I’ve started collecting a stash of fabric – my sister even added to it for part of my Christmas present. It’s becoming an obsession of mine – yet it is causing some problems in my craft area. After washing and folding the fabric, it just hangs there – and doesn’t look to appealing. They say chaos breeds creativity, so out of the chaos of my fabric stash – I give you fabric organizers! I was inspired by looking around at the different fabric organizers available via the web. They run about 2 bucks a piece, and while I’m sure that’s a bargain for fancy plastic ones, I didn’t want to spend so much money on them. So instead I spent NADA – ZILCH – ZERO, and rescued some cardboard from the trashcan! 
EDIT (5/25/09) : I’ve been told that using just plain cardboard could cause some ruin to your fabrics as they are not acid free. I haven’t had this happen yet, but I also don’t have fabric laying around for years 
If you are concerned about this, then please follow “ThreeUnderTwo”‘s advice below in the comments section of using the acid-free comic book boards in lieu of the rescued cardboard.
EDIT (6/1/11): I have switched to comic book boards and love it!
My good friend Tim donated some C size tagboard (from a pad of paper that’s 24 x 35 in). Any cardboard that is thicker and sturdy would work. You’ll need a straight edge, rotary cutter & cutting mat, scissors, pen, and of course your fabric.
Using the straight edge and rotary cutter, cut rectangles – I cut them to be 8″ x 12″ and 4″ x 12″ (smaller ones for fat quarters). The ones online I think were 10″ x 14″.
Next, take your cut cardboard rectangles and measure 1″ in from the edge. Granted, you don’t HAVE to do this part, I just like having notches for my rubberbands.
Then cut out triangle notches for the rubberband to hook into.
Now, take your fabric and wrap it around the cardboard – think fabric bolts at the fabric store
Place the rubberband onto one notch and stretch it over the fabric and cardboard to the other notch.
TaDa! Just place on a shelf with other fabrics. As you can see I still have more organizers to make – I ran out of cardboard/tag board, though I’m sure I’ll find more. When I’m done I’ll arrange all of these by color and it’ll be really easy to see what I do/don’t have I’ll post a pic later when I’m done.
I hope this tutorial will be helpful to you Or if you have anything to improve on, comment – I’d love to hear your take on it!
Kandra
I’ve started doing something similar with my exploding stash. I read on someone’s blog about comic book boards. They’re acid-free and you can buy them in packs of 100, 200, or even 1,000. I got mine on ebay. They come in several different sizes, I use the “Silver” which I think is about 7×10″. I use 2 back to back (so the acid-free side is out), fold my fabric in half the long way, and wrap. It’s so wonderful to have them organized like this! So much easier to see what I have and organize them by color.
How thick are these? I see they come in 10 pt for the larger quantity, but are coated on both sides…for the smaller quantity, they are 24 pt, but only coated on one side. I don’t see a difference between “current” and “silver”…other than what generation of comic books they are intended for? Any pointers regarding this? Thanks!
Where do you get the comic book boards? I would love to start this with my mom…. we have more fabric then the fabric store!!!
I ordered mine on Amazon
That’s a great idea!
Pingback: Tutorial: Fabric organizers from scrap cardboard · Sewing @ CraftGossip
Great idea!! I posted a link to your organizers on Craft Gossip Sewing blog:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-fabric-organizers-from-scrap-cardboard/2009/05/25/
–Anne
Very helpful idea, and thanks for the important update!
What a great idea! Thanks for sharing it. (BTW, I have fabric that was stored in cardboard boxes since the early ’70′s (30 years or so) and it’s fine – no damage was done by any acids that the cardboard may have contained.
I sew for dolls (mostly Barbie and American Girl), here’s what I do; I put my fabrics in Ziploc Bags (have never had them discolor) then in boxes (some cardboard file boxes and some plastic, all fairly large). Then for each bag I make an index card with a fabric swatch, and any info needed (fabric amount and content, etc.) plus a Letter or Number corresponding to the box. The cards then go into a card file. If I use a fabric I can take the card out and note how much was used. This helps me keep track of all my fabrics and keeps them neet and clean. Hope this idea helps.
I have done this also. I get my supply of cardboard from my Children. Well not really, but the many cereal boxes they empty for me. How thoughtful of them.
I do the same system but use plastic canvas. Our local Walmart has large piece packets (6 to a pkg.), and I cut them into 4ths. My bookcase now looks like a mini fabric shop and I love it. So organized and I can actually see what I have. Smaller pieces (under 1 yd) or in big drawers units under my sewing table.
We’ve had our Hancock’s Fabrics liquidate and go out of business in my little town. Also, several area walmarts also sold out their fabric sections. I asked them what the did with the cardboard the fabric came off of and they just throw them away. I grabbed up a bunch of them and then cut them down to a much smaller size to fit on a bookcase. Considering the fabric is sold on this cardboard, I would say this cardboard is definitely acid free and safe to use! And ladies…..they are free!!!!!! Just ask for some the next time you go to the store….and maybe even ask that they save some for you and leave your name??????
The bolts from the stores are NOT acid free. Their purpose starts at the manufacturer where the fabric is spun on the boards. At that time the fabric is slightly damp and the corrugated cardboard lets the fabric dry without getting mold on it. It is then shipped to stores who are in the business of Selling fabric not Storing it. Have you ever noticed the white strips that occasionally show up on a flat fold? That is the acid leaching the color out. You have an investment in your fabric, don’t risk destroying it.
Elaine
I this ideas is sooo very perfect! When I’m done organizing my stash I’m going to send it a before and after shot. Thanks for helping me keep my craft room clean!
Hey, I found a cheap, light and nice looking alternative. New meat trays. I got 20 free from my Albertsons butcher to try. They are sturdy and perfect. I cut down two sides and leave tabs on the top and bottom, that keeps them thin and forms tabs to help keep the fabric on. I have two sizes, small for 1/2 yd. to one yd. and lg for up to 2 1/2 yds. Anything bigger goes on a bolt or half bolt and I have my fat quarters folded and sorted like the quilt store I use to work at.(I have about 400 fat quarters!) The white lookes so nice and neat too. Fun Fun Fun!!
Wow, love this idea! It looks like a little mini fabric store! I can’t wait to try this!
Melissa~
Can you use cereal boxes or soda boxes for this? Not sure if they would be sturdy enough but it would be a nice way to recycle
They aren’t acid free. See reply to Florida Quilter.
Best wishes,
Elaine
would anyone know if packing tape is acid free? maybe the easier to find cardboard can be “laminated” with packing tape
are the comic book boards thick enough to use just one, or do you NEED 2 for them to be sturdy enough? Thanks!
You can use just one, but two works best for me.
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