Embroidery floss can easily become a tangled mess if not stored properly. Having a good storage system is essential for keeping your floss organized and accessible when you need it. Proper storage helps prevent the threads from getting knotted, preserves the quality of the floss, and makes it easy to locate the color you need for your project. There are a few key things to consider when deciding how to store your embroidery floss.
Should you store floss wound on bobbins or as skeins?
Floss comes wound on bobbins or as loose skeins. Both methods have their pros and cons for storage.
Bobbins keep the threads neatly wound and easy to pull from. However, winding the floss onto the bobbins takes time and care. The winding process can also distort the threads or cause them to catch against each other. Storing floss on bobbins requires more storage space since each color needs its own bobbin. The bobbins can also catch on each other or get tangled if not stored carefully.
Loose skeins take up less storage space and do not require winding. The drawback is that the threads can easily become knotted or messy when pulled from the skein. Loose skeins are also prone to getting snagged and unraveling.
Many embroiderers prefer to store floss wound onto bobbins since it keeps each color neat and untangled. However, using skeins can work fine if you are careful to keep the threads orderly when pulling them out.
Should you keep floss brands separated or mixed?
Most crafters have a variety of floss brands in their collection, such as DMC, Anchor, and J&P Coats. You have the choice of keeping the different brands separated or mixing them together.
Storing by brand helps avoid any minor variations in hue, thickness, or texture between the brands. This can produce a more consistent look in your finished pieces. Separating by brand also makes it easier to take inventory and see what colors you have in each type of floss.
However, storing brands together maximizes space and minimizes the number of storage containers needed. It also allows you to intermingle and substitute colors between brands as needed. Mixing floss types can save time hunting for a specific color if you aren’t brand loyal.
So consider if consistency or convenience is more important to you when deciding how to organize your floss collection. Both approaches are commonly used.
What are the best ways to containerize floss?
To keep your floss neat, untangled, and accessible, you need to store it in a container. Here are some popular options:
Plastic or wooden floss boxes: These boxes feature rows of slots to hold bobbins vertically. The compartments keep colors separated and labeled. Storing bobbins vertically prevents tangling.
Floss keeps or bags: Cleverly designed bags and cases have pockets, loops or sleeves to hold bobbins or skeins. This allows you to arrange colors in an order you like.
Storage binders: With plastic sleeves to insert bobbins or skeins, these let you flip through and view your floss like a book.
Stackable organizers: Trays, drawers or tiered holders allow you to store bobbins horizontally and stack colors.
Multi-compartment plastic boxes: Affordable and easy to customize, plastic organizers with adjustable dividers are a flexible floss storage option.
Clear plastic bags: Ideal for skeins, re-sealable bags provide inexpensive and portable floss storage.
No matter what approach you choose, look for storage that is airtight to protect floss from dust, bugs, and humidity. Containers should be sturdy and durable as well. Make sure compartments are appropriately sized for bobbins or skeins.
Should you organize by number, color name, or hue?
When arranging your floss collection, you can sort it in different ways:
Numerically by brand number (DMC, Anchor, etc.)
Alphabetically by color name
By color family or hue
Sorting by number makes it easy to locate specific colors called for in patterns or charts. It also lets you take inventory and see what numbers you have or need to complete sets.
Alphabetical order by name helps if you know a specific color you need but not the number. It also groups similar shades together.
Arranging by color groups or hue creates a gradient effect of colors. This makes it easy to find close matches if you run out of a certain shade. It also helps inspire color combinations for projects.
Many embroiderers use a combination—they sort first by number or name to make colors easy to find, then group numbers together by hue. Choose the approach that makes sense for how you select and use floss.
Should you store full skeins separately from working floss?
Most stitchers keep a separate stash of full, unopened skeins in addition to their open working stock of floss. This provides backup inventory to replenish colors as needed.
Storing full skeins and open floss separately has several advantages:
– It prevents confusion between opened and unopened skeins when selecting colors.
– The working floss is kept neat and untangled. Full skeins can be messy.
– You can easily see when you are running low on certain colors and need to replace them from your reserves.
– Full skeins kept in a cool, dark area stay fresh longer.
Designate a separate storage box, organizer or bags for full skeins away from your everyday working floss. Add notations as you move skeins to your working supply. This system makes it easy to monitor and replenish your floss stash.
Best Practices for Storing Embroidery Floss
Now that you know the main factors to consider, here are some best practices for keeping your floss organized:
Wind threads onto bobbins smoothly and neatly
If storing on bobbins, wind the floss carefully and consistently to prevent snags, knots and distortion. Make even, smooth winds around the full length of the bobbin barrel. Leave no gaps between strands. Wind the bobbin to about 80% capacity—don’t overfill.
