WOMAN...YOU LITERALLY JUST DESCRIBED EVERY SINGLE PROBLEM IN THE EXACT ORDER...IN THE EXACT WORDS...AS I HAVE RUN INTO!!! I AM DYING!!! 🤣🤣👏🏻 👏🏻 THANK YOU FOR THIS. SERIOUSLY THANK U! P.S. Its so interesting to find I have an identical organizational twin across the globe. 🌎 🥰
Ditto what she said, I’ve watched all your storage videos and now am finally willing to throw out the cash and purchase a system. Pip and Chip here I come
Totally agree with this comment. After a 40+ year break between my last project and picking Cross Stitch up again I found that I was out of control with the floss. Love this system and your explanation of how you got there. Can't wait to try it. Please excuse this question but time and retirement has caused a lot of questions & confusion. I understand that you put an entire skein of floss on the chip and hang it in the box. When you are working on a project do you pull the whole chip or just the number of threads you think you'll need? And if you have multiple projects going with the same thread, how do you store it in your project bag? Does it just float around or do you wind it on a bobbin for the time you are using that color? Hope this makes sense. Thank you in advance for any responses/ideas you might have.
Its 11 months later and I'm listening to this again and it's just as funny as when I listened the first time. I learned so much from your videos. I used to bobbin but now, I've come all the way round to your way of thinking. I have adopted the Anne's keepers and Pako Floss Organizers. Game changer. I gave my bobbins and bobbin boxes to Good Will second hand store.
I recently started using Annies Keepers, which I love. For me, this is the system I will use forever. In the UK, I have struggled to find filing boxes to fit the Annies Keepers size of hanger. I know some people use Ikea boxes but they don't seem to be able to put the lid on then. I have finally found a solution that works for me. One 35 litre Really Useful Box - the kind that can take A4 and Foolscap hanging files. Two A4 hanging files - they act as the runners and can be moved to correct width. It really works!! I hope this helps other UK users of Annies Keepers. I can't add a photo but I am happy to send one to anyone who is interested.
Teresa...regarding the Annie’s Keepers storage system, oh my goodness! I had no idea they existed before watching the two videos you have posted here. I’ve tried many systems throughout the years and I’m now eyebrow deep in Annie’s Keepers! I believe I’ve purchased one thousand of them so far and am closing in on wrapping up all my DMC and overdyed flosses. This system is THE game changer! I store my silks in floss bags but anything that’s cotton has a home on the keepers. This system is the most user friendly system I’ve ever used. THANK YOU sooo much for taking the time to share your discovery of this system…if not for you and the keepers I’d still be drowning in floss frustration!
So glad you have discovered Pip & Chip. I am a bobbin babe myself and bought the full set of DMC bobbins last year and the Bisley cabinet they fit into as well. Fabulous storage system, great quality product and made in the UK which is an even greater bonus!!! I think the bobbins were their first inventions and the hanging system followed, lovely UK company, they deserve a business award or something.
I’ve been stitching since the 70s. Over the last couple years I’ve ordered all the pip and chip bobbins. I have a set of each and put them in the Bisley containers from the container store. Love it! Best system for me.
Thank you so much for this ❤ I have picked up my granddaughter’s birth sampler (after an 8 year break!) and because of your UA-cam video I have discovered pip and chip floss hanging storage, not the one on chips like you have but the rails to hold all DMC 500 colours in one box as this was cheaper for me. I am now back to enjoying cross stitch and am looking forward to doing some full coverage (which I have also discovered on your Chanel) X
Glad you found a system that works for you. I've been stitching for more than 40 years and been using the floss away bags since the beginning.....they work for me and I've got a cabinet that fits the bags. We all have to find what works best for each of us. Happy Stitching, love to watch your videos!!
Thank you Mary for posting this, I’ve been stitching for almost 30 years and Floss Away Bags are the only way I’ve been using since the first time I stitched. 💚
I am very new to stitching and started using zip lock snack bags. I tried putting the thread on bobbins, but have gone back to the bags. I can write on them, the thread stays clean and it is working for me.
