A beautiful fabric collection can represent years of projects, inspiration, and those irresistible “I’ll find something to make with this” purchases. But even high-quality quilting fabric needs a little care between projects.
As such, it’s important to properly store your fabric, as it can help protect fabric from fading, moisture, dust, wrinkles, and other problems while making it much easier to find exactly what you need when creativity strikes.
Keep Fabric Clean, Dry, and Away From Direct Sunlight
One of the most important rules of fabric storage is choosing the right environment. Fabric generally does best in a clean, dry area with relatively stable conditions. Basements, garages, attics, and other spaces prone to moisture or dramatic temperature changes may not be ideal for a valuable fabric collection.
Moisture is particularly troublesome because fabric can absorb it from the surrounding environment. Over time, excessive moisture may contribute to musty odors, mildew, or staining. Before putting fabric into long-term storage, make sure it is completely dry.
Sunlight is often overlooked. A colorful row of folded fabrics might look wonderful displayed beside a sunny window, but prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can cause colors to fade. This can become especially noticeable if only one section of a folded piece is exposed. Keep quilting fabrics away from direct sunlight or store them inside cabinets, drawers, bins, or other protected areas.
It is also a good idea to keep fabric off the floor. Even in a finished sewing room, an unexpected spill or leak could put fabric at risk. Shelving, cabinets, and storage containers provide an extra layer of protection.
Give Special Fabrics a Little Extra Attention
Not every piece in your collection needs to be treated exactly the same way. Large cuts of fabric, special prints, sentimental materials, and premium quilting fabrics may deserve additional care, particularly when they will be stored for an extended period.
You should avoid cramming fabric tightly into drawers or containers. Overpacking can create stubborn creases and make it difficult to remove one piece without disturbing everything around it. Giving fabric a little breathing room makes your collection easier to manage.
For long-term storage, periodically checking your collection is also worthwhile. Refolding larger pieces along different lines can help prevent the same creases from remaining in place indefinitely. This is also a perfect opportunity to inspect fabrics for moisture, fading, pests, or other issues before they become more serious.
Of course, proper storage becomes even more important when your fabric collection keeps growing, and we know how easy that can happen! 118 Fabrics & More loves helping quilters discover beautiful materials for their next creation. From fabrics by Moda, Timeless Treasures, QT Fabrics, Dear Stella, Free Spirit, Henry Glass, Hoffman, and Tilda to quilt kits, precuts, and fabric panels, there is always something new to inspire your sewing table. If you have questions about our selection or need help finding fabric for an upcoming project, stop by our shop or contact us with questions. All orders over $35 ship free!
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