Folding Fabric... How I Organized My Sewing Room Closet

Okay, I'm stepping on the bandwagon and organizing MY sewing room too. This is a shelf that needs lots of TLC, as you can see.

My fabric closet is a nightmare. I can't even step inside. The fabric is piled practically to the ceiling. This may take months to organize...

Sooo, as suggested, I purchased a 24" X 5" Lip Edge Ruler to help fold fabric. While at Walmarts, I found a ruler for about $10, but decided to use the coupon at Hobby Lobby.

The ruler at Hobby Lobby was $14.99, but with the coupon, I paid $9.

I refolded several bolts of fabric.

This is already proving to be a SPACE SAVER!

Well, I have a long ways to go, but at least I got SOME fabric organized.

As the saying goes, A JOURNEY OF A THOUSAND MILES BEGINS WITH A SINGLE STEP!

I'll keep you posted on my progress!

PS) I bought more fabric from the dollar store this week -- so far, I've made 2 pairs of Capri's, 1 slacks, and 3 skirts.  

UPDATE: 2026   

Why Organizing Fabric Matters

One of the biggest challenges for any sewer is managing a growing fabric collection. Fabric can quickly take over closets, shelves, and sewing rooms if it isn't organized. I discovered that simply refolding fabric onto uniform-sized boards or rulers makes it easier to see what I already own and prevents me from purchasing duplicates.

Over the years, I have learned that organized fabric is more likely to get used. When fabric is hidden in piles, it's easy to forget what colors, prints, and materials are available. Once folded and stacked neatly, I can quickly find what I need for doll clothes, quilts, crafts, or clothing projects. 

Tips for Organizing a Fabric Stash

• Sort fabric by color, theme, or fabric type.
• Keep small scraps in clear bins for future projects.
• Label specialty fabrics such as flannel, denim, fleece, or holiday prints.
• Store frequently used fabrics where they are easy to reach.
• Consider keeping a notebook or photo inventory of larger fabric pieces.

Looking Back

It's funny to look at these photos today because this was only the beginning of my fabric organization journey. Like many sewers, I always seemed to bring home more fabric than I could possibly use. Still, every piece represented a future project waiting to happen.

Whether you sew doll clothes, quilts, home décor, or garments, an organized sewing space makes creating much more enjoyable.

Folding Fabric II: Organizing a Large Fabric Stash One Shelf at a Time

Country Fried Steaks: Classic Southern Country Fried Steak with Cream Gravy

~ Simple country fried steak recipe ~

Few comfort food meals are more satisfying than homemade country fried steak with rich cream gravy. This simple recipe uses cube steak coated in a crispy seasoned crust, then pan-fried until golden brown. Finish it with homemade pepper gravy, and you've got a classic Southern meal that's perfect with mashed potatoes, green beans, biscuits, or corn on the cob.

dipping cube steak into flour

Take a package of beef cube steaks, salt and pepper, and coat each steak in flour.

First adding egg to milk

Then dip each floured steak into a bowl of 1 egg and 1 cup of milk. COAT each steak AGAIN in flour. Now they're ready for pan frying!

pan frying the breaded steaks in oil 

Have an iron skillet ready with hot grease.

Simple and quick. Serve with your favorite side dishes.

~

GRAVY
After the steaks are removed from the pan, pour off all but about 2 tablespoons of oil, keeping as many as possible of the browned bits in the pan.

Heat the oil over medium heat until hot. Sprinkle 3 tablespoons flour (use the left-over flour from the chicken fried steak recipe) in the hot oil.

Stir with a wooden spoon, quickly, to brown the flour. Gradually stir in 3/4 cup milk and 3/4 cup water, mixed together, stirring constantly with the wooden spoon and mashing out any lumps.

Lower heat, and gravy will begin to thicken. Continue cooking and stirring a few minutes until gravy reaches desired thickness.

Homemade Cream Gravy

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons pan drippings (leave the browned bits in the skillet)
• 3 tablespoons flour
• ¾ cup milk
• ¾ cup water
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. After removing the country fried steaks, pour off all but about 2 tablespoons of the grease, leaving the browned bits in the pan.
2. Heat the grease over medium heat.
3. Sprinkle in the flour and stir constantly with a wooden spoon until lightly browned.
4. In a measuring cup, combine the milk and water.
5. Slowly pour the liquid into the skillet while stirring constantly to prevent lumps.
6. Continue stirring until the gravy thickens to your desired consistency.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve immediately over the country fried steaks.

