardage away, then fat quarter to half yard go into a bin with a particular line, or a set project with pattern and all materials for the project. Anything smaller than a 1/4 I've been cutting by size, and then I sort it into my containers.
Thank you Pat, You have been a great help
I agree the Library quilt binding is fabulous!
I am trying so hard to organize what I have. It's so hard for me. I had to down size from my home to a room in my sons home. Most of my sewing things went into storage. But it's amazing what I have gathered in just a few years. I keep thinking there is a way. I need to be able to see what I have.I'm a widow so Half of my closet is used for fabric. Longer yardages are hung on clothes hangers. Because I'm beginning to make things for donation.I use everything. I have been so blessed to have fabric gifted to me. And I'm using every bit of it. I'm hoping this series will help me figure it out. I'm also making doll clothes so there are smaller bits of fabric for that as well. I will be watching for the next video. I'm taking notes.
If you saw my stash you would be calling Hoarders show for me. This is an awesome tutorial on how to organize fabric. I just A. Have way too much B. Do not have enough room. I have bolts, folded, thrown, etc. :)
start to at least get them together and tidy... you can do it, you'll be so happy you did!
I put my containers upright side by side, no stacking just pull them out. I use scrapbook containers, and I have specific projects in each one, that way I can see what is where. Looking forward to this series. Thank you.
Last year I reorganized all my stash. Any fat quarters and precuts went into bins in the closet. My room was much neater and super organized but, I totally forgot about them!! I did to much to fast. Needless to say, other than solids for background I’m shopping from stash!!
First I want to say your new hair cut is beautiful and looks great on you. So I think I’m really going to do this. May take a while but i really need to organize my sewing/craft room. I appreciate your inspiration.
thank you!! the key is to START Ana, then keep going :)
This summer I organized "most" of my fabric after watching Quilt Addicts Anonymous video showing the Konmoori method of folding fabric. Still have a tote I need to get under control...for the most part it's all blues and yellows. I have charms and fat quarters in separate boxes. Then a tote of half yard and one yard cuts sorted by color. Layer cakes, jelly rolls, fat quarter bundles and larger yardage are on open shelves. Recently purchased Art Bin containers for current projects which has been an immense help. Also have a couple of smaller containers with leftover fabric from projects. So I am much better organized now.
great tips for reorganizing my fabrics. 👍 currently I use photo boxes by color for any piece under a FQ & shelves for yardage.
One of the things I have started is when I make a project, is looking at what I have left for usable scraps. I determine what I can make out of it whether it be 2 1/2" or 5 inch. I take any 2 1/2? pieces and determine whether it is a usable strip or to cut up for squares.
I always rediscover lost treasures when I reorganize.
Thank you Pat, needed this series for sure 😊
This series is such a great idea-thanks for doing it. First video had a idea to get going on and sorting material. Thank you sooooo much.
Really looking forward to this series. Thank you, Pat!
I just did this when I moved I to my new sewing cottage. I organize everything 1/2 yard and more on comic book boards placed on shelves (like fabric bolts) by color. Everything less than that goes into then12”x12” plastic boxes by color. I have a box for 2.5” squares, and one for 5” squares because those are what I use the most. My fat quarters are in a 3 drawer stack unit, my jelly rolls and charm packs are stored in a cabinet and fat quarter bundles are on a shelf until I break them up and make something, then they go I to their appropriate box or drawer. It works for me, I tend to make controlled scrappy quilts where I need to grab a green or a red or a particular color. Thanks for sharing! Always love organizing videos because I’m always re-organizing!
Vicki Robles it’s so nice when everything is organized and you know just where to go get what you need!
Vicki Robles mine, too! I still have some that won’t fit anywhere in my sewing room. My goal has been to eliminate all the ziploc bags. Finish projects that need completing, get quilt tops quilted and outta there. I want clean, organized and conducive to creativity!
Great process in getting your fabrics together and beginning the sorting. Thanks!
OK, great way to start with my mess! Thanks...you are so inspiring making it possible to get everything under control...
Hi Pat, Thank you for the organization series videos. Organizing is such an overwhelming process. I spent a few days months ago and went thru everything in my sewing room and tried to control the chaos. I now my fabric pieces that are bigger then a scrap and smaller than a fat quarter in in see thru shoe boxes by color stacked on shelves in my closet, I did work on one color at a time and cut them into 2.5 strips and 5 inch squares. All small scraps go into a large basket that I keep by my sewing machine and use for string and scrap quilts.. In my room I have an old dresser, and my fat quarters are stored by color in a few of the drawers, I store them upright so I can see at a glance what I have, Larger pieces less than a yard are wrapped on comic book boards stacked upright in plastic drawers,
you did great!
