Show your stash : Threads

Lately, I have been reading posts regarding stitchers’ thread and pattern collections and oh my! They were so impressive! Now my reading list has been expanding by the day. Since I don’t really collect patterns (back in the day, once I’m done with it, I would give it to my officemates and vice versa) I will just write about threads.

So here’s my stash which consists of DMC threads alone. I have used DMC since the start because most patterns I’ve done used it. I don't really hoard (???:), I usually just buy threads that I need for a pattern I’m doing (learned my lesson when I got different shades for the same number esp. when it comes to skin colors.)

They are in bobbins and sorted in numerical order in a double-sided carrier which I bought more than 2 years ago at Joann Fabrics with a 50% discount coupon (they are currently priced at $14.99, so better print that discount coupon before buying). Before, I had four transparent boxes of floss, now they are all in one container, isn’t that neat!

 DMC threads at regular price cost cheaper at Walmart but they do not carry all the numbers. If I’m working on a project I first use whatever is on hand, then buy at Michaels or Joann when I’ve run out, who knows maybe by then they would announce a sale or have discount coupons for the whole purchase (that’s the problem too, I get tempted to buy more skeins when threads are on sale! I have lots of black which I know won’t get wasted, what with all that backstitching stuff.)

These threads, however, are still in a Ziploc bag. I bought it for a BAP which was started in late 2013. Sadly, it has become UFO for so long. I’ll see to it that it becomes a WIP again in 2015. (I apologize for dropping these acronyms in one paragraph; just wanted to use them in my blog to make me sound like a bonafide stitcher, so bear with the newbie blogger, teehee!)

No, this is not the police line-up of bobbins. I’d like to refer it more as “the evolution of my bobbins.” When I started stitching, I bought these white plastic bobbins from a frameshop/LNS. The hole for the metal ring is on the side, which makes it easier for me to just tape the DMC number in the middle and they are so durable.  I thought I’ve stocked up enough bobbins for my growing floss stash. Gee, was I so wrong! 

So there was a time the new thread numbers were in a Ziploc bag or just stuck inside the container (until I could get my hands on those white bobbins, pardon me for wanting them to be uniform). I couldn’t find them in any Michaels, Joann or in other craft stores where we live now. Then 4 years ago, my ever reliable sis-in-law asked me what would I want her to buy for me when she comes visit us. Whoopee! “Do you remember that shop where I used to go to have my cross stitch framed, can you buy me those bobbins...” plus the aida cloth, etc. So off she went to buy. And then came that call…”that shop has been closed for years, it’s a different store now.” I must admit it broke my heart a little, so many fond memories in that good ol’ shop. But take heed, I said ever reliable didn’t I? My sis-in-law was able to get me transparent bobbins from another store in another place that sells mostly cloths, lace and buttons. These where just a tad bigger than the white ones so they fit snugly in the container. Still, my bobbins can’t keep up with my threads (why didn’t I just print the whole thread checklist :( . So now I’m using the DMC plastic bobbins with the hole in the middle, I don’t use the metal ring anyway so I taped the numbers there). I just hope I don’t resort to the cardboard ones, but who knows?