sewing room Archives

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

Connect:

Jan Howell

Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

Shop Products

Shop

Newsletter Sign Up

YOUTUBE

How To Organize and Manage Your Fabric Stash // Sewing Tips and Hacks

January 11, 2025 / DIY HOME, Organizing, Sewing Videos, VIDEO AND AUDIO LIBRARY / No Comments

HOW TO SEW A SCRAPPY FABRIC STUFFED HEART / EASY PROJECT

January 27, 2024 / Holiday and Seasonal Crafts, Holidays and Seasonal Sewing, SEWING, Sewing Videos, Valentine’s Day, VIDEO AND AUDIO LIBRARY / No Comments

How To Make the Cutest Scrappy Fabric for Unique Sewing Projects

January 20, 2024 / SEWING, Sewing Tips, Sewing Videos, Upcycling, VIDEO AND AUDIO LIBRARY / No Comments

How To Fold, Store, and Organize Your Fabric

October 14, 2021 / DIY HOME, Organizing, SEWING, Sewing Videos, VIDEO AND AUDIO LIBRARY / 4 Comments

fabric storage organizing sewing room

For those who sew—or are just beginning—you’ll quickly accumulate a fabric stash.

Before long, your collection may grow to the point where it feels overwhelming.

But how do you know if you have too much fabric?

In this post, I’ll share practical tips for decluttering, organizing, and keeping your fabric stash in check.

The Love of Fabric

My love for fabric is something I inherited from my grandmothers, both talented seamstresses.

As a child, I’d watch them sew quilts, clothing, and home décor, and I loved joining them on trips to the fabric store.

Having a fabric stash is useful—you can whip up a curtain, a baby gift, or mend clothing on short notice. But over time, it’s easy to accumulate unused fabric, taking up valuable space.

Signs You Have Too Much Fabric

Just like our bodies show symptoms when something’s off, there are red flags that signal your fabric stash may be out of control:

Overwhelmed when choosing a fabric: Searching for the perfect piece leaves you stressed or anxious.
Forgotten fabrics: You discover pieces you didn’t even realize you had.
Limited space: Your fabric stash spreads into other closets, bins, or rooms.

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s time to declutter and reorganize.

How Does Your Fabric Stash Get Out of Hand?

We’ve all been there. You walk into a fabric store intending to buy one item but leave with more than you planned—especially if there’s a sale!

Or maybe you buy extra yardage just in case, and before you know it, you’ve accumulated more fabric than you’ll ever use.

Let me share with you a scenario of flannel that I just experienced.

We have a new grandchild in our world and I have been waiting for the day I can make things for this baby.

I was thrilled to finally be able to make some flannel blankets, some receiving blankets, and bibs.

I have been saving bright-colored fabrics, bright flannels, and, you know, things that I like.

But the trend now is more neutral colors, and I wanted to make a blanket for her in the colors she liked: neutral, soft colors.

I didn’t have any fabric in those colors. So, of course, saving all that flannel wasn’t helpful in this situation.

So, I bought more fabric and had fun making some things with soft, neutral colors.

Maybe it’s time to use some of that flannel, make some blankets, and donate them to the hospital or shelters to use the fabric.

It shows that things change and trends change, so you don’t want to be too excessive.

Steps to Declutter and Organize Your Fabric

1- Take Inventory
Begin by assessing what you have. No need to count every yard—just ask yourself:

Do I love this fabric?
Will I realistically use it?

2- Declutter in Small Increments

Don’t try to tackle your entire stash in one day. Start small—one bin, one shelf, or one drawer at a time.

Stop before you get overwhelmed.

3- Organize by Category

Group your fabric by type, color, or project size. Use bins, drawers, or shelves to store them.

For smaller scraps, consider a jar or container to keep them tidy.

I love my repurposed glass cookie jar. It is “eye candy” and allows me to see what I have available.

I use these small pieces for my scrappy fabric projects.

Practical Tips for Managing Your Stash

One In, One Out: Donate or use one piece from your stash for every new fabric you buy.
Set Limits: Decide how much storage space you’ll dedicate to fabric, and stick to it.

For example, limit yourself to one bin per type of fabric (e.g., fleece, flannel).

Embrace the Mindset of Abundance: Let go of the “what if I need this someday?” mentality.

Trust that if you genuinely need a specific fabric in the future, you’ll be able to find it.

Don’t Get Overwhelmed When Decluttering: Don’t overwhelm yourself by digging into the whole project in one day.

Take a small amount of time each day, week, or month, and when you’ve hit your limit, STOP!

If you don’t, you may end up with a big mess and not want to get back at it.

Don’t Limit Yourself Too Much: I’ve told my followers several times that if you see a fabric or a piece of upcycled clothing that is in good shape and something you love, I’ve suggested that you get it.

You don’t have to buy the whole bolt, but get a little of it because you know what? You may not ever see it again, and you may regret it. (It’s called balance).

What to Do With Unused Fabric

If you’re holding onto fabric you no longer need, consider:

Donating: Many organizations, shelters, and hospitals welcome fabric donations for community projects.
Creating for Charity: Use extra fabric to make mittens, hats, blankets, or scarves to donate.
(I have several patterns to make mittens, hats, blankets, and many baby items). You can find them in my pattern shop.

Storage Solutions for Fabric

Your storage system will depend on your space and needs. Here are a few ideas:

Mini Bolts: Use these comic boards to make little mini bolts for about 1/2- 1 yard of fabric. (I show how to do it here).
Bins or Drawers: Clear bins or labeled drawers help you see what you have at a glance.
Large Tubs or Bins: Store more considerable yardage or specialty fabrics like upholstery in larger bins.
Scrap Containers: Limit yourself to one jar or box for small scraps to prevent clutter. I use zip bags to store larger pieces of scraps.
GET MY FABRIC STORAGE TIPS HERE.