Storing fat quarters to reduce creasing....

I was going through my drawers of fat quarters last week for a project. I have all my FQ's in a drawer by color. I fold them (and yardage that is about that same size) in half, half again then fold in half longwise and half longwise again. There they sit till I need a small piece of color. In taking them out this week and useing them... I was shocked at how much the folds had creased. If they were laying on top of each other, I can see the weight of the stack would enhance a crease, but they are "standing upwards"...fold at the top and they aren't packed in that much so I was wondering...how do you handle storing fat quarters to get the least amount of fold crease? I had to iron each one, steam, then starch, then dry press again, and a often times..the crease was gone, but where the fold was, wouldn't iron out. Yes, they had been sitting there like that for a year, but still...should they crease like that? Anyway to at least reduce the crease?

When removing an old hem, and the crease has been ironed and re-ironed, vinegar on that crease and then a good pressing is supposed to work.

My quit shops fold once and roll them and stand them upright. Maybe that would help.

This makes me want to head downstairs and check out all of my stash...especially the "treasured ones". I store mine in plastic 16qt, boxes. Probably not the best, but keeps them dust free..and we were undergoing renovations...<<<shudder>>> a 6 week project that took 7 months. Don't even ask! :icon_rolleyes:

Since what we purchased was not ironed several times would the creases wash out? Make me also want to pull out my fat quarters and flatten them all out and then roll

I'd say roll them. I've noticed this too.

We just don't quilt fast enough!!!!!
http://americancrafts.typepad.com/.a...561be18970b-pi

I will try the roll way. I'll have to see how easy it is to see the print that way. The way I have them folded now, I can see all prints quick and easy with the fold side up. I have them all in a tall dresser, with small drawers in 2 rows. Keeps them clean and all, and easy to choose. I pre wash them and then iron/starch them and then fold and put them in the drawer. I just notice that when I use them they have creases, and when I look at yardage that is folded, nearly as many times, the creases aren't nearly as bad... and that is stacked!

Suppose that has something to do with the washing and starching? Seems to be the only difference.

I think it might be better to wash then fold and stack or roll. I don't like to starch fabric until I am ready to use it, the starch might be what is setting the creases.
I know from the drapery world fabric should always be rolled on tubes to prevent wrinkles.

I would use the suggestion of Vinegar. Have used it on old clothes taking hems out and it was a miracle. I store mine rolled up with fabric showing in a large tupper. Sandy you are so right, we got to use it up Faster! If only God made 48 hour days :-)

All my yardage I put on bolts, am thinking those Comic boards would be like mini bolts and not cause as many creases? Have not bought them yet. Good discussion thanks!

:-Debbie

I think it may be the starch, too . . . I don't think I'd prewash before storing though (at least I don't but maybe that's because I'm lazy . . . not debatable). Just a heads up - I've heard that the starch will attract silverfish . . . ?????

Starched fabric can draw silverfish, yuck.

Yardage doesn't crease as fast when tri-folded as it has a fatter area that's folded. I do a loose folding on my fat quarters, where the edges are a bit folded and stack on their sides vertically in a Multi-Media storage cabinet (my most favorites are in armoire drawers also vertically).

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Originally Posted by Sandy Navas

I think it may be the starch, too . . . I don't think I'd prewash before storing though (at least I don't but maybe that's because I'm lazy . . . not debatable). Just a heads up - I've heard that the starch will attract silverfish . . . ?????

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Okay then... I am not sharing my fq's with the silver fish! I didn't know that! But now that I think about it, I might just use the steam iron and not starch at first and only starch when I get ready to cut them cause I am just thinking..why would I use starch now? I use it to make it all as flat/stiff as possible for cutting purposes not storing purposes. but regardless I know now..steam press only! THanks for mentioning this!

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Originally Posted by HandsOffItsMine

Starched fabric can draw silverfish, yuck.

Yardage doesn't crease as fast when tri-folded as it has a fatter area that's folded. I do a loose folding on my fat quarters, where the edges are a bit folded and stack on their sides vertically in a Multi-Media storage cabinet (my most favorites are in armoire drawers also vertically).

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That is how mine are stacked to in the drawer. I had to re read my post... I thought I had said I starch them before I fold them. I don't do that. I thought it was odd that I thought I did! I don't do more work than I have to! But I just steam press after I wash them to get the wrinkles out and then fold. I starch when I get ready to use them, as I do any fabric I use. I think that is how I fold...tri fold. Fold in half, then half again, then fold down in half and half again and place with rolled/folded side up. Maybe I just need to work faster! Someone mentioned that above....guess I had just better listen!

I use Magic Sizing instead of starch. According to what I've read, sizing isn't as likely to attract bugs because it isn't a natural product. I've also seen articles that recommend not starching fabric when it's going to be stored because of the creases.

I use Magic Sizing as well Myrna, love the stuff. :) Use it when I'm piecing or when doing clothing.

Don't like pre-washing any fabric for sewing. Make precise piecing a pain IMH. lol