Organizing your embroidery floss can be a daunting, tangly task. But with the right approach, it can become a satisfying and enjoyable process.
Before diving into the various methods, consider your personal needs and preferences.
Questions to ask yourself
Before choosing an organization system, ask yourself these key questions:
- How many colors/skeins of floss do I keep on hand?
- Which do I have the least of – space, money, or time?
- How much money do I want to spend on embroidery organization?
- How many stitching projects do I juggle at a time?
- Does my system need to be portable?
- Do I want to know the color reference number of each floss?
- Do I want my floss to be visible, decorative, or stored neatly away?
- Do I even care if my floss is organized?
- What do I have around my house to use as an organizer?
Jot down your answers. As you read this post, note the ideas that suit your priorities.
My method
I plan to keep every DMC floss color in stock so I can work on any project anytime. We’re also designing fun fiber art-related embroidery projects for the Textile Indie Shop, so I want the full spectrum of colors to choose from.
Ultimately, I will have hundreds of colors – and the color numbers and shade range are essential.
I also move between three studios and often take my floss with me. I needed a relatively portable solution.
As a team, we juggle a dozen (or more) embroidery projects simultaneously, and I’m an organizing freak. I love organizing the floss almost more than the stitching.
After taking all this into account, I landed on…
Bobbin boxes
Bobbin boxes are a classic choice for floss organization. They’re compact and portable and allow for easy color identification.
To use this method:
- Wind your floss onto plastic or cardboard bobbins
- Label each bobbin with the color number
- Store bobbins in clear plastic boxes with dividers
DMC Floss Bobbins available at Blick Art Supply
Best for:
People with space for craft storage. I currently have 6 boxes and will probably end up with 10 before I’m done.
Stitchers with medium to extensive collections
Those who prioritize organization and easy color identification
Tidy Stitch
I love the Tidy Stitch system.
You will receive a little stack of these color cards.
Along with the cards is a direction sheet dividing the colors into families. Follow along and build the most beautiful boxes of color.
You can see that each card identifies all the shades and orders the colors from light to dark.
This is an ideal system for stitchers who want to see the nuance of every color family.
Stickers
I adore my set of stickers from Easy Stitch for Fun.
It makes me very happy to buy floss and add color after color to my boxes.
When I head to the store to add floss, I take a sheet of stickers and fill in any colors I still need.
I started writing the numbers on the bobbins with a black permanent marker, which also worked great.
Display methods
For those who prefer a more decorative approach, consider these display options:
Clothespins in containers
Wrap the floss around clothespins and store them in clear jars or containers.
This method works best for small floss collections—it’s difficult to find what you want if the collection grows too big.
Best for:
People with plenty of shelf space to store the jar(s)
Crafters with small collections
Those who prioritize aesthetics over functionality
Clothespins on a bulletin board
Pin up embroidery-wrapped clothespins to a bulletin board for a colorful wall display.
Best for:
People with available wall space
Stitchers with small collections
Those who want their floss to double as wall art
Clothespins as wall art
There are infinite ways to make floss do double duty as wall art.
One cute method is to string wire across a picture frame and pin floss to the wire with decorative clips.
Although this method is best for small collections and short-term display, it would be a fun way to display the colors of your current project.
Best for:
People with available wall space
Crafters who prioritize aesthetics
Those with very small collections or who want to display current project colors
IKEA storage
IKEA offers several storage options that can be repurposed for floss organization.
There’s the classic RASKOG rolling cart.
Look at this!
Tiered decorative rack or shelf
Repurpose tiered storage, baskets, or decorative shelves – combined with any other method, you can create a beautiful display of colorful floss.
Best for:
Those who want to display their floss as decor
Crafters with small to medium collections
People who prefer easy visual access to their floss
Multi-media bobbins
There are endless options for floss bobbins, which are art in themselves. You can find every imaginable motif, from sparkly fish to dollhouses.
These tend to be expensive relative to plain paper or plastic bobbins. They are also usually bulky.
However, these types of bobbins are unique and fun in small quantities.
Of course, you can make your own and keep expanding the joy embroidery brings to your life.
Bobbins like these are special and can be a gift for your favorite stitcher.
Best for:
Artistic crafters who appreciate unique storage solutions
Those with smaller collections of specialty threads
People who want their floss storage to double as art
Wooden bobbins
Like multi-media bobbins, wooden bobbins are unique and come in oodles of patterns.
Best for:
Gift giving
Those who prefer natural materials
People with smaller, curated floss collections
Note: One thing to remember about any storage solution out in the open…light will fade embroidery floss over time.
Unless you go through your floss at lightning speed – or want to set some aside for decor, think twice about exposing it to intense light.
Recycle and reuse methods
Binders
Combine office binders, plastic sleeves, coin sleeves, or trading card pages to store floss.