Affordable Clothes: Easy Sewing Pattern for a Simple Elastic Waist Skirt (Beginner Friendly)

A beginner-friendly sewing pattern I've used for years.

One of the easiest ways to stretch a clothing budget is to learn a few basic sewing skills. Over the years I've made countless skirts and pants using this simple pattern because it's quick, easy to sew, and comfortable to wear. If you're just learning to sew or want an inexpensive project that comes together fast, an elastic-waist skirt is a great place to start.

I've had several friends show an interest in making their own skirts and slacks. This is a pattern that I've been using for years. I've purchased about 4 of these patterns all together. The last two, I've worn out. The two most recent are for myself and Pamela.

I love this pattern. No frills, no fuss, quick and easy!

One piece of fabric became multiple sewing projects.

The full skirt consists of 1 pattern. You place it on a fold --- Cut an identical piece again and sew both sides together. Hem the bottom, sew over the top for elastic and you're finished! I use a serger on all my clothes, so once I run it through the machines, I'm finished in less than 20 min -- this includes hemming and elastic!

~

The picture above is the skirt I made for Pamela today. I used a really fabulous fabric (cotton/polyester blend - brown with mini pink polka dots) that I had found on the DOLLAR TABLE at Walmarts. I purchased 3 yards.

For $3, I made 1 full sized skirt, 1 pair of slacks, and had enough fabric for Pamela to make doll clothes for her 18" dolls.

Finished elastic-waist skirt.

You just can't beat a dollar an outfit!

Why I Keep Coming Back to This Pattern

Some sewing patterns are beautiful but take an entire weekend to complete. This one has remained one of my favorites because it's simple enough for beginners while still producing a comfortable everyday skirt.

A few reasons I love it:

• Easy elastic waistband—no zipper required.
• Uses very little fabric.
• Great for beginners.
• Perfect for everyday wear.
• Can be dressed up or kept casual depending on the fabric.

One of my favorite money-saving tips is to always check the clearance fabric table. You never know when you'll find a beautiful fabric at a fraction of the regular price. That little bargain can turn into several handmade projects for just a few dollars.

Spouse Paternal Update

I was surprised to see an update on Alan's paternal DNA -

He's now paternally an R1B1B2 M207 (upgraded from a simple R1b)

No projects to join, but here's the info from Wikipedia:

R1b1b2
Most of the present-day European males with the M343 marker also have the P25 and M269 markers. These markers define the R1b1b2 subclade.

This subgroup is believed by some to have existed before the last Ice Age and has been associated with the Aurignacian culture[13] (32,000 - 21,000 BC). Archeological evidence supports the view of the arrival of Aurignacian culture to Anatolia from Europe during the Upper Paleolithic rather than from the Iranian plateau[14].

Although the precise route of the M269 marker is not known, it is theorized to have originated in Central Asia/South Central Siberia. It could have entered prehistoric Europe from the area of Ukraine/Belarus or Central Asia (Kazakhstan) via the coasts of the Black Sea and the Baltic Sea.[2] It is considered widespread in Europe throughout the Paleolithic already before the last Ice Age.[15]

Traditionally this culture is associated with the Cro-Magnon people, the first modern humans to enter Europe. However, this view has recently been challenged.[16] The people of the Aurignacian culture were the first documented human artists, making sophisticated cave paintings. Famous sites include Lascaux in France, Altamira in Spain and Valley of Foz Côa in Portugal (the largest open-air site in Europe).

European LGM refuges, 20 kya.

The glaciation of the ice age intensified, and the continent became increasingly uninhabitable. The genetic diversity narrowed through founder effects and population bottlenecks, as the population became limited to a few coastal refugia in Southern Europe. The present-day population of R1b in Western Europe are believed to be the descendants of a refugium in the Iberian Peninsula (Portugal and Spain), where the R1b1b2 haplogroup may have achieved genetic homogeneity.

As conditions eased with the Allerød Oscillation in about 12,000 BC, descendants of this group migrated and eventually recolonised all of Western Europe, leading to the dominant position of R1b in variant degrees from Iberia to Scandinavia, so evident in haplogroup maps.[11]
A second R1b1b2 population, reflected in a somewhat different distribution of haplotypes of the more rapidly varying Y-STR markers, appear to have survived alongside other haplogroups in Eastern Europe.

