Update: Thread management
Threads…how many do you need? how many do you have?
This is a follow up to a blog post I last did on May 4 (you can read that here) on getting the most out of your quilting dollar. Inflation has generally taken a bigger bite out of most of our budgets since I did that post. So I thought that the time was good to revisit this topic, and to delve a bit deeper into a staple in our workspaces – thread.
I always think you should purchase the best quality of materials that you can. In this post, I’m going to start by sharing how I get the most use out of the threads I already have in my stash. Then I’ll touch on steps that I take to help me make smart buying decisions when I need to add (or replace something I already own).
I don’t do machine embroidery, and my thread inventory is primarily 40 wt or 50 wt cotton threads from names you know – Aurifil and Superior. There may be a small quantity of Microquilter threads (100 wt), and a smattering of Glide or of Wonderfil. I can say that the vast majority of threads that I have in my stash are cotton.
Truthfully, I keep quantities of piecing threads in only 4 colors – white, black, light grey and tan/taupe, and they are all 50 weight. That grouping of threads (shown below) is kept next to my sewing machine, and it’s always readily at hand whenever I need to do some stitching.
Piecing threads in the basics. The 4 spools of black will soon make sense.
These threads are the workhorses of my sewing space. There’s a very generous supply there…and it will most likely outlive me. Remember, dear reader that I’ve been sewing a long time. And that thread has no calories.
I know my Janome loves working with Bottomline thread (which is a 60 weight), and I had cones of that in Black, white and tan. However, I just finished my tan cone from Bottomline, and I don’t need to replace that.
I have enough neutral colors of 50 weight threads to simply switch over to use that in my bobbin. I just have to double check on the piecing to make sure that there isn’t a difference in the 1/4” seam allowance.
So now, let’s move onto color. And yes, I have a lot of thread colors…and they are wonderful and fun to use. My threads are sorted into two big boxes, and I sort them by manufacturer. In the Aurifil box - shown below - I sorted out the threads that are duplicate spools in the two columns to the left. It lets me isolate the thread colors that I have a lot of, and to plan to use that when I plan out my quilts.
Admittedly, a lot of color. Some more used than others!
I’ve blogged many times about the importance of centralizing your thread inventory. If you remove a spool and stash it in a project box (unless that is the next box you’re going to be working on)…the old adage out of sight, out of mind comes to me. I have a habit of placing a card or a scrap piece of paper in the project box with the thread name and number on it.
Here's my twist for 2022 – I’d keep a companion list going (and it doesn’t need to be fancy) in my planner with the same info. Here’s why – I have two thread boxes in my workroom, and they are broken out by manufacturer. If I left the ‘master’ list in the Aurifil box, the Superior wouldn’t get used very fast. Ask me how I know.
- If you’re making a scrap quilt or a charity quilt, include your threads when you pull your fabrics together as part of the planning process. It may show you options you didn’t know you had.
- Practice your free motion quilting skills, your ruler quilting skills, your threadpainting skills…you will use a lot of thread in any of those pursuits. It can be a pretty (or maybe not so pretty) color that gets used up.
So, how do you make smart purchasing decisions when you do need something new? Here are some ideas…
- If I need to buy more threads from a specific manufacturer, I keep a list in my phone of the color I’m looking for, the thread weight I want, and the color #. If you have a color card from the manufacturer, take the time to go through and tick off the colors you have. It’ll save a near miss. And those can be easy to carry with you.
- If you possibly can, plan out your thread ideas early in your creative process (or at least begin to think about your options). Procrastination can cause last minute impulse buying, which can be expensive - or worse yet, supply chain issues.
- Try to sort out the next 1-3 projects you’re going to be working on, then reassess. Managing this can be daunting, and you don’t have to have every color going by. Is there a way you can combine threads to get the most mileage?
- If you’re looking to match a color to a project, bring a sample block with you when you go shopping.
- If you have a favorite brand of thread that you like to use, now is the time to become a savvy shopper. If you have a local quilt shop which carries that thread…get on their mailing list. Ask about promotions, and upcoming events. If you don’t have access to a local quilt shop, search out trusted suppliers on the internet. And let those around you who may be asking for Christmas ideas for you know what you like and where you like to shop.
Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday are all coming!
Got any ideas for making the most of your thread stash? Share them below so that we can all learn together.