Tips For Storing Your Ribbon & Lace

Good morning and welcome to another storage idea post. 
Some weeks ago, while taking pictures of my Die & Rubber stamp storage I took some pictures of my latest idea for my ribbons & lace too.   For some unknown reason I didn't put them up on the blog to share with you at that time, so I've decided to carry on today where I left off.

I don't know about you but I started to buy more and more of my ribbon in full spools, especially the plain, unpatterned ones, as I found I could get it much cheaper than when buying by the metre.  Of course in the beginning a few spools here and there didn't really cause a problem, but as time went on the number of spools grew and the mess became a real bother.   My first solution, in my old craftroom, was to have a narrow metal curtain pole put up, suspended from underneath the base shelf on the wall directly in front of me at my craft desk.  This worked out really well and was perfect until I moved to the bigger craftroom.  In my new room I slightly redesigned the layout around my main craft desk and filled the space beneath my new shelves with miniature draw units and utility boxes.   Now what to do with my ribbons? (which by the way were all still on the extendable curtain pole, stood in the corner of the room; ribbons slowly curling themselves off the spools.)
Well thanks to a clever lady on 'Pinterest' I found an idea that I modified a little and I created a drawer of carded ribbons and lace (I am so sorry but I cannot find the link to the originator, if I do find it in the future I promise to add it so she receives the credit due).

To the right of my main craft desk I have a smaller, narrower desk running along the wall under the window.  Under this I have a set of three plastic drawers that take 12x12 paper easily and they worked out perfect for my ribbons etc.  I have used some foamboard to section off the drawers.  Unfotunately I didn't glue the sectioners into place before I took the photograph so they have moved slightly and look a little messy.  Nevermind it still gives you the overall effect.  Now to the storage cards themselves.
A few years ago  I owned a Wedding Stationers which I ran from my home.  I loved it.  It was my dream come true!  Unfortunately, as my health deteriorated much quicker than I expected, I could no longer cope with the hours of work required for a successful business and so I had to cease trading.  After my spinal surgery I was told I would never be able to work again;  then I started the business and it looked like my life was not over after all.  Then another blow, this was the final time I would ever work and it had come to an end.  The only advantage was that it left me with lots of cardstock, including mount board. 
First I sectioned the drawer with the foamboard and then set about cutting up the mount board to fit within the sections.  I had some oddments that were alot smaller, but I didn't waste them I cut them to shape and used them for the smaller reels of ribbon (as pictured here with the blue organza).

 For some of the larger lengths I cut the cards with the indents on the opposite sides (as pictured above with the ivory lace).

 Shorter lengths and narrower ribbons were easily accomodated on one card, the same idea working for oddments of one type also.

On this card I have lengths of faux suede (it's beautifully fine and delicate). They measure approximately 1inch wide by 12-14inches in length.   I wonder if you could possibly guess where I got it from?  I'll give you a clue, it's another upcycle.    Well, I'll tell you.  It started life stuck onto the plastic shell of an uplighter shade in my bedroom.  I have wanted to change it for a while now and when I did, eventually take it down I thought about just ripping off the fabric and recycling the actual shade.  However, on close inspection of the fabric as I started to pull it away from the shade, I realised it was so fine that it would make lovely ribbon.  It is so soft and flexible that it folds into pleats like a dream and ruches up easily to make really pretty flowers.  What a find, don't you just love it when you can find something so special and it cost you nothing at all!!

Thats another storage idea finished at long last.   I am just sorry that I didn't get it done sooner for you, but better late than never, that's what they say (whoever they are...LOL!).
Have a great day and keep smiling.   Linda xx