@@anne1579 I also use the snack bags and love this system. After each project I put the unused bags back into my filing system of my stash. I also put a hole punch in one corner and put my bags being used on a ring while using them. It works so well and you can see exactly what color you need .
@@bookkeeper.winniethe7497 That's a great idea, I should get some rings. So far I have been grouping my bags by colour into larger bags while I am working. I have very bad eyesight, so I am very slow! The hunt for the next thread is a chance to refocus 😳🔍🤓🤣
I started using Annie’s Keepers awhile back after watching your flosstube about them. Game changer for me. Thank you for your honest reviews (pros/cons) on the different systems available. You’re absolutely right-all depends on your style of stitching with what will work for you. I ❤️❤️❤️ my Keepers.
I want to Thank you for showing me how to stitch using the parking method. I am 64 years old and my stitches were wonky because I just grabbed a thread and went crazy until the thread was used up. I used to stress after a while because I could hardly find the thread number for single boxes throughout my work. Then theres the fact I am a beginner stitcher yet I purchased a William Morris pattern that made me lose half my hair and a few fingernails. So Thanks!!! And, I love your accent. My husband of 40 years is British.
Your whole process, only thing going through my mind 'my husband would kill me for spending so much money on different types of storage methods.' I think this is very expensive! When I started stitching, I thought about my ideal mental storage before making any kind of purchase. How would I like to refer to my collection on a daily, starting a new project etc. I have two wood boxes that I painted, labeled with one half DMC numbers 1-799, the other 800-3999 and printed the latest version of DMC numbers from their website, and Floss bags. I put the paper in a clear sleeve (page protector) and highlight what I already have and what I buy when I store the new skeins away or place them in the project bag. This method is very easy when starting a new project, I refer to the page even before I enter a craft store, refer to quantity I have based on the project and buy what I need, not what I want.
Well, with all said, hopefully we will have this floss chip system in Canada 🇨🇦! Can’t wait because I am so tired with the bobbin system, so many problems with the floss on the bobbins, time consuming etc….thank you so much for sharing this video. ❤
I can’t quite believe you posted this video today. I invested in the Pip & Chip full chip set yesterday after umming and ahing for months. I order my Ikea boxes last night in grey and I’ve just collected them…what a treat…I’m so excited to set everything up. It was the right decision 🥰
I’m so excited about this system I ordered it and I’m a low income person but I got into Crosstitch because of you and the system is just perfect thank you for telling us about it I wish you well and I enjoy you always God bless
I had my entire collection of DMC on bobbins. I didn't like the kinks so I changed to Floss Away Bags. I ironed all the floss and cut it into 36" lengths so I could use the loop method. The Pip and Chip system looks great and maybe someday I will think about it. My current storage system fits in my space so I'll continue as is. Thank you for the very informative video...you're very talented and a relaxing stitcher to listen to.
@@marilynmckenzie2111 Don't you like it a lot better though? This is the best thing I've done in a long time! I see you're in Canada...I'm in Iowa/USA. Our current temperature is 93 degrees Fahrenheit with a heat index of 105° I'm stitching inside in the air conditioning today!
@@lharris1682 Hi. IT’s very hit 88F and humid here in southern Ontario. I decided not to go out tonite to watch a friend play his guitar ( was outside ) re: floss keeper. 18 mos ago when I took up stitching again, I dug out my old bobbins but knew I wanted something better. So I drew a picture of a dble ringed holder with a bottom shelf. Then I head out to Bed,Bath and Beyond. Went into bathroom section and found exactly what I wanted! It actually is a 3 toilette roll holder. I took all my floss off the bobbins and make up dozens of floss drops from card stock. Then cut my floss into 28” pieces ( I like the loop method ) and transferred onto the floss drops. I store it in my glass door bookcase beside my sofa where I stitch. I am not sure if you can open the pic below. It is really full now. blob:null/8b71fe21-ac70-4914-bfb8-0fafe682d29f
@@marilynmckenzie2111 I am unable to open your picture but it sounds like you've found a great way to store your floss. Anything to get rid of those awful kinks! Happy stitching!
Thanks for outlining your experience. I have bobbins, floss bags, and floss drops. The floss chips will be great for my future storage. I’m willing to unwind my bobbins but ironing never. I may give them away to a new stitcher that’s on a budget. Then treat myself to the complete set of DMC. Thanks this was VERY HELPFUL.
