Organizing your fabric stash can seem like a daunting task, but having a system in place can make your sewing life so much easier. Whether you’re dealing with quilting cotton, garment fabric, or a growing pile of scraps, these fabric organization ideas will help you tame the chaos and make the most of your collection. Let’s dive into some creative and practical ways to store your fabric, as well as a few mindset shifts to help you manage it all!
Fabric Storage Ideas to Keep Organized:
Filing on Comic Boards or cardboard
For quilting cotton or other smaller cuts of fabric, wrapping them around comic boards is a game-changer. These sturdy boards create mini "bolts" of fabric that can be stored upright, just like books on a shelf. They also can go in clear bins to make it easy to see exactly what you have. This method not only keeps your fabric stash neat and organized but also makes it easy to flip through and find what you need at a glance. Bonus Points for sorting your stash by color and creating a happy little rainbow in your sewing space!
This process can take a lot of time initially but it will make your process much easier when it’s time to put away all the fabric you were auditioning for your project.
You definitely don’t have to go out and buy comic boards for this method. Use up some old boxes and just cut the pieces all to the same size. Or swing by the shop and grab some of our empty bolts! We would love for them to get used instead of going into the recycle bin.
Roll Up Your Fabrics
Rolling fabric is another efficient way to store your stash. Use scraps or fabric label tape to tie each roll, making it easy to identify and grab the fabric you need. Store quilting cottons flat in drawers and garment fabric upright in deep bins or drawers to maximize visibility. This is the method I personally use and it has been working great for me. I have this IKEA kids dresser with several shallow drawers and two deep ones. The shallow drawers hold my quilting cottons and quilt kits and the deep drawers hold my garment fabric and scraps (more on scrap storage later.)
I love how my fabric looks all rolled up and it’s a great space maximizer! When I open a drawer I can see everything I have (often things I forgot that I had!) I’ve been using this system for about 4 years now and it’s one that I can maintain and keep looking good.
I also limit myself to only having what will fit in the dresser. This has been a great way to keep my fabric hoard in check.
Hang Up Your Fabrics
For larger cuts or special pieces, consider hanging fabric on hangers in your closet. This keeps the fabric wrinkle-free and makes it easy to see what you have. You can even group similar fabrics together—think garment fabric on one side, and quilting cotton on the other. For this method, I prefer the pants hangers that are open on one side. This makes it easy to slip fabric on and off.
Hanging is ideal for delicate fabrics that you don’t want to store scrunched up. Or special occasion fabrics with beads or intricate details that could easily get caught on neighboring fabrics.
Plus who doesn’t want to open their closet to see a row of gorgeous fabrics?!
You’re probably sensing a theme here, the key to successful fabric storage is making it easy to see what you have all at once.
If you don’t have the closet space for this method you could look at getting a laundry station. It would have hanging space and bins for your scrap storage below.
Organize Your Fabrics by Piling Them High
Sometimes, the organization takes a backseat to creativity. If you’re someone who moves fabric from pile to pile around your sewing room, embrace it! While not the most practical method, there’s something to be said for the inspiration that comes from seeing your favorite fabrics scattered around you.
We all have different systems that work for us. There’s nothing wrong with a good pile method! And if your ADHD is anything like mine you’ll remember exactly where that random bit of fabric you need is in the pile on the floor behind your machine, but once that sucker gets put away it’s lost forever.
Fabric Organization Ideas for Scraps:
Fabric Scrap Storage Solutions
Scraps, we’ve all got them! Someday we’re going to use them in an epic patchwork project, or mini quilt, or that elusive thing that just hasn’t come to us yet but when it does we will need to have those scraps! Here are some ideas to keep them under control:
- Sort by Color: Use large clear pouches or bins to sort scraps by color. This makes it simple to grab exactly what you need for your next project.
- Bundle by Project: Tie all scraps from a single project together with string or fabric tape. This way, you’ll have coordinated scraps ready for small projects like patchwork or appliqué. (this is my personal method, I love using my little bundles of coordinating fabrics to make improv blocks!)