However, they do not have the same dominance that R1b has in Western Europe. Instead the most common haplogroup in Eastern Europe is haplogroup R1a1.
Note that haplogroup R1b and haplogroup R1a first existed at very different times. The mutations that characterize haplogroup R1b occurred ~30,000 years bp, whereas the mutations that characterize haplogroup R1a occurred ~10,000 years bp.

(In earlier literature the M269 marker, rather than M343, was used to define the R1b haplogroup. Then, for a time [from 2003 to 2005] what is now R1b1b2 was designated R1b3. From 2005 to 2008 it was R1b1c. This shows how nomenclature can evolve as new markers are discovered and then investigated).

Arab project

Currently enrolled in 3 research groups:

Arabian Peninsula
J1 Arab Project
J - YDNA

Update on paternal J1 Y-DNA Arab Project

Project Goals:
-->To understand the Arab branches, tribes and their genetic relation with the Ancient Israelites,with other Semitics and with other J1s.-->

Project Background:
-->The Arabs As per the Arab genealogists the Arabs are the descendant of Aber who by his turn is a descendant of (Sam) Shem the mythical great grandfather of the Semitics.

The two main Aber lines are: 1- The(Ibrahemites) The descendants of Abraham PBUH ,Divided into three main groups the ancient Ismailite Arabs the Northern Arabs or the Arabaized Arabs and Adnanite, both of them are the descendants of (Ismail) Ishmael, plus the Ancient Israelites the descendants of (Ishaq) Isaac who few of them became Christian after the expansion of the Christianity in the first century AD and became Christian Arabs after the Islamic expansion , also few Israelites became Muslims and Arabaized after the Islamic expansion in the 7th century AD.

Their origins believed to be from the southern Mesopotamia the modern Iraq and the first appearance of the Ismailite Arabs was in Mecca and its surrounding aria (Al Hejaz) probably between (1700-1500 BC), Then they spread to (Najad ) and to all over Arabia , they Arabized and learned their Arabic language from (jourhom) the Qahtanite Arabic tribe.

Adnanite arabs existed between (200BC -50 BC)and Divided into two main branches Mudhar and Rabeaa , from Mudhar came Qurayish the tribe of the prophet Mohammad (PBUH),the rest of the Ismailite Arabs existed between (1700 BC-1500BC). 2-The Qahtanite Arabs or the southern or the pure Arabs the Descendants of Qahtan or Yaqdhan, existed probably 2000BC.

They were the first to speak the classic Arabic; the Qahtanite are divided into two branches,the Sabaeans and the Hadhramies, the Sabaies by their turn divided into Himyarites and Kahlanies; from Himyarites Arabs Came Qudaa one of the main south Arabic groups today and from Kahlanies the second main group came Al Azd, Mudhaj, Hamadan, Khuolan, Tayi and Ashar .

They were located in the south of the Arabian Peninsula, the modern Yemen and Oman, gradually they spared all over Arabia.

Regarding the mother land of the Arabs (Semitics), There are four theories:

• The Arabian Peninsula
• The Fertile Crescent
• The southern Levant
• Ethiopia and Eretria

The Language of the Arabs is Arabic a branch of the Semitic Languages

Participation Any Arab person with J1(+M267)Haplogroup ,believes or doubt that his origin is Arabic and carrying a J1 Haplogroup can participate to this project; the minimum requirement for participation is the J1 Haplogroup confirmation or prediction and 12 STR Markers test.-->

STOCK-ING UP: How to Make Homemade Chicken Stock from Leftover Bones

Roasted Duck 

One of the easiest ways to stretch your grocery budget is to make homemade stock from leftover chicken or turkey bones. Not only does it reduce food waste, but it also creates a rich, flavorful base for soups, stews, gravies, and casseroles. It's a simple homesteading skill that generations before us considered second nature—and one that's still worth learning today.

A Few Tips for Making Homemade Stock

Making homemade stock is surprisingly simple.

• Save cooked chicken, turkey, or duck bones in the freezer until you have enough for a large pot.
• Add onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and a few herbs if you have them on hand.
• Cover with water and simmer gently for several hours to extract as much flavor as possible.
• Strain the stock, cool it quickly, and refrigerate or freeze it for future meals.

Once you start making homemade stock, it's hard to go back to bouillon cubes. The flavor is richer, and it's a great way to make the most of ingredients you already have.

