15+ Years of Collecting
Nann at With Strings Attached likened my Big Reorganization Project (BRP) to an archeological dig. I think that's a very apt description. I've come across things accumulated in days long past and things I have no recollection of ever purchasing, receiving as a gift, or using in a project.
Yet, there they sit among the detritus of my quilting life!
The BRP continued today with refolding, sorting, and storing fat quarters in ArtBin Super Satchels.
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| Fat Quarters in Art Bin Super Satchels |
Well, it turned out the cubbies, with painted black interior, were deep and things just got lost in the darkness. That case has been relegated to the garage.
Over the course of 15+ years I have used various methods of folding and storing FQs, none of which has been entirely satisfactory. My intention today was to standardize to a size that would fit in the subdivisions of the satchels.
As I opened, smoothed, and refolded each piece, I was sensitive to the variety of textures -- some smooth as silk, some coarse and common -- and to the changing color palette over the years. I was also surprised that my eye frequently chose "modern" motifs, long before I knew what modern quilting was.
I filled three and a half satchels and added them to the short shelf just to the right of my cutting table.
My thought -- and please don't laugh -- is that if the strips and fat quarters are close at hand and visible, I will be more inclined to use them.
AND, more importantly, I should be more inclined to put them away!
We'll see how that goes.
I've never found a consistent way to store fat quarters either, but your satchels look good. I like the idea of looking back through your stash and seeing where your taste has evolved and where you were ahead of the game.
ReplyDeleteI've got my fat quarters on a shelf unit next to my cutting table. Oh, and open and flopped on my cutting table. Right next to the heap of 1.5" strips on my cutting table. Hmmm... I think I should follow your lead before I run out of cutting area on my cutting table. 8)
ReplyDeleteYou've really stuck with your clean up project. I finally decided on a common way to fold my fat quarters, but have struggled with usable storage for them. I'm still working on figuring that out. Looks like you've got a great solution that works for your sewing space.
ReplyDeleteI organized my fat quarters by color last year and now I use them more often. You will too. Since my fabric is more available I shop my stash first before a quilt store. Congratulations on all your progress.
ReplyDeleteMarlene
marlene@coveredinstitches
Looks like you found a good solution for storing your FQs. I hope keeping them and the strips close at hand works at prompting you to use them!
ReplyDeleteTeehee! I love your thinking! You spent a lot of time and effort getting your fabric all squared away!! Enjoy the benefits!! :)
ReplyDeleteI don't know about that last one. I had just put my April organized shoeboxes where they live, and then my first thought was to toss the other half of a fabric I'd just cut RIGHT ON TOP! I made myself lift and at least get it in the right box. LOL Those satchels are perfect there. I love that storage. Amazing how things change in all that time. I usually do a purge of anything over 5 years, and it's just about that time, I think ... except I've been using all kinds of things the last few years ... we'll see!
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