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(Photo by Gregory Case Photography)

Quilt artists are increasingly including the use of paint, dye, and stencils in their work. With any specialized tools, they require their own specific handling and storage. Keeping these items close at hand and organized can be an issue when space is at a premium. Given the variety of shapes and sizes of brushes, stencils, and paint containers, storage can also be a challenge.  

Check out these ideas for storage and a few tips on how to take care of your investments. 

Paint Brushes:

Paint brushes can be expensive and with proper care, they will last much longer. Dick Blick recommends these basic tips to keep brushes in their best possible shape.

1. Always use seperate brushes for oil based or water based media.

2. Never leave brushes sitting in water or oil based solvent.

3. Don't scrubb your brushes harshly and make sure to clean thoroughly after each painting session.

4. Lay your bruches flat to dry.  Once dry, they can then be stored vertically or horizontally.

Stencils:
Stencils are thin and can easily be damaged. For this reason, they should always be stored flat or hanging. Always wash your stencils after each project. StencilsandDecals.com has an easy way to clean your stencils:

Use a tall kitchen trash bag liner and place one stencil inside. Spritz the painted side of the stencil generously with Simple Green® cleaner. Repeat laying each stencil sheet on top of the next. Let them sit overnight and rinse each layer with warm water. Lay stencils flat inside a folded terry towel to dry. Store stencils flat or hanging, never rolled.

Whether you want your items out of view or on display is your preference. Below we share a number of options sure to inspire

Clean and Clutter Free Options 

If you perfer a clean and clutter free space, consider these options for storing your paints and supplies.

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1. Stephanie uses a hallway storage cabinet which holds a wide variety of paint and other craft supplies while not taking up much space. (storage cabinet is the Ikea Tarva Dresser)

2. Each drawer holds specific types of items in their own section.

3. Mrs.Easton uses a sushi mat with elastic to hold her brushes. This way they stay separated and won't damage the brush bristles.

4. Belen of Art and Whimsy uses a plasic page protector system to hold mini stencils.

Visually Stimulating Options

Do you prefer a visually stimulating space, or are you lacking in large areas of vertical and horizontal storage? These tabletop ideas might just be the perfect solution.

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1. Angie at The Country Chic Cottage uses a letter holder she found at a Thrift Store. It keeps her paint brushes organized and within easy reach.

2. An old baby changing table works as a clever painting supply station (JunqMailContessa).

3. Beth of UnskinnyBoppy uses Ikea Flintorp Series buckets to hold her paints.

4. Jennifer McGuire stores her smaller stencils in a tabletop filing system.

5. Marjie Kemper uses a two-tiered clip and spin holder (can be found on Amazon.com).

6. In the video, Sonya shares a clever adhesive J-hook system for stencils that are difficult to store using other methods.

New to fabric painting? Learn how to easy and fun it is to create your own unique fabric using dyes and paints. 
Check out these featured artists on our Shows whose work includes painted or dyed fabrics.

Patt Blair (Show 510) Draw and paint a tiger's eye

Velda Newman (Show 903) Creating realistic imagery

Katie Pasquini Masopust (Show 906) Creating painted fabric

Cindy Walter (Show 1111) The pleasures of fabric painting

Mickey Lawler (Show 1305) Creating your own skydye fabric

Joanna Sharpe (Show 1610) Using dyes and paints to enhance your fabric

Andrea Brokenshire (Show 1706) Painting on silk charmeuse

Susan Brubaker Knapp (Show 1709) From photo to fabric painted image

Judy Simmons (Show 1711) Using Shiva Paint Stiks to add depth and shading to your designs