Tonight, I cooked Chinese and roasted a duck with orange glaze. After the meal, my stepson asked for the duck carcass. He wanted to freeze it to save later for stock. I couldn't believe it as my mother was just blogging about her homemade stock.

Well, I'm inspired. I'll purchase a whole chicken this weekend. I made homemade chicken vegetable soup the other day and had used bouillon cubes. I can only wonder how good it would have tasted with homemade stock!

Chicken stir fry from leftovers 

Free Things to Do in Austin: Mount Bonnell, Austin Nature Center, Zilker Botanical Garden & Whole Foods

Austin is full of attractions that don't require spending a fortune. On this particular day, we visited several of our favorite spots, including Mount Bonnell, the Austin Nature Center, Zilker Botanical Garden, and Whole Foods Market. Between scenic overlooks, native Texas wildlife, beautiful gardens, and great food, it turned into one of those simple family outings that reminded us why we enjoy living in Central Texas.

Planning an Austin Day Trip

One of the things I love most about Austin is how many interesting places can be enjoyed in a single day. Scenic overlooks, hiking trails, wildlife exhibits, historic buildings, botanical gardens, and great local food are all within a short drive of one another.

Although this visit took place in 2008, many of these destinations continue to be favorites for both visitors and longtime residents. If you're planning a trip to Austin, they're well worth adding to your itinerary.

Stop 1: Mount Bonnell – Scenic views of the Colorado River

Stop 2: Austin Nature Center – Native Texas wildlife and hands-on exhibits

Stop 3: Zilker Botanical Garden – Beautiful gardens and historic buildings

Stop 4: Whole Foods Market – Lunch and local specialties

We spent the day taking advantage of some Austin area attractions. It had been several years since we'd climbed Mt Bonnell, so we paid Bonnell another visit.

Stopped to admire the beetle at Mount Bonnell 

 

Long stairs up to see the view on Mount Bonnell

Long stairways leading to the lookout.

Gorgeous view of Austin skyline and the river

Overlooking the Colorado River.

Colorado River, Austin Texas 

Colorado River

Lizard Mount Bonnell 

Austin Skyline

Austin skyline.

resting after the long climb Mount Bonnell 

Austin Nature Center

The Austin Nature center is one of our favorite hangouts. The museum and mini zoo is free for the public.

Watch for snakes in Austin Texas 

 

Inside Austin Nature Center 

Toad at Austin Nature Center

viewing wildlife at the Austin Nature Center

Many native animals to see -- wildcats, coyotes, foxes, birds...

Fox at the nature center

aquafer

My favorite area is their hands-on classroom located in the visitor center. Lots of fossils, bones, rocks, microscopes, and interesting gadgets to hold in your hands and examine.

skeletons at the Austin Nature Center 

Giant Desert Centipede Austin Texas

Austin Texas native bugs

wildlife poop identification Austin Nature Center 

Under the bridge - Austin jogging trails

Walking some of the jogging trails near the Nature Center.

Colorado River 

Austin Botanical Garden 

We next visited the Austin Botanical Garden - located right beside the Nature Center. One of Austin's best kept secrets. This park is also free to the public.

One of the first one-room school houses in Austin- Travis County.

Historic one-room Travis County schoolhouse.

Austin Botanical Garden 

Austin Texas Bamboo

Bamboo trail - Austin Botanical Garden 

escalator at Whole Foods

For lunch, we went to WHOLE FOODS. When I was doing marketing research for Splenda, I'll never forget what the research scientists (from New York) said about this store. They called it the DISNEY LAND of grocery stores.

Austin's first Whole Foods 

This is one of the most organized and cleanest grocery stores you'll ever see. Everything is fresh and organic. The place will spoil you rotten --- it makes the Super Wal-Mart produce section look like something from a third world country.

Deli at Whole Foods Austin

Several deli's and mini cafe's are spread throughout the store. We decided to eat BARBECUE!

The meat is non antibiotic, no hormones, and the livestock is raised on PURE GRAINS. Nothing but the best. The food is a little more expensive, but WELL WORTH the price.

Variety of desserts at Whole Foods Austin, Texas 

We sampled delicious scones, vegan cheesecake (cream made from nuts) and vegan sour cream! WOW!

Chocolate tower - Whole Foods - Austin Texas

We picked up fresh tomatoes, garlic, Pomegranates, and Mango's. We had to cut our day short as I had to head for work tonight, but after looking at today's events, I think we had a FULL DAY!