Fresh Start for 2020 – Part 2
Yesterday in my Fresh Start for 2020 post I shared the results of my UFO redux. Today I'll share the results of my fabric stash redux.
Plenty of fabric
Once again, I started by gathering all my fabric. This time the kitchen table wouldn't do. I was going to need a bigger table. [queue the Jaws theme] So, the dining room table, and chairs, and area around the table became ground zero for my fabric stash redux. Yes, I have a large stash of fabric.
Changing Horses
Changing Horses is a Dan Fogelberg song from 1974. It's not so much about changing horses but more about changing the self and the struggle with doing so. That's me and my stash. We have a relationship tied together with projects, collecting, and confusion. It was organized, but not. For the most part I knew what I had, I just didn't always remember where it was stored. Other times, I really didn't remember what I had, so I bought more. Not a good excuse but a frequently used one.
Anyway, my current system wasn't working for me. I needed a change and wanted a system that would allow me to see what I had as well as keep it all in one place.
The Solution
The solution was to use the IKEA organizer in my sewing closet in a different way. Out were the boxes, bins and bags. In are flat stacks of fabric with the edges completely viewable.
Pieces that are at least ½ yard cuts I stored on threeshelves of the 15"Billy Bookcase Unit (far left in the picture). Cuts of one yard or larger Iplaced on six shelves of the 63"Billy/Oxberg Unit. This left six shelves for books, magazines and other quiltingaccessories. (Note: I don't receive any compensation for referring you to IKEA.It's just that I get asked which IKEA units I used.)
In addition to the flats of fabric on the shelves in the closet, I also have a color bin unit under my cutting table. I use this storage unit to keep odd sized pieces of fabric that are large but not cut in a regular size like a fat-quarter or fat-eighth. They are mostly leftovers from past projects. The color bins make it easy to organize the fabric pieces by color.
Three exceptions
I was able to organize nearly all my stash into the sewing room. There are three exceptions. My fat-quarters and fat-eighths are in Storstabbe 14" x 15" divided bins (another IKEA product) which fit perfectly in the four drawers of the armoire in my bedroom. Then there are two baskets just outside my sewing room which hold my batiks (the large top basket) and my homespuns (the bottom basket).
MIAs
"Missing in action" are two collections of fabricthat I know I have but likely haven't been unpacked from my move to Missouri. Iknow they are somewhere in the 30 or so boxes I never fully unpacked. I just sortof cut them open and peeked inside. Most of those boxes contain paperwork frommy parent's estate and prior years of taxes. Plus, a few other odds and ends Ijust haven't needed and maybe no longer need. That's a project for anothertime.
I Can See Clearly Now
As the 1974 Johnny Nash song said, "I can see clearly now the rain is gone; I can see all obstacles in my way…" It is such a good feeling to have my fabric organized and viewable. "It's gonna be a bright (bright); Bright (bright) sunshiny day" in my sewing room for 2020!
What are your quilting plans for 2020? How do you organize your fabric stash?