Flosstube #9 - Getting My Floss Mess Organized!

[@RejeanneCote-f8e]

I keep mine in numerical order and I also put the numbers on the sides of containers as well as the top. This way when containers are stacked upon each other you can selected the container needed for that number.

[@ABCDEFGMelton]

I use only the DMC thread. My collection of floss was also crazy. I did the same thing recently. My grandmother passed away and she had a lot of random flosses as well that I was given. I wound all mine by hand. I tucked the label from each floss in each one so that if I wrote down the number incorrectly, I had it there. It also has the barcode too. (just in case I need that to order more for some reason.) Once done with that, I had the crazy idea to go find ALL of the colors I did not have. I wasn't very familiar with the other types of floss that DMC had made. And when I found out that DMC made variegated, light effects, satin, etoile and diamant, I was obsessed and went a little crazy. The things that I am missing are most of the satin flosses and part of the diamant collection. Any duplicates that I have, I have wrapped and put them into their own container. I have a card with a little note that says the number and the word duplicate written on it next to the single colors. That way I use all my duplicates first. I think they have more that 450 colors if you include all the different types of floss. From one red head to another....Thank you for sharing this video because my husband thought I was crazy for organizing my floss and I knew I wasn't alone in my theory of obsessive organization of my craft items for better usage.

[@StitchesBits]

You sound exponentially more organized than I am, those sound like great ideas. I was happy to know what colors I had because I could NEVER find the ones I needed. I had no idea about all the other DMC threads, thanks for sharing that. I do sometimes get kits that have other brands that are quite pretty, but no idea what I'd do with the leftovers since most patterns I buy seem to want DMC. I did figure out one spare one I had leftover was an old Anchor thread. I need to take it to the store and try to match it (if possible). All the conversions I found online aren't quite right. I'm so glad to hear I'm not the only one who let things get a little out of control and needed to invest some serious time to remedying the problem. Us redheads gotta stick together - we might be a little crazy, but this is totally not one of those instances! :)

[@StitchesBits]

I love this - thanks so much for the recommendation! I always like supporting small businesses, so will definitely check them out.

[@StitchesBits]

Thank you so much Jo Ann, that is so nice of you to say! And another great suggestion - I love finding new places to get in some trouble. 😂

[@MurtenTokyo]

So satisfying to watch, well done!!

[@elainegothard]

I like hoarding thread. A glory box and a mess like yours. I tried bobbins but they kink the thread. Some of my thread is antique and valuable. Putting them on Dmc bows or sleeves would be better but too expensive. I improvised. Wood tongue depressors are similar size to bows. Very cheap from a hobby shop. Then clipped a 'U' in each end with kitchen scissors. Wound thread lengthways. These take a whole skien. I write on the stick. Then lay flat in clear storage boxes. Separate by colour. Reds/pinks, blues, greens, yellows, browns, blacks n cream/whites, variegated etc. Smaller colour lots lay flat in zip lock bags inside my storage boxes. Its very easy to hoard just a few more this way.

[@elainegothard]

I have several thousand. Some over 200 years old from estate sales. Various brands. Fifty plus years of collecting. Hoarding .

[@StitchesBits]

Holy cow! That's amazing that you've collected all those antique threads. I think it was a great idea to find another way to store them so they are better protected - and what a clever solution!

[@elainegothard]

@@StitchesBits thank you.

[@tammygood253]

I've been stitching for more than 30 years and I find the plastic boxes work best for me too. I still have some 25 year old floss on the cardboard bobbins! I just recently put them into new boxes because mine had yellowed over the years. I like your idea of putting the numbers on each compartment! I need a label maker and I might do that. I too have random bags of floss that I purchased with a project in mind, and now don't know which one they go to, lol. I have a lot to wind and put away, but I'll make that next week's project! What I need now is a good way to organize all my overdyed and specialty floss. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@StitchesBits]

Yay! I hope your organizing is going well! I will say the labels on each compartment helps, but I'm not happy with the label maker labels. They aren't sticking very well so need to find a new solution there. Will investigate a bit and do an update video soon. I can see the dilemma with the other types of flosses. I don't have many, but just have them all in a box for now - not ideal. 😕

[@michelleaukett4366]

I only use DMC and I have them also on plastic bobbins, with their numbers, and when I start a project I just go through them and i I don't have one, then go and buy it. When I am finished I replaced them in their boxes, The extras that I have that are not on bobbins I keep in Ziploc bags. I buy a whole bunch of the usual colors that we use in cross stitching in South Africa (when on holiday)as the different between the Rand the Euro makes it very cheap for me when i am there and those stay in Ziploc bags until I need them. I don't worry about having the whole set, just what I need. But it will make your life easier when setting up a project.

[@StitchesBits]

This sounds very similar to what I'm doing now. I also track everything in a spreadsheet, including adding a note with how many extra skeins I have of any number. It took a long time to find the right system for me, but I think I'm finally getting there!

[@PeggyV69]

I use DMC so mine are also on bobbins & organized by number in the plastic boxes.

[@tmac827]

hello this is my first time here..Loved this video I'm new to cross stitch so I'm finding out now what type of floss, bobbins, kits, needles and more that I like.. Thanks for sharing

[@StitchesBits]

I'm so excited for you! I'm happy to help with any questions you might have as you navigate your way through everything. There's so much out there these days - and while that so great, it can also be overwhelming!

