I am on C R’s Crafts email list. This week they have two items on sale that that I think are very handy gadgets. One is a narrow tape measure from Dritz’s doll sewing supplies. I have one of these tape measures and use it often when I am sewing for dolls. I think that Dritz has discontinued its line of doll supplies, so the little tape measure may soon be hard to find.

The other product is a fashion doll ironing board that clips onto a regular ironing board. I have not tried this particular ironing board, but it looks like it would work very well. I have a more expensive doll ironing board that I ordered from Dollsparts several years ago. It sits on its own wooden stand, rather than clipping to the large ironing board. I use it almost every time I make doll clothing. The last time I checked, Dollsparts still carried the little boards. I had to do a search for it. I didn’t find it under any of the categories listed on the left of their homepage screen. There is a link to both C R’s Crafts and Dollsparts on my homepage.

getting organized sewing for small dolls, sewing tools

I have just spent two afternoons folding my fabric collection. At a recent family gathering an organized cousin, who is also a gifted quilter, told me the secret for folding and storing fabric lengths.

This method works for fabric that is between 44 and 45 inches wide. The goal is to fold each piece of fabric into an 11 inch by 6 inch rectangle.

It is easiest to work on a craft table or ironing board. Have a 6 inch ruler handy.

First fold the width of the fabric in half by bringing the selvages together. It is usually folded in half this way on the bolt in the store. You now have a fabric rectangle that is 22 inches wide by the length of the cut fabric.

 Next fold the length of fabric in half, so your rectangle is 22 inches wide by half the length of the fabric.

The third step in folding does not feel natural if the fabric piece is long. I always want to fold the length in half again, so that the fabric is easier to handle. Instead fold the width of the fabric in half. You should now have a rectangle that is 11 inches wide by half the length of your fabric.

Use a 6 inch ruler for the last set of folds. Make 6 inch zig zag folds with the length of fabric until you have a 6 inch by 11 inch rectangular piece of fabric.

I was amazed a how much less space the fabric takes on the shelf and how easy it is to spot the piece that I am looking for.

getting organized sewing tools