Organizing ideas, plans for fabric?

I went to a great fabric garage sale last weekend and filled another bin with interesting fabrics, but now I’m worried I’ll forget what all I have and what I hoped to do with it all. How do you organize your fabric plans? I can pin a slip of paper to the fabric and then snap a picture of the two and then create a document with all the photos, but is there a better way? Thanks!

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That sounds very organized. If I have specific plans for fabric, I will put it in a tote with the pattern. I only do that with a few, or else you have a ton of totes. It also helps me see how many “dream” projects I have versus how much I am actually getting done.

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I take pictures and insert them into an Excel schedule.

Fabric earmarked for a planned project go into a tote with the pattern or website. I throw trim, zippers, and thread in as well if I am going to make it soon.

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I tried a fabric database for a while, but it didn’t really work well for me. Mostly I try to organize my storage by fabric type, so if I’m looking for linen, I pull that box and then I can see what my options are.

I also know people who keep a swatch book in a binder, which is kind of the analog version of AIMR’s photo spreadsheet.

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I am seriously thinking about doing a binder. “Something” is lost by looking at pictures on the computer. I miss the touching of the fabric, seeing the weave, the colors. Plus, I am not always at my computer when inspiration strikes. It would also be more relaxing for me to flip through a binder. Old school is sometimes better!

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Oh my, such organization. I have bins and shelves of fabric. The bins are.sort of by type of fabric the the smaller pieces are by color on the shelves. That’s it. I could never keep track. I applaud you all.

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I still resort to the “rummage” through the piles…can’t change my old habits no matter what system I get into. I sometimes think I am at least two different people: neat and organized, messy and chaotic. I accept it.

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I’ve been using this app for quite some time:

https://apps.apple.com/de/app/cora-sew-your-fabric-stash/id1114445108

You can take a picture of you fabric and add lots of notes. I like that I have the details of my stash on my phone during unplanned fabric shopping.

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Ooh, that is cool! Thanks for the tip.

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Yes, that is pretty awesome!!!