How I Organize My Cross-Stitch Projects

I recently saw a Better Homes & Gardens Facebook post about how Cross Stitch is making a come back.  For some of us, it never really left.  I always seem to have some project in the works, even though it may take me months, or even years, to complete it.   Today, I decided it was time to revamp and old post and reshare how I organize my cross stitch projects.

This post contains affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission if you order through these links.  Thank you for your support.

I started cross stitching when I was a young teenager because two of my older sisters also loved to cross stitch.  We have even worked on projects together that are hanging in each other’s houses.  I continued this tradition of swapping ideas and projects with a couple of coworkers in the 1990’s (when cross stitching was more popular) and now with a few friends that have continued the craft beyond the 1990’s like myself.

If you check trends on Pinterest, you will find that cross stitch is coming back in style as a new popular craft trend again.  Love that!!

I have had several questions over the years about how I organize my numbered and colored thread storage.  Since two of my sisters taught me how to cross stitch and I follow their method of organizing my threads I really can’t take credit for this idea.  Even today,  this method of organizing my projects and thread still work very well.  It is also very inexpensive.

Instead of using the cardboard spools to wrap my thread around and then store them in plastic containers made just for thread storage, I use envelopes, plastic bags and shoe boxes.

How I Organize My Cross Stitch Supplies and Projects

To adopt this method you will need:

• Shoeboxes or any cardboard box with a lid
• Gallon Size Plastic Bags
• Small Envelopes
• Markers
• Magnetic Board 

I’m not against using the recommended storage solutions you can find in the craft supplies stores.   A friend of mine gave me her supplies when she moved so I have threads on spools too.  Old habits are hard to break though and I have so many colors of thread already stored in envelopes and shoe boxes that I see no reason to change everything over to another “system”.   If the spool system or any other system is what you prefer, I say just go with a system that works for you.

Basically how my system works is that I have a small envelope for each numbered color of thread I have in my stash.  I label the outside of each envelope with the number in the top right hand corner and file it in numerical order in a shoe box.

Whenever I start a new project, I pull out what numbered colors I need out of the shoe box and put them in a large zip lock bag.  This is also great for easy and portable storage while I’m working on the project.  I can also insert the magnetic board and folded fabric inside the zip lock bag for waterproof and safe travel if I’m taking a project on the road with me.

Using the envelopes saves every little piece of thread for future cross stitch projects.

By using envelopes instead of the card board spools, I can easily insert small leftover pieces of floss inside the envelope to use later.  Very little thread gets wasted this way.  Sometimes you just need to use a small piece for a few stitches so keeping every little strand saves thread and money over time.

If you don’t like the look of plain shoe boxes, you can always cover them in pretty paper to make your craft area more visually appealing.

Here are some other methods you can also try out:

“You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.”  Luke 12:40