Re-organizing.........
I have this wild idea that I would like my fabric out in the open on shelves instead of in big plastic bins in the basement. I know the spiders will get into it this way and that is what has had me keeping it in the bins. I might end up putting it all back after awhile but I need to try this for awhile.
I thought you might like to see some of the fun fabrics. I don't think I have shown this pair before. These coordinating fabrics are Modas from the mid 1990s.
I used to buy small amounts of all kinds of novelty fabrics. I think this one is pretty funny.
I have this wild idea that I would like my fabric out in the open on shelves instead of in big plastic bins in the basement. I know the spiders will get into it this way and that is what has had me keeping it in the bins. I might end up putting it all back after awhile but I need to try this for awhile.
I thought you might like to see some of the fun fabrics. I don't think I have shown this pair before. These coordinating fabrics are Modas from the mid 1990s.
I used to buy small amounts of all kinds of novelty fabrics. I think this one is pretty funny.
27 comments:
For myself, having my fabric out in the open gets me inspired - although I must say, you certainly don't have that problem. You have brillant ideas for quilts. I loved the "skivvys" fabric - too cute.
I keep my stash on shelving, but don't have the spider problem. The one draw back to that is potential fading. I have to keep the curtains drawn so the sun doesn't fade the fabric. Doors would be ideal. Love the flashback fabric!
I cannot reorganize because I shamefully don't have my fabric organized at all. If I get any time in my sewing room, I sew. Someday I'll fix it. Thanks for a morning smile by sharing cute fabric! Hope you find some more treasures to share as you reorganize!
There is something to be said for fabric on shelves... I love to pet it sometimes... *lol*
Love the Moda swimmers fabric and the Skivvies fabric is too funny! Bay of Elastic... East Undies... *lol*
I recently took my fabric out of the bins and put it on shelves in my sewing room closet. It is on my main level though, so not many spiders around.
I like being able to see it all.
I wish I could keep mine out, but cats and dust won't do it any good at all.
Love those pants - Dangerous Fjord and Fly Valley. Brilliant!
Love the underwear fabric! You could start a novelty fabric swap and then make a charm quilt out of all the fabrics that you get. Not that you need ideas OR fabric for more quilts! :)
I know what you mean when you want to see all your fabric.
I am finding that, for me, if it is out of mt sight, it is out of mind.
I am thinking of putting some of my fabric on shelves that look similar to the ones in your picture. I saw some shelving at Lowes that was not too expensive. Be honest and tell me how well it works to use the shelving. My sewing room is the only room not touched during our repairs/renovation. I am also getting some big pieces of styrofoam insulation to make a design wall.
You might want to consider laying some paper down between the metal shelves and the fabric. If there's any dampness in the basement the metal shelving might leave funny marks on the fabric where they touch.
I have about half of my fabric in the open and I like it. It's very inspiring...
I would love to stack, but we have a massive invasion of stink bugs this year and SOMEHOW they are getting inside! Fabric is stored in tightly closed bins! Love the vintage prints.
I recently moved my fabric to shelves also and am glad I did. It makes it so much easier to locate fabric. It also helps me to keep from buying fabric I already have because I see the fabric every day.
I bought some tall bookcases from Walmart to store all my fabric on. If it is out of sight I don't know I have it. No problem with spiders at all. Cats pulling it off the shelves yes. Now with those metal shelves you might want to put down cardboard between the shelf and the fabric, because any dampness can leave little rust spots on your fabric over time.
I have two of those shelving units..one for open fabric and fabric containers and the other is for my "notions drawers"..where I keep my extra thread, scissors, cording, needles, canned air, small screwdrivers...anything I else I might need...
Love open fabric!
Haha! Love that underwear fabric! I think I'd leave that out to get each sewing day started with a laugh.
I have always had my fabric out in the open but it is not a basement but originally a bedroom. As long as the basement is not damp it should work out and from what you have said it sounds like it is a pretty much finished basement. Good luck with it so you don't have to pack it all back in bins again!
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/
Sometimes it's nice to revisit what you've got in those bins....you forget what's there! Anyway, I sure do. I'll pull out my "Kid Friendly Colors" bin and open it up and find all sorts of things I can pull for a quick donation quilt without having to go to the store for even a scrap of material.
Wanda IMHO, you will really enjoy having it all out in plain sight. Sounds like a big, but rewarding project. Your creativity is in high gear and this will only spark more ideas. DH built my stash closet shelving out of oak with 24" deep shelves. Kaffe has a shelf all to himself. :) Your flashback fabrics are great...East Undies! I agree with Sarah..great start to your day! LOL
I have always kept mine open..yeah for open shelves..yeah for touching and patting and being inspired. I cannot wait till I retire fully, then I will open the french doors from my quilting room(former dining room) to my office(former living room and have fabric all over:)
It will certainly make it easier to pick fabrics in the process of composing. And it looks beautiful! In Turkey, the girls have cases with a glass front, and in it they store many pieces of headgear with crocheted bead embellishment for everyone to see how skilful they are.
I could think of a permanent solution: a vitrin.
Do beware of spiders in the fabric. They will make little web nests and leave a bleached looking spot that won't come out. Ask me how I know!
Being a time yarn hoarder, I have found that anything I carefully store in boxes or bags gets forgotten, at worst, and is never very inspiring, at the least. My concerns have usually involved sun damage or moths vs. spiders...I guess it means you have to play with your stash more often to keep the little critters from nesting too heavily!
When we built our house my sewing room ended up in the walk-out basement. Where a closet was supposed to go, I told the builder, "no closet doors!" My husband installed shelving standards and brackets for me, and I used the melanine shelving from the home improvement store (16" wide) My fabric is all out in the open where I can easily see it--kind of. Since it was a recessed area meant to be a closet, I've leaned 2 design boards against the shelves. That protects my fabric from fading, gives me design walls, and those are light and easy enough to slide back and forth almost like a patio door, to reveal my fabric. I love it! My fabric is so accessible, but it's protected from light and my messy fabric stacks are out of sight until I want to see them.
My former guild is having a tag sale next month, so I decided to go through all my fabric and donate anything that I don't like today.
Such a move might be unthinkable to you, but for me it is a huge relief. I've set aside a lot to give, and there is still plenty left, lol.
You might never do such a thing, or need to. But for me it is liberating. Hopefully others will like the fabric I'm letting go of, and it will find its way into that many more quilts!
Love the bathing beauties with my kind of body!
I have a soft spot for novelty fabric too. LOve that underwear fabric!!! what a hoot!
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