There’s nothing like moving to turn up your organizational skills a notch or two. I’ll show you how I set up my thread cabinet and organized more than 350 spools of embroidery thread!
If you recall from my blog on organizing thread, my last embroidery studio had wall-mounted peg board where I kept my collection of 1100-meter Floriani thread cones.
Upon moving, I decided to store my thread in a cabinet with soft-closing drawers. We purchased the IKEA Veddinge white cabinet, Sektion style, with six Maximera drawers. (Note: If you use larger cones, simply use deeper drawers. IKEA has various drawer depths.)
My husband cut white peg board to fit in the drawers. Instead of placing dowel rods in the holes, we glued golf tees between the holes, allowing for more thread storage. That way, I can get 72 cones per drawer. We used white construction Gorilla Glue that was in a tube.
I am still using my original method of organizing thread, keeping the cones in the same order as my Floriani thread chart. I place the thread numbers on key tags and slip them on golf tees to identify which thread is housed there.
I had to use a hole punch to make the hole larger on the key rings to fit the golf tees, but after a few extra punches, they work just fine. When I embroider, I can look at my thread/color chart and go right to the thread number needed. Or I can simply open a drawer and find the color I like. Either way, I can easily find where the specific color of thread should go back since everything has a place.
Here is my thread chest loaded with thread. You can see all the colors at a glance and everything stays tidy, dust free, in order, and safe from sunshine.
Add pretty drawer pulls (Hobby Lobby has a large selection of drawer pulls) and I've filled up five drawers which hold 360 spools of thread. I have one empty drawer. What will I fill that up with?
Initially, it does take some time but you only have to do it once. To me that's much better than having never-ending tangles and a big mess. I work better and am more productive when thinks are orderly. It definitely saves time in the long run for sure!
May your day be blessed with perfect stitches and GlitterFlex!!
Barbara - January 25, 2024
I love your thread cabinet! This is exactly what I would love to have….just not sure I have the floor space for it.
Bonnie Welsh - December 03, 2022
Cindy—Yes, I could have put the tees through the peg board IF it didn’t raise up the peg board making the thread too tall for the door to close. Hubby wanted to use peg board to keep the lines perfectly straight, and the peg board can be easily removed since nothing is glued down to the drawer (like you were thinking of with for thin board). Hubby just liked using the peg board to keep everything easily aligned without a lot of extra work measuring and such.
CindyH - December 03, 2022
I guess I don’t understand the point of using peg board if you glued the tees to the board instead of pushing them through the holes. The pegs/tees could just be glued to the drawer bottom or a very thin piece of board so it can be removed easily.
Bonnie Welsh - November 20, 2022
Cindy—You’re most welcome. Have fun creating your dream space. =)
Cindy Craigen - November 20, 2022
Thank you for your prompt response, Bonnie! That is exactly what my husband suggested! Houston is 1 1/2 from our home – so we’ll head down and see if we can’t get it all worked out! In our last house, my husband built me a wonderful cabinet and counter top system that was perfect for the multiple machines I used making window treatments and home furnishings. Those are now in the garage of this house – and I’ve moved on to embroidery and quilting for our two new granddaughters!! I was surprised how quickly I amassed quite a stash of both fabric and embroidery thread!!! I’ve outgrown the “make-shift” plastic cart that has served me well the past two years. Time to get properly outfitted. Again, thank you for your help and the wonderful and detailed description of your thread vault! ;)
Bonnie Welsh - November 18, 2022
Cindy—Talk with a person at Ikea as they can help you find the right top and supplies needed and how to make it work properly. My husband might have had to cut it down slightly. I know he added the white trim to the sides. All of it from Ikea. Once I found the cabinet I wanted, I just went to the store to have them help me get all the appropriate parts to save myself the aggravation. =)
Cindy Craigen - November 18, 2022
Hi, Bonnie – I am ordering this cabinet and draw unit – but am wondering what you used for the top of the cabinet. I’m not finding anything on Ikea’s sight that looks like the top of your cabinet. (Certainly nothing that is the “right” size.). Any help is appreciated! Thank you for posting the direct link to everything else!! Merry Christmas to me!
