I did it! I finally, after being in this house over a year, finally organized my fabric. I’ve been collecting fabric for years and years, many of those years being hardcore thrifting years so I’m a little embarassed and very overwhelmed by my fabric collection. That really got out of hand fast! (extra points for id’ing movie quote) So I’ve been determined to get it under control. I just stuck up on how to sort, by color, by size, by type – vintage, japanese, designer, etc and I finally nailed it down to this. First, everything is by color..
Then it’s by size, medium and large pieces in their own stacks
and small pieces in their own shelves
Then I got ambitious and sorted the other side of the closet. I finally let my japanese prints get out and mingle with the rest. All cotton print went to the print side of the closet with the heavy canvas weights staying over here and hanging with other decorator weight stuff.I also left a little stack of japanese novelty prints sitting in front staring at me, reminding me to use them before I buy more!
The solids even got refolded and color sorted, as did the wool felt.
I think this is going to be so great. I feel like I’ve never really had a workable system. I can finally see what I have and don’t have. For example I can stop buying wool felt apparently. And having it all separated by size will be so helpful. If I’m looking to make something for Phoebe I don’t need to mess around pulling out tiny quarters and scraps that will do me no good. And if I’m making something tiny I’ll know where to look first. Only problem now is I don’t want to mess it up by actually pulling stuff out and making anything.
I’m feeling very accomplished. Not only did I tackle this monster, but another big project I’ve been working on is just about finished. I’m hoping tomorrow or the next day to put up the Kit, Chloe & Louise pattern in the shop *and* it is going to be PDF so if you’ve been waiting patiently (tapping your fingers and looking at the calendar counting days til Christmas) get ready, you could be playing with your new doll this weekend.
Wow. I’d have to kick a kid out of home to have a fabric collection like that. Actually, I think my husband would be the one to go, as he’d be the one complaining about it…
What a great collection.
that is one jealousy-inducing stash!
bravo on the most excellent sorting.
I know being jealous is like a sin or something, but wow, I would just freak out to have half of all that fabric to play with! I really am a bit envious, but in a good way!
Wow – congratulations! That looks fabulous and will doubtlessly be very useful.
It looks very neat and in fact inspiring. I can understand that you are afraid of pulling out something… because it could create a mess. Eventually it will happen. I have the same problem all the time. But I love the colours of your fabrics and the arrangement is plain, but still nice to look at. Good luck with it!
That looks so lovely. It makes me want to go home and sort my fabric into piles I can see (right now it’s all in labeled boxes). It must be so inspiring to sit in a room where you can see all your fabric (and know how much of each thing you’ve got).
First of all, I’m overwhelmed and totally envious of your fabric stash. Kudos to you for sorting through it all and getting organized!
Secondly, I’m thrilled to know that the new patterns will be up soon. I’ve been a tappin’!
Thank you for sharing how you sort. I’m looking to start doing this myself since my fabric collection has got a little out of hand. Like you I never know what I have. So I decided I have to get things under control. I’m thinking I probably will use your technique. Also I’m totally looking forward to the new doll pattern. I can’t wait to try it out.
Oh – it’s so much fun to see other people’s fabric collections! What a pretty post! : )
What a lovely stash! Once I’m done with all the moving stuff, I will be organizing my fabrics too. And hopefully all the yarns and trims too. Can’t wait to get my hands on the doll patterns!
It looks so nice! I wish that was my thrifty supply storage! I started sorting my little cabinet, mainly by type. I put my favorite vintage on their own shelf, so I don’t forget which ones they are.
I’m glad to see you’re going to have some new things. I’m polling my niece to see what she might like for christmas.
Wow! That is one heck of a stash! Hope you found lots of things you had forgotten you had and now feel super inspired! All the best
This is why it might be a good thing that you have never entirely got in to knitting, with a fabric stash like that I can only imagine the size of the yarn stash you could acquire! Your house would certainly be well insulated that’s for sure!
Oh wow, I’m so jealous of your collection.. and of the space you have to put it in!! 😀
Oh, and Anchorman is one of the greatest movies EVER!! 😀
When I sorted my stash by color I was amazed how much I had and didn’t have of certain colors.
oh i love organization
i am so bad at it but
i am trying
i love that you did it by color and then by size as that is so important
i hate always having to look for the right size piece so if your really wanted to go crazy you could have a note saying how much each piece is
o my gosh! your stash is so huge! and yummy… lucky you! :]
You are an incredible organizing wonder!
I tried this with my stash, but then it all went to pot and I let the kids get into it.
Someday I aspire to this kind of organization.
i did this same thing earlier this year. it was a great relief. here is my photo…
http://buraellen.blogspot.com/2008/02/relief.html
in that post there is also a link to the best way ever to fold fabric uniformly.
your stash is amazing!
I’ve been eagerly waiting for those dolls! But don’t forget about the aviatrix bunnies too, okay? THanks, Hilary
pretty! a rainbow of potential!!!
Oh your stash is definitely to be envied!!! Well done on organising it so beautifully!!
