Christmas and New Year’s celebrations are over, and I’m trying to return to my regular routine. Today, I was planning a new embroidery project, going through my floss stash, picking colors, and ordering new floss.
Here are some tips on how to properly care for your embroidery floss. Proper care can save you time, frustration, and even money in the long run. Whether you’re working on a masterpiece or dabbling in a quick weekend project, the last thing you want is tangled, frayed, or faded floss, which can ruin the fun.
Store It Right
Keep your floss organized and easy to access with these storage solutions:
Floss Bobbins: Wind each skein onto a bobbin to prevent tangling. Use clear, divided boxes to keep colors visible and separated.
Storage Solutions: Use professional floss storage solutions that suit your working style best. Before deciding on the best storage solution, consider these questions: Do you prefer full skeins or precut floss? How much space do you have, and how big is your floss collection?
Keep It Clean
Always wash your hands before stitching to avoid transferring oils or dirt.
Store your floss in a clean, dry place, away from moisture and dust.
Avoid Sunlight
Prolonged exposure to sunlight can fade your beautiful colors. Store your floss in a drawer or shaded area to preserve its vibrancy.
Moisture Is the Enemy
Humidity can make floss brittle or cause mold growth. Consider adding silica gel packets to your storage containers if you live in a humid climate.
Manage Leftovers
Have leftover threads from a project? Label it with the color number and brand to quickly restock when needed. I wind the remaining short or separated threads on the same bobbin as the main floss.
Keep the embroidery floss cutoffs in a jar. Use them to fill felt ornaments or for other craft projects.
More about embroidery floss and its organization on the Practical Embroidery blog:
Taking care of your embroidery floss doesn’t have to be a chore. With a little bit of TLC, your threads will stay as vibrant and smooth as the day you bought them, ready to turn your creative visions into reality.
Do you have any favorite floss care tips? Hit reply to let me know—I’d love to hear from you!
For 12 Days of Christmas, December 25th-January 5th, they invite you to learn new crafting skills, get exclusive freebies, and win fun craft prizes! Here is their schedule of activities:
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