Once upon a time, when I did cross stitching and smocking, I had three containers of DMC floss, all on cardboard bobbins and organized by number. I managed to find two of those containers and the floss has been stored away from sunlight and seems strong and ok so I’m using it but I’ve had to add colors and I bought two more storage containers because at the time, I didn’t know I was going to find the old ones.
During the week I was listening to a floss tube, maybe Lori Holt, and I think I heard that she has her floss stash organized by color and not by number. I thought that was somewhat of a good idea. She chooses the colors she likes so it’s easier for her to see all the greens together and pick the right shade. I decided that would be a good idea for me too and started putting all the pinks together and the reds together and kinda loosely going by the order in which they’re organized on the DMC color book I have here. After making a huge mess and having floss everywhere, it all seemed confusing and disorganized to me because if I am wanting to stitch a chart that gives the color numbers, it’s going to be more trouble to determine which colors I have and which I don’t have so I dumped everything out again and went back to organizing by DMC color number. It was a waste of time but I enjoyed playing with the floss.
With Addie here this weekend, it’s been easier to work on the floss organization than to try to count and stitch. I want to be available to do things with her when she wants my attention and when she’s playing in her room or on the computer, I can work on the floss.
Tracy says
I have a similar problem with my machine embroidery threads, sorting by numbers or shades. I made a list of all the colors I have, in numerical order. That way I can look at a glance to see if I have or need to get the color. I also have a color chart for my brand, so when I only have a number, I can look at the chart to see the color family, it helps with substitutions too. My DMC is all together in a plastic art-bin, I try to keep all the number bands on the skeins grouped together. I never had the patience to rewind them onto cards. I may get a color card though, it would make it easier to find #3864 “light mocha beige” on the first try.
Tracy says
I just did a quick search and found a free downloadable DMC color chart PDF and an Excel graph with colors and numbers at https://www.needlewoman.co.za/dmc-colour-chart-2019-download-pdf/
Judy Laquidara says
I have the DMC book with the actual floss colors and I use the X-Stitch app on my phone so I have a list of all the colors that I have. Another thing that the lists don’t account for is that I have quite a few projects kitted and the floss is in those bags. I probably should have removed it from the app when I put it in the bags. At 60 cents a skein, it’s easier/better for me to buy another skein when a second project needs the same yarn but I’m realizing I’ve kinda messed up my list on the app since “having” the skein and “having the skein available to use” are two different things. So much for my great organization.
Donna Williams says
Thank you so much! I was dreading starting this. Now I just need to get one for all the other floss. I seem to have quite a collection.
Tee says
That’s not something she would like to help with? My grandson would love to organize that. He did all my buttons by color and size. He’s 6 though, so maybe its an age thing.
Judy Laquidara says
She might if she was here longer but when she’s only here a couple of days, there are so many other things that keep her occupied. She leaves some of her dolls and doll clothes here, and her Barbie house stays here plus we have several drawing apps on her tablet that stays here and she loves those. She plays with Rita and would play with Boots if he was acting right. We usually do some amount of baking and cooking when she’s here.
Romonia Dinkla says
I sorted my DMC floss by number and have it stored in this small file cabinet https://www.containerstore.com/s/office/file-cabinets-carts/bisley-red-5_drawer-cabinet/12d?productId=11000871 that I purchased during a sale. When I remove a floss bobbin from the file, I replace it with a note card with the project name. I did print off a number chart and check off all the numbers that I have in my stash. I took a picture of the chart so I have it on my phone for reference. I use my DMC floss color card to make a choice if I don’t have the called for color or it I want to change it out.
Judy Laquidara says
I like that idea and love the filing cabinet. I use the X-Stitch app so I have all my colors on my phone but love the filing cabinet Thank!
Donna in KS says
Like you, I thought I would like color families together for my own easier selection changes! It took little time for me to go back to the number system! I don’t mind the time spent winding onto the little cards, adding the numbers. Now I just need to get back to Xstitch. I have done regular embroidery through the years but my floss is always kept out of light. I have printed the names and numbers for my Aurifil threads to keep good inventory of those, but not for DMC, etc. If I do get back to Xstitch, I will get that DMC chart.