Thx for the video. Looking forward to more
Thank you for this series. I am a relatively new quilter and this is really helping me get organized before everything gets out of control!!!!
@@vickirobles3406 I just retired this year and decided I finally had time and the space to attempt a large quilt. I am doing the Merry and Bright quilt that Pat had a year or two ago, with modifications to make it a bit bigger.
Thank you Pat. I am looking forward to these videos.
you are welcome!
Just found these. Fantastic Pat. Well done and so helpful 👊
I can do this to, sounds like a great idea....like shopping in your own house, because I am sure I have stuff I have forgot about.....
we all do!
Ok sorting by color a day may be manageable. Thanks Pat
I just did this in my sewing room, purchased shoe size or a little bigger,with covers, I am unable to carry heavy containers, and sorted many pieces of fabric, that were left overs from previous projects. Wow do I have lots of batiks, did not know that till I did this, and flannels Wow..so scrappy it is gonna be for a good project. Thanks for your input,
Ok, I can do this, one color at a time! I know I will be glad when I am better organized! Thank you, Pat!
you go this!
Thank you Pat. Great video.
The baggie idea is great for scrappy pieces
I am ready for some organization! It will make the project time so much nicer! I have been gearing up for this in organizing my sewing things...just not the fabric yet. Great timing. =]
I already have all my fabric sorted out and neatly folded. I did a few weeks ago. Hubby was complaining about how messy my sewing room was. That Old fabric you said you had for years, you never know when you will need it. I have a few pieces that I have had for over 15 years and have now a project for them for 2 boys who I never had before. So some times it is wise to keep THOSE PIECES as you will never find anything like it again.
Heather because I'm a business I rarely use old fabric in a business project. So i usually don't keep it as it take up precious space
Good information! I do keep a small bin of comprable style scraps, ie. modern vintage, for Lori Holt sew alongs and scrap quilts. I also put all my batiks together since I don't use them offten.
I am currently doing this in my room - I re-organised my scraps in to colours and I have found I used them soooo much more now, my large fabric was in drawers and I could never find anything - so I bought comic boards and am starting to fold them around the boards - yep should have done this years ago, can fit so much more fabric into the drawers it is neat tidy and I can see all the fabrics I have. :)
great!
My hubby found some draws and removed handles so could be stacked like shelves in the wardrobe. I have containers stacked in those. Plus he has made book shelves for me to. My fabrics are in different places at that moment and I`d love them in one room so working on that which hopefully will happen in January!
you will really be happy when it's all together Clare!
This comes at a great time in my life where I really need the encouragement and ideas to take back my creative space.
I'm so happy you'll join in Elayne!!
So the last two days have been clearing off my cutting table. Last night I actually sewed two of Pat's winter block's and cut fabrics for a friend.
Thank you for the encouraging words. Going through the relics of over thirty years of marriage is hard.
I need this help in the biggest way! Thank you, Thank you for these challenges to help us organize and downsize our hoards of fabric. I'm going to start working on my "problem" this afternoon.
it's an 'opportunity' :)
Thanks Pat - your tips are great!!!! I'm trying to organize my craft room, but it gets overwhelming and then I usually start working on projects instead.
My anxiety just went through the ceiling thinking about pulling everything out. Lol
It is amazing to pull it all out to work with. You make the best decisions that way. But i know it takes a while and we can't all do it or leave it out for the time needed, so it will take you longer color by color as you need to hunt in ALL the places but it's doable
Thank you Pat this was very helpful. I have my fabric stored in containers like your blue ones, my husband put shelves in a closet in my sewing room and it works perfect for me. They are stacked 2 high. I can’t work in a messy sewing room.🙂
yeah!
thank you Pat
Thanks for this . I like mine like that way also. I am also a tole painter so my combined area need extra attention.
P.s. I love your hair.
thank you!
Many years ago I washed ALL of my fabric and pressed and folded it. I organized it all by color and it looks awesome. Thank you for all of your tips :)
Great ideas
You are amazing . . how do you find the time to do all this for us and keep yourself organized as well. Thank you so much . . I do have most of mine by color, but it has kind of gotten messy . . . I also put the smaller piece with the larger ones and I have been able to use some.
So glad you did this. I'm fairly new to sewing and quilting and have a fairly small stash. However I organised my fabric by colour last year. It's so much easier to see what I have. I don't know if it'd be so easy if I lived in the states where you have better deals, coupons etc on a broader range of beautiful fabrics.
where do you live Jennie?
