Old tip to store fabric

  I spent a while last week cleaning up the piles and stacks of fabrics scattered all over my sewing space.  At least now I can see the cutting table.    That brought to mind an old post on making mini bolts for larger yardage that I thought I would re-share.

Tip for storing fabric:

  My large collection of floral fabrics are usually folded and stored in bins on  shelves in my stash closet.  Mainly those fabric cuts are small and less than a yard.  But what about the larger yardage cuts for borders and backings especially?   

Mini-bolts!

  About 4 years ago, I began using the mini-bolts for storage.  When I first  began this, I was using a thin plastic insert.  Later I switched  to using  foam core board.  The foam core  can be purchased at the Dollar Store in the 2 foot by 3 foot size usually.  I cut the size-- that works best for me-- 11" to 12" high by 8" wide.    It's easy to cut with a craft knife.  I often end up with smaller sections of the boards and they work great for shorter cuts--- those under a yard. 

Today, I am even more frugal.....I use old  yard campaign signs or yard signs of any kind that I find....like house for sale, or other advertising.  They get knocked down or the wires rust out.  I collect them, wash them up, and cut  to the size I like.    I'm saving the land fill (if they would ever make it there) and keeping my dollars for fabric and thread.  

 Fabric is folded just like it comes off the bolt.  Then one more fold---bringing the folded side over to match the selvedge edge.  Roll it up and pin the end.  

     The mini-bolts make it easy to see what I have to work with.  I am  known to be pretty messy and scattered, so this really helps me neater.   And what fun to shop your own fabric store in your stash closet.

Recycled ----my good deed

   In an effort to clean up the landscape, or rid our roadway view as we were driving to therapy yesterday, I insisted Sir Old Man stop.  I got out of the van on the side street and plucked 2 campaign signs off the right of way.  He only raised an eyebrow.  He knew what was coming.
   Then again this morning, more stuff littered the road side.  Sir Old Man was a true gentleman and he did the work of clearing those annoying/in the way things.  By the time we got home about 8 more signs were in the back of the van.



  After making Banana Pudding for my nephew and brother for tomorrow, I washed the things off first.   Then the cutting began.

  I use a long ruler, craft knife (not the good rotary cutter!) to score the corrugated signs.  Then fold them over. and cut through the fold on the back side.  Done!  Free insert support for my mini bolts!

  I had several pieces of over a yard pieces in the stash closet that got wrapped onto the cut up signs.  It's much neater in there now.











Oops!  More yardage discovered that needs to be washed first.




   I set aside about 5 of the signs.....they will be a good size for small portable design board  for the next (if I do one) class for watercolor.     Or for a bit larger size ....2 signs could be taped together and covered with flannel or batting as a design wall.  Matter of fact go bigger, tape 4 together and cover with batting.  Use the black office clips on the upper corners and hang it up for a very movable  design wall.  Be sure to have the Command hangers on hand to hang on the wall.
  No matter the final outcome, I am glad to do my part to recycle/clean up/rid the roadways of the extra clutter.  And rolled mini bolts make me happy.
   
   The carpel tunnel needs to be taken care of.....the pain under my upper arm is increasing from pressure on the Median Nerve.  So surgery it will be at the end of the month.  So Hot Legs will get to rest for a couple more weeks.  I will just plan, cut, stitch, fuse, and so on until then.

    Remembrance   

   In honor of the men and women who served our country  to give us the freedoms we enjoy today.  I thank you.
Happy stitching.  

Bolts!

  My plan was to just pick up some interfacing and white muslin.  When I returned home I sent Sir Old Man a text that I knew I was in trouble because I bought bolts!  He knew what I meant and replied that was OK, I was just playing catch up!  I am so blessed that he is understanding about my fabric habit.  And I get those coupons that I just hate to waste......



   While I did purchase a bolt of muslin, I also picked up a bolt of light weight interfacing.  It seems that Pellon is no longer producing the 2" gridded interfacing that I extol and use.  Yikes!  I searched the internet sources and found 2 other products at $6/yard!  Yikes, yikes!!   The fabric in the photo purchased with coupons was less than that a yard.   Instead I purchased the plain light weight fusible interfacing--99 cents/yard/ 49 cents with coupon!--- that I will use by simply marking some grid lines myself.
   I updated the Watercolor Tutorial page with the information and suggest using the 1" gold line gridded product instead.....if you don't want to fuss with marking a few lines to use as a guide/reference point.
  Back to the bolts.....this is from an old post and explains my mini-bolt system.

Tip for storing fabric:

  My large collection of floral fabrics are usually folded and stored in bins on  shelves in my stash closet.  Mainly those fabric cuts are small and less than a yard.  But what about the larger yardage cuts for borders and backings especially?   

Mini-bolts!

  About 4 years ago, I began using the mini-bolts for storage.  When I first  began this, I was using a thin plastic insert.  Later I switched  to using  foam core board.  The foam core  can be purchased at the Dollar Store in the 2 foot by 3 foot size usually.  I cut the size-- that works best for me-- 11" to 12" high by 8" wide.    It's easy to cut with a craft knife.  I often end up with smaller sections of the boards and they work great for shorter cuts--- those under a yard. 

  Today, I am even more frugal.....I use old  yard campaign signs or yard signs of any kind that I find....like house for sale, or other advertising.  They get knocked down or the wires rust out.  I collect them, wash them up, and cut  to the size I like.    I'm saving the land fill (if they would ever make it there) and keeping my dollars for fabric and thread.  

 Fabric is folded just like it comes off the bolt.  Then one more fold---bringing the folded side over to match the selvedge edge.  Roll it up and pin the end.  

     The mini-bolts make it easy to see what I have to work with.  I am  known to be pretty messy and scattered, so this really helps me neater.   And what fun to shop your own fabric store in your stash closet.

Happy stitching!