The Quilt Skipper

quilting makes me skip for joy

Jenny K Lyon

Quilting makes me skip for joy

Even Better Thread Storage

I am constantly on a quest to improve my “studio”. I recently reorganized my thread and I really like the new system.Here’s what I started with and it worked pretty well actually. I kept my threads in zip lock baggies by type, and then kept those in this cubby hole system. The only thing that really bugged me about it was that it was visually messy. (There was also a bunch of thread on twirling spindles out of sight of the photo).A few trips to discount and I found these to be the perfect solution. I labeled each drawer and now it’s so easy to find the right thread. I even have room to have one drawer labeled “Weird Threads”, giggle!It's great to be able to see my thread choicesI can pull out the drawer and easily see my choices….or just pull the whole drawer (or two or three) out and choose from there. By the way, I have TWO drawers of silk thread, snort!Just for old time’s sake I kept 2 of my old spinner racks (64 spools each)-they are just too well-made to retire them!

I know many of you have lovely studios with lots of room and light and storage and if you’re one of them and have proper built-in drawers for your thread, I’m jealous and don’t want to hear about it! But if you’re looking for a compact and inexpensive option, this works pretty well.

Comments

    • I keep each spool tidy with the spool cap or sometimes I have to put a little whatchamacallit around it-thread girdle? I don’t know, those little net thingys.

  4. I can tell I’m a neophyte at thread collection since what I have fits into one large drawer, plus the almost empty spools I keep around for hand sewing. I was thrilled to finally figure out that I could pop off the top of some spools, tuck the thread end in, and put the top back on.

    • Love the recycling-Swiffer Storage System you should call it! I never think of myself as having a big thread stash but I guess when you go “public”, then you know!

  7. I have mine stored in baggies too, but they will be in drawers whenever Hubby finishes making the cabinets. I love the idea of just opening up a drawer and seeing all the pretty colors!

  8. It’s so clear that I’m just a lightweight when it comes to thread!!!!! I keep mine in dividers by color in the top drawer of the dresser full of my sewing supplies in my sewing area. As I’m a lightweight… they all seem to fit! You are inspiring me to break open my mind and believe that beige thread does not fit every need… expensive as the thread may be! Thanks Jenny!!!!!

    • Oh Janet, thread are my shoes I guess-other women lust after shoes, I think I never have enough thread! Really though, there are so many cool threads out there-ie ever tried Rainbows by Superior? Yummmm!

  9. I try to accumulate thread on ‘by-project’ basis, but I’m always running out. I just need to find a way to get every color of every thread ever made…then I’ll probaby only run out late at night when I’m 2″ short of the finish!!!

  10. Kathy I suspect you are to thread as I am to beads! I keep beads on a “by project” basis, you keep thread by project. I think you need to go buy more fun thread and I need to buy more fun beads-deal?