printable: floss bobbin thread organizer

Over the years, I've crafted many ways to store and organize embroidery floss. Sometimes I think that I like the process of making these even more than using them. The one that has stuck for me the longest is sorting the skeins in small containers sorting them based on the DMC color card. You can see that here. But that's storing my threads in an organized way.

But when it comes to keeping embroidery floss organized while actually working on a project, I'm usually pretty horrible about it. I typically have little nests of thread in a project bag, which you'll see later in this post. And that's despite the fact that I designed these embroidery floss bobbin thread organizers ten (yes TEN!) years ago.

These are based off of similar cards you can buy as well as some simple handmade ones, and even the acrylic or wood variety. My printable is based on the thread bobbins I've made in the past, but bigger and made for holding a bunch of threads and labeling them too! As I've been doing more cross stitch, it's been especially helpful because I'm pulling off single strands, as opposed to using three strands like I usually do with embroidery. I'm still new to using this, but now I don't have messy wads of floss to sort through!

Want to print your own and give them a try?



I have two versions of these available. One has four colors (red, yellow, green, and blue), and then for those who support me on Ko-Fi, there's a version with an additional four colors (pink, orange, teal, and purple).

DOWNLOAD THE 4-BOBBIN ORGANIZER



Print the page on heavy card stock (or you could mount it onto thin cardboard using my stronger card method), then trim the bobbins.



Punch holes along the sides. If you want, you can also punch a hole in the top so you can keep all of your bobbins on a ring.



Now, grab those nests of embroidery floss (or if you're smart, use these organizers from the beginning so you don't have this problem).




When you start a project, or as you're working, place the cut strands through the hole and secure with a cow hitch (yes, that's what that "knot" is called!)). You can write the color numbers next to each loop if you want, and even add your project name at the top. No more guessing, especially when you have colors that are close to each other!



If you look closely, you'll see that when I ended up with an extra thread, I added it in with the matching color. It's a handy way to keep alllll the threads tidy.

Oh, and if you want to know an easy way to remove a thread to use it, check out my YouTube short showing me trying this for the first time!



When I'm not using the floss, I just wrap the hanging threads around the card like you see here!

Before I sign this off, I want to highlight my Ko-Fi page. There are several ways to support me there, including what I call the tip jar so you can drop something in and get bonus files from time to time (like the full rainbow of floss organizers!). But my Ko-Fi Klatsch is the best value, while really helping me do what I do. That monthly membership includes all the bonus files, plus exclusive patterns, video calls, discounts, and new release patterns, depending on the tier. I'd love it if you took a look.

And now, happy stitching!