threads all sorted!
I spent HOURS last week sorting my threads and zips. I showed you the beginning of my thread sorting odyssey – here are the progress and conclusion snaps.
Thread sorting in progress – I found all my threads, those on racks, in boxes, in a cardboard box (not seen in the photo above – and started to sort according to colour. I decided to keep the larger reels on the freestanding rack, other than the white and black reels, which are now kept on the standing racks that are part of the sewing cabinet. Specialty threads such as quilting cotton, topstitching threads and so on – as well as special machine feet and other handy sewing notions – went into the large plastic box on the left of the above photo. And all of the 100m spools went into the containers from Aldi. At the end of a few hours, I had this:
Woo hoo! How organised and space efficient is THAT! I did a rough count, and there are over 400 spools. Oh my goodness! I think that this is going to be a very workable thread storage solution for me – but only time will tell. I still haven’t figured out the overlocker threads, but I have sorted the zips. There were some great suggestions on how to store zips, but what I had failed to mention was just HOW MANY zips there were to store. Hundreds. I spent a few hours sorting them by type – dress, jeans, metal open end, normal open end, chunky open end, invisible – and then sorted them by length, from 7 inches and less, through 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24 inches. Then each pile of zips went into a large clear plastic snaplock bag. I’m still considering how to best store the bags, but think that at least now when I need a zip I pull out the type and length that is needed, dump then all on the table then look for the best colour. And go up or down size wise if needed.
I haven’t done any sewing at all this week – sacrilege! – but am pleased to be getting some organisation done. There was also some fabric sorting, folding and storing. Now my fingers are itching to get back to the machine. There are more than ten “immediate” projects in my to-do list at present!
Too organised. I could never keep it like that! You put my thread organisation to shame!
If I were you I would spend a lot of time admiring my organized threads — so satisfying:)
Oh my!!! My stash is teeny tiny in comparison!
Now I won’t hesitate to just grab a bunch of Gutterman when it’s on sale…even if I don’t have a specific project in mind!! 🙂
It’s good to take a break to get organized…makes the sewing go much more smoothly!
Fantastic Lara, I love the ziplocks for zips too – I rummaged in the box yesterday for some ready for my zip class – it wasn’t a great system!
Well this is one area where you have me beat! I do not own 400 spools of thread and am pretty much in awe that you do. Great storage system. It looks so pretty all organized and stacked. BTW, are these the first pics you’ve shared of your sewing room? I don’t remember seeing any before.
You have inspired me to take some photos of my sewing room and share them Carolyn – hopefully by next weekend! And not long now until you can enjoy your sewing vacation!
Love the Aldi containers. Are they a recent purchase? I’ll have to keep an eye out for them
They went on sale Wednesday last week. Possibly are still in the shops!
Wow, that is quite a collection to sort! My one box of threads and one tin of zips seem quite inferior… although it grew slightly when I was sold a 22″ zip that only measured 16″ recently!
Looks fabulous …..well done! I need to do some major sorting!! Thanks for the inspiration.
Wow! I love this organisation! I don’t have 400 spools yet but when I do, I will definitely be sorting them like this!
You could start a shop! Doesn’t it all look wonderful when they sorted though?
Sometimes I dont want to sew, I just want to be around the things of sewing- I would have really enjoyed this!