organising threads and bobbins
06-17-2011, 06:51 AM
#61
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Location: South Yorkshire UK
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I think I'm going to go for the zipped bag idea - very simple and inexpensive. I wasn't sure that I could get very small zipped bags in the UK, but they're on Amazon. Thanks for all the brilliant ideas. I may move a step closer to being organised!
06-17-2011, 07:24 AM
#62
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Location: Indiana
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Originally Posted by Quiltgranny
I haven't seen anyone address what they do with bobbins from different sewing machines when they've used one thread and more than one kind of bobbin with that thread. I've got 5 sewing machines and only two of them use the same bobbin.
The best solution I've come up with so far is that I have separate bobbin storage boxes that I've marked on the lid which machine's bobbins are inside. I don't think this might be the best solution because there are times when I have trouble figuring out which bobbin goes with which thread, especially when two thread colors are very similar.
Anyone have any better ideas than this? Great 'thread' by the way. :thumbup:
The best solution I've come up with so far is that I have separate bobbin storage boxes that I've marked on the lid which machine's bobbins are inside. I don't think this might be the best solution because there are times when I have trouble figuring out which bobbin goes with which thread, especially when two thread colors are very similar.
Anyone have any better ideas than this? Great 'thread' by the way. :thumbup:
06-17-2011, 07:32 AM
#63
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Clearwater, FL
Posts: 2,328
Originally Posted by Covered in Threads
Love the straw idea and the pipe cleaner trick. I have used the snack baggie, which seems to work the best for me now. And due to the varied sizes and heights of threads,I'm finding it easier to use the snack baggie and store them in clear plastic shoe boxes on the shelf over my main sewing area whenI want to be sure to keep the same spool and bobbin thread together.
In the past I bought some bobbin minders, little plastic units that fit into the top of a standard spool of thread which leads to my current probelm - these things don't fit as nicely into the tops of large spools.
In the past I bought some bobbin minders, little plastic units that fit into the top of a standard spool of thread which leads to my current probelm - these things don't fit as nicely into the tops of large spools.
I don't have the money to buy a ton of extra bobbins.
I do try to use neutral colors, but if there is thread left on a bobbin, I will - if it blends in with what I am doing, use the bobbin in paper piecing.
06-17-2011, 08:25 AM
#64
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: WA
Posts: 1,372
Originally Posted by mcdaniel023
Originally Posted by Quiltgranny
I haven't seen anyone address what they do with bobbins from different sewing machines when they've used one thread and more than one kind of bobbin with that thread. I've got 5 sewing machines and only two of them use the same bobbin.
The best solution I've come up with so far is that I have separate bobbin storage boxes that I've marked on the lid which machine's bobbins are inside. I don't think this might be the best solution because there are times when I have trouble figuring out which bobbin goes with which thread, especially when two thread colors are very similar.
Anyone have any better ideas than this? Great 'thread' by the way. :thumbup:
The best solution I've come up with so far is that I have separate bobbin storage boxes that I've marked on the lid which machine's bobbins are inside. I don't think this might be the best solution because there are times when I have trouble figuring out which bobbin goes with which thread, especially when two thread colors are very similar.
Anyone have any better ideas than this? Great 'thread' by the way. :thumbup:
Did I mention that I also use different kinds of thread? One time I took a Sharpie and wrote an "M" on the bobbin end for Mettler, but wasn't sure that I wanted to do that, either. :roll: Oh, what to do?? :lol:
Actually, another thing I do for my Aurifil gray thread that I use the most for most piecing is that when not using it I put it in a small glass jar with a lid - with it's matching bobbins (for each machine I'm using it on). That way, I can easily spot it whenever I need to use it. I also have at least two spools of this color too, that way I can have it set up on two different machines if I want to. :thumbup:
06-17-2011, 03:19 PM
#65
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 79
The pony tail holders work wonderfully to keep bobbin tails from wandering. The bobbin buddies, those blue units sold at Walmarts, that fit into the hole of a standard spool, are perfect companions. I have compartmented drawers, in which I store threads and matching bobbins,. Also, for odd sized spools....the floral section at some supermarkets will give you free, the plastic nets that fit over the blossoms. These are good for keeping large spools and a matching bobbin or two, together.
06-17-2011, 03:20 PM
#66
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 79
The pony tail holders work wonderfully to keep bobbin tails from wandering. The bobbin buddies, those blue units sold at Walmarts, that fit into the hole of a standard spool, are perfect companions. I have compartmented drawers, in which I store threads and matching bobbins,. Also, for odd sized spools....the floral section at some supermarkets will give you free, the plastic nets that fit over the blossoms. These are good for keeping large spools and a matching bobbin or two, together.
06-18-2011, 02:38 AM
#67
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 391
Originally Posted by damaquilts
This way of keeping bobbins is new to me but so far I like it.
Right now all of mine are in little plastic snap top organizer boxes with the thread; in my cabinet drawer. I got the sewing cabinet for $25 on CL for one of my old machines. This cabinet holds most of my notions, organized; as it has 3 drawers & a tilt-tray.
06-18-2011, 04:54 AM
#68
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Boca Raton, FL
Posts: 296
Originally Posted by Gramily
I bought a package of the cheapest golf tees. Put the bobbin on top of the spool and put a golf tee through the hole down into the spool. Will send photo tomorrow from PC.
Binder spines cut in sections
[ATTACH=CONFIG]213234[/ATTACH]
Golf tees hold bobbin to spool
[ATTACH=CONFIG]213235[/ATTACH]
re purposed cubbies from Lowe's with wheels
[ATTACH=CONFIG]213236[/ATTACH]
06-18-2011, 06:06 AM
#69
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Alabama
Posts: 117
Some great ideas - however for those of you with several machines how do you keep them coordinated. I have 4 different machines and all take different bobbins. A couple of them will use the same thread (but not all of them) so I need a better way to store the same color thread spool with the same color bobbins. Do most of you just put all the different machine bobbins together in a baggie/container with the same spool of thread? Trying to get better organized here with small sewing space.
06-18-2011, 07:29 AM
#70
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: WA
Posts: 1,372
Originally Posted by FWDesigns
Some great ideas - however for those of you with several machines how do you keep them coordinated. I have 4 different machines and all take different bobbins. A couple of them will use the same thread (but not all of them) so I need a better way to store the same color thread spool with the same color bobbins. Do most of you just put all the different machine bobbins together in a baggie/container with the same spool of thread? Trying to get better organized here with small sewing space.
Since I use one particular spool of Aurifil for most piecing, I have a small jar with a lid that I put my thread and the different bobbins in so I can see it at a glance. I usually have at least two spools of this color so I can piece on more than one machine at a time.
Sure hope someone else has some other great ideas for this dilemma. :D
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