Love the way P&C chips look! I have been stitching off and on for years. I used the bobbins back in the day. When I started stitching again, I went to the bobbins. I quickly realized I didn’t like them. After making something to see if I liked that (I hated it) I went to floss bags. I must say, those work the best for me. I live in an old house in SW France and I found these wooden long boxes that work great for the bags. I pull the bags when I start on a project and keep them on a ring. That said, my projects are SO much smaller than yours. I really appreciate this video to see what others use. Take care and all the best from Gensac.
I bought the Annie's Keepers system after seeing it on one of your previous videos and love it. Integrating the Pip and Chip system with the Annie's Keepers sounds like a no-brainer and will definitely invest as I feel that this will be the FINAL storage system I will ever need, never having to think about it again. Thanks for the information Teresa. Take care. 🥰
What a great video! Looks like you have achieved utopia in the floss world. Now for me, I am so disorganized, some are on bobbins, some hanging on cards, some still in skeins and some just a tangled mess. You gave me ideas to strive for in my thread journey. Thank you.
Hi my name is Chloe, and I have been watching you UA-cam for about 4 months and really enjoy it. I have learned a lot from you. I live in Lebanon Oregon USA
Hello from British Columbia Canada. So glad to come across your channel. Thank you so much for all the info on storing threads. So helpful. I've been stitching for over 30 years now and have always used bobbins.Now that I know there are other options it's awesome. The thing is it doesn't matter how long you've been at something there's always something to learn about it.Thank you so much and all the best for a full recovery on your hip replacement. God bless you. Looking forward to more great videos.
I don’t have storage space for the boxes for bobbins and/or the Annie’s bobbinator. I just keep mine in the skein, pull out the length I want. Separate the tread off and fold the skein in half and wrap the unused on the skein and toss in my project bag. Saves a lot of money.
Your stitching story sounds like mine. I tried everything and do not like bobbinating or floss away bags. I love hanging threads and I love seeing them and I love them neat. I will look into this system today. Thank you.
I'm sorry, I was chuckling the whole time I watched this.... Not because I didn't feel for you, but the opposite. I was with you every step of the way until the end. Every changeover, bobbin wrap, etc. And I just finished my newest try this weekend! Gotta smile about it, right?
Hi Teresa. Loved that you made a 35 minute video on floss storage! A subject all cross-stitchers understand. We’ve all been there with the storage questions and I’m still there lol. I use homemade floss drops and skeins which I store in floss bags. So the plan is to pull the existing floss drop out from the bag or make a new floss drop when I kit a project while keeping the remaining length of the floss skein in the bag for future projects. Not a perfect system - still doesn’t stop me from buying more floss 😆. Love your videos and beautiful stitching. Happy Stitching.
i have every current DMC color. on bobbins. and that's as simple as i will keep it. no other brands, no hand dyed, no nylon, nothing. just DMC. when i pick a project, i pick one-till-it's-done. so i keep my bobbins in a small bobbin box with a compartment for seam ripper, extra needles, small scissors and a pen. i put my project in a zip lock bag. put that and the box, chart (copy) in my plastic tote from joann's and it's perfect!.
I had not heard of this system, thanks for all the info. Well definitely give this some thought. Loved the video - absolutely enjoyed it. Stay safe and well.
Thank you Teresa. I have never bobinated as I embroidered before I cross stitched many years ago and bobbins were not around. I remember your video and being so excited and I immediately got Annie's keepers. I agree about the storage of them, I adapted a filing cabinet as letter size was no go here in the UK. Love the look of the pip and chip ,what a great idea to combine them, Alba sticher used them and I do like the colour code and number. So nice to see something from here for a change. Sticherista has a full set of them in the wooden DMC drawer. Fly the flag as they say.
