Organizing your stash.

[DonaCatalina]

For my patterns I use empty copier paper boxes. The width of the patterns stored in 1 gallon zip-loc bags seem to work well with this.

Ideally I have men's patterns in one box and women's patterns in another. Unfortunately, I'm working on my third box.

My fabric that is not 'in process' is stored in big plastic tubs with lids. I am down to six of those at the moment.

Beads, findings, buttons etc, are in clear plastic tubs that used to hold lunch meat.  They are up on a wall shelf.

How do you organize your stash?

[Lady Ann of Draycott]

I'm just getting started so I don't have very much stuff accumulated yet.   

But, the patterns I do have I keep in a pretty cardboard storage box that I found at Hobby Lobby. 

Material is in a drawer in my sewing room, except for the huge bolt of fabric that I got a couple weeks ago...dragged that out to the storage building.   

Beads, trims and other misc stuff is stored in plastic storage containers.  For beads and such I have one of those old Tupperware containers with the divided trays in it.  Works great! 

[Hoowil]

One of my aunts has probably the best storage system I've seen. She keeps everything in numbered bins. Each and every peice of fabric and trim has a swatch stapled to an index card, which lists what the fabric is, and how much was originally purchased, how much has been used, and where it was purchased. Each card also has the bin number the fabric is in. Index files are sorted into fabrics and trims. She was talking about splitting the fabric files into weight as well.
When working on a project, you pull the cards to match swatches for color, and can know exactly how much is on hand. Then you go by the number, and pull down only the bins you need.

My mother used to work at a fabric store, so whenever stores were closed, moved or remodled, we could usually get ahold of the commercial pattern cabinets. Only my mom ever filled one of them, and the things were heavy beasts, but for the purpose, you couldn't beat 'em. Granted, I don't have the need or space for one now.

My stach currently is not nearly so organized. I have a little wooden chest thats just the right size to store patterns, in the gallonm ziplocks, stood on end. Fabric is stuffed into two bins, except for scattered bags that were stuff for projects that didn't get started. Somewhere, bundles up in a few trash bags hidden away in the storage area is a bolt of upolstry velvet.

[Athena]

I've got a plastic tub of that's full of fabric, and need to get another one because I have bags of fabric everywhere. Blast those sales at JoAnn!

I keep my patterns in a large tote bag that went out of commission ages ago, and store ribbon and trims in a small box.

[mellingera]

Trims ribbons and decor are in a rubbermaid shoebox size container, it is about to burst at any moment...
Grommeting supplies, fabric glue, hole punches, etc in another of the same.
Fabric is in bags in a giant pile in the corner, currently takes up almost 1/4 of the room, I do plan to buy totes to store it in, but I keep spending the $ on fabric... Scrap fabric (personal motto: no piece is too small!) is in yet another corner...
Patterns are currently in an poly accordion folder thing, although it is almost bursting too...

[FaireMare]

Here is yet another infomative thread that will be a classic.  Great Job Dona!

[Lady L]

Like Hoowil, I got a nice metal, commercial pattern cabinet (McCall's) when  a  local fabric store went out of business. It's perfect and yes, I have it full.
I love plastic tote boxes! I keep my fabric in them now. I only wish I had that to use years ago. I still keep my scraps in cardboard boxes. I have no idea how many of those I have full. I have emptied one this year, though, by sewing up the fabric it contained. I like the shallow plastic totes, to store my "work in progress". It helps keep the pattern pieces, cut out fabric, thread and notions all together, should I need to shuffle it from one room to another. (or until I get back to that project)
I store large spools of thread in a shoebox size plastic tote. I have a cardboard box that I keep my trims/bias tape/elastic in. Yeah, I could organize that better.
Beads I have in another shoebox size plastic tote.
Grommets I have in a cool whip container.

[Kate XXXXXX]

My patterns are in pattern-sized resealable bags, filed in 12 plastic stacking crates, and organized by type for the more modern ones (things like Historic Costumes, Weddings, Large Format Vogues, Children's, etc. and by date for the archived 50's-70's patterns.  Most of the crates are full, so there's an overspill of shoe boxes full of jumbled patterns!  (Damn! Need more boxes... )

The fabric is in flap-top plastic stacking crates with labels on the end.  Each box contains a particular type of fabric (like 'Short wool lengths', 'Kate's Brown Stuff', 'Suiting Lengths' and so forth).  Each box has an inventory on the top of the fabric.  There are over 40 boxes of fabric and nearly 60 boxes of stash altogether...  Trims and thread stay in the sewing room, but are bursting out of THEIR boxes too!

