Embroidery Floss Organization | Cross Stitch Organization Tips | Embroidery Organization

In today's video, I'm sharing four different ways to organize your embroidery floss while you're working on a cross stitch or embroidery project. Use these cross stitch tips and embroidery tips to stay organized and spend more time stitching and less time trying to search your stash. These embroidery floss organization methods will streamline your stash and help you know exactly what floss you have.
IN TODAY'S VIDEO:
Embroidery Floss Skein Tin:
Acrylic Floss Skein Storage Box: shrsl.com/361sl
Floss Skein Storage Box: shrsl.com/361sp
Plastic Bobbin Box: shrsl.com/361si
Plastic Bobbins and Ring: shrsl.com/361sf
DMC Floss Number Stickers: shrsl.com/361sg
Bobbin Winder: shrsl.com/361sz
Floss-A-Way Bags: shrsl.com/361so
Thread Drops: shrsl.com/361sr
Floss Keeper: shrsl.com/361sr
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[@lw7967]

I found you just in time ..before I made a mess! Love the drops & as I am new to this, I loved learning how to cut the skeins all to length & you showing how to pull one thread out. THANK YOU!

[@HaileyStitches]

Thanks for watching!

[@ConnieInman1954]

My favorite thread method is the floss drop too

[@rebeccastanhope3989]

Thank you for the information. I did not know about these and I think I like the thread drops the best as well. Again, thank you.

[@sherriekeller319]

Hello Hailey, Just watched this video. Great job. When I learned counted cross stitch in the early 80s my teacher showed us how she did her floss. It was all braided! Whew was that time consuming, but I loved the outcome. Big drawback was after removing labels one end of the floss was cut and then slid on a small plastic ring and braided. The strands of floss were rather short. (I braided all the DMC colors.) Today, I use floss drops when I need a new skein. Love your presentation, nice speaking voice. Thank you for sharing. Oh, I almost forgot. After taking color number label off, I opened it up and the taped it around the braid at the top.

[@vivianbunch1963]

Thank you! Learned about the thread drop👍❤️

[@MemoirsofaLongArmQuilter]

Hey Hailey!!! Enjoyed video. I would love to share a tip I’ve learned from many YT’ers and Kimberly from FQS. When unraveling your skein, pull from the side that has the number of the skein on it. This will keep your floss from tangling.☺️ I’m waiting for my acrylic floss drops I ordered from ETSY. I will combine them with the floss away bags. I will pull the floss from the bag when I need to kit them for a project. I don’t plan on having a huge stash of just because floss. I will only buy when a project requires it. Looking forward to seeing more videos!!! - Stephanie

[@parisnchristlove]

Thank you for that tip on which end to pull from! I’ve been doing embroidery for many many years and I didn’t know that 😉 And I must say, I quite admire your self control at the DMC (or any other) embroidery floss displays in only choosing the colors you NEED. Me? I buy colors also just because I like them, and also, I do more slow stitch and intuitive stitching these days which gives me the freedom to choose. All those patterns are beautiful and there are lots of great things about them, but I’d rather create something that is original and not replicated by anyone else. Sometimes I will even dye or over dye my floss. This is 50+ years of stitching. It’s interesting to see where our paths take us - keep on stitching! Xoxo 🫶

[@marymokry2639]

I use the bobbin method for storage primarily. Bobbins were the way floss was organized when I first started to cross stitch. However, I modified this way. When I am actually working on a project, I put each kitted bobbin in a plastic baggie to keep the loose pieces. The bobbin has the number, so I don't have to write on the baggie. When I have completed the project, I put the bobbins in my cases and can reuse the baggies for the next task.

[@sarahbethsstitching9937]

I love how you did this tutorial. Please show more videos like this. Love the close up of your demonstration. It was easy to see and your explanations were excellent as well. I learned something new. Getting that one strand off. I have always taken the whole six strands off then pulled my threads. THANK YOU!!!