Not gonna lie - that system looks amazing. I have all keepers now and do love them. These look great! I'm so happy you found a system that works for you! It's such an added stress if your organization isn't right. Of which your keepers video is how I found annie's keepers so thank you!!!! IN combination with systems like that I'd recommend an app called "Thread Organizer". The icon is blue with a green and red checkmark. It's about $5 USD but after trying MANY inventory apps (including making my own) - I found this one and haven't looked back. It's a bugbear at first - but after everything is in it makes checking if you have a color or not SO easy. Especially if your not at home. And it makes adding thread when a project is done easy too!
You have perfectly charted the path I've been down, exactly. I am just hearing about Floss away bags, and rings and stackable boxes to store these. Its exhausting. LOL.
It sounds as ironing the kinks out is more off putting for you than unwinding bobbinated floss. I suggest a science experiment: Unwind a very few bobbins. Give the floss a thorough soak in distilled water to relax the bends. Wrap it to the length of your hanging system and hang it to dry. Snap a binder clip to the bottom for weight, to encourage the floss to dry straight. If it works, you will be a hero for those who want to be rid of their bobbin system and have nice straight lengths of floss. If it doesn't work, the worst would be that you would iron those few skeins and be rid of those few bobbins for yourself. In either event, I think it would make another entertaining flosstube episode.
For me, the quick and easy solution to getting the kinks out of the previously bobbinated floss is to get it wet and let it dry on its own, no ironing needed :) Just make sure to keep track of which skein is which color, which I now realize is also not a problem with these floss chips since they're plastic and you can leave your floss right on them while wet (I use paper thread drops, so have to take it off while wet)
I've only just got into cross sitch and i think it is something i wanna keep doing, the chips sound like a really good way for keeping them all together, i will have to look into them and if they come with the code and color already on them that save me trying to find a pen that will work on the plastic lol, right now I have just tapped the numder onto the top of the bobbin.
Yes! I love talking about floss storage systems!! I too have my Cxc on Annie’s Keepers..and my dmc on the Pip & Chip bobbins stored in a Bisley file cabinet..that’s just for storage though..I use cheap gift tags from Amazon to kit up my different projects..that kind of work like the P & C chips do with the extra hole punched in it for extra floss bits.. Now I need to get myself as organized as you are
This video is soooo funny to me ! Because you just explained my whole stitching journey with the floss storage situation 😂😂😂 and no Teresa you are not the only one ! The good part in my case I never bobinatted a full DMC set 😊I had some but when I bought the full set I DIY a hanging system
Thanks for sharing this, certainly gives something to think about. I sitting here feeling guilty as mine are mixed up in a colour in different drawers. I’m glad you went for full cxc threads. Beautiful colours I never seen.
I wanted to keep mine in the skeins, so I bought the DMC 120 wooden box set, but then as I have added to it they don't all fit, and finding the numbers is hard as skeins don't lie well in order. Then I realised my Mum has been stitching for 20+ years and always used bobbins, I already have the 5 drawer Bisley that I had my machine sewing notions in which was half empty. So I just invested in the full Pip& Chip bobbin set with bisley drawer inserts, and my DMC box will become my machine sewing notions box. But I have had them 2 days and still can't bring myself to start bobbinating them, I will most likely do it gradually as I pull colours for projects, or when I am WFH and on long work calls 😂 I also got a couple of their project tins that hold the bobbins for each project.
I have DMC on Annie's Keepers but have had my 👀 on the Pip & Chip for a while. I haven't pulled the trigger on them because of them requiring more space. I have all of the DMC in 2 boxes. Thank you for sharing! I love seeing organizing videos, especially floss.