However hard I try, I never seem to get through any volume of stash.  I think it breeds when I take a bit out of a box to make some space/garment!

[Lady Grape]

Awesome!!!!!  Thank you Dona for starting this.

My mess although i'm trying to organize it, just doesn't seem like it's very organized when I go to find something.

Patterns are in pattern boxes - bursting (need more boxes or less patterns)
Fabric is in large plastic totes, and the scraps in a large plastic bag
Odds and Ends are sorted into smaller plastic bins.

Ok maybe it's just me.....LOL

[operafantomet]

I bought tons of white boxes ("Kassett") from IKEA, They are firm and have metal edging, as well as room for a name tag/description. They are also very decorative, and comes in different colours, and has made my previous unsorted, messy stash into a museum quality storing! 

I bought big boxes for my grand dresses, and for sorting fabrics: http://www.ikea.com/no/no/catalog/products/00115497
Smaller ones for my smaller dresses: http://www.ikea.com/no/no/catalog/products/00115478
And petite ones for trims etc, sorted by colour: http://www.ikea.com/no/no/catalog/products/00115464

The small ones are placed on top of my kitchen shelves, as seen here:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/operafantomet/venetian/vennew4.jpg

The big ones are in the background here:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/operafantomet/regency/reggeo1.jpg

Highly recommended for those who have limited wardrobe space!

[Kate XXXXXX]

Those are so smart, but would be wasted in my loft, and I don't have space anywhere else for much of the stash.  I use sets of Ikea basket drawers in the sewing room for things needed often and tools (I love the drawer inserts!).  I have the 'desk tops' on them to give added work surface for sewing larger objects, like this:

I have 3 sets of those drawers in the sewing room, plus another similar set of a different make, and 2 taller sets with big plastic tub drawers in my bedroom for towels and linen.  There's another set in the kitchen for stuff like table cloths and kitchen towels...  Ikea does some brilliant storage!  I use these for things like labels and needles and other small stuff: http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/80098583

[LaurenLee]

I have plastic bins, one for scraps, one for lining materials, and others for actual planned outfits - I try to put everything I'll need for a dress in one bin - lining, innerlining, fashion fabric, underskirt fabric, forepart and sleeves, partlet, TRIM, etc... if I don't do this, I'll forget and use it for something else, then kick myself when it comes time to make that dress!  Patterns go in a box I found that is exactly their size, standing upright, so I can easily flip through them.

Trim, buttons, beads,notions are all in fishing/craft/shoe-type divided plastic boxes, and stored in a 3-drawer sliding cart which I use as a lamp table in the sewing room (which happens to be the spare bedroom, God forbid I ever actually have an overnight guest), and on the shelves in that closet. 

Lauren

[LadyOren]

Plastic tubs for trims and laces.  For my beads, buttons, eyelets and small things I use a Tool bin from the hardware store, it has lots of perfect sized little drawers.  Fabric is stored in a monster cabinet in my shoe shop that was with the house when we bought it, it's in tubs, stacked on top of tubs.
I'd love to revamp that cabinet and someday will but right now neither have the time or patience to do such a task.
For spools of thread I have a wall board with pegs in it that the sit on and little bobbin holders that go into the spool of thread for keeping matching sets together, I also make use of Spice racks from yard sales to store spools of thread that I use the most on for quick grabbing.  Spice racks are great for storing small things too, I have one that has my machine oil on it with the necessary box of screw drivers, various machine feet, containers of machine needles and thimbles stacked up.

[Marietta Graziella]

This is such perfect timing for this thread!  My current sewing space is down stairs in the unfinished basement.  My "room" is noted by the sharpie marker walls drawn on the floor.     Currently my fabric is all folded and piled according to weight and fabric content onto vented, open shelves shelves.  (metal shelves with small holes as the pattern)   Trims, bias, beads, tools, are all in small, plastic, three drawer containers.  Patterns are overflowing a basket.  Now...