Position bobbins vertically in storage containers
Let bobbins stand upright in your storage boxes or keeps, never laying flat. Vertical positioning prevents the threads from catching on each other. Slots or sleeves should be snug so bobbins stay put.
Organize numerically and group by color family
Use brand numbering systems to precisely identify each floss color. Then group numbers in order by hue. This makes both finding specific colors and coordinating colors fast and intuitive.
Control loose skeins to prevent snags
When using loose skeins, control the end of the threads carefully as you pull floss out. Don’t allow the skein to dangle freely or get tugged. Keeping skeins in re-sealable bags helps secure ends.
Store floss out of direct light and away from moisture
Light and excess humidity can damage threads over time. Keep floss in an enclosed container in a dry spot away from windows and heaters. Basements or closets are ideal. Adding silica gel packs helps absorb moisture.
Avoid overcrowding and check for tangles
Jamming too much floss into a small space can cause tangling, so allow room for threads to move freely. When removing or replacing floss, check that strands have not kinked or knotted together. Periodically scan storage to catch any potential snags.
Label clearly and keep an inventory
Use bobbin tags or stickers to identify each color number/name. Maintain a log of your floss inventory so you can track what you have and what needs replenishing. Update as you use up skeins.
Creative Floss Storage Solutions and Hacks
Standard floss boxes and organizers work well, but you can also repurpose everyday items for neat, practical storage:
Notebook binders
Three-ring binders with clear plastic pocket sleeves allow you to neatly arrange bobbins or skeins and flip through your floss collection in book form.
Baseball card holders
Collectible sports card display books have plastic divided sheets perfect for holding bobbins upright. Just trim pockets to size.
Pegboards
Use pegboard panels mounted on a wall or standalone frame. Insert pegs and wind floss onto bobbins looped over the pegs.
Shower caddies
Tiered metal or plastic shower organizers nicely hold floss bobbins upright across multiple rows.
Spice racks
Mounted racks designed for spices keep bobbins or small skeins handy right inside your cupboard. Use mini glass jars to hold loose floss ends.
Hardware organizers
Parts storage drawers for nuts, bolts and hardware make great vertical divided containers for bobbins. Find them at craft and hardware stores.
Refrigerator storage
Modular refrigerator bins create custom floss storage conveniently in your kitchen. Stackable crates allow colors to be seen easily.
Cutlery trays
Silverware organizers or utensil trays have built-in compartments perfect for holding bobbins upright. Fits nicely in drawers.
Jewelry boxes
Boxes with small divided sections for rings, earrings, etc. are the ideal size for organizing and traveling with bobbins.
Troubleshooting Common Embroidery Floss Storage Problems
Even with great storage methods, you may encounter some headaches keeping your floss neat and untangled. Here are some fixes for frequent issues:
Floss keeps getting tangled
– Make sure bobbins are positioned vertically, not overlapping horizontally.
– Rewind any messy bobbins cleanly and smoothly.
– Allow more space between bobbins – don’t pack tightly.
– When using skeins, control ends carefully and rewind to prevent fraying.
– Separate knotted strands gently using tweezers. Do not pull hard.
Hard to find my colors quickly
– Reorganize numerically by brand if colors are mixed up randomly.
– Group same color families together.
– Label each bobbin clearly.
– Maintain an inventory listing to track what you have.
Floss looks dull and faded
– Replace sunlight-damaged floss from your back-up skeins.
– Store floss in an opaque container away from light sources.
– Discard any visibly degraded threads.
– Use acid-free paper between skeins to prevent color transfer.
Threads seem dry, stiff or tangled
– Throw out any severely dried out floss beyond saving.
– Keep floss away from heating/AC vents that dry out strands.
– Store in an airtight container with a silica gel pack to absorb moisture.
– Thread conditioner can rejuvenate slightly stiff floss.
My cat got into my floss and made a mess!
– Expect floss catastrophes from time to time, remain calm.
– Toss any chewed up, slobbery floss. Saliva weakens threads.
– Re-wind snarled skeins carefully by hand onto bobbins. Discard if too tangled.
– Keep “pet-proof” lidded storage containers to prevent access.
– Store up high out of reach from paws and teeth.
Conclusion
Don’t let your embroidery floss become a jumbled, knotted nightmare. With some simple storage strategies, a little organization, and proper maintenance, you can keep your floss collection neatly arranged by color family and ready to use for your next stitching project. Investing in quality storage solutions will save you lots of frustration and headaches down the road. Just be sure to keep it safely away from pets, light, moisture and anything else that can cause snarls. Follow these tips, and you’ll be able to successfully store separate embroidery floss for stitching success!