[@HaileyStitches]

i'm glad you liked it!

[@consuellachiquita7509]

Thank you for this video! I have never seen the thread drops before, I'm going to try them with my next project. For many years, I have used regular sized envelopes for each project. I go through the floss list and on the front of the envelope, I'll write the floss number, the color, the symbol used in the pattern, the number of strands and note whether it is a cross-stitch, half-stitch, backstitch, etc. Then I place all of that color into the envelope and give it a needle as well. Sometimes certain colors are used differently throughout the pattern so I note all variations on the envelope. Then I place all the envelopes into a basket, like a file system. As I begin stitching, I look for the symbol, pull out the envelope, pull out what I need and begin. Each time I end a color/symbol, once I cut the floss, I place it back into the envelope along with it's needle so it's ready to go as soon as I need it again. I've been stitching for many years and developed this system throughout the years. My current issue is organizing all of my leftover thread from previous projects. I've used bobbins and ziploc bags, also the DMC bows (which I don't care for). I think the floss away will work for all the leftover colors, but the drop floss, I've never seen it. I loved how you were able to pull just the amount of thread needed...but I wonder how well it would work with a leftover piece with the needed attached. That's where my envelopes are so handy.

[@helenthechristmascrossstit7526]

Hailey thanks for your post. I store my DMC floss on flossdrops (home made heavy card tags bought from Amazon which I punch with a puch bought at hobbycraft(UK) - much more economical than custom floss drops) I load them as you show but I do agree with the commenter below if you pull from the number end you rarely get tangles. I store my threaddrops in a storage unit my husband made by putting a 2" timber frame behind my very large notice board adding about 40 small cup hooks. It is hinged to the wall and I just pull it open when I need floss. This keeps my floss out of sunlight and dust free. I sort the floss on large rings according to the colour wheel starting with reds on one and so on for some colours I have 2 or more rings, the rings hang on the cup hooks, each ring has a number and I have an excel spreadsheet which shows the entire DMC range and I record which number ring each is on and how many skeins I have or if it is being used which project it is with.

[@parisnchristlove]

Now, that is great organization skills! I think this is the absolute best use of a spreadsheet that I’ve ever heard of 🫶

[@EnlightenedFlamingo]

Great video! I do not recommend Frixion pens for labeling, as they are erasable. I use ultra fine Sharpies for labeling many things in my craft room & they're great! I've got acrylic thread drops to put my floss on & hang on pegboard, I'm just waiting to get my pegboard set up as we just moved. I have floss keeper type things for specific projects. When I started, I put so much floss on plastic bobbins, which took sooo long & now, after having more experience using floss, I wish I hadn't done that! I much prefer being able to pull just one or two threads off the drop or keeper like you showed!

[@michaelanderson2166]

I use masking tape and a sharpie.

[@MAuroraCharvat]

Thank you for your video...I like the Floss away bag the best.

[@HaileyStitches]

so glad!

[@morganjade2641]

So helpful, thank you!

[@HaileyStitches]

no problem!

[@StitcheryWitchery]

I like my floss winder for this but it’s still time consuming lol. Thanks for the ideas!

[@HaileyStitches]

no problem!

[@midgethorn4083]

I’m remembering the thread drops per project!

[@kayandfam]

Thank you so much for the tips. I have ended up combining two of your methods. I cut the floss and used the hole on the bobbin like a thread drop but then wound the lengths around the bobbin.

[@HaileyStitches]

That’s a great idea!

[@ozziebelle83]

I use the bobbin method. I keep the threads im using in a small container

[@karidrgn]

I never liked taking the time for bobbins so embraced the Floss away bags. Another advantage of them is that you can pull a strand directly from the wrapper so the rest doesn't tangle. However, it got bulky to store so I went to the DMC stitchbow system. There you label a stitchbow, remove the wrapper from the skein and put it on the stotchbow. Then there's plastic pages that can be put in a binder for storage. I also bought a binder that can be zipped shut to hold pages for my project. In fact it holds the ENTIRE project.