Bonnie Welsh - July 22, 2022
Barbara—It’s about 4" in height on the inside. It’s large enough for 1,000 M spools.
Barbara B - July 22, 2022
I love your thread storage cabinet. Please tell me the inside drawer height. I use Isacord thread so would like to know if the spools will fit in the drawers. Thank you!
Bonnie Welsh - January 03, 2022
Sonja—Mine are approximately 30" wide; however, I’d get whatever size fits best in your space. =)
Sonja - January 03, 2022
This drawer set comes in many sizes do you know which size you bought?
Bonnie Welsh - December 08, 2020
Donna—IKEA still carries this cabinet in stock. Here’s a direct link: https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/sektion-base-cabinet-6-fronts-6-low-drawers-white-maximera-veddinge-white-s19034321/
Donna Phelps - December 08, 2020
Your cabinet sounds like just the thing for my embroidery thread! Can you provide the interior dimensions of the drawers and the outside measurements please. The exact cabinet is not available at IKEA, so I am anticipating a substitute. Thank you so much!
Bonnie Welsh - September 10, 2020
Meari—Thank you for the kind words. How exciting! I know you can’t wait to get it put together. =)
Meari - September 09, 2020
Love your idea. I bought a cabinet to be used to store my thread and other sewing supplies. I just need to put it together!
Bonnie Welsh - August 31, 2020
Donna—I think Lowe’s or Home Depot would cut it for you. We used the peg-board for easy spacing of the golf t’s but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work without it too. Just more measuring/marking involved. =)
Donna Carroll - August 29, 2020
Great idea. Will it work with the golf teas if you don’t have the pegboard? I don’t have anyone to cut it for me. I wonder if Lowes would do that for me. I guess I’ll have to ask.
Thank you for sharing your great ideas.
Bonnie Welsh - July 26, 2020
Carol—I imagine you could certainly do that. That would be nice wouldn’t it? They put wheels on tool chests that are much heavier. =)
Carol Vance - July 25, 2020
Is your thread cabinet light weight enough to put on wheels?
Bonnie Welsh - June 06, 2020
Sandra—You’re most welcome!
Sandra - June 05, 2020
Thank you! The way you organize your thread is great. The golf tees are a wonderful idea.
Rachel Kachun - May 15, 2020
How did you cover the opening in the top of the cabinet? I looked on IKEA and see that since it’s a base cabinet the top is open. Thank you 😊
CHERRY MOON - February 18, 2020
Bonnie this is awesome I have a very small version that doesn’t fit Floriani…. and I have relocated and that is the only thread available near me…Just wondering what the dimensions are? I don’t have an Ikea close to me so would have to order on line Thanks!
Bonnie Welsh - December 26, 2019
Carol—I’ve heard of some folks using pony tail holders. Did you know that most brands have thread tail holders built right in, i.e., Robison-Anton, Sulky, Floriani, Gutermann, Isacord, Exquisite, just to name a few. If there’s a groove on the bottom, in most cases, you can pull it out and wrap the thread around the base and pop it closed. Easy-peasy! =)
Carol Sheehan - December 25, 2019
I use pony tail holders to wrap around my thread to control loose ends
Betty Bevill - September 26, 2019
I have the same idea on peg boards hanging in the back of my closet in the sewing room.
Susan Paul - September 24, 2019
Hi! Great idea!! Any ideas for organizing rolls of stablizer?
Bonnie Welsh - September 01, 2019
Cathy—I have tried the Floriani thread app. I did a video on various apps for sewing a while back. Thanks for the reminder, I need to pull out the app to see what new colors have been added and which ones may have been discontinued. I love using my thread chart too (with real threads) as I can see the “real” colors and it’s portable to take to my machines. We need it all don’t we? =)
Cathy Rosynek - September 01, 2019
Love your idea and thanks for sharing! Have you tried the Floriani thread app? Makes it so easy to track what threads you have, what you need and is updated for the new colors.