You have inspired me to organize my fabric! I’m so excited about the Kit pattern! I would love to spend the weekend sewing her!
First, thank you for sharing pictures of your beautiful fabric!! I recently reorganized my sewing space and looking at pictures like yours is inspiring.
Second–I am SO EXCITED that you are getting ready to publish those patterns. I’ve loved and admired the dolls since you first showed them and am really looking forward to making them for my daughter and the daughters of two of my good friends. Yippie!!
*swoons* Its all so lovely! xo
Wow.. what a terrific fabric stash. I am in awe. I might just have to come back and look every now and then …so pretty.
Wow, great stash! I’m totally jealous!
Oh my, your sorting technique worked fabulous. This stash is so organized. It looks like a great way to know what your inventory is. Very inspiring!
I am with paper as you are with fabric! Look great!!!
It just looks beautiful, Hillary. Well Done!
wow can you come organize my stuff now???
oh my goodness! yay on so many levels. congratulations on that beautiful display of organization, and HOORAY about those patterns!
Oh my goodness!!! The colors are yummy and the fact that they’re all folded and stacked so beautifully make me feel all warm and fuzzy 🙂 Lucky girl!
wow! that is one nice collection of fabric! and I thought I had a problem collecting fabric…not too worried about that now!
Wow, what a collection! I am sure sorting through it you were able to find some fabric you havent seen in a while and maybe get some inspiration to use it!
Hooray! We have to stay at the farmer’s market till 3 this Sat. since it’s a eco-fest as well, but I’m sure I’ll be up late doll making! I have three girls who will be very happy next week. 🙂
Holy crap that is one heck of an awesome collection! I am definitely jealous. Your sorting makes it even more yummy and beautiful. Wow!
You see, I think the problem is that you have just too much fabric. If you ever need to weed any of it out…
But seriously, I am in awe of both all that lovliness and the exquistie neatness of it all. Good job!
I exciting! Those dolls were on my Christmas gift list 🙂 You’re the best!
maybe a give away is in order…?
*modesty has never been my best*
we are all looking in wonder really!
Good job on the Great clean up!!
(wipes drool…LOL!)
a wonderful job well done!
Wow that is an insane amount of fabric! It looks so great all organised like that, amazing!
wow, that is so gorgeous! Congratulations, what a lot of work! I can’t even tell you how jealous I am.
all I can say is… that is some stash! WOW! it doesn’t look like there’s a bum print in the bunch… just a little jealous here!
Wow–stash envy! How amazing. It’s like you live in your own fabric shop.
sorry, but I just drooled all over your stash.
looks AMAZING!
i love stacks and organization 😀
good job, that is a great accomplishment.
good job, that is a great accomplishment.
Milk was a bad choice!
Milk was a bad choice!
If only I had all that fabric! someday I will learn to sew and will have a lil shelf with such colorful fabric like yours upon it.
Come organized my life please =)
Good for you for publicly supporting Obama! Fingers crossed!
oh wow wow wow! I’d been trying to figure out the best way to sort my stuff, and after seing your pretty stash all folded by color I think that is perfect.
wow! Looks great, now if you can keep little curious hands away, it might stay that way awhile! I have similar paper collecting impulses. Can’t get enough.
glad to see I’m not the only one with a mad stash! great job organizing, those librarian roots are showing 😉
a.
Ah…heavenly!
Wow, I am so on the same page! I got a bug up my behind one day about straightening and organizing the studio, and got so carried away that all I have are “after” photos to prove just how much work it was. But my productivity tripled (at least!) and my budget thanked me–I was SO sick of coming home from the store or getting a package I’d ordered and three days later finding the exact same thing in the stash that I didn’t know I had… Feels so liberating, yeah?? And the ROYGBIV thing–crazy soothing. I have my faves in an Ikea sliding drawer thingy and looooove it!
At least you didn’t kill anyone with a trident.
hahahhaa ANCHORMAN!
I’d love to see a picture of the whole deal – how you’re storing all of that and the amount of space it’s occupying. I think my own stash is smiliar, but it’s hidden shamefully away in plastic bins that are a headeache to get in and out of. I’d love to see what kind of “footprint” your fabric makes.
So inspirational! I need to do that too. It would make me want to pull up a chair and just sit and take it all in.
oh my gosh, absolutely amazing collection, what treasures. nice sorting too, bit that took some labour
I just decided I need a lot more fabric. And I think I need felt too even though I have never used felt.
I just decided I need a lot more fabric. And I think I need felt too even though I have never used felt.
Wow! That is absolutely gorgeous! Plus, it looks uber organized too!
Wow! You did an amazing and inspiring job of sorting there. Nice!
I would do almost anything for that stash – makes mine look so paltry and bland. Can you keep it neat and tidy as well as make it all neat and tidy once in a while?
I know this is silly but any chance you have this fabric in your stash? I’m desperate to find some. Thanks!
http://theothertwomoms.blogspot.com/2008/09/saddest-fabric-story-ever.html
wow, i am really impressed! it looks a little bit SWISS…. Greetings from Switzerland… Tilda
Amazing, I love fabrics 🙂