By Lindsay Conner

Do you have big goals for the new year? Many people set personal resolutions around January, and one popular longing is to get organized! Organizing and displaying a fabric stash can be a satisfying task, and one which can jumpstart your creativity. By having fabrics and notions sorted, you’ll enjoy many benefits such as easy access, less time running to the store when creativity strikes, and lower stress at your sewing machine. Here are some tips for getting your sewing supplies organized!

Photo: Craft Buds

Assess and Declutter

Begin by assessing your fabric stash. Take stock of what you have and categorize fabrics based on type, color, or project. Next, it’s time to declutter by sorting your supplies into different piles like KEEP, SELL, or DONATE. Be honest about what you realistically plan to use. Getting rid of fabrics that no longer inspire you or fit your style can help free you up to utilize the fabrics that do suit you.

Photo: National Quilters Circle

Contain It!

Now that you’ve decided which fabrics, patterns, and supplies you plan to keep, it’s time to organize them in clear bins or open containers. We love clear bins because you can easily see what’s inside! Get extra organized by adding a label to bins containing patterns, ribbons, or specific tools so you can streamline your searching.

To store your containers, try to take advantage of vertical space by investing in some tall shelving. You can also utilize storage space under the bed or in a closet. As your stash evolves, you can always add more shelving or repurpose your storage bins in a way that keeps your most-useful items nearby.

Photo: The Cottage Mama

Creative Display Ideas

Sometimes, you just want your pretty fabrics out on display and not hidden away. Here are some tips for displaying your favorites.

Some sewists like to fold larger fabric cuts onto comic book boards to make “mini bolts.” You can then display them on open shelves (using bookends if you don’t have enough to fill the entire shelf). Every time you walk by, you can be inspired by your beautiful fabrics!

Photo: Ana White

Another tip is to organize fabrics by color for a visually appealing display. This also makes it easy to find complementary fabrics for projects. Sort the rainbow—and don’t forget to make a special section for your neutral fabrics that are mostly white, grey, brown, or black. To take advantage of your empty wall space, we love this idea from Ana White for handy hanging storage rails for fabric.

Smaller precut fabrics like fat quarters, charm packs, and layer cakes can be displayed together on open shelving. Or, think like a quilt shop owner and stash them in decorative baskets or antique crates!

Finally, smaller scraps of fabric can be sorted by color and stored in wire baskets, clear jars, or open bins for easy access. This adds a touch of charm to your storage and keeps small pieces organized.

Photo: Cindy {K} on Flickr

Keep it Up

Once you have developed an organizational system that works for you, it’s important to keep it up! After finished a project, take time to fold the leftover fabrics and sort them by color. After reintegrating these into your stash, you’ll be able to keep it nice and tidy.

Once or twice a year, take time to comb through your supplies and reassess things—you may find you’d like to donate or sell some of your fabric. Or you might find something you love that will inspire a new project!

We hope this guide will help you in your quest to have an organized fabric and sewing supplies stash. Starting the new year with an organized creative space can set a positive tone for your future projects!

Do you have any advice to share? We’d love to know how your best fabric organizing tips and display ideas! Leave us a comment so we can learn from each other.