Compared to some of my quilting friends (Gail) my thread stash is not that big, but it is more than enough to suit my own personal needs. I have to admit though, that when I started quilting I bought a lot of thread that I didn't really need. Over the last few years I have become very selective with my quilting choices...and not just with thread, but also with fabric, books, notions and tools.

I used to have one of those beautiful wooden “towers” with dowels to hold all my thread, but I didn't like it because the thread got really dusty...maybe that's more to do with my housekeeping than my thread storage! It was like a piece of art sitting on my table. I could see all the beautiful colours right there in front of me and it was inspiring. I did have to come up with a better idea though because of the dust factor. (Warning: bad quality photo!)

On a trip to IKEA I saw the answer to my storage needs...the Alex drawer unit on casters. IT IS AWESOME! They come in lots of different sizes. (Here is another Amazon option) The 2 bottom drawers hold my large plastic thread boxes and the shorter upper drawers hold my Aurifil thread (in their special Aurifil boxes) and small plastic containers from the dollar store that hold my other small spools of thread. All my other smaller notions and bobbin rings are in the top drawer in an adjustable, sliding kitchen utensil holder that I found at Winners. (On the bottom of the “Welcome” page you can see my Alex unit in my sewing room to the right of my sewing machine tucked in under the table top.)

For my larger spools of thread (embroidery, Silco, metallic, etc.) I have 3 large plastic containers. My own personal rule is I'm not allowed to buy more thread for these 3 boxes unless a) I've emptied a spool or b) I've donated or given one away...that's how I keep myself in check and don't get stuff I don't need. Have you ever said to yourself “but I might be able to use it someday”? Well, I found that “someday” never really comes...if you love it you'll use it, otherwise don't bother buying it.

I've never really been a neat freak, but I have gotten tidier over the last few years...maybe that's because there are no kids living at home, I’m semi-retired, and I'm not pulled in too many directions anymore. Don't get me wrong...my sewing room is a disaster on a regular basis, especially when I'm in the middle of a couple of different projects, but I'm more inclined to neaten it up more regularly now. I have finally found a way to keep organized that works for the way my brain is wired. How do you keep your thread organized?

Thread Storage