[@HaileyStitches]

I love that binder idea! Such a great way to travel with your projects!

[@ritamulvey7350]

I keep the full floss skeins in the Floss.A.Way bags and use the thread drops for the floss I am using in a project. It there is floss left over when I have completed a stitch project, I place the remaining floss still on the thread drop into the Floss.A.Way bag. Keeps everything neat and clean.

[@caitjohnson6021]

Floss goes into the drop folded end going ‘down’ from front to back. No need to have to turn drop over to snag one strand with the needle. Loop is in the front for easier access.

[@HaileyStitches]

that's great advice - thanks for sharing!

[@Shycat996]

Great Video. I use Floss Away bags and then pull the ones for a project, put on a large ring, pull out one or two 18-20 inch full strands and put on a poster board card with holes labled with # and the project key at each hole and pull a single thread from that. Left overs I wind in a "butterfly" on my fingers and store in the appropriate floss bag. That type of wind does not tangle. I keep the bags in numerical order either in full storage or for project on the ring. Seems to work. Got original idea from Mary Rose of StitchBlissCorner floss tube.

[@HaileyStitches]

such a great idea!

[@parisnchristlove]

Those thread drops are pretty cool! I’ve never seen these before, so thank you for posting this! I’m wondering though, how long are the individual strands when you cut all the loops? Thanks for you time and talent 🫶🫶🫶

[@Tricia-TheLefthandedStitcher]

To see another option for floss storage: DMC floss - kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6qZYaCvj655bZo and Fancy Floss - kzbin.info/www/bejne/l163aX9vrpeears

[@dorithegreat6155]

I use bobbins because they are by far the easiest to store and I can tightly pack all my threads into currently just two boxes with a ton of space left. I used floss keeepers before but I really disliked how the threads kept tangling with each other, and it also isn't a great way of storing threads if you want to put them in like a drawer because of all the loose ends getting everywhere. And I have a dedicated section in one of my bobbin boxes for threads needed for my current project. Also, I sort my bobbins both by number and by color, because with the thread brand I'm using it's the exact same thing

[@simplypatti6705]

Ok. I’m just getting back into embroidery after decades away. I’m looking for information and ideas on how to begin collecting floss. All off the prepackaged flosses seem like they’re all just a bunch of shades of primary colors 😕 I’m also wondering how do you catalog your floss so when your out shopping, you don’t buy duplicates? Thanks for the help!

[@solarwinds-]

I have those DMC labels too and I found the numbers are too small to read easily. So unless you have pretty good vision, better have those readers handy.

[@TheGiddyStitcher]

I've been looking for a good solution for my floss for what feels like forever, after starting with bobbins and quickly realising how impractical they can be. I think floss drops are going to be the way to go but now I'm also trying to work out a storage system to keep my entire collection on them, organised, and handy for kitting up while still looking at least a bit pretty. Always been curious about the bag method, it seems like everything would get tangled in there once you start keeping skeins in with loose bits of thread, and also surely the constant plastic rustle is just annoying? I dunno, never quite got the point of those.

[@HaileyStitches]

the bags are quite small so there isn't much room for the threads to move around a lot to get tangled! they definitely keep the threads from getting tangled with other colors though since each one is separated.

[@TeaandTacos77]

I recently purchased a .svg file to make floss drops on my Cricut, which can cut heavy tag board and even chip board. The cut pattern was $2 and I can make as many drops as I want. There were lots of options for these files on Etsy for anyone who has a cutting machine.

[@HaileyStitches]

That's a great idea!

[@JessScreams]

You can also totally make your own bobbins out of cardboard paper rolls or cereal boxes or whatever you have on hand instead of buying them! Sincerely, your friend with a mound of loose floss and a negative bank account balance :)

[@marjodeforest3762]

Great video. My only question is with the last method where do you number the floss in each hole?