Best for:
Stitchers who need a portable system
Those who like to organize floss by project
People with limited storage space
Photo keeper
Repurpose a photo storage box (think scrapbooking) for floss organization.
These plastic bins hold a set of smaller plastic bins meant to organize snapshots. The boxes are about 4×6 inches.
Stitches designated each box for a color family, and all the skeins for that family were tucked inside.
These organizers are widely available at craft stores, and I often see them at thrift shops and garage sales.
Best for:
Crafters with medium to large collections
Those who prefer to keep floss in skein form – no bobbin winding
People who want a stackable storage solution
Hardware drawers
Small drawer units meant for screws and nails work well for floss storage.
You can wind the floss onto bobbins or leave the skeins intact.
Best for:
Stitchers with large collections
Those who like to organize by color number
People with dedicated craft spaces
People who don’t want to wind bobbins
Rainbow drawers
Use colorful plastic drawer units for a fun, color-coded system.
Best for:
Color-coding enthusiasts
Crafters with extensive floss collections
Card catalog
If you can find an old library card catalog, it makes for excellent floss storage.
You can also store floss as skeins if preferred.
Best for:
Vintage lovers
Those with extensive floss collections
People who want to organize by color number
Hoop earrings
Use large hoop earrings to store and display floss.
Less quirky but equally practical are binder rings. They come in many sizes and colors.
Stitches often use rings to gather up floss bobbins for a current project. Try having a few on hand and see if they help you keep track of your floss while working.
Binder rings are available in a variety of colors at Blick Art Supply
Best for:
Crafters who want a decorative storage solution
Those with small floss collections
People who frequently use small amounts of many colors
Frugal methods
A box
Throwing everything into a box or bin is certainly one option.
It gives me high blood pressure to think about🤪, but you do you, boo.
Best for:
Beginners with small collections
Those who prioritize speed over organization
People on a very tight budget
Plastic bins or drawers
Inexpensive and readily available at discount department stores like Target.
Many people already have some of these organizers floating around the house.
Combine this solution with other ideas (like bobbins) to create your ideal system.
Best for:
Budget-conscious crafters
Those with large collections
People who need a flexible, expandable system
Popsicle sticks
Wind floss around popsicle sticks and label them.
If I had a very tight budget, I think this would be the method I would use.
The sticks can be sorted by color family and stored in jars or bins.
Popsicle sticks are available in bulk from Blick Art Supply.
Best for:
Crafters on a tight budget
People who enjoy DIY solutions
Baggies (and rings)
Store floss in small plastic bags and organize them on binder rings.
Best for:
Stitchers who frequently reorganize their floss
Those who need a portable system
People with small to medium collections
Custom options
Hanging file box
Repurpose a hanging file box for floss storage.
Many stitchers like to keep their floss loose and hanging free.
One advantage is collecting the colors for each project in one file folder.
You can also buy acrylic strips that hold the floss. This system tends to be one of the pricier options.
Here’s a link to an example on Etsy:
Hanging File Thread and Floss Organizer Bars
Best for:
Crafters who like to organize by project
Those who prefer to keep floss in skein form
People who need a portable solution
DMC wooden drawers
Invest in a custom-made wooden drawer system.
DMC offers a wooden box specifically for this purpose.
Best for:
People who like a traditional look in their crafting space
Those who value aesthetics and functionality
Crafters with dedicated craft spaces
Drop labels
Use drop labels to organize floss by color family.
Here is an example from Etsy:
Best for:
Organizers who like to see all their colors at once
Those who prefer not to wind floss onto bobbins
Silicone bobbins
These flexible, reusable bobbins are an alternative to traditional plastic or cardboard ones.
You can find them at Blick Art Supply.
Fun ideas
Display scraps
Scraps are an inevitable by-product of embroidery.
I save anything over 6-8 inches and rewind it on the bobbin it came from. I want/need to know the color number for design purposes, and if it’s on the bobbin, I’m more likely to use the short piece when appropriate.
You can choose to toss the tiny scraps.
But in mass, they make a fun memory of all the stitching you’ve accomplished and are great stuffing for small projects.
Here are a few fun ways to store bits and pieces of floss:
- Use a clear jar to store and display colorful floss scraps.
- Purchase a photo shadow box and drop bits inside.
- Sort floss into small canning jars sorted by color family. This is not only a pretty decoration but is perfect for the fiber spinner, paper maker, or multi-media artist to keep bits of color at their fingertips.
- Or this fun idea of using a clear holiday ornament.
Other embroidery organizing tools
Bobbin winder
Speeds up the process of winding floss onto bobbins.
Available at Blick Art Supply.
Bobbin rack
Keeps bobbins easily accessible while working.
There are many options on Etsy from simple to elaborate – here’s one I like.
Remember, the best organization system is one that works for you. Don’t be afraid to mix and match methods or create your unique system. Happy stitching!
