Taking Control of Your Thread Stash: My Journey Back to Basics

When My Thread Inventory App Vanished: A Frustrating Discovery

For years, I relied on an app to manage my ever-growing embroidery thread collection. It was convenient, or so I thought. Just a few months ago, I dedicated time to meticulously update every color in it. Then, this past weekend, disaster struck: the app vanished from the app store when I tried to add new colors! All that work, gone. It was incredibly frustrating, to say the least. I tried other popular apps, but none felt right or intuitive for how I manage my projects. So, I decided to go back to what I know best: a reliable spreadsheet.

XStitcher app by Coffee Shop Works no longer available :(

My New Hybrid Inventory System

I found a fantastic inventory sheet on Reddit (CLICK HERE FOR LINK) and adapted it for my needs. My new system involves both a physical printout and a digital file. I went tray by tray, carefully recording every single thread by hand on the printout, then transferred that information to the digital file. It only took me a short amount of time to get everything updated. Now, I have a system I can update easily both digitally and physically, without the constant worry of it disappearing overnight. This hybrid approach gives me incredible peace of mind.

Screenshot of a portion of the Google Sheets DMC embroidery floss inventory tracker spreadsheet.

The Benefits of a Clear Inventory

Having a clear inventory is more than just knowing what you own. It saves you time and money. No more buying duplicate colors because you forgot you already had them, or searching endlessly for that one specific shade. It also makes planning projects much smoother when you can quickly see what threads you have on hand. Plus, there's a unique satisfaction that comes from knowing exactly what's in your creative arsenal.

Organizing my embroidery floss using bobbins.

Tools That Make Organizing Easier

To make this new system even smoother, I've found that having the right tools for physical organization makes a huge difference. My No-Write Embroidery Bobbins have been a game-changer. Since I'm dyslexic, writing numbers can lead to mistakes, but with these bobbins, I just slide in the floss wrapper with the color number. This not only eliminates errors but also means my bobbins look neat and can be reused endlessly. Combined with my custom 3D-printed Embroidery Floss Bobbin Trays, which fit perfectly in my drawers and hold so many bobbins, my thread collection has never been more organized.

Bobbins organized in numerical order.

If you're tired of digital headaches or just want a more reliable way to track your thread, I highly recommend trying a spreadsheet system. It truly helps you stay organized and enjoy your crafting more.

Happy stitching!