Yes, I bobbinated....yes I have floss bags...... then... I watched a flosstube video from this lovely lady called Teresa ...... aaaand bought annie's keepers and feel very happy with it..... yesterday I watched this video and guess what......yep, thinking about getting the chip system 🙄😏🤣🤣🤣
I have always used the Floss Away bags & bobbins in my projects. After watching one of your recent videos on Annie’s Keepers I have purchased this system and love it! Mine are stored in a file box but for a project I just pull out the colors I need and put them on the project file rods. Thank you for sharing this system..so much easier to use! 😊
I have been doing the bobbins Simply because it was the only system when I first started embroidery work 50 years ago and over the years I have seen other systems come and go I that time, but the system of Floss and chip I love because IKEA is all over the world even here in Australia. As you can imagine I have boxes and boxes and yes boxes of threads of different brands in the past 50 years 😹😹 I don’t even want to think about how much thread I actually have in my stash but after checking out the “floss and chip” hanging system I agree with you 100 no 200% this is a better system so it looks like I am diving into a new rabbit hole and will be converting all of my threads to the “floss and chip” system next year as that’s when my workshop will be finished and I can look at making the new changes both the “Annie” and “floss and chip” are new to me this is the first I have even heard of it and I do like the idea that you are using for both to keep the projects tidy and organised using both systems. As for the old bobbing system I can just switch a few over when ever I get the iron and ironing board out to press anything I can say throw in a handful of bobbins in to be transferred at the same time that way it won’t be over whelming in the short term 😹😹 Thank you for sharing🤗🤗🤗
This system is very nice!!!! I have been CS for more than 30 years I wish I would have found this years ago. It is little on the expensive side. I am a little OCD about my floss storage and would love to have this system but it is more than I can spend. Love your posts, please keep them coming.
Hi Teresa, thank you for sharing your thoughts. I think we have all gone down the rabbit hole of trying different storage methods. When I first stitched back in the last 80s / early 90s I think bobbins was the method available (at least that I knew of anyway). Just as cross stitch designs and styles have come a long way and are so diverse now, so too are storage methods. Plus our taste as stitchers develop and change as we go. Since I started up stitching again about 4 years ago, I refused to use bobbins. They are such a pain to wind, unwind, rewind, and the kinks... ugh. Currently I am using floss away bags, but am intrigued by these floss chips. I will check them out. Thank you again. Hugs from AZ
I found Annie’s through you, and it is the best thing that ever happened to my stitching. I agree that the hole is quite small, and I actually split the DMC skein in half. Put one half in the Annie and I twist the second half for storage. That’s for my master set. For my ‘kitted’ projects on Annie’s I just pull a couple of strands and put it on rather than fully kitting - so I don’t have the same issue you had as having excess skeins. I love the look of Pip and Chip, but I can’t bring myself to mix brands when I can help it and I have already invested too much into my Annie’s.
I love the Pip and Chip system, I however couldn’t afford the complete system so I went with the 5 inserts for the thin bobbins, it works perfectly for me I love it .
I have the DMC cabinet with the entire set of DMC and had no idea how I was going to organize them so I did buy the pip and chip, I love them!!! I bought some wooden holders for each project by modera hoopla off etsy and it holds 12 pip and chip bobbins. So for those that do small projects this is great! I use the Annie’s keepers too, love them. I label them with small round stickers and place the thread name ie: dmc 450 or CCW (classic color works) sunset in different sections but this way I know which set they are. I have them all organized. I don’t know how you label your Annie’s keepers, I havent’ watched all your videos with Annie’s. Thanks for this! Very informative. I too have tried all these systems plus the bows! Have a great day!
Ordered a set for myself. For me, the fact that the color # is pre-printed is significant because I have to deal with the little dmc stickers falling off. Can’t wait to get it. Love my Annie’s Keepers but this will be a game changer. Thank you for the review. Loved your video. 👍💕
Great video! You had me agreeing and laughing along with your journey through the dilemma of floss storage. Been there; done that. I'm also using a combo system as a compromise of DMC bobbins filed in plastic sheets within 2 zipper closed large binder cases and a drawer for hand dyed threads. Krenik and Rainbow Gallery, etc. have their own drawers. My space is very limited as well and unfortunately one system doesn't work for all thread varieties. Thanks for the walk-through thought process since it gave me food for thought and maybe new options to investigate.
Thank you for this video! I am a baby stitcher…lol I have been in the game for 5 yrs now and I know I love this! I am currently using bobbins and I think it’s time for a change! 🥰
Hi Teresa, like you, I’m using Annie’s Keepers for all my non-DMC threads, and have recently changed all my DMC from flossaway bags to Pip & Chip Chips in the IKEA boxes. I haven’t bought the shelving unit(s) yet, and before I do would like to know if your boxes will fit in your units with the lids on. In your videos I see you aren’t using the lids, but I live in the country with the usual increase in dust etc. so using the lids is a priority for me. Thanks so much - I really enjoy your videos❣️
Thank you for sharing all this information. I am new to cross stitch and I was trying to figure this out as well. Love all the ideas and struggled the same way you did in the beginning!
