Storing non-DMC/specialty floss

[bookknurd]

Perftangel mentioned in the Bobbinate-a-long thread that she was not sure about how she would store some non-DMC floss (such as WDW, GAST, Crescent Colours, silks, etc.)

I've also been musing about a good way to store these kinds of floss. I'm thinking bobbins, but I'll have to be careful about how I mark them so I know what exactly I'm working with. Also, the mixing of dye lots becomes a much bigger issue, as the dye lots with these threads can vary by quite a bit, and this occurs much more often than with DMC.

I'm also curious about the storage of different sizes of threads. For instance, threads that are thicker (like pearl #5), would result in some very bulky bobbins if stored that way. Maybe the clothespin trick would be a good choice here. Again, another issue here (for me at least) is accurately labeling them.

I'm sure there are some great solutions (some probably obvious), but I haven't come up with any good answers for my own stash as of yet.

Perhaps the floss bags are the key to this dilemma?

Please share any of your current storage/organization solutions, or any thoughts/musings you might have on the subject.

[perftangel]

Why yes, yes I did just ask! Good idea starting a new thread, I will be checking this out for ideas. =)

I'm currently using floss away bags (well, I will be when they arrive in the mail) for anything non-DMC and I've been looking at larger sewing boxes, mine is getting to be much too small...

[Mrs Milkybar Kid]

I use floss away bags to store all my hand dyed silks and cottons which are then stored in plastic storage boxes. I add a record card inside the floss away bag to give it more strength and write the floss name on the card, as well as if it is ear marked to be in a certain project. I buy specialities in advance of when I need them to spread the cost (as well as impulse purchases of course!), so don't want to use any on a whim and find out I needed it more for something else!

#5, 8 and #12 perle balls are stored in tins and skeins of DMC perle are kept in a storage box too, I don't bother putting them in floss away bags.

Sometimes it takes a while to find what works best for you with storage, especially as your stash grows!

[pattiebelle]

You know? It does take time! I've changed my method a couple of times as my stash grew.

Right now I don't have alot of specialty threads, but when I look at the few I have, I say to myself, "I think I'll use bags for these as I get more."

And I like that card labelling idea!

[LadyS]

Oh great thread! I've been wondering it myself now that I'm slowly dabbing in different threads.

[fccs]

I keep all my specialty fibers in floss away bags, and the bags are in a little plastic box. I keep each fiber separate and I put the tag or label in with the floss so I know later what it is (brand, type, color, etc.).

[Mystonique]

I keep mine in big binders (using stitchbows - I don't have any balls of anything). I have a separate binder for the non DMC's and have separate sections for type of thread: stranded cotton, pearl, marlitt, shiney silk, satin silk, wool, appleton wool etc. Varigated goes to the back of the section.

I do creative tapestry so I actually have a lot of speciality thread as it's primarily what I use for that.

I have a pink case the perfect size for reels of Kreinik.

[NinjaBetty]

Oh I have a wonderful solution for everyone. You can just send me all your lovely overdyed, silks, variegated etc. etc. and then you don't have to worry about how to store them . Okay I know that got some eye rolls lol I keep mine in floss away bags but I want to find those cute little rings that Mabel uses so I can put them on those and then in the bag.

[Louise1262]

My DH came up with these from ebay to keep my perle threads on and they work great, the flat edge is big enough to write on and they are smooth so don't snag.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-pack-M16-x ... 20b0193c0f


The Perles that come in little balls I rewind around a template 18" long, another DH 'invention', then cut one end so they are in lengths like the other threads.

They are kept in separate deep boxes according to 'weight'.

[Ainjel333]

Warning: pic heavy....

I love the clear floss boxes so I bobbinate all that I can and store in them. I do have some silks and needlework ribbon and some misc. specialties that I put in floss away bags and store in the plastic shoe boxes.

