How do I store my thread from dust, yet for ease of use.

Thread is an indispensable tool in machine embroidery, akin to a painter's palette. To achieve professional-looking results, it's crucial to have a wide range of colors at our disposal. This allows us to tackle any embroidery design and effortlessly match the thread to our fabric's color. Considering the current cost of thread, it's advisable to allocate a monthly budget for gradually acquiring a complete collection of colors from the brand you use. Once you possess the entire color chart, replenishing the threads you frequently use becomes a simple task.  Depending on the brand, a full colour chart can often consist of up to 400 different colors

If you've been engaged in embroidery for some time, it's likely that you have already discovered your preferred brand, one that seamlessly integrates with your machine. However, for those who are new to embroidery, I'll provide a list of ten widely recognized and popular brands to consider.

1. Floriani: Floriani is known for its high-quality polyester embroidery threads, which are renowned for their durability, vibrant colors, and smooth performance.

2. Marathon: Marathon threads are widely used and valued for their extensive color range and excellent stitch quality. They offer both polyester and rayon thread options.

3. Isacord: Isacord is a trusted brand known for its robust polyester embroidery threads. They are highly regarded for their strength, colorfastness, and ability to withstand frequent laundering.

4. Mettler: Mettler is a reputable brand that offers a diverse range of thread types, including polyester and silk, for machine embroidery. Their threads are known for their excellent sheen and strength.

5. Madeira: Madeira is a well-established brand recognized for its high-quality embroidery threads. They offer a wide selection of thread types, including polyester, rayon, metallic, and specialty threads.

6. Sulky: Sulky is a popular brand known for its rayon embroidery threads. Their threads have a beautiful sheen and come in a wide range of colors, making them ideal for intricate embroidery designs.

7. Robison-Anton: Robison-Anton offers a comprehensive range of polyester and rayon embroidery threads. They are known for their consistent quality, vibrant colors, and excellent performance.

8. Aurifil: Aurifil is primarily known for its cotton threads used in quilting and sewing, but they also offer a selection of embroidery threads. Their threads are renowned for their strength and low lint.

9. Gunold: Gunold specializes in embroidery supplies, including a variety of high-quality embroidery threads. They offer polyester, rayon, metallic, and specialty threads suitable for different embroidery projects.

10. KingStar: KingStar is a popular brand for polyester embroidery threads. They offer a wide range of colors and are known for their affordability without compromising on quality.

Please note that the popularity of these brands may vary depending on factors such as personal preferences and regional availability.

I recommend keeping your color chart readily accessible and organizing your thread storage in alignment with the chart. Now, let's explore some exciting ideas on how to store these magnificent threads of various hues.

If you're working within a limited budget, affordable storage options such as plastic storage boxes, shoe boxes, and cardboard boxes are fantastic choices.

Personally, as someone who engages in extensive stitching, I possess multiple reels of each color. To ensure convenience, I keep one reel of each color readily accessible in pull-out drawers for immediate use. However, the remaining threads are meticulously sorted by color, following the color chart, and stored in labeled cardboard boxes. I take care to keep them away from direct light and heat sources to preserve their quality. Additionally, each box contains a stock note detailing the quantity of threads for each color.

	Plastic storage boxes that can stack like these are great if you don't have a lot of thread or your own dedicated space and need to pack away after you worked.  These boxes keep your thread dust free and neatly organized.  Click on the image to view / purchase.  You can start small and as yet obtain more thread you can get more bins to suit your budget.
	Wall mount thread racks like these are a great option, they are not hard to make yourself or if you know someone handy with woodwork, and you can make it as big as your wall space allow.  The downfall of these are your thread is subjected to dust and the climate, if you stitch a lot its not such big deal but if you are a occasional stitcher, I would suggest closed boxes - If you want to purchase these click on the image.
	Don't have wall space or need to pack up after sewing, these desk top stands are a great idea and you can cover them with a towel when not in use to keep your thread dust free.

When using wooden wall-mounted racks, it's effortless to incorporate small nails for hanging matching bobbin colors. To further enhance organization, I recommend attaching stickers with the corresponding thread numbers, allowing for easy identification. By arranging the threads in accordance with the color chart, you can achieve a well-organized and visually appealing storage system.

Acquiring boxes and crafting customized inserts like these can be a simple and cost-effective approach. Moreover, if the box includes a lid, it serves as a protective barrier against dust and other elements. Additionally, when purchasing thread that comes packaged in containers, particularly in pre-packed bundles or complete color charts, those containers can be repurposed for storage purposes, offering a convenient and efficient solution.

An excellent idea for thread storage is to utilize pegboards and dowel sticks, which can be incorporated as drawer inserts or mounted on walls. Additionally, you have the flexibility to customize the setup based on the available space. Whether you opt for a pegboard insert within a drawer or a wall-mounted display, you can tailor it precisely to fit your specific size requirements and create a personalized thread storage solution.

In today's market, the range of choices for thread storage is extensive, and among them, pull-out drawers have become my personal favorite. However, if you desire a custom solution tailored precisely to your requirements, consider visiting a carpenter or someone skilled in laser cutting wood. They can create a set of drawers or drawer inserts designed specifically to accommodate your thread collection, ensuring a perfect fit and optimal organization.

Another option to consider is visiting auctions where you may find shop-fitted versions specifically designed for your embroidery thread brand. Occasionally, when companies close down, these display units become available at significantly reduced prices. Alternatively, you can reach out to your thread supplier and inquire about any storage solutions they offer. While this option may involve some additional cost, it could be ideal for those who have a strong preference for a shop-perfect and meticulously organized setup.