question

[AmandaNC]

Hi, I am a brand spanking new newbie, I am just about half way thru with this tiny little $1 kit I bought at AC Moore to get me started.
What do you think is the best way to help keep the threads organized? This thing is so tiny that I am only using 2 strands at a time and it is getting harder and harder to tell what shade is what since I have 2 or 3 shades of one color.
Thanks!
Amanda

[Angel]

Oh I know what that's like, I now use disposable paper bobbins and write what the colour is on them. If you dont have paper bobbins, they're easy to make, just get a cereal box or similar and cut the shapes out, use that.

Make sure your ink dries on your bobbins before wrapping your thread around them though.

[Rose]

Angel has given you a very good suggestion.

Another idea to think about is to get a piece if poster board, (most any place that sells school suppies will have this) cut a 2 inch by 6 inch piece (or longer if needed) with a handheld hole punch (or similar device) make holes for the amount of different colors that your kit has, then loop the thread through the holes and mark the color # and the symbol next to each hole. There you have made your own thread organizer.

[Angel]

Oh, I like that idea too!

[charmagne_capalad]

Hello Amanda...I'm also new here in the forum. Welcome!

I also make a personal thread organizer...a 6" ruler-size cardboard where I punch holes and write the ref# of threads alongside them. I put them all together in a plastic envelope with the pattern and cloth so i can bring it along with me wherever I want to stitch. (I usually stitch in all parts of the house...LOL ) Happy stitching!

charmagne
http://www.community.webshots.com/user/ ... ne_capalad" target="_blank

[Serinde]

All excellent suggestions. I have been known to use cereal box cardboard cut to size, or shirt card from DH's (admittedly rare) new shirts. You may find you will begin collecting all manner of unlikely things now you are a stitcher: stash, to give it it's proper name.
Welcome from me, too, from the West of Scotland -- we love newbies, so join right in!

[~threadbear~]

Here's a couple of pictures of the two ways of storage, just to give you more of a visual idea of the suggestions made above. Just click on the two 'thread' links below.

Welcome to the forum, I hope you can show us pictures of your work soon.


Thread on bobbin

Thread on organiser

[Becca]

I do the holepunch technique, it works really well for all size projects. If you have a lot of threads just make more than one organiser.

[freelady]

I use a CD folder, one of those with one CD per page. I put a label on each one with the name and symbol, the put the whole thread in there. I can just zip it closed and go. I will move to bobbins eventually but this works for now.

I have a larger one with 4 pockets on each page where I keep my stash of threads.

[Mabel Figworthy]

I have all my floss on bobbins, and have a small organiser box with 5 compartments which holds the bobbins needed for the project that I'm working on (or the five projects I'm working on, if there's room...). It also permanently holds 2 or 3 each of the different needles I have (gold-plated 24, 26 and 28, petites 24 and 26, short beading needles), my gold and silver Madeira no. 40 threads, and some odds and ends of special threads which I think might come in useful.

For projects which come as kits (which I don't do very often) I wind the floss on existing bobbins if it's a colour I've got myself, or on temporary card bobbins if I haven't and it's just a few threads.

I'll take a picture of it and post it a bit later.

[Mabel Figworthy]

Here's the project box -- click on it for a larger version (of the picture, not the box )

[coffee_freak]

what I do with kits...
get in bright sunlight if possible and lay all the floss out straight..
and try to seperate in order as listed on the key..
and count how many they say you should have..make sure that's how many you have..if it is off..then it may not be the right color.
use paper bobbins like stated above..

but bright light and laying them out straight in a row..
like one under another..not end to end..lol

[AmandaNC]

Thanks! I have a lot to learn and I think I just got started.
I really appreciate all the advice and will put it in motion.
Thanks again!
Amanda

[Smita]

I have a thread organizer, if you log on to the sew and so website they sell them.

All i do i cut the thread into manageable lengths and then write the number down and tie it in.

It's a great way to build up a collection of threads as the more patterns you sow the less likely you are going to have to buy new threads as you may already have some.

My current project only required me to buy a dozen or so threads that i didn't have. Also the organisers that i have also have a magnet at the top of the card so there is no way that i am going to lose my needles either!

[AmandaNC]

I have a thread organizer, if you log on to the sew and so website they sell them.

I just got off of work and may not be comprehending just right but what is the web site exactly? I would love to check that out.
Thanks!
A very very tired Amanda

[Angel]

http://www.sewandso.co.uk" target="_blank

it's an english site, but they do ship to america too.

[Serinde]

I'm sure they must have these in the US!

(*sympathies to very tired bear, Amanda, who needed her bed*)

[Smita]

The website is http://www.sewandso.co.uk" target="_blank

If you go to the accessories tab and then find the Loran accessories you can see them there

[AmandaNC]

Thanks Ladies!
I got a little sleep so I am a bit better today.