[@HaileyStitches]

Great question! I either use the DMC stickers or write on the back with a pencil!

[@rina76767]

I came across with the same problem with numeral stickers I overfix them with a narrow transparent adheisive on a plastic bobine

[@HaileyStitches]

I really wish the stickers would work better with the bobbins! It’s a huge bummer!

[@gsagadin]

Bobbins. Millions of bobbins!!! and a misc. bag that has not been put in a bobbin box yet. I have about 5 boxes chock full so far.

[@jordanas3750]

I have created my own method of both storage of full skeins as well as thread while on a project. For full threads I've created a Rolodex tray that holds 40 skeins. On my Haed projects I have 3 trays and they fit in a lg shoe box. My entire collection is on 10 trays. As for working threads I made a Old style thread holder the size of an A4 paper holds up to 100 threads. And rolls up for protected threads like a scroll. Do that's in the project bag, a sm accessory bag and the framed fabric. Very easy. Silks are a different story.

[@HaileyStitches]

Wow, I love your methods!

[@cyndidaves5313]

Hi, thanks for all the embroidery floss keeper ideas. Q: what is the difference between embroidery floss for a sewing machine and embroidery floss for hand embroidering? Thanks

[@HaileyStitches]

Good question! Typically embroidery floss is only used for hand stitching since it is made up of many strands. Embroidery machines use embroidery thread which is similar to regular sewing machines. These threads come is various styles and weights. I hope that helps!

[@cyndidaves5313]

@@HaileyStitches yes, your reply helped me. Thanks

[@caitjohnson6021]

I am in the process of removing all two sets of bobbins to drops. I dislike the weakened, kinked floss on them bobbins. I was told that the bobbins puts too much stress on the floss at the edges and I’m really not a fan of those kinks!

[@janiceboucher7871]

When using the floss keeper, how do you label the number or name of each floss skein?

[@HaileyStitches]

You could add a piece of scotch tape to the back and write the name and number on it. and when it's time to use that space for a different color, you can remove the tape and start again!

[@sashapup0061]

How do you store the thread drops?

[@HaileyStitches]

I don’t have a great method for storage yet! For now they’re on rings and hanging in my craft closet!

[@ritamulvey7350]

I place the thread drops into the Floss.A.Way bags. Keeps them clean and tangle free.

[@selmaa.4841]

Hi! I have a question, what does the color number mean? Is it useful?

[@death__ray]

It helps to keep track what colors you have on your thread collection (of the same brand). At least that's what I do, so that when I go shopping for more threads, I know which ones I have or of which ones I need another skein. ☺️

[@Becksnnc]

It's basically the name of the thread. So if you've got a pattern that says to use DMC 345 then you would be able to easily find 345 because you've labelled it.

[@HaileyStitches]

exactly what the others here have said!

[@stitchinggrannyof18]

You didn’t mention or list about the pen. I haven’t found a pen that I really like. Been searching 40 years lol. Thanks

[@HaileyStitches]

this one is actually a frixion pen. the ink will disappear with friction or heat!

[@kirstencook1439]

I more confused by a Student now shop owner teacher Royal school of 🪡🧵✂️📐 Showed told her on line followers if find inner starter thread it with pull with ease & paper labels in tack you have brand colour what type floss cotton linen rayon wool silk no time wasted doing other like winding & not get waves into your floss no for get brand colour fiber type .😱l pull gets tangle yet l not want waste time if give me waves & loops look scary when graying to pull thread off loop l get it tangle believe you me it happens still like the bobbin nest lots to store away is it okay to iron when near iron out waves if get any ? Any method we choose takes time help!😩💚🙏💜🕊️😷😇🖖 continue to come your way in work creative travels play rest Rock On 🤙 👍 Beautiful person 🤗🙃now 🙂later l 🙏

[@aaronweber2080]

a plastic bag