I’ve been looking for a while for the perfect solution to store my fabric. It had to have open-front shelving so I could see my fabric. The shelves had to be short, because fabric doesn’t stack very high and any extra space would just be wasted. And finally, it had to be CUTE. I wasn’t going to spend $ on something that wasn’t cute. Then I found it (see photo). It was the right color, right height, right size and exactly the right level of cuteness. It was a splurge, but I will splurge for cuteness & perfection.
When the shelves finally came, I opened the box and the first thing I noticed was how cute they were. The second thing I noticed was how smelly they were! But not to worry – I opened the windows and aired them out for a couple of days. Then when I thought it was safe, I started getting my fabric folded into perfect little piles to fit in those perfect little cubbies. That’s when it hit me. Not only did the smell seem stronger, I was getting a headache from it. I can’t sew with a headache. :( A little online research told me exactly what I needed to know – the MDF used in this furniture releases formaldehyde, polluting the air in my house not for a few days but continuing to release it for several years. I think the paint is also partially to blame. The sad thing is that this furniture is marketed for use by children. *sigh* Needless to say, I called, complained and got it all returned.
It was around that time that we got a new handyman. He does it all, including building furniture from scratch (so jealous). So after going over the dimensions, paint color, and wood, he brought me the finished product: my early Christmas present.
The only adaptation I made was cutting one set of shelves into 2 shorter shelves. These shelves hold WAY more fabric than the shelves I had before. And the old shelves took up more space. So happy with these. They cost $100 more than the ones I returned – definitely worth the cost of no headaches! Wishing I knew about cabinet makers before – am now a huge fan of custom furniture.
I <3 this! If only I had the room for such a thing instead of all my fabric being dispersed into different boxes and chests! x
Georgina, after sewing for a while I realized that if I can’t see my fabric I forget I have it! So the open-front shelves are ideal for my poor brain.
Wow, what a wonderful storage solution! Lucky you!!
Thanks, Beki!
1. envy. 2. envy. 3. hilarity, my fabric would not fit in those shelves 4. what’s in the cupboards?
Go you for sending back the outgassing first lot! I’m glad you have such a nice piece of furniture.
Cheers,
AJ
Hey AJ! When my fabric filled the shelves, I was shocked. Needless to say I’m not buying any more until I use up some of this fabric! I love the drawers because it fits the non-glamorous stuff like batting and interfacing. Merry Christmas!
On Wed, Dec 19, 2012 at 11:47 AM, Craft App
This is lovely…might need to start looking for a cabinet maker too!
What a great and beautiful solution!!!
These are just some great ideas! Loving all of the examples, ideas, pictures! Makes the mind wander at all of the fantastic things you can create!
Love the shelves! And the big letters too!
What a nice craft room ^_^ loved the cabinet but i guess i loved the SEW letters more than the cabinet
Thanks! I made those SEW letters a few years ago and they’ve been in storage for a while. So glad I now have a place to put them!
What a great piece of furniture…….I am all for custom anything because it helps the local economy…….enjoy your wonderful piece!
Please be careful storing your fabric this way. The natural light bleaches it, I found out the hard way opening up a piece of fabric and finding half had been bleached and it was ruined. I keep mine now in plastic storage boxes in a dedicated room for fabric. It may be worth investing in some plastic boxes small enough the fit on your unit?
Sophie http://www.contentedlittlemummy.com
Wow, thanks for the idea, I have been looking for ideas on how to store fabrics. Lucky you to have a handyman.. =)
Very pretty cupboard and shelf. You don’t even have to sew. Just sit in a chair with a cup of tea and stare at it. Deep sigh of contentment. By the way, have you seen the furniture site by Anna White? She has tons of very clear, free plans for furniture. We made a fort-bed that turned out great.