So my husband was in the Army. In basic training they are taught/re-taught how to fold clothes. ( I hear some mothers and wives out there singing "Hallelujah!") Shirts can't be more then a dollars length long. Everything has to be rolled and put away. Uniforms are often the exception and can be hung up ...
blah blah army reg's speech blah... Anyway my husband brought the experience home. And it's one thing I can say that I can do BETTER then he can!
*Que the 5 year old in me as I say* "Nana, nana, boo,boo stick your head in doo,doo"
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See the extra amount of space?!?! Ain't it amazing! That's a regular retail folded shirt on the left.
My apologies for the look of the suitcase my cat spilled coffee on it when unpacking awhile back. |
Anyway, after many moves and trips I have got this style of folding down to a T. I can do t-shirts, tank tops, sport's bras, sleep pants/yoga pants, underwear and socks. In this blog (it's a two parter) I will show you how to do shirts, tanks and sports bra's.
T-Shirt:
Take a regular t-shirt and lay it flat on it's back.
Next, fold the shirt about two to three inches up back under the shirt.
Fold at the collar of the shirt over. Keeping sure the bottom stays intact.
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| I can add a long sleeve tutorial for this as well. |
Next fold the opposite side directly over the old fold. If the sleeves fold over just fold them back into the shirt so you have this long skinny line. The bottom part will create a pocket in the back as you fold it.
Flip the shirt to where the neckline is now facing you and the bottom is now the top. Make sure said pocket is still on the back of the shirt. (when I'm watching T.V or get distracted by the million other things moms deal with on a daily basis I sometimes flip the shirt to the wrong side and have to start all over again.) Begin your roll from the new bottom on the shirt where the neck is. And roll up towards the folded fabric.
Begin your roll and roll it all the way till you meet the other fabric and keep rolling mind the back pocket.
Fold the pocket over the back of the shirt. Leaving you with a finished product like this.
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| Pull the pocket back over the shirt |
This little pill from works amazing when you need to pack a lot of stuff in a little bitty space. In the army the sizes and standards are a tad bit different. I've fixed it to where it gets what I need out of it.
The Tank Top / Spaghetti strap:
Pretty much the same thing. The only difference is the sleeves. Try and make it as flat as possible.
I've noticed those shirts with the built in LIES I mean bra's can be hard to fold unless they are absent of padding.
Lay it flat on it's back and fold the bottom of the shirt up a finger length up.
Next fold one side of the shirt over to the center. Then the other. Bunch the straps up at the top and begin to roll.
Fold it over again and remember to flip it.
Roll it up to the top again. And begin to pull the pocket back over the shirt.
Sports Bras:
Same deal here. Sports bras are a tad bit trickier because there's less fabric to work with. But it can be done! I promise it can!
Roll here but keep it tight and it will require both hands. But If you aren't careful you will pull the inside of the bottom up over the the fold and have to start over.
So there you have it. My space saving tip that I never leave a for a vacation without doing. The best part is you can just about fit your entire closet into one bag. stacked up it little rolled pyramids. Stick around for a part 2 on pants, underwear & socks. There maybe a part three on organization.
Coming soon part 2.