[@salleweiss19]

I also was wondering how you can tell when your floss is to old to use? I have so much floss from my mother in law and from our pastors wife that people have given her,I would like to make sure that I no the floss is good to use. Thank you for your channel.

[@StitchesBits]

I've not really run into this myself. I would think I wouldn't use it if it felt at all brittle, or if the color was faded. Otherwise I would think it would be fine to use!

[@melissasutton2121]

What’s that handy little pink spinner tool you used to help re-spool the floss?

[@StitchesBits]

Hi Melissa, I think I answered this for you through Instagram, but just in case anyone else is wondering this is a DMC Bobbin Winder. You can get them at most craft supply stores, or on Amazon (amzn.to/3J6ImFr).

[@cathymayfield2064]

I need to do the same thing you did. Mine are in bags like your was. Loved watching you. You did separate your threads, did you do 2 strands at a time? you did full length, or cut them. The video was really fast,. and my glasses got broke so I can't see that well. Loved the video though.

[@StitchesBits]

Thanks! So I wound one skein per bobbin. I didn't cut the thread into any shorter lengths, I tend to do that as I use it on projects. Same with separating the strands, I wait and do that when I go to use it.

[@sara_silly]

I found a complete list of all DMC colors, and apparently colors 3880-3895 are really rare for some reason! I think that’s why most lists only have 470?

[@StitchesBits]

Interesting! That's good to know. Now I feel like I need to find these rare little threads - I'm a sucker for a good challenge! 😂 Thanks, Sara!

[@salleweiss19]

How do you organize the floss in storage boxes ? Do you go by color? Love your video.

[@StitchesBits]

Thanks so much, Salle! I store them in numerical order in the boxes for my DMC threads. I've been thinking about organizing my hand-dyed threads (which don't use a number system) by color though at some point.

[@Copy-nator]

You are brave and brilliant!

[@StitchesBits]

Thank you!

[@tinarousselle741]

Where could I find the item that you're using in the video to wind(put the threads on the bobbins)? It looks like a little stand.

[@StitchesBits]

It's called a bobbin winder. They usually sell them at most craft stores that sell DMC threads or you can get online from like Amazon or 123stitch.com. It's a cheap little thing, but I find it really handy! :)

[@tracyphoenix8]

I want to get into embroidering, so don't know much abt it yet. Why do you need to wind the floss into bobbins? Can't you just use it how it is from the store? As you use the thread, it pulls out of that paper cigar wrap. I like detailed work, so I guess I'll use smaller thread amt in my stitching. Would it be better to wind the threads onto bobbins one or two strands at a time and have them ready for use? Will it save me time? Bobbins or bows, I don't see the point in winding the threads though. And if it would save some time not to have to do this, I would skip it. I haven't stitch yet, so not sure what the answer is.

[@leslienafzger4508]

i in her a boatload of floss from my mom AND my grandmother and am just starting to organize them all--wish me luck 😂

[@StitchesBits]

Oh gosh😮 - good luck!! I hope you find a good organization system that works for you. That's an awesome inheritance though!

[@kimberleystacey5037]

Hey, did you find the colour that you needed for your project??

[@StitchesBits]

OMG.. I forgot I had been looking for one. Lol Yes, I remember I did find it in the end! It was for the Gingerbread House I was working on at the time. 😃

[@kimberlymurphy9621]

Where did you get the floss checklist?

[@StitchesBits]

I used this one for the manual checklist as I worked: bit.ly/2Be6szU I'm using this one for my continued tracking: bit.ly/2BgzHSE

[@kimberlymurphy9621]

@@StitchesBits thank you soooo much!!!

[@jordanas3750]

As for storage I don't like bobbins, kink the threads especially silks. Given the shape of the floss I use stitch bows (no winding needed) to hold thread and created a Rolodex tray that about 40 fit per tray and the stack neatly in my specific clear plastic storage bin . Since I make my trays I can make them as small as I want or as large aka 1 tray can have 100 floss if I want, personal preference. I have a sm plastic box that holds 6 trays that I keep for current projects all the rest are stored in main box. Cotton Floss sorted by number and Rolodex style. Silks are too pretty to hide. I made a very simple (and a cheap) display to protect and see. So that's my method.

[@elainegothard]

You can make your own bows from wood tongue depressors(hobby shops stock them very cheap) I just cut a curved notch in each end. Works The same as a bow.

[@ashleykunz9542]

Hello!! Nice video, wonderful idea! Great way to prevent future duplicate numbers. Helpful advice, the music during the organizing is annoying and very repetitive. I would recommend something that doesn't sound like hold music or elevator music for a long period of time like in this video. I had to put volume down until the end. I hope this helps future videos!

[@StitchesBits]

Thanks for that feedback! That's definitely something I need to figure out with me rudimentary editing skills and managing DMCA concerns. I will keep this in mind though for any future videos that I add music to.

[@ruthmyrnamuniz5910]

Hi 🙋🏻‍♀️ I’m deaf 🧏🏻‍♀️ hard hearing aid 🦻 when speak fast you have do show on the video close and how you doing put number or color show me but I can’t see you on the table to far on video and I hope if you doing again. Thank you 🙏🏻🤟🏻😉

[@StitchesBits]

Hi Ruth, I'm so sorry about that. I will try to be more cognizant of that in the future - thank you for point it out!

[@maryloumallendick7262]

Ruth: There is a way to slow down the video speed. I think it is one of the features on the screen when you start/pause the play.