I am trying to design my *sound trumpets please* SEWING ROOM.  I want to be organized, effficient, pleasant to work in, and easily maneuvered around.  My dad built this amazing cutting table for me for Christmas last year.  It is a full 4X8 sheet of plywood sized.  Legs are made to my ideal cutting height.  The top is coverd with a self healing cutting mat and is hinged!  Groovy!  It is separated lengthwise (for stability in pushing on the top for cutting) so I can put long fabrics, patterns, plastic boning, etc, inside and out of the way.  It also has 2 drawers in the front for the good scissors, cutters and a small tool set (dad bought a small set with flowers on 'em!).  There is also a plug in available on one side for doing whatever other crafty projects.  It's wonderful, but huge.  It takes up a lot of space.  So...  I'm tryng to design my space around this cutting table.

For those with dedicated sewing rooms, what do you think of kitchen style cabinets for storing and organizing?   With doors or sliders?  What about counter space?  Upper cupboards?  I'm sort of envisioning this room like a mini kitchen with the cutting table as the "dining table", a desk height counter for computer access, and perhaps a mini fridge.  I'm having the most trouble figuring out where to place my sewing table.  If I use one end and 3/4 of the back wall for the cupboards and the table and ironing board sit at the other end where the closet will be, where do I situate the sewing machine?

Am I overdoing this space, trying to make it too many things?  The space is 10 X 20 with an additional closet for hanging storage.  Your thoughts?

*I just realized that "sewing rooms" may need to be a seprate topic from "stash locations", please move as necessary, FM*

[Lady Anne Clare]

Organizing stash??? I'm sure I don't know the meaning of this phrase 

My patterns are in a plastic wire dish rack (might have to upgrade soon though), all organized by pattern number and company name and I have a list typed out for quick reference.  My material and whosit's and whatsit's are a different matter.  I have 3 large rubber maid containers filled with fabric and that doesn't include my current project which is on top of one of the aforementioned containers for easy accessibility. I have 2 little stackable towers that twist off into 6 compartments that I use for the really small things like jump rings and rocaille beads.  Trims, thread, hot glue gun and sticks go in the drawer of my desk and most other notions go in a clear pencil case sort of bag.

Actually that sounds more organized than I thought it was 

[Lady Toadflinger]

  I also have a sewing room that doubles as a guest room, so there isn't as much room as I'd like.  For my fabric, I use a large wicker trunk in the living room which is also a coffee table.  All of the rest is in the sewing room in various plastic bins and boxes, many under the guest bed.  (love that plastic!)  My mother-in-law had a great sewing room in her last house with deep wall shelves for fabric.  She then put curtains in front of these shelves to keep the light form fading the fabric.  I really wish I had enought space to do that!

[Artemisia]

I keep my patterns flat underneath the cardboard pattern board I keep on my cutting table.
I use kraft paper and I can't get myself to fold the patterns. Something about the crease in the paper makes me crazy. Don't know what I'm going to do when the patterns really pile up. Maybe hang them using skirt hangers or something.

My fabric stash is laid flat on a 5 tier wire shelf by fiber content. I have few commercial patterns. They are all in a small basket waiting for attention.

I use ziplock bags and baskets for trims and keep similar items together on another tiered shelf. One bag for braid trim, one for bias edging, one for elastic, one for cord. I keep all glues and adhesive sprays in a basket. All cutting and pattern marking items are kept in a small bin on the cutting table. Sewing items are kept at the ready in a flat jewelry display case so they don't crawl all around the sewing table. Then I have this big plastic heavy duty craft organizer-suitcase-type bin where I keep all my beads, paints, craft items and other miscellaneous items. Works double as a sturdy step stool.

I'm cheap so $20 wire shelving systems go a long way. Throw some upholstery fabric on them and they make for great portable storage for Pennsic. I use a portable 5ft heavy duty utility table as my cutting table. When the kids were home the computer was in a nice oak desk/hutch combo which is now my machine table. I removed the TV shelf of the kids old entertainment center, added a hanger rod and now I have a place to hang current projects.

