Now on to another question. You all know I am a librarian, and I catalog books, so why not catalog fabric. Does anyone else do this. I do...and here is how I do it:
I take a snippet of fabric, and I glue it to a index card, on that card, I write the manufacturer of the fabric, the name of the fabric line, the designer, the yardage, and the cost per yard, and grand total. I also include where the fabric came from. Whether its washed or not. I keep this updated, for the current number of yards to a half yard. From there the index card is weeded from the current use file, and is filed under scraps, and what I used to have. I am sure some day, someone like Barbara Brackman will be happy I did this. That and it keeps me happy.
How do I file the index cards? Alphabetical by manufacturer, then alphabetical by fabric designer, followed by fabric line. Make sense?
So here is a card for Maywood Studio's All Through the Night. It shows the magazine picture, as well as the actual fabric, and the cost. And it shows that this fabric was purchased on May 22, 1998 from Hancock's of Pacucah. I paid $7.98 a yard for it plus $3.99 shipping. I purchased a 1/2 yard, and its still not being used in my stash, lol.
I was asked in a comment if I have it indexed with where its located in my stash. My stash is in file boxes. Each index card also has a number on it. Those numbers are transposed to the master sheet that is attached to the file box, via a plastic sleeve. Each file box is lettered, so each fabric that is in the file box, also has the letter of the file box noted on it as well. So basically it reads as this.
Maywood Studio's All Through the Night: Fabric number 000198M Box AC
Box AC has a sheet attached to it, that includes the Fabric number only 000198M. Each box is also generically labeled as Box AC Numbers; 000180 - 000199.
I started doing this about 10 years ago. When I do buy fabric, I usually buy enough to do borders with out piecing, so that's 3 yards for my quilts. I rarely buy anything smaller than that anymore. My fabric is easy to locate by using the index, and I am not making a mess of my stash, or needing to stop and put things back. Everything is in its place. 1/2 yards and under, and not indexed, and the card is moved to the file that its gone. This method also helps if you are looking for a particular fabric you need more of, its easier to search and, there is no posting that you need this fabric, with no idea what it is or where it is.
I actually get more sewing done, because I am not constantly searching for something.
Wow! That is amazing! Lots of work, but I'll bet it's worth it.
ReplyDeleteI had camera problems too this morning! Dead batteries in both of them. Your yellow is bright and cheerful in themiddle of winter!
ReplyDeleteglen
Gee you are organized!! Nice quilt, like the colors.
ReplyDeleteBut, couldn't you actually be sewing instead of indexing? Although as a librarian myself I know the value of a good index. But do you also indicate where it is located in your stash? I'm just not wiling to do that as I tend to buy mostly 1/2 yard pieces. And, unless I started from the beginning it would take forever to do. Heck it took hours just to refold all of my stash to fit neatly on the shelves.
ReplyDeleteI wish I were that organized!! I just file my fabric in my brain...the one that tends to fall out periodically! LOL
ReplyDeleteI used to catolgue my fabric too - but I always wanted to be a librarian so maybe that's why LOL!!! Finally though I had to give it up and just organized it by color on open shelving in a dark room. Much more practical but I do miss my binder that had the little samples and yardages on it. . . .
ReplyDeleteVery organized, neat & tidy. Wish I could say the same for myself. LOL
ReplyDeleteThe colors are pretty, even if they are a bit blurred! :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a beginning quilter (20+ years ago) I snipped a piece from each fabric I bought and pinned it on a piece of paper in a notebook with the manufacturer's name, where I bought it, the amount, and how much I payed per yard. That lasted only a short time! Today my stash is huge and I don't keep track of any information about it. It's too much trouble!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty quilt and so bright! I really like the bright part.
ReplyDeleteI use a scanner to create an image of my fabric and create a file on my computer. Each file name starts with a color code so the fabrics can be sorted by name on the computers. The last number in the file name indicates the yardage I bought. Fat Quarters start with a FQ and scraps start with SC. The physical fabric is stored by color, so if I see something on the computer I want to use I know what drawer it is stored in. I update the file name as I use the yardage. If yardage becomes scraps, then I update the file to indicate that. This way I have the fabric available to use in EQ when I'm working on putting a quilt together.
I am really impressed with your filing system, I couldn't do it. I am lucky to have fabrics stored by color. I do agree with buying at least 3 yards: it makes it much easier to use when you have enough. I also have two dresser drawers of fat quarters or 1/4 yards of leftovers. It is all color coordinated and works really well. I am in awe of your system.
ReplyDeleteThat's very organized of you....I would say overly organized but I just spent too much time searching for some crystals in my sewing room (it's a complete disaster) and never did find them.
ReplyDeleteI am glad I am not the only one who does this. Everyone thinks I am crazy.I put a swatch on a recipe card, with the name, date, where purchased, and yardage, and finle it in a 3 ring binder in old photo pages (since there are no more photos..) I am good about adding new fabric, but not so good about getting rid of the cards as I use it up, until I try to remember if it is all gone or not.I wont add a group if I plan ot use it right away. I like the computer idea, or none at all, since it isn't "moving" as fast as I would like!
ReplyDeleteOh Jay--the rootling thru the stash is the best part of the creative process! But, I am a clutterbug. Clutter makes me feel comfortable. organization is your "thing"!3 yards, I agree, that is a good number when you're buying. I don't want to piece a border either. Henrietta and I were talking about never thinking about making a small quilt as something other than on a bed--like a wall or table quilt. We were talking about the Schnibbles patterns.
ReplyDeleteAnd Jay, I'm getting better at the "A" thing. Now if you just teach me how to hand piece I will be happy!
I wouldn't call Lori cluttered, sometimes things get a bit churned but nothing that takes more than an hour or two to put up.
ReplyDeleteI on the other hand am truly cluttered.
Can't do open shelving, too much dust. No, its not poor housekeeping, due to the drought we have bare dirt in back of the house and it blows and creeps under the house sills. Fabric lives in Rubbermaid type sealed tubs stored by color. I pull what I need. If (as usual) I am working three projects at once it begins to be clutter.