- Tiny Scrap Uses: Don’t toss those tiny scraps just yet! Use them to stuff pin cushions, tailor’s hams, or other small sewing tools. It’s a sustainable and satisfying way to repurpose every little piece. You can also check for local recycling centers that take textile waste.
- Overachiever: When you’re done with a project cut your scraps down into specific sizes to be used in blocks later or to piece into your quilt back.
Scrap-Friendly Project Ideas
Scraps don’t have to go to waste! Here are some creative ways to use them:
- Underwear: Perfect for those odd-shaped knit scraps and a great project for your serger!
- Mini Quilts or Mug Rugs: Use small scraps to create intricate mini quilts—perfect for wall hangings or gifts.
- Patchwork Bags: Combine scraps into one-of-a-kind tote bags or pouches.
- Key Fobs or Lanyards: Use strips of fabric to make a fun and functional accessory for your keys.
- Fabric Baskets: Create small storage baskets to organize even more sewing supplies.
- Improv Quilts: Improv piecing is a great way to use up those random shapes of fabric. I love mixing garment fabric and quilting cotton for a fun blend of textures.
You Don’t Have to Save Every Scrap!
I’ll say it again louder for those in the back, YOU DON’T HAVE TO SAVE EVERY SCRAP! It’s easy to feel like to have to save every little bit of that gorgeous fabric, but sometimes it’s okay to let go. Check if your scraps can be composted (natural fibers only!) or recycled through programs like Ridwell. This not only clears up space in your sewing area but in your brain too.
Other Tips to Keep Your Sewing Room Organized
Use the Pretty Fabric
One of the biggest challenges for many sewists is cutting into their most beautiful fabrics. But here’s the truth: there will always be more gorgeous fabric available! Don’t let your stash collect dust because it feels too precious to use. Cut into it, sew something amazing, and enjoy the process. The satisfaction of seeing your fabric come to life in a project far outweighs the fear of messing up. What’s the worst that can happen? You use it up and then have to buy more fabric?! The horror!
Keep Your Stash in Check
Managing your fabric stash is all about balance. Consider limiting your collection to the space you have available. For example, you might set a rule like, "If it doesn’t fit in this drawer or bin, it’s time to destash" or “If I don’t use this by the end of the year I’m letting it go.” This can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed by your stash and keep your sewing space inspiring and functional.
If you’ve outgrown your storage, consider options like:
- Fabric Swaps: Join us for our swap in January and exchange fabric with fellow sewists!
- Destash Groups: Post your unused fabric online in destash groups where others might be looking for just what you’re ready to part with.
- Donate: Look for creative reuse centers in your area where you can donate your fabric. If you’re local, bring it by our craft library! It brings me so much joy to see how excited folks are to find the perfect fabric for FREE! Spreading fabric joy is always a good thing.
Fabric Organization Motivation
If the idea of getting your stash organized is feeling daunting, invite a friend over to help! Or jump on a Zoom with someone for somebody doubling. Often just having someone else in the room can help keep us focused on the task at hand.
As you're going through your stash, create a ledger of what you have. Use a tracker like our free Witch's Stitch Tracker. Good old-fashioned pen and paper works great too! Maybe it’s time to finally use one of those pretty journals you just couldn’t resist. If you need a new one check out our fun notebook from Ruby Star Society.
Keep it up! Once you’ve got that beautiful organized make a plan of how you’ll maintain it. Commit to putting everything away after a project or set a date in your calendar every month to give your space a refresh. We all know when our spaces are clear it leaves more space for our creativity to grow! (There’s also no shame in being a fabric gremlin with little piles everywhere, you do you!)
My Final Thoughts on Organizing Your Fabric Stash
We all know the running joke that collecting fabric and sewing the fabric are two totally separate hobbies. I hope these tips can help you blend the two so that you get the most out of your sewing space and sewing time.
At the end of the day use whatever system works best for you! And if you’re system isn’t working, try something else. It took me a few rounds of trial and error before I found one that works with my ADHD brain. Don’t give up! You deserve to have a sewing space that functions and looks great.
We would love to see your fabric hoards! Share with us on socials and tag us at Wyldwood Creative
Happy Sewing 🙂
Tawnee