Bonnie Welsh - August 31, 2019
Janet—Thanks! Copy away!!! =)
Bonnie Welsh - August 31, 2019
Debra—I agree that I think it would fit for many brands of threads. =)
janet - August 31, 2019
I love the way you did the thread cabinet.I need to copy that .
Debra Hammer - August 31, 2019
I love this idea. My spools are all stored in clear plastic boxes that I found on Amazon. with the exception of one I purchased from my Floriani distributor. Most of my thread collection is not Floriani, but I hope to purchase that brand exclusively in the future as I build up my colors. This would be the perfect storage solution for all of my threads.
Bonnie Welsh - August 28, 2019
Carolyn—I got the biggest that would fit in the area I had available. =) Actually I think it’s about 36" wide or so. I’m out of town so can’t measure. Mine was going between two doors so it needed to fit there. If I had had more room, I might have used 4 together and created a large island cutting space with drawers beneath. These pieces are completely customizable which makes it nice (and yet confusing too). But if I had room for more, I would have configured it differently as I can always use the extra storage. =)
CAROLYN BELKO - August 28, 2019
Bonnie- what size Veddinge unit did you use? We are building a house and looking for efficient storage solutions. Thanks
Bonnie Welsh - August 27, 2019
Ruthie—I just reread your note. If half of your colors are not listed on your thread chart, I’m guessing it’s time for a new or updated thread chart. =)
Bonnie Welsh - August 27, 2019
Ruthie—I do have the entire collection but wanted it to be “flexible” in case they added colors. So I can move things around if needed. In your case, I might leave an open slot or two per row if I was actively “growing” my selections. I’d also make a small mark on my thread chart of the colors I had “in stock” so that when I went to the store to pick up a couple of new colors, I wasn’t repeating colors I already have. A simple dot or little mark of some sort next to the number is all you’d need to know you’ve got it at home. When I was just starting out I found I gravitated to the same colors and would buy duplicates. I’ve learned a lot since then. =)
Bonnie Welsh - August 27, 2019
Williemae—Thanks! I couldn’t agree with you more!
Bonnie Welsh - August 27, 2019
Marilyn—My husband made a very large wooden rack years ago. He recently painted it white (before it was just the natural wood color) and he hung it in my closet. =)
Bonnie Welsh - August 27, 2019
Marie—Thank you so much!
Bonnie Welsh - August 27, 2019
Linda—Thanks! The golf t’s have worked perfectly allowing for various sizes. =)
Ruthie Holmes - August 27, 2019
I am just starting to set up my room and i find that half of my thread isn’t on the chart. How do you handle those spools? I have much less than you but want to start out right..
WillieMae Charles - August 27, 2019
Good job Bonnie. And yes, sewing, and embroidery is much more fun when you are organized.
Melodie Gingras aka Melvin Johnson on Facebook - August 27, 2019
I loved it so much I had to share it on Facebook…one day I’m going to do this!
Marilyn Nicotra - August 27, 2019
Where do you store your serger thread?
Marilyn Nicotra - August 27, 2019
Where do you store your serger thread?
Marie Davis - August 27, 2019
Bonnie I really like this cabinet for organizing thread. Wish I had known about this before I purchased 2 plastic ones. Have thought about converting to your wonderful idea but at my age and health I have almost convinced myself to just go with what I have. Besides I just finished organizing my sewing area and as soon as I can I will get back to embroidering full blast. I do really, really like your thread storage though. You are amazing!
Linda Alford - August 27, 2019
Bonnie, That is the nicest, well organized thread storage I’ve seen. The golf tees are a great idea. I tried the standard holes with dowel but the size of the spool was limited. Love it!