Organizing question for all

[Granny Judy]

I got hooked on organizing all my fabric and feel I've done a good job as I can find exactly the color/s I need. BUT-- where to store my finished blocks...my flimsy's..or just tops?? I haven't gotten around to putting the 40 + blocks together nor have I sandwiched the 5 tops to be quilted. I just wanna keep them safe til I can get back to that pattern or that project.

Do ya have a method for storage that lets ya remember and find those blocks easily? And where would you put those tops to be quilted? I need to clean off my design board and the top of my large table..

[Suzyq]

Hi Judy! Well I'm a big fan of plastic bins, the opaque colored one so you can kinda sorta see thru them, then slap on a label...some quilters use those flat plastic boxes that scrap bookers favour, but they're a little pricier. Another idea, i put my blocks flat into freezer bags.. Some have a write on label... Hope this helps...

[Sandy Navas]

I do the same thing Suzyq does - love the clear scrap book bins that are about 5 inches thick. They will hold fabric picked for a specific project, patterns, cut pieces, pieced blocks, and/or tops. If I am doing something like a BOM with different patterns I put the cut pieces in zip-lock bags and write all the pertinent information on them.

I have found that getting a sale at Michaels is the best price on the scrap book boxes and the ones I like have a handle on them so you can carry it to a sew-fest or guild meeting.

[HandsOffItsMine]

Aloha Judy,

I've been ordering these when I get the online coupons from Joann's as we don't have Joann's on the island - they are 12"x12" and about 3" high. Clear plastic and quite sturdy. I like them because I can put my large finished Stack N Wack blocks in them, keep them clean as I tend to use snow white backgrounds the most for them.

$6.99 normally but I wait for the 40 or 50% coupon.

http://www.joann.com/12x12-protect-n...ox/xprd881677/

[Granny Judy]

Duh...(forehead slap) I'm a scrapbooker and didn't think to use my stash for quilting.. I think I have a couple boxes just taking up space in the file cabinet. They would be perfect for the blocks..esp those BOM! I will have to pick up a bin or two for the "tops".. All my rubber stamps take up residents in the clear plastic shoe boxes and bins -- so I'll have to get more. (yes, I do my own cards and have a sizeable rubber stamp collection)

Hey, I'm retired, so I can have all the hobbies my pocket book can afford, RIGHT???? Gotta keep Granny off the Streets at Night. LOL

[Bubby]

Judy, Many quilters go to their local pizza place and buy (sometimes they will give them to you free) new pizza boxes. They are square and will hold quite a few blocks....you can label them on the outside and stack them on a shelf until you are ready for them.
That's a very inexpensive solution.

[Laura F]

Love the pizza boxes. The workers only look at you somewhat funny when you ask for a new empty box.

Judy, Many quilters go to their local pizza place and buy (sometimes they will give them to you free) new pizza boxes. They are square and will hold quite a few blocks....you can label them on the outside and stack them on a shelf until you are ready for them.
That's a very inexpensive solution.

[K. McEuen]

Judy, Many quilters go to their local pizza place and buy (sometimes they will give them to you free) new pizza boxes. They are square and will hold quite a few blocks....you can label them on the outside and stack them on a shelf until you are ready for them.
That's a very inexpensive solution.

Be careful storing anything in cardboard for any length of time. It's not acid-free and cardboard is a HUGE attraction for roaches and other critters to breed in. I won't take brown paper grocery sacks into my house because it's been proven that they are one of the most favorite breeding grounds for roaches.

[coffeebreak]

I'm with the plastic boxes too. In the scrapbooking section you can find plastic storage boxes for the 12x12 paper...12x12x3 inches. That would be perfect for 12 inch blocks or smaller. Or..if you how about the thinner storage boxes that slide under a bed? 6" tall and nearly 2 feet long...stackable too. How about hanging the quilt tops on a hanger with the background fabric and the batting and put them in the back of the closet (if you have a closet),

I just last night took my little bit of scraps I have been keeping and cut them into pieces...I made the biggest piece I could out of the scraps...3,1/2" strips, 5" charms and 4" pieces and have some 2" pieces but not sure if Iam going to bother with them or not.

[HandsOffItsMine]

Be careful storing anything in cardboard for any length of time. It's not acid-free and cardboard is a HUGE attraction for roaches and other critters to breed in. I won't take brown paper grocery sacks into my house because it's been proven that they are one of the most favorite breeding grounds for roaches.

Same here with the boxes from Costco/Sam's - We bring our cloth shopping bags - food/restaurants are actually the worse places for cardboard/paper products. Sadly that is where the coocaaraasaas like to live. lol