20+ embroidery floss organizer options & storage methods to keep your thread organized!
After your first stitching project, you’ll probably find yourself drowning in embroidery floss! It’s cheap to buy and easier to have on hand when inspiration strikes but if you dump it all in a ziploc bag, you’ll end up with a messy knot of unusable material (ask me how I know!!). I’ve saved some really creative methods of organizing thread over the years and now have them all in an organized list to hopefully inspire you!
If you’re deciding on a new storage method, I think there are a few things to consider, leave a comment if you think I missed anything for folks to think over before they pick one:
- Is dust a factor? If your house doesn’t have a/c, if you open windows often, have pets, etc. things will get dusty quickly so open storage will make your floss dirty.
- Do you travel with craft supplies? Consider the portability of whatever you choose if you want to stitch on the go!
- Plastic purchasing is always a consideration for me – I don’t aim to be plastic free (as you can see, I store mine in plastic!) but if I am purchasing plastic, I want it to be a higher quality that will hold up over time.
I currently have my floss in two spots; all my Sulky Cotton Petites hang out in their perfect little carrier (Shop: Amazon or Sulky) and all the DMC & assorted floss chills in a boring ArtBin like this one (Shop:Amazon)
Check out these other links while you’re here!
- 40+ best modern embroidery kits for beginners
- The 15+ best modern cross stitch kits
- 15+ Modern & free hand embroidery patterns
- Beginner sewing supplies list – what to buy on a budget!
Pin this list of 20+ embroidery floss organizer options & storage methods with this link or collage image, please click through to the individual websites to repin single photos!
20+ embroidery floss organizer options & storage methods
Amy has the prettiest little setup with a framed hanger and floss on clothespins!
I love this look; use regular bobbins and stand them up - the shop also has a version that holds clothespins upright!
I love the color coordination with this bobbin-free method.
These clever bars hang in a file folder container, isn't that smart!
DIY cardboard organizers made this a perfect organization fit in a filing cabinet.
A neat invention to let you flip through, like a floss rolodex.
This has an especially small footprint, taking up probably the least space of any of them, and it's cheap!
Stick the floss in tiny little bottles, like this method from Roseann Kermes!
Not fancy but very effective, this is how much of mine has been stored when I find it at the thrift store!
This is so pretty and doesn't take anything fancy! I've also seen some bobbins pushpinned to a cork board, similarly.
Designed for leftover bits of floss but I think it would work for full size skeins too, a gigantic bobbin!
This is a PDF pattern to make a floss holder with cute little bobbin cubbies. Shop the pattern directly on the Tiger Lily Designs site or on Etsy.
Probably the prettiest option here and more designed for single projects than overall storage, I couldn't resist including this beautiful wood organizer.
Clean and pretty, I love the colored labels and there are options for DMC, Anchor, Cosmo, and Weeks Dye Works with more brands in the works!
Another cute mini filing cabinet idea!
Use these slim hangers and keep it all on the wall!
Clothespins again, but this time in a cute little bowl or some cubbies!
Not pictured:
- Organized by color number, with a secret ingredient to make the bags stand up, at Bird Nest On The Ground
- Use clothespins and pretty long shelves, like @poppystitch
- Use a binding comb to keep floss straight, as seen on Needle N Thread
- Just loop it loosely on a thread organizer, as seen on Sublime Stitching
Bobbins to make or buy
If you are set on using bobbins, check out these cute options!
Extra long and sassy at the top, these are so cute.
A cute little free tutorial, good for upcycling cardboard too!
Another bunny option that you can buy, it comes with a little drawer to store it too!
A free printable, floss with a face!
I love how these look with floss wrapped on top, it's such a fun shape!
Another free bobbin with animal faces!
These bobbins are so beautiful, I'm not sure I could cover them up with floss!
I haven't tried these but they are a unique shape that would make re-wrapping the floss from DMC skeins easy.
Not pictured-
- Cute little printable cat bobbins from Cat & Raven
- Free sheep bobbin template from American Felt & Craft
- A free printable classic bobbin shape from The Frugal Crafter
Anja
Sunday 12th of June 2022
Thank you for sharing my bobbins! 😊💛
Denise
Friday 10th of June 2022
I use the same clothes pins that andotheradventures uses. I did buy three of the colored photo holders that were mentioned, then bought the clothespins. They are $12.99/each right now at Michael’s ( 06.10.22).
Stephanie - Swoodson Says
Tuesday 28th of June 2022
thanks for the tips!!