Catholic • artist • gardener • seamstress • lover of all things domestic • and sometime attorney
Friday, March 04, 2016
Clara Tackles the Floss
Clara dumped out the plastic bin filled with wads of half-used embroidery floss skeins. That was yesterday. Today she's got almost everything on little cards. Who knew this was possible?
My daughters and I did this to our floss at least 15 years ago. Then we filed them all in alphabetical order in clear plastic boxes. My sweet mother in law did the same years earlier. A plan we have never improved on.
I love doing this! I keep mine organized by color in a plastic container with different compartments. I am currently kondo-ing sewing supplies so this hits close to home!
What cards are they on, and how is the label information preserved (color number or whatever)? My embroidery thread currently resides in low-income housing (ziploc baggies), but would undoubtedly like an upgrade...
We bought the little plastic cards from Hobby Lobby--a dollar for 25 of them, and she has pencilled in the number of the color. Next they're going to go in a plastic box.
Oh yes, definitely in number order on little cards. I have about 5 of the special plastic organizers for my thread, then when I'm working on a project I find the colors I need and put those in one container to work from...so organized.
I did mine a year or two ago - I used index cards, cut into halves (or thirds - halves are sturdier) with a slit cut into each end to hold the beginning and the end of the thread. I put mine in color order; most of mine were old and didn't have the labels anymore.
I have done this since I started cross stitching many moons ago, with the cards all in numerical order in plastic boxes with compartments, and it is the handiest way to do it! No searching, just go straight to the number and grab it. And the colors all go together in their groups and looks so pretty that way. :)
Great work! I like the floss done like this and put in a box best, it takes time to wind, but it's so worth it in the end. I used some marbled paper and fit it inside the lid, you can see it through the plastic top, but if your floss is outside, it will keep it from fading in the sun. Also, plastic bobbins are preferable because it doesn't matter if they get wet or damp. The metal circle rings are nice too if you want to store the colors in order for your project. Can you tell I like to stitch in a lawn chair outside?
Wow! Great job! Christina
ReplyDeleteMy daughters and I did this to our floss at least 15 years ago. Then we filed them all in alphabetical order in clear plastic boxes. My sweet mother in law did the same years earlier. A plan we have never improved on.
ReplyDeleteI recall you mentioning Clara's tidy nature before Anna, she used to organise the pantry brilliantly for you I believe.
ReplyDeleteI love doing this! I keep mine organized by color in a plastic container with different compartments. I am currently kondo-ing sewing supplies so this hits close to home!
ReplyDeleteWhat cards are they on, and how is the label information preserved (color number or whatever)? My embroidery thread currently resides in low-income housing (ziploc baggies), but would undoubtedly like an upgrade...
ReplyDeleteBless her precious heart! She is free to come over to my home and organize mine..hehe.
ReplyDeleteblessings, jill
Actually, not in alphabetical order but in numerical order..sorry about that.
ReplyDeleteWe bought the little plastic cards from Hobby Lobby--a dollar for 25 of them, and she has pencilled in the number of the color. Next they're going to go in a plastic box.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, definitely in number order on little cards. I have about 5 of the special plastic organizers for my thread, then when I'm working on a project I find the colors I need and put those in one container to work from...so organized.
ReplyDeleteI did mine a year or two ago - I used index cards, cut into halves (or thirds - halves are sturdier) with a slit cut into each end to hold the beginning and the end of the thread.
ReplyDeleteI put mine in color order; most of mine were old and didn't have the labels anymore.
I have done this since I started cross stitching many moons ago, with the cards all in numerical order in plastic boxes with compartments, and it is the handiest way to do it! No searching, just go straight to the number and grab it. And the colors all go together in their groups and looks so pretty that way. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat work!
ReplyDeleteI like the floss done like this and put in a box best, it takes time to wind, but it's so worth it in the end.
I used some marbled paper and fit it inside the lid, you can see it through the plastic top, but if your floss is outside, it will keep it from fading in the sun. Also, plastic bobbins are preferable because it doesn't matter if they get wet or damp.
The metal circle rings are nice too if you want to store the colors in order for your project.
Can you tell I like to stitch in a lawn chair outside?
such a pretty collection of colors, how wonderful to have them wrapped up.
ReplyDelete