if there was such a thing as a phd in embroidery floss winding, i'd have one

One of the perks when you write a book is that sometimes companies will send you products for free.  I was already a huge fan of all things Lecien, including COSMO floss so when I told them I was writing an embroidery book and that I was going to use COSMO, a huge box filled with the entire collection showed up at my door.  Not gonna lie, that was a lot of fun. :) 

But it did leave me with a problem.  See, I've kept my DMC floss all neatly wound and organized with those standard single floss cards since I started cross stitching (some 30 years ago).  I couldn't bear having my floss loose in skeins all jumbly.  I had them sorted by colour/number groups in little ziploc bags inside of bigger ziploc bags.  But that system was NOT working for me.  I like to find what I need quickly and be able to use it.  My DMC collection had grown very slowly over the years as I purchased a few skeins here and there for new projects.  Having the daunting task of winding all 500 skeins at once was ... well, daunting.

And then there was the cost of the cards too.  I would have been happy to just get a bunch of the plain white cards - which was a nicely affordable solution -  until I saw these sturdy, gorgeous, elegant, be.still.my.heart ones.  Can you blame me?

So I started buying them in small batches.  Here and there.  When I had a few pennies to spare.  But a few months ago, I got a bee in my bonnet about all this floss.  It was now over two years since I started this process and I just needed it done already.  So I went to this Etsy shop and bought enough cards to wind the rest of my collection.  Beth, the owner, is the sweetest lady and her price for these cards is the lowest I've ever seen.

In preparation of our stay in Iowa (and to save on shipping), I had them sent to my sister's place.  For two whole days I was parked at her dining room table, winding and winding and winding some more.  Oh that was t.e.d.i.o.i.s!  But it's done and I couldn't be happier.  Now I can find what I need.  I hope to get prettier containers later when my sewing room is put together properly.  But for now these utilitarian clear boxes work just fine.  My floss is all organized and neat and easy to use.  I can grab the cards and pop them in my project pouch as needed ... which makes me a very happy stitcher. :)

If you're looking for COSMO floss, Out of Hand is my local go-to source and they do international mail order.  (They even sell the master index folder you see in the 2nd, 3rd & 4th photos up there!)  Just give them a call.  And Super Buzzy - an online shop - is another great source.  Again, the COSMO floss cards are available here.

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Congratulations Cindy L.!  You are the winner of Fat Quarter Style.  Thank you all for playing along.

Comments

[Nancy]

I have just started to purchase the Cosmos thread. I think I will get a sample card, because trying to figure out colors on line with pictures is a bit difficult.....I really love using the Cosmos thread because it doesn't get tangled. I've made 2 projects so far, one was your tablet cover from the Stitch Zakka book. I hope to make many more projects. Thanks for all the helpful hints on where to purchase and how to store it. I love, love, love how you incorporate the quilting and embroidery and hope you have something new soon (yes, that was a BIG hint!)
Glad to see you getting back to the sewing and organizing.
Have a great day!
Nancy

[Jennifer Gwyn]

Those pictures just jump off the page, and even though I only own a handful of embroidery floss myself - those pictures just make my wallet itch to start a new collection. But ... I will hold fast and enjoy it vicariously through you!

[Paula]

Eeek! That's a lotta thread! It sure does look pretty all wound up on those cards though!

[Archiethewonderdog]

Wow! I'm amazed it *only* took two days to do that! Did your hand drop off when you'd finished?!

[Wendy]

So much thread and so pretty. You make me feel ashamed of my collection of DMC which is stuffed haphazardly into sandwich bags according to number and then hidden in a little set of drawers from Ikea. I don't think I would have the patience do wind them all on to little cards though. Nice to see you back after your move, I have missed you xx

[FrancesB]

Ooh la la! So pretty! Can you please tell me what clear plastic box you are using to store the bobbins of floss? Thanks. Swoon.

[April]

You just made my little OCD heart swell with admiration!

[Celia]

WOW! PHD indeed! That is pretty amazing...very impressive finished collection. Just lovely. Like everything you do. Lovely all around, under, above, side by side, every which way. Beautiful eye candy. (celiaambrose@hotmail.com)

[Sue]

Is it better than DMC?

[Hildy]

It's so pretty but honestly most of my floss is stored in ziploc bags without being wound on cards. i hang my head in shame.

[jenni]

Once again you have inspired me! Unfortunately, Alpaca Flats is all out of the cards. I too have had floss in baggies for at least 30 years. The way you have organized your floss is lovely!

[Robin M]

That is Nirvana! I love the way Cosmos feels and no tangles! Hopefully that etsy shop will get more of the winding cards in stock. Thanks for sharing your bounty, although it made me jealous :)

[Linda]

I recognize you as a Doctor. ;) I need to look back through your posts to see if you have explained how to choose threads for different projects.

I tried filing my threads in clear plastic hobby card files, but the thread kept falling out. Winding it around cardboard makes so much more sense. I ordered my first Cosmo thread from the workroom in Toronto, and I prefer it over DMC because of less tangles and softness.

[Kay]

That is a huge amount of thread to wind, but it looks so pretty all done. We don't get Cosmos thread in England so I still use DMC. x