How to Keep Thread Spools Organized

Does your thread stash look something like this? Make your thread last longer with these tips for keeping your thread spools stored safely.

How to keep your thread stash organized

Thread thrown together in a box or bin can tangle together, or start to sag, and create stress-spots on the spools.

Keep your thread stash organized in clear boxes

Store thread properly in a container that keeps the spools separated and free from tangling, such as clear bins or thread boxes.

Keep your thread stash organized in a thread box

Boxes or bins with small compartments or separators are also great for storing thread.

Keep your thread stash organized on a thread rack

Using a special thread rack with pins for the spools of thread, or creating your own rack by adding pins to a pegboard are also good ways to keep your threads tangle-free.

Keep your thread stash tangle free

Keep thread ends tucked neatly away when storing thread. Some spools have a thread-end keeper built in, like this Gutermann thread spool.

Tuck away loose thread ends on spools of thread

If your thread spool doesn’t include a built in thread end keeper, use a small piece of Amazing Tape or Glad Press’n Seal to wrap around the spool and keep the loose ends safely tucked away.

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13 comments on “How to Keep Thread Spools Organized”

  • I like the tape method which is the cheapest. I sort my thread by color, tape if necessary and store in old shoe boxes. This also keeps the dust of.

    Does anyone know how to make a ruffled 84″ curtain panel?

    • Are you referring to a panel that is ruffled and needs to fit in a space that is 84″ long, or a panel that is 84″ long and has a ruffled edge? The first one is easy…..if you want it slightly ruffled, you double the number (84 + 84= 168). The 168 is how long you are going to want to make your panel. If you want it to have more of a ruffled look, make it 2 1/2 or 3 times the “84” ( i.e. 84 + 84 + 42; or 84 + 84 + 84).

    • I agree with other comment on amount of fabric. But to make make the curtain top, hem bottom and edges. Then zigzag across dental floss and gather. Arrange gathers to where pleasing. The sew a rod casing over the gathered area. I usually make a tube slightly larger than to fit rod since you will now sew the top and bottom edge to the curtain. It’s not difficult once you picture what you are doing.

  • I keep all of my Isacord thread in clear boxes like the one pictured above and take it just one step further. I store the wound bobbins for my Bernina 880 under the spools of like colors. That way, I do not have to spend any time deciding whether a particular color goes with a particular spool. It is already organized.

  • I am going to try to post a pic of the thread shelf I built (all by myself!) copying the idea from a Pin, what else?? file:///C:/Users/Debra/Downloads/20161026_172218(2).jpeg

  • I have more than a thousand thread spools so organization is imperative. I use 2-inch fishing tackle boxes that easily hold the spools. Each of the 52 boxes is numbered and labeled with its contents so that I can easily replace the thread in its box. A computer file also cross references the numbers and names should I have problems. Each spool is wrapped with a plastic strip so that the name and number of the spool color is easily attached. All bobbins have a piece of painters tape attached with the number and coded brand name. This tape also holds the thread tail secure.
    Jumbo spools are kept in 4-inch fishing tackle boxes in like colors. Only have a few of these boxes.

  • I disagree with keeping thread spools on open racks. They gather dust, and are degraded by UV light (I hope your sewing room is well lit!).The dust flies into your sewing machine when you finally sew with one kept on the wall! Keeping them in boxes organized in any way you like, and preferably in the dark, or at least in boxes with frosted sides and top, is best. Keeping them clean, and away from light will keep them long lasting, and ready for duty when you need them!

    • I understand your comments about the light and dust. I just don’t have room for all those boxes of thread though. So I have lots of thread racks on the wall filled with my embroidery and sewing thread. I have a long woven wool wall hanging that I hang over my embroidery thread site. It keeps the light out and the dust off and makes the wall look nice. On my thread holder for my regular sewing thread I appliqued a nice dark colored kitchen towel and keep it over that holder. I only take them off when I know I will be using various thread during my sewing. So 5here is a way to safely use them.

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