Hi Pat, I live in a small coastal town in the South East of England. In fact from your time in Europe you probably have an idea where Dover and Canterbury are, I'm kind of near them. Quilting so not that popular here, not openly anyway, although I believe it's becoming more so and there are groups around, once you start talking to people. The nearest place I know of that sells quilting fabrics is about an hour an a halfs drive away, but our local small fabric shop sells nice cotton. I visited California (beautiful) in the summer and got some Moda fabric (I managed to get Fat Quarter Shop, Quilting is my therapy and MSQC packages delivered to where I was staying) and it's just softer and smoother than what I get locally. Also visited Joanns and with coupons etc got some bargains. You're truly blessed in the USA far as crafting goes.
This is great Pat! I always wonder if I should keep the small piece (scrap) of a specific fabric with the larger piece of that fabric. Looking forward to this series.
I do keep them with the bigger one ..JUST incase!
Thank you for doing this video it helps one find a place and method for starting. I find the scraps multiply way too fast and organization will assist me greatly
thank you so much
When I resold a group of fabrics, I use a 4.5 or 6 inch ruler to wrap then slide our to make uniform folded pieces.
that is one way to do it!
I fold pieces like those aqua ones on comic boards.
Going to start sorting tomorrow!
perfect!
Love these videos. How do you handle fabric that has several colors like a plaid? Do you put it in the dominate color bin or choose the color that you like in the fabric. I look forward to your other videos on this organizing journey.
that will be in another video
I keep all my plaid together.
I always keep 'lines' together, no matter the size; batiks are together, all Christmas together, new precuts all together...then bins by color including scraps....children's theme also together...anything over a metre/yard is on a bolt...my bins are all clear so I can see what is inside.
awesome you found what works for you!
I'm late to this great idea video. I like the quilt behind you. Could you please tell me what it is called and where I can get the pattern? Thankyou. Also I have plastic drawer sets that fit on my shelves and can be easily removed from its holder so the fabric is easily accessed without having to shift other containers.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I have a lot of fat quarters that I do have folded and in totes. I'll get those sorted by color. However, in the beginning when I was first starting out at quilting, I prewashed everything. Now I don't prewash. I have a tote full of that fabric. I know that I shouldn't mix the two right? Also, I should use (in my case totes, dog hair) that will fit all the different sizes within the color I'm sorting right? I just don't want to go and purchase more storage totes.
you can mix prewashed and wash.. what does it matter? If you decide to wash before making a quilt, you just wash them again. Try and use what you have, stack ON END so you an see it
@@PatSloan You are the very first quilter that has ever said that! Thanks Pat.
OK, I'm in! I have been wanting to do this, so lets go! lets Marie Kondo our quilt room.. LOL BUT? what is the name of the gray orange sun burst quilt behind you please?
haha.. Kondo the sewing room! The quilt behind me is a version of my pat-sloan.dpdcart.com/product/92663
@@PatSloan got it, bought it... thanks... Kondo On!!!
Pat, the last time I sorted through my stash I did the reevaluation thing and some of the "finds" became table napkins. It felt like Christmas to me.
Great!
What is the name of the orange, yellow and brown quilt behind you please? Where can I find the pattern please?
I’ve been sewing for about 7 years. It’s probably not normal how much fabric I have. And I keep buying. My room is such a mess it’s beyond fixing. Some fabrics are so beautiful I’m afraid to use them in case I screw up. Anyway, thanks Pat.
nothing is beyond fixing Miriam. You just need to be motivate/interested/want to do it.
and there is ALWAYS more beautiful fabric .. ALWAYS.. in 35 yrs I can promise you that most fabric i bought 35 yrs ago is no longer beautiful.. it's dated... use it while you love it
Pat Sloan you’re right.
I.like to fold fabric, towels, clothes.
OMG! Does this mean I must ACTUALLY GET ORGANIZED? OH NO! Anything but that, Martha... But REALLY, thanks a million!! I want to email you. XXXOOO!! Is that better, GRAMMARLY??? Yes, Pat, I have GRAMMARLY (the free version - I will not pay $20.00+ a month to get my grammar checked!!) Pat- let me watch the video and then I'll go to Facebook and give you my personal review. I promise it'll be good.
i hope you enjoyed it!
I committed, I took my machine in for its annual servicing so I can sort and not sew.
I have open shelves and cubes I stack everything on. I'll have to show better pictures on Instagram and I'll tag you.
ok! leave a comment at my post
@@PatSloan I tagged you on Instagram with all of my studio. It wasn't till I took pictures that I realized what a chaotic mess I have.
Got it! CRUSH pattern just got my digital down load of the pattern.
pat-sloan.dpdcart.com/product/92663
enjoy!