Stash Storage

This is the bookcase you see when you first walk into my sewing studio. On the top shelf are cups with pens and pencils, blue tape, and boxes containing sewing notions not really quilt related. The next shelf holds all the paperwork that gets generated when somebody orders a quilt, as well as my notebooks and folders with patterns or inspiration pictures. Tonya, see that plastic bag way on the right? That's filled with all my reject letters for you.
The next shelf is for quilting and sewing books. I have a few classic books on the history of quilts and a few basics, books by Michael James some books on Seminole Patchwork and quilted clothing.
Like most quilters, I never really think about how much fabric I actually have in my stash. Like most of you, I'd rather buy fabric than lots of other things. But all that fabric has to live somewhere. If I'm just buying for my stash, I buy half-yard pieces. No fabric makes it into the sewing room until it gets washed. Then I iron it, and it goes on this shelf, until (or unless) I cut it into strips. Actually, I just discovered the Happy Zombie Method of Fabric Folding. I like it... (this means I have some work to do...)

I love this wall mounted drying rack. It's great for when I am cutting strips. It keeps them organized, and flat.When the rack is closed, it doesn't take up any space. I've got a TV and a DVD player and CD player in the room too. (You gotta watch something when you iron!) Projects that are in progress are stored in large ziplock bags (keeps the components together) in the drawers of the bureau. (yes, I painted the bureau.)Once the strips are cut, they go on hangers in the closet. The hangers are all organized by color. You can see the quilt batting and my shipping supplies too. Out of sight are shelves with plastic bins with other projects or supplies or fabrics for future projects or old WIPs.These bins are filled with my precut "chunks", organized by color.


But don't get the idea that my sewing studio is spotlessly clean all the time!