When my friend saw my sewing thread collection and I elaborated on the problems in storing them she teased me by saying “rich people problems”. Then I sorted through my threads and found out that I have over 20 threads in shades of turquoise blue. Rich people problem, indeed.
But for a sewist, having lots of threads than she needs or will ever need is not the real problem – Thread storage is the dilemma for us. So many fabric in different colors – so many shades, tints, and tones to match. Naturally, sewists end up buying a lot of them. It is ok to buy lots of them but they can get damaged if you do not store them properly – in some climates, they can get damp, moldy, oxidized, and some go stale and rotten. And nothing to say about thread tangles.
Hand Embroidery floss storage
Hand embroidery thread can become a mess sooner than later after the first thread is drawn out of them. After taking out the first length of embroidery thread the skein becomes a mess and very difficult to store.
But most passionate embroidery enthusiasts have a solution for this. They buy Plastic Floss Bobbins and wind thread on them.
Yes it requires some patience to wind the bobbins but you can buy bobbin winders; they are so pretty when stacked inside a box. You can easily make these bobbins out of cardboard packets of cereals etc.
There is one tip I have read that says you should not store your thread spools in plastic covers. But I always do – they are so convenient. I have my spare embroidery thread color separated and stored inside small plastic covers.If you do not want to use bobbins this is the next best method.
You can keep silicon gel packets in the box to absorb moisture and I hope they will be good.
If you do not like the plastic cover idea or the bobbins and the trouble of winding them, you can take thin cardboard of 3 inches by 5-inch dimension fold it by almost half, staple the sides shut – this will give you a small pocket with a small lip- you can store your skeins inside. And write the numbers/colors and store outside accordingly. The advantage of this pocket is that you can store it flat and neat and it is open on one side so no humidity problem – just keep similar colors together sorted and arranged in boxes. The disadvantage is that the acid content of cardboard may damage the thread if stored for a very long time.
When I start a new project,I take a plastic box with a lid and throw in the threads (the colors needed for the project) needles, small thread snips, thimble and anything I need for the project inside. I can then carry it wherever I am going
Bobbin thread
Buy several bobbins ; you get a few when you buy a sewing machine but when you start sewing you will know that those are never enough. Wind and keep 2 or 3 bobbins in grey, white and black at all times – these colors go with most colors and they are useful in sewing emergencies. Grey is the most suitable as a bobbin thread for a lot of fabric colors.
Always wind more than one bobbin for a project. At least 2 or 3 bobbins and keep them near the sewing machine for a project. You can do this for all your work-in-progress projects. This way, you will not stop for want of bobbin thread.
Sewing Machine thread
You can store your sewing machine thread many ways – just a gift box can be used to keep the thread upright
Or use a very nice wall mounted thread storage, if you have quite a good collection and you like the convenience of having them at hand at all times.
For storing my sewing machine thread, my favourite is this plastic thread storage box with those small upright rodes inside. You can store all your threads upright in them, without causing problems for the thread, or tangling them, and keep them sorted according to color.
or according to need.