This is all in a dedicated faire/sewing/hobby room which was once my daughters bedroom. Gotta love the empty nest.

[CaraGreenleaf]

Here's a question for you, ladies...

How do you store your bolts of fabric (if you have any)? I have just come into a (heavily discounted) 50-yd bolt of muslin and am wondering about the best way to store it....

Thanks in advance!

[sealion]

I am another member of the plastic tub brigade when it comes to storing folded fabric.LOL The three bolts I have are standing upright and held in place by the tubs. My patterns are in gallon bags standing upright in a drawer. My tools, threads, beads, etc. are in a repurposed rolling tote with drawers (a Crop-in-Style Storehouse that used to transport rubber stamping supplies to classes).

[CountessofPhoenix]

I'm planning on building a new cabinet in my kitchen for my fabrics, etc. Until then I decided to just sew as much of it up as possble. Since I received word this week that I have been accepted into nursing school (Big deal over 300 applicants only 70 spots) and as much of my sewing that can be done will have to be done this summer. Started last night, made 2 grandsons their capes. I am building my cabinet deep enough to just slide my plastic tub of patterns and the one of trims/notions right into it. In my big notions tub I have things in individual ziplock bags. I also have a board with all my thread on it. Made it myself so I can add nails as needed. Bolts of fabric are my biggest problem, have 2 bolts of fleece for capes that are constantly in the way.  Guess I'll get back to sewing.

[Hoowil]

I also have a board with all my thread on it. Made it myself so I can add nails as needed.

I've got so many scaps of 1/4" pegboard, even some of the vinyl stuff. I keep meaning to get some doweling to make a thread board, but its just another 'to-do' on a very long list...

[Baroness Doune]

How I learned to organize my stash.

Finding Time to Sew by Stephen Bergdahl

[Pascal]

Organize?

[Jess Devyne]

I, too, have a huge part of an unfinished basement to utilize.  I have two very large cabinets with shelves and doors (try to keep the cats and most of the spiders out).  I have 95% of my fabric pre-treated, folded and sorted in the cabinets, mostly by color.  Most of them have been measured and have a small "price tag" pinned to them with yardage.

I have small plastic bins on one shelf that holds elastic, ribbons and trims.  I also have the rubbermaid drawers that hold my grommets, eyelets, buttons, snaps, frogs, etc.  I have a thread holder for regular thread, a drawer for serger thread and a drawer for embroidery thread. 

All of my patterns are organized by brand then number in pattern boxes, those that have been used are in gallon ziplocks.  I also have an Excel spreadsheet that has all of my patterns listed the same way, with the added, gender, size(s) and whether it's costume, clothing or craft. 

My machines are sitting on old desks, I keep scissors, tape measures, needles, etc. close at hand in those. 

I have two 8' tables side by side for cutting, and I keep my "in progress" close at hand on an extra table. 

I have people come over on a regular basis (today included) to work on garb and such.  They love being in my space, and we get to "stitch while we belch"! 

[CountessofPhoenix]

Just got this new sideboard at Walmart for $59 on clearance. Holds almost all of my stash. Notions are in the silver tub, patterns in the clear one, 2 bolts of fleece on the left side bottom, misc. fabric on the right bottom. Scraps in a separate tub for now, and 3 pieces that wouldn't fit in with the scraps.

[Cilean]

We just purchased our 'dream' house about a year ago, and I have a single garage that is my craft room.  So my stash also contains: Buttons, Laces, Trims, Ribbons, pearls, jewlery supplies, fabric patterns, and cut patterns.
So every time Target has a sale on drawers they are single large and small.

http://www.target.com/29-qt-Clearview-Storage-Drawer-Set/dp/B000AVQFMQ/qid=1212649330/ref=br_1_6/601-4430749-2571342?ie=UTF8&node=14034461&frombrowse=1&pricerange=&index=tgt-mf-mv&field-browse=14034461&rank=pmrank&rh=&page=1

So I have places to have all of the pieces of my stash within, I am still using bins to wrangle the fabric into but I am searching for alternative ways to hold all of my fabrics.

I am also looking at a designer closet place because I have really high ceilings so I am hoping to go vertical as well as using the space I can on the ground floor.

Cilean