Fabric storage

franksmom_2010

15 years ago

I didn't know we had so many people that sew on this forum, so I'm going to give it a shot and post this here. I need to finish my craft room, and one of the major blocks I've had is finding a storage solution for all of my fabric.

I sew clothing, quilts, home dec, etc., so I have an assortment of everything from silk chiffon to upholstery weight. Currently, all of the fabric is in plastic tubs, sorted by color. I just counted, and there's NINE tubs of fabric. Yikes.

Here's the problem. I don't want nine tubs sitting around. there's a tiny closet, but it's already full of other things. I'd like to have some sort of cabinet with doors for storage. I'm on a tight budget. I've looked at the melamine pantries, but they don't seem terribly sturdy, and I think they're overpriced for what they are.

I've considered using an old armoire and adding shelves, but that sounds like a lot of work, and might devalue the piece. My sister bought me a plastic storage cabinet for Christmas, but it's not sturdy enough for all of that fabric, (and I don't really want plastic furniture in that room) so we put it in the garage.

The thrifts always have those TV armoires, but again, they seem to be mostly particleboard, and would need painting, which seems like a lot of work for something like that.

My most recent thought is to have a plywood cabinet built with adjustable shelves, but I have no idea how much that would cost. Add doors to a bookshelf? Stack base cabinets?

The other furniture in that room is a vintage Hepplewhite style dressing table that I use as a desk, a vintage dining table, and a small bookshelf.

Any ideas? What have you successfully used?

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Comments (12)

User
15 years ago
I have my fabric in a dresser.

What I really want, though, is a set of gym lockers like these -

Here is a link that might be useful: gym lockers
annzgw
15 years ago
Have you checked CL for armoires? I wouldn't worry about affecting the value of one and would use it as needed.

For something new, consider using ClosetMaid products or the Ikea cabinets/lockers. DIL has both and after helping her put them together I can say they will easily handle the weight of your fabric.
But, I'm not sure you'll be happy with the MDF look if you want something that blends with your Hepplewhite style table. I'd keep checking CL. If the older piece is in good shape you shouldn't need to do much more than a good waxing or maybe some RAF.
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nicole__
15 years ago
I have several pieces on rolls, standing up in the closet and the others are folded up in a cedar chest. I have a button box, plastic shoe boxes with thread and a lingerie chest with nick-nacks(velcrow, snaps, seam binding, zippers) in each little drawer.
bestyears
15 years ago
Have you looked at the IKEA billy bookcases? You can get doors for them. I think they'd be perfect!
dawnp
15 years ago
I think an armoire is a great idea. You really can find them cheap on CL these days.

I don't know if you've seen this fabric volding tutorial. Everything sure looks tidy!

Here is a link that might be useful: Fabric
skyedog
15 years ago
I'm attaching a link to a site that has a variety of ideas. Maybe something can be adapted to your situation. I liked the idea of using smaller uniform size containers and storing them on shelves. Your tub idea, just smaller and more flexible. Would you consider a bookcase instead of an armoire? They are easier to find and might not have to be modified much to work for you. You could even use baskets instead of plastic so it would be more decorating friendly.

Here is a link that might be useful: fabric storage ideas
oceanna
15 years ago
You might also take a peek at the Offices thread in the Gallery. It has offices, craft rooms, sewing rooms, libraries, storage ideas.

Love this thread and thanks for all the great ideas, everyone.
franksmom_2010
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for all of the ideas!

I do think an old armoire would be my first choice. And it would look neat with the other furniture in there. I've got a vintage/retro thing with some of the furniture and accessories, so it would be a good fit. I just need to keep looking for the right size/price/condition.

Dawnp, that fabric folding idea is brilliant!

This room is lower on my priority list, but I'm always on the lookout for things when I go junk shopping.
pammyfay
15 years ago
I keep fabric folded in one of those multi-compartment canvas sweater holders that hang from the closet rod.

But if you decide NOT to use an armoire, the big thing to remember is to keep light from reaching the fabric.

I read somewhere that rolling your fabric is a good thing. Takes more space, but reduces the # of creases.
igloochic
15 years ago
Ikea expedit! Love love love the stuff. They are super sturdy storage systems in which you can put baskets, boxes, cabinet pieces or my favorite, clear plastic storage cubes (about 14x14 inches). A unit that holds 16 cubbies is about 159 and with cubbies added it comes in around 225 or so. I just purchased enough of the system to do my whole sewing room which will have 50 of those clear bins dedicated to fabric. You can sort by style and type and or color. The clear plastic bins are somewhat diffused so your fabrics wont be damaged by light while in them. I will use the rest for projects in progress and all of the other goober necessary in a good sewing room but the possibilities of fabric storage alone was why I went this route (ok price was nice as well).

I seriously wanted a room full of antiques. It fits in my house...I have them to spare, but when it comes to storing large amounts of fabric, I haven't found the piece that does it well. I do have a fabulous oak office cabinet for trims and threads and a great trestle table for cutting, but with at least a dozen available amoires I still haven't found anything that compares to the expedite system.

I got mine in the dark wood finish and will be decopaging the few doors I added to the system in a fun wallpaper from the attic, but I think even if they are modern they will flow well. They're beyond sturdy...which is an important issue and one I snobbishly didn't think ikea could handle...but these do it very well.

I'd show them to you....but they are all currently in their boxes waiting for me to have time for them lol.
theroselvr
15 years ago
What size bins do you have the fabric in now?
charley526
15 years ago
Right now, I have all of my fabric stored in 3 antique dressers and the rest in large plastic tubs. The full rolls are on industrial shelving. Nothing too exciting.
In my previous home, I had the same setup except for the addition of an antique china cabinet. I stored my favorite most colorful fabrics neatly folded in there behind the glass doors. Made me happy every time I saw it.
Good luck!