Leni Bernardo

As you begin to build up your cross-stitch supplies, you will find yourself needing some sort of organization to keep everything straight.  Otherwise you end up with piles of "stuff," and you won't be able to find the supplies you need for new projects.  Here are some tips and tricks for keeping your cross-stitch supplies organized:

General Storage Tips

When you are storing your cross-stitch supplies there are some general guidelines to follow.  All of your fabrics and flosses should be stored in a cool-dry place.  Also, you will want to store your cross-stitch supplies away from heat and direct sunlight, as both will alter the colors of your craft.

For some people, shoe boxes are an inexpensive way to store items, but other people want to keep their supplies in something that can be transported.  An excellent way to store your supplies is to use a scrapbooking tote.  There are places to put scissors, fabric, thread, and more.  Usually the totes come with small holders for embellishments and larger areas for hoops.  They will help keep all of your supplies organized and in one place.

Storing Fabric

For many cross-stitch lovers there is the question of what to do with the fabric.  Fabric should not be folded, because it is extremely difficult to get creases out of it.  Therefore, you need to keep you fabric rolled.  One easy way to store your fabric is to save the rolls from paper towels, wrapping paper, and more.  You can roll your fabric on those rolls.  Just be sure to write down what type of fabric is on it, because it may be some time before you use it again.

Storing Floss

There are several ways to store floss, and some are more time consuming than others.  One of the most common ways to store floss is to wind the floss around the cardboard bobbins and keep them in a plastic storage container.  This way the floss can be organized by number (as long as you remember to write the number on the bobbin).

 It can get time consuming to wind and organize all of the floss colors, and sometimes you will have several skeins of one color.  Another tip is to use the small zip lock baggies.  You can write the number on the outside of the bag.  Some stitchers also punch a hole in the outside of the bag and put them on keyrings to keep colors organized.

Storing Multiple Projects

Sometimes cross-stitchers like to work on more than one project at once.  Without good storage, supplies and projects can get rather confusing.  Therefore you need ways to keep your projects separate.  One tip is to use a cosmetics travel bag that has several pockets.  These pockets will allow you to keep several projects together without mixing up supplies.  Also, the extra pockets are great for storing scissors, extra needles, and more.

Storing Needles

Any crafter that works with needles knows the challenge in storing needles.  There are several helpful ways to keep your needles in tow without losing them.  Using a plastic container is a helpful way to store needles.  You can use old pill bottles, film containers, candy containers, and more. 

Some crafters also use fabric to store their needles.  You can take a scrap of fabric and line up your needles by size.  Then roll up the fabric and store them for later use.

Another helpful hint is to use a magnet when you are stitching or storing your needles is to use a magnet.  The magnet will hold onto your needle when you need to set your stitching project aside or put your needles away.  This way they will not have that tendency to get lost.

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