I don't bobbinate the Pearl cotton #8 as it comes off of the ball very nicely and doesn't knot up. I store them like this;


I like to bobbinate my Pearl cotton #5 because it just turns into a rats nest for me when I try to use it off of the skein. Only 3 will fit in a section but I store them like this: (the color numbers are on the backs of the bobbin)


I bobbinate some of my silks and my specialty floss and put them in a separate floss box:


I have a lot of Kreinik silks and some yli silks, so I just line them up on their sides in a plastic shoe box. I've left them in their skeins in the little plastic packs they come in:


I have some very thin needlepoint ribbon and some misc. silks that I put in floss away bags and put in a clear plastic shoe box as well:


And then all of my regular DMC floss, linen, flower threads and such are in the clear floss boxes, I just love how they stack! (I have not been able to bring myself to bobbinate the new DMC color pack as they are so pretty, I just look at them in the box... )

[crosstitcher1]

I have all my threads in 3 ring plastic binders. Some on bobbins and others full skeins. I am using the bobbins up 1st, then will "totally" be doing just skeins. 3 Blue, as they are my "main" threads. My "extras" are in 3 Black 3 ring binders, and 3 "deep" plastic divided compartment totes.
My beads and specialty threads, just a few, are stored in a 60 drawer "screw/nut" plastic container.
I also have, for my 2 grand girls, my late sis's threads stored 7 sectioned bins on bobbins, in a "deep well" tote.

HAPPY STITCHING IN STITCHING LAND.

[fccs]

Warning: pic heavy....

I love the clear floss boxes so I bobbinate all that I can and store in them. I do have some silks and needlework ribbon and some misc. specialties that I put in floss away bags and store in the plastic shoe boxes.

I don't bobbinate the Pearl cotton #8 as it comes off of the ball very nicely and doesn't knot up.

I like to bobbinate my Pearl cotton #5 because it just turns into a rats nest for me when I try to use it off of the skein.

I bobbinate some of my silks and my specialty floss and put them in a separate floss box

I have a lot of Kreinik silks and some yli silks, so I just line them up on their sides in a plastic shoe box. I've left them in their skeins in the little plastic packs they come in

I have some very thin needlepoint ribbon and some misc. silks that I put in floss away bags and put in a clear plastic shoe box as well

And then all of my regular DMC floss, linen, flower threads and such are in the clear floss boxes, I just love how they stack! (I have not been able to bring myself to bobbinate the new DMC color pack as they are so pretty, I just look at them in the box... )

Wow, can you come organize my stuff? Just when I think I'm pretty organized, poof, I see your post.

[Nachstenliebe]

Staring at Ainjel333's stash I almost forgot what the subject was about I don't really do anything special with specialty floss as I really don't have much to do anything with.. I should work on that

[AllStitchedUp]

Thanks for sharing Ainjel!!! I now have stash envy... Very organized and a well thought out system.

[Serinde]

Warning: pic heavy....

I love the clear floss boxes so I bobbinate all that I can and store in them. I do have some silks and needlework ribbon and some misc. specialties that I put in floss away bags and store in the plastic shoe boxes.

I don't bobbinate the Pearl cotton #8 as it comes off of the ball very nicely and doesn't knot up.

I like to bobbinate my Pearl cotton #5 because it just turns into a rats nest for me when I try to use it off of the skein.

I bobbinate some of my silks and my specialty floss and put them in a separate floss box

I have a lot of Kreinik silks and some yli silks, so I just line them up on their sides in a plastic shoe box. I've left them in their skeins in the little plastic packs they come in

I have some very thin needlepoint ribbon and some misc. silks that I put in floss away bags and put in a clear plastic shoe box as well

And then all of my regular DMC floss, linen, flower threads and such are in the clear floss boxes, I just love how they stack! (I have not been able to bring myself to bobbinate the new DMC color pack as they are so pretty, I just look at them in the box... )

Wow, can you come organize my stuff? Just when I think I'm pretty organized, poof, I see your post.

Mine, too! I've just had to move everything, and it's all a mess. You guys want to come over and help me organise?

[fccs]

Mine, too! I've just had to move everything, and it's all a mess. You guys want to come over and help me organise?

OOOoooo.... a chance to organize And see Scotland? Where are my frequent flyer miles when I need them?

[Serinde]

You'd be very welcome!