How to Organize Fabric Scraps / Easy Way Using Foam Board Mini Bolts
In a previous post, I shared how to fold fabric onto comic board bolts—but I’ve found a method that works even better. It’s sturdier, cleaner, and honestly… it just looks prettier on the shelf.
In this post, I’m showing you a simple way to organize your fabric scraps, small cuts, lace, and trims using foam board mini bolts.
It’s inexpensive, customizable, and makes it so much easier to see what you actually have.
Why I Switched from Comic Boards to Foam Board
Comic boards work fine—but they tend to:
Sag or droop if not tightly packed
Feel a little flimsy
Need clips that can be bulky or fall off
Foam board solves all of that.
More rigid and sturdy
Stands up better on shelves
Easy to pin directly into (no clips needed)
Still very affordable
You can find foam boards at:
Dollar stores
Walmart
Craft stores
Supplies You’ll Need
Foam board sheets (typically 20” x 30”)
Rotary cutter (use an old blade!) or utility knife
Cutting mat + ruler
Straight pins or applique pins
Fabric
How to Cut Foam Board Fabric Bolts (8 Per Sheet)
To keep everything uniform (and avoid wasting boards), follow this method:
Cut the board in half (15 inches)
Cut each half again (7.5 inches)
Turn pieces sideways and cut to 10 inches
👉 This gives you 8 fabric bolts per sheet
Each bolt can hold:
About 2 to 2½ yards of fabric
How to Fold Fabric Onto Bolts
Here’s the simple method:
Lay fabric flat (selvage edges aligned)
Fold into thirds (no need to be perfect)
Fold the top down, and then fold the bottom edge up to fit within the bolt measurement.
Place the bolt in the center
Wrap fabric around the board
Tip:
Mark a folding guide on your cutting mat by placing two pieces of masking tape or painters’ tape 9¼ inches apart.
This helps to keep your bolts looking consistent on the shelf.
How to Secure the Fabric
Instead of clips, use pins:
Fold the end into a slight triangle to hide fraying
Wrap the final section neatly
Insert a pin at an angle into the foam board
✔ No bulk
✔ No slipping
✔ Nice clean finish
How to Store Your Fabric Bolts
You’ve got options:
Line them up on a shelf (they stand nicely!)
Store in bins (stacked front to back)
Use a cabinet with doors to keep dust out
I love this Billy Bookcase from Ikea.
👉 You’ll love how easy it is to see everything at a glance
What About Small Fabric Pieces? (Mini Bolts!)
Don’t toss those smaller cuts—organize them!
How to Make Mini Bolts:
Cut a full bolt down to 5 inches
Trim to square it up (you’ll get a 2½” x 5” scrap—save this!)
Use the smaller board to wrap fabric the same way
Use a folding guide around 4¾ inches for smaller pieces.
Organizing Lace, Trim, and Small Pieces
This is where it gets fun.
For larger lace pieces:
Wrap them around mini bolts
Store in small bins (I love these plastic bins).
Make Micro Bolts For narrow trims and ribbons:
Fold and wrap onto micro bolts (cut mini bolts in half)
Sort by color
Store in stackable containers with lids
✔ No more tangled mess
✔ Easy to grab what you need
✔ Looks super satisfying
Don’t Forget Your Tiny Scraps
Instead of stuffing scraps into a drawer…
Try this:
Use a clear glass jar or container
Keep it visible and accessible
It turns your scraps into inspiration instead of clutter.
And if you’re like me, you’ll actually use them for small projects.
Why This System Works So Well
Everything is visible
Easy to maintain
Budget-friendly
Custom sizes for every type of fabric
Makes your sewing space feel calm instead of chaotic
And let’s be honest… It’s a little bit of sewing room eye candy
Final Thoughts
This is one of those simple systems that makes a huge difference.
You can cut your boards ahead of time and wrap fabric while watching TV—no big time commitment required.
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by your fabric stash, this is a great place to start.
If you try this method, I’d love to hear how it works for you!
Want More Scrap-Busting Ideas?
Here are several tutorials showing how to use those smaller fabric pieces in fun and practical ways.
HOW TO SEW A SCRAPPY FABRIC STUFFED HEART / EASY PROJECT
How To Make the Cutest Scrappy Fabric for Unique Sewing Projects
3 Quick and Simple Scrap Fabric Gift Ideas
Have fun sewing!
Larger shirts, especially long-sleeve ones, provide a lot of yardage. I typically look for XXL shirts or bigger because the more fabric you get, the better!
1- Remove Buttons: Snip off the buttons with scissors or a seam ripper.
I love saving buttons! They come in handy for future sewing projects and add a bit of “eye candy” to your sewing room.
2 – Cut Off the Hem: Use a rotary cutter or scissors to remove the hem at the bottom of the shirt.
3 – Cut the Button and Buttonhole Panels: These panels don’t provide much fabric, so I toss them out.
6 – Cut Off the Collar: Although there is very little fabric in a collar, I choose to just throw it away. You can disassemble if you choose and use the small scraps of fabric. 
8 – Press the Fabric: Before folding, press the fabric lightly to remove any major wrinkles.
And for the really small scraps, I save in a cute little “upcycled” vintage jar.
It’s helpful when finding pieces for my 
These clips are inexpensive and I feel worth every penny. I tried to find them at the store, but couldn’t find them. 
They are actually meant for storing items in the fridge or pantry but work PERFECT for my fat quarter bolts. What I love about them is you can see the beautiful colors and prints of the fabric.
I place them on my 
TIP: Place two of the comic boards at the end of a table about eight inches apart. Line them up so they are even and straight with the edge of the table. Tape them in place. These taped boards will serve as a guide when folding the fabric.
You can fold some on boards, and some just need to be folded nicely and put in bins like in the photo above. I have a bin that I put midsize large pieces in and a really big bin that I store bolts, the few that I have.
