Talkin' Stash

All hard-core fabric fanatics have a personal stash of fabric.

We don't like to admit just how much we own, or that we always want more.

We rationalize, and make excuses like, "It's cheaper than therapy."

We hide it from spouses (I've never had to do that...my wife loves fabric, too).

"She who dies with the most fabric, wins."

We're hooked. We're fabri-holics.

Confessions of a Fabri-holic

I am a fabri-holic; it's quite a tale to tell.

The folks at Jo-Ann Fabrics all know me very well.

I love the natural fibers, and new synthetics, too:

Rayon, poly, silk or wool; anything will do!

I have no certain pattern when purchasing a tweed.

I really gotta have it: the "want" becomes a "need."

I truly plan to use them in just a little while,

But for some unknown reason, they end up on my "pile."

I don't know how it happens: I'm always buying more.

The closet in my sewing room is almost like a store!

It really is an illness, but what else can I say?

I'm just a fabri-holic: I'll use it all someday!

So if you cannot find me, it's like I said before:

I'm down at Jo-Ann Fabrics, buying out the store.

Now that we have owned up to our alleged affliction, the next step is Stash Management. (No, it's not part of a 12-step program. At one fabric store I managed, we talked about creating Fabri-holics Anonymous, but we couldn't find anyone who wanted to join!)

It's important to keep a handle on your inventory, so you know what you already have and don't inadvertently duplicate a previous purchase. Another good idea is storing your stash properly, to keep it clean and prevent damage from fading. Whether you're wanting to track your inventory or to store it more effectively, there are great ideas out on the web, and I'll share some of them with you here, along with my own comments. Check out more fabric stash management ideas on my Talkin' Stash Pinterest board

at https://www.pinterest.com/dancox556/talkin-stash/

Swatch Files

Some people like to have a stash reference handy when shopping, to help them match additional fabric, thread or zippers, or to avoid that aforementioned duplicate purchase. One way to accomplish this is cutting actual swatches and mounting them on index cards or binder pages, including details like width, length, fiber content, source, etc. There are also apps like Fabric Stash, which let you manage similar details on your mobile device.

Cutting actual swatches and recording details is time consuming, but provides actual color and texture. Using an app is likely faster, but the color of the electronic image is only as accurate as your screen quality. It's really a personal choice here, and you may find that this is not useful to you after all. If you're tracking your stash, the most important thing is to keep your files current as your stash expands (it never gets smaller, right?). If by some chance you actually use some of your fabric, be sure to pull it out of your swatch file.

Organization and Storage

When it comes to actually storing your fabric treasures, there are also many options. Fabrics can be organized by color, by type of fabric, by end use. Think about how you "shop" your stash, and group your fabrics accordingly so you can find them quickly.

There are plenty of references in which fabrics are beautifully stacked by color on open shelves, much like a personal fabric store. This looks more like decor to me, and while it's attractive and provides great visibility to your stash, I would be concerned about dust, and, more importantly, about fading, especially around fluorescent lighting. This could really be a problem if you don't rotate your stock. (Those of us who have worked in fabric stores remember certain slow-sellers that eventually faded along the top of the bolt from light exposure, and you don't want that happening.) A similar idea in a cabinet with doors protects the fabric.

Another option is storing fabric in plastic bins. The fabric stays clean, is easy to find (especially if the bins are clear (or labeled if they are not), and some bins stack for efficient use of space. However, if the bins are clear, there still could be a potential fading issue. Plastic laundry baskets are similar to open storage: the area looks great, and fabric is easy to find, but it is not protected from dust and light.

One unique storage treatment I discovered is using a filing cabinet and hanging file folders. For lightweight, smaller pieces, cut the file folder on the bottom fold and you can hang two separate pieces of fabric. For larger or heavier pieces, leave the file folder intact. This method is not appropriate for bulky fabrics, because the drawer would not close. When stored like this, fabric is easy to find, is protected, and you can label the drawer.

I personally store my stash in an old 5-drawer department store pattern cabinet in our sewing studio, with fabrics organized by color and folded and placed upright into the divided drawers. This keeps my fabrics clean, easy to find and protected from fading.

Whatever You Do, Make It Work For You

Think about how you use your fabric, take a look at storage options in your sewing area and check out inspiration online to find the perfect way to customize your own personal stash management!

And while we're talkin' stash, please do not pre-wash any fabric before you store it, as that removes the preservatives. For best results, wait until you're ready to use it and then pre-wash using whatever method you'll use to launder the finished product.

Until next time, keep those sewing machines humming!

DTFM