Storage containers are a quilter’s catnip. Do you thrill over the PERFECT CONTAINER for quilty things?! YES!
Using the best storage container for your color chips makes it easier to use them. Like a custom closet for clothing, you’re more likely to wear something if you can find it.
I’m sharing some easy ideas for storing and organizing your color chips that work for your storage personality. Yes, you have a storage personality – more on that below.
I’m the loudest cheerleader for learning how to master color for quilts. The more you play with your color chips, the more your color confidence grows.
The little things matter – like how you store them – because you’re more likely to use them when they’re handy and organized.
Watch how I organize my color chips
Your Storage Personality: Are YOU AN INNIE OR OUTIE?
Do you like everything in sight so you know where it is? Remember you own it?
You’re an Outie.
Or do you put everything in containers and drawers? No piles and clean surfaces?
You’re an Innie.
First, let’s start with the best storage containers for color chips for Outies.
Typically, Outies like to see all of their fabric and thread. They also like colorful walls, memorabilia and bookshelves for patterns and quilting books.
Their challenge: Find a system and a place to display their color chips to show off colors.
Best Storage IDEAS FOR OUTIES’ COLOR CHIPS
Here are their best storage ideas:
- White metal peg board with magnetic strips (courtesy of Modern Handcraft) with a nifty tute). These little cards stay put with an adhesive magnetic strip on their backsides. Display your cards and move them around to audition colors. Use one gigantic board or smaller boards for color families, and keep a blank board handy to play on.
- 3-inch metal binder rings (shop here). A pack of 12 rings is enough to get your started. Sort the colors onto rings and you’re ready to mix it up. The chips stay in order and can fit in your purse when you visit the fabric store. Store them on hooks or slide the rings onto an embroidery hoop.
- Glass jars. Stash your color chips in jars and make a pretty display on a shelf or nook.
- Clear boxes with lids. I’m partial to The Container Store, especially the small clear accessory box found in the shoebox section. Perfectiion for a color chip collection!
- Outies beware: Keep them away from direct sunlight and fluorescent lights. They will fade.
Best storage IDEAS for INNIES
Innies feel content when their stuff is contained! The best storage containers for Innies have lids. Innies like to shop for containers and have a designated place for everything.
- Clear boxes with lids and lots of them. Innies like to fill storage containers like nesting dolls. One big container is good; one big container filled with smaller containers is GREAT. (Hello again, Container Store).
- Drawer dividers. Adding dividers gives you a pretty tray of color chips. You can see everything at once, and then not see them when you close the drawer.
- Embroidery thread organizer. As if made for storing color chips, this hinged container is the right size for color chips. Add another container if you branch out into other brands’ color chip collections. And they stack nicely.
Lid it and Label it
Not sure about your Innie or Outie storage personality?
According to me, you’re leaning more in one direction so maybe embrace that. Review the lists above. Or use the easy solution below – baggies.
Sort and put your color chips in baggies in a small storage container with a lid. You won’t be tempted to put anything else in there and it won’t fit anyway.
Last, keep your color chips close by. They’re a daily reminder that says ‘Hey, color chips are creative catnip!’ So go ahead – bat ’em around and see the magic happen!
Learn more about the tiny-but-mighty color chips and other color tools in my post on the must-have-list of color tools for color mastery.
