Folding Fabric

While this is most pleasing to me, it was not always so-neat folded stacks. In fact most every time I searched for a fabric, I reached in, pulled out, and the whole group fell to the floor. The most I accomplished was similiar colors to each shelf.

I actually became inspired after stacking fabric for my daughter in law. While my fabrics were color coded, she desired sorting by textile type. So for her, I seperated cottons from silks from brocades, from tapestry, etc. In the end, I saw the possibilities, but I still liked my color coding, especially considering the quantity.

But sorting still did not resolve the organizational issues of not being able to see what I had, or at least what I knew that I had.

After researching various ideas and methods and then evaluating my own, I came up with this plan: Measure width of shelf. Determine how many folded pieces can fit across. I had to consider some pieces small, and some very large. I also had to consider the quality of the fabric. I determined that my 6" wide template ruler was perfect in width, leaving me a few inches to spare for bulk.

At this point, I had room for four stacks at 6" wide. I also realized that exactly half of my template was perfect for depth of the fold to fit on the shelf.

This was the best part, using my 6 x 24 inch template to fold the fabric. I prefolded each piece into approx 1/2 yard increments (fudging where needed) and then removed the template. Once done, then folded in half at 12".

I had four stacks on each color coded shelf. Stack one and two for cottons and blends (heavy yardage in stack one, light in stack two), stack three for satins, silks, sheers, etc. and stack four for brocades, upholstry, etc.

I will also share that it was a bit frustrating at first, the fudging part. Not all fabrics will lend to easy folding, or they are odd increments. Feel free to use markings on your table or masking tape to locate the ideal size. Doing this makes for a quick layout before folding around the template. This has been very time consuming no doubt, but for large quantities very helpful. I also have to consider how much time I have wasted redoing fabric spills, money wasted buying a fabric match I could not located, or the much frustration in it all. Once you get a few pieces down, you can do it without thinking. And mostly, the satisfaction of seeing every single piece at a glance is too valuable.

While most of my fabrics are color coded, whites on one shelf, then pinks on the next, then reds (following the color wheel), not all my fabrics are organized as such. I have additional shelves for fabrics grouped for projects and a few shelves that are thematic like western, juvenile, etc. and of course the ever enduring vintage pieces. I still follow this same folding method for organization.