My "DMC Embroidery Thread Filing and Storage System"

 

During the posting of my backyard studio photos, my blogging friend, Sheila, asked about my DMC thread collection I had mentioned being stored in the three drawers shown above.  I said I would tell about that in a future post.  So, here is the story: 

A few years ago, during a particularly trying set back with pneumonia, I was told to get some bed rest.  Something I don't do very well.   (And, by the way, the old navy man and I both had pneumonia AT THE SAME TIME!)  So, while trying to recuperate and also trying to stay in bed - an impossibility with the two people in the house sick at the same time - I began to think of 'things to do' when I got better.  One of the things that came to mind was getting my beloved (and I seriously mean that!) DMC thread collection ORGANIZED.  I knew I had these three drawers available to help in the organization, so my seriously OCD mind came up with this 'DMC Thread Filing and Storage System' as I have come to call it.   First thing I did was gather every skein of thread I had and put them together, and in order, by number, while IN the bed.  So, my bed was almost completely covered with DMC floss!  The next thing I did was figure out how to 'file' them in numerical order in these drawers.  I can 'figure' pretty well when confined, I guess, so I made a divider for the drawers from foam core, dividing each drawer into two sections.   (Of course, I cheated and went out into the Nest to carry all the needed supplies, like drawers and foam core into my bedroom!)

Next, I had to figure out how to actually contain and number each skein, in some cases, multiples of the same color.  At the time, I was quite taken with the new ziplock snack size bags.  They are handy for much more than snacks!  I had people out buying me several boxes of them.  I also had quite a number of the large index size cards...unlined ones, of course, and because office supplies are one of my all-time favorite things to accumulate, I had a very large amount of stickers.  I decided it would be a good thing to use one card per color number, write that number on the sticker, adhere it to the snack bag and also to write the number ON the bag itself, just in case the sticker came off.  You can only think of that if you are OCD!  At the very beginning of this 'plan' I knew the snack bags would not stand up properly without some support, so the index cards were used.  Works perfectly.

Are you seeing how this came together?  Into the bags went the skeins of gorgeous threads.  And, my filing and storage system was born!

 I began by placing the bags in order in the first drawer on the left.......filling each one with as many as would comfortably fit...and knew it would take two drawers, maybe three to file and store the thread I had on hand.  Which was true...with the exception of a 'little extra space' in drawer #3.  It's about half full at this point,  which won't be true when I get my most recently purchased colors bagged and ready for 'filing.' 

 

 In this photo, you can see the foam core down the center.  This idea surely worked well for me and it might work for you too. (Oh, I just remembered, I also lined the drawers with that neat drawer lining you can buy that keeps things from slipping around...it sure helps everything stay in place.)

 

 Here is one of the snack bags...numbered and ready to file.......

 

 You can see there are several skeins in this bag...sometimes I buy multiples because I LOVE the color and know I will USE it a lot.  You can also see the index card that is inserted in each bag, like I mentioned, for stability.

 

 And, another color I evidently like.....

 Oh, I love this color too, wonder why there is only one?   I hope you can understand the instructions I have given for the making of this filing and storage system and if you try it, I hope it works for you as it has for me.  I do know it sure makes dealing with many skeins of thread much more efficient  than anything I had tried previously. 

 

I found this little box with it's cute rose decoration at the flea market a while back....and when I saw it, first thing I thought of was a cute place to pull out some colors of floss I'd like to use in a project...so here they are waiting patiently for me to DO SOMETHING!  My fingers just itch to get started on something new!  So, Sheila and other blogging friends, there you are....something to share with you from the backyard studio.  Y'all take care....pat

PS.  I must tell you that I know some of my family members worry about my 'hoarding' tendencies.  One of my brothers-in-law was once in the Nest and stood in here just taking in all the stuff, including the DMC storage system and all the fabrics.  He's an artist...he paints.  He looked around with this look of wonder on his face and said "Now, I GET it.....these things are your paint!"  What a great thing to be able to hear.  Thank you, Don!