Cross Stitchers - how do you keep your threads organised??

[Jaycee]

Hello my fellow cross stitchers

I am getting quite a collection of threads (I can't remember the exact terminology now ) and was just wondering what you all keep your threads in and how you organise them?

My fishing tackle box (don't laugh!) that I keep them in is now starting to overflow and I need something bigger and better lol

TIA

Janine
xx

[butterfly_warrior]

I wind them all onto bobbins and keep them in a floss box... three, in fact, I have so many! Four if you count the one that's got the few Anchor threads, the other three are just DMC. They're all stored in numerical order.

For the threads I'm using for the current project - I pull out the required numbers and put them in a smaller floss box and just work from that.

BW

[amberj]

Threads for a particular project I wind around those little white cardboard things and label them with the colour for the project and their DMC number. I keep them in a separate box while I'm doing the project then when I'm finished I store them in plastic organiser boxes (like fishing tackle boxes) with similar colours together.

Thread I have not unwound I put in plastic zip-lock bags with threads of similar colour. I probably have about 6-8 different bags of threads I just store in a shoe box.

I think that DMC organiser system looks cool, but a bit exxy.

[Astrolady]

The same as BG. I don't have that many though, 1 box full. My 2nd box is on order. Mine are also in Numerical order going by DMC numerics.

[briggsy's girl]

The same as BG. I don't have that many though, 1 box full. My 2nd box is on order. Mine are also in Numerical order going by DMC numerics.

oooh, you do the same as me and i haven't even posted yet!! the BW/BG identity crisis strikes again!



i've not got any cottons at the moment except for package kits on the go at the moment so i'm using the cards like Amber mentioned...

[Astrolady]

Doh !!! Sorry girls LOL.

[briggsy's girl]

Doh !!! Sorry girls LOL.

don't fret Kat - i think it's something we're getting used to (and we DO have a lot in common, so it's not insulting or anything - well, not to me! lol)

[Astrid]

I wind them all onto bobbins and keep them in a floss box... three, in fact, I have so many! Four if you count the one that's got the few Anchor threads, the other three are just DMC. They're all stored in numerical order.

For the threads I'm using for the current project - I pull out the required numbers and put them in a smaller floss box and just work from that.

BW

I am similar, except I really only have DMC. I also have working cards with the main threads I am using, cut to length and with the chart symbol. I find I need to do this mainly with the combined threads, a bit of work to set-up but means once I get sewing I can just concentrate on that.

[caddie]

I wind mine onto a special peice of cardboard then bunch them with colours similar. My grandmother also gave me a dmc chart years ago with all the colours so i can match up the threads if i lost the number and needed more. It can in very handy at times. So thanks to my nana who has long since past.

[Bathsheba]

Ok just taken a piccy for this thread. HERE is how my floss is stored. It's DMC. I have bought a DMC Floss Sample Folder which like the name suggests has a small sample of every colour of DMC floss available... including metalics etc. So if I lose track of a certain floss' DMC number I can compare the mystery floss to the samples. I also pull out all the floss I need from the storage boxes for any given project and pop them onto a key ring (which sometimes I do a stitched sample so i know what project they relate to... there's an example of two of these key rings in that photo).

I wind the floss onto white plastic floss "cards" that are the right size for the storage boxes. I used to use white cardboard ones but after over 20 years of stitching they were getting a bit dog-eared.... the plastic will last longer.

You can also buy DMC number stickers for the cards which I'm going to get soon.... the only downside of the plastic cards is that you have to use permanent marker to write the number on them (I use to use pencil on the paper ones so I could erase it if need be to change the floss colour).

[Bathsheba]

HERE is a close up of the key rings... a portable way to carry the floss around with you without losing any. The key rings allow you to insert a small sample of the stitched design... it's kept clean and secure.

[Jaycee]

Wow bath, that's impressive!
Where did you get the thread sample from??

[Astrid]

Gosh Bath you are so organised. The sample sheet is such a good idea.

[Bathsheba]

I bought the floss sample folder from my local needlework and craft store... they ordered it in for me. I read about them on a cross stitch forum (PM me if you want to know)... and even though it was a bit pricey at the time (about $50 I think, it was about 3 years ago) it's been ever so handy... I use it with every project. It helps me substitute almost identical shades instead of going out and buying another floss. It's also been handy when my mum buys me second hand floss from op shops... or when using floss other than DMC (eg Anchor) makes it easy to match up to DMC.

[Trillian]

Any kits I have brought I just keep unused threads on the cards with their numbers as I have a few that aren't mainstream brands available in shops in a plastic sleeve in a folder along with the chart and picture. I have a few odd DMC skeins that I have brought for different projects that until now I have just kept in a small floss bag, but I am about to start a project that has a wopping 86 DMC colours so I brought the box with the bobbins and i will keep it all in there.

[Bathsheba]

Just to let you passionate stitchers know: I have posted a new thread in the websites forum about a great site for cross stitchers. Lots of help and inspiration to be found there. It's awaiting approval from the mod team and i'll let you know more if/when it gets approved. I've learnt so much from this site... looking forward to sharing Lots of info about storing floss etc.

Update: due to the site selling some designs it can't be approved as a thread in the BB website forum.... sorry girls... PM me if you want to know more.