This has been the most informative video! Been there, done that and I’ve been debating Annie’s Keepers vs. Pip and Chip and now I have my answer. Thank you so much! ❤
Those thead organizers are out there with 50 slots too. I just started using them in the past few weeks and really like them for my larger projects. For smaller projects I still use thread keepers (a row of holes punched along the edge of cardboard). A lot of people may have fits at this, but when a project is finished, unless it's a large amount, I throw the floss away. I'm talking about less than $1 worth US. I only pull off just what I need for that kit, so there is very very little waste. My floss is mixed skein & bobbinstorage. As I need colors for a k it, I go thru the bobbins first, pulling off what I need. Any colors not on bobbins will be in the skeins, which are bobbinated at that time. Slowly but surely all my floss will be on bobbins one day.
I love the idea of this system! I'm a brand new stitcher, so I'm trying to find a way to keep everything organized without losing track of what I do/don't have
I love the look of the pip and chip bobbins, I've stuck with bobbinating and working on an excel spreadsheet to keep track of my threads and where they are in projects to stop me buying extras.
Love the video all these different storage systems wow I’m just got mine on bobbins in the storage box you showed at the beginning of the video I have 2 of them and 1 medium storage container for my variegated thread 😍😍👍👍
WOW! I never really understood what the charts meant when they had all that info on it!! Thank YOU!!! Not all charts have it, but the bigger companies do! Nice! Magazine patterns often don't have all that info, either. I currently have the Bobbin storage system you initially had and have my entire life. I'm on an extremely strict budget, I don't know if I can afford to change now. Hmmm??? I find if I have 3 or 6 projects going simultaneously, I also end up with an excessive amount of certain colors! Ha! I currently have 5-6 of the DMC 500-503's!!! Lol!!! I do have the entire collection of DMC threads and LOVE it! I always have the colors I need, or so I think! Surprise!! I'll be missing a color here or there, and it could be in another project box! I do use mini boxes for projects, sometimes I'll have 2 projects in one box. I figure I just have 'extra insurance' with repeat colors!!! Lolol!!! My mother always had a little damp sponge whenever she stitched, and the DMC on bobbins, after pulling the length she needed, she'd run it over the sponge and straighten the threads out with the water, and I do the same, they dry fast! Nice! My problem now? I have a suitcase I store my bobbin cases in and they cases are labeled, it used to be easy to grab a bobbin box. Not now! I have ALL the colors and extras of the many colors, so now not ALL my storage boxes fit in that ONE suitcase! That is my dilemma now! Where do I store the extra boxes I really need and use? Hmmm??? Again, financially, I'm not in the position to spend what I need to to make a 'new' storage system. I'm in a pickle there! I have not yet figured out what to do about this problem now . . . I store the extra bobbin boxes in 'one' cupboard here in my bedroom. Anyway, this was FUN being able to relate to you so well! Thank you for discussing this issue! It's definitely an issue for sure!!! Thank you for sharing what your solution is! Yay for you!!! Your way would also be a BIG time saver instead of wrapping every color we purchase onto a bobbin! That alone takes HOURS to complete especially if we purchase a large amount to restock our supply! I've been there so many times! It can take an entire evening when instead we could be stitching!!!! Kind of frustrating!!!! Now, for Kreinek and braided glosses - another bobbin box! Argh!! Lol!!! Same thing with Mill Hill beads, charms, etc!
Loved this Teresa....it was definitely a walk down memory lane of you and also my life 🥰 . Still have bobbins that I fail to use and also order new. I really love threads hanging...just pull your thread and stitch!! No more wasted time. Hope you have a great week and plenty of enjoyable stitching 🥰
If you ever get to the point that you want to unbobinate: just put them on the hanging system, put it on some kind of rod and just use the iron steam on them. You can put clips on the bottom end, to kinda weigh the floss down to help it straighten. This should work just fine ;)
so I was bobbinating while watching you.. love all you say.. but I have been winding since for ever! would be difficult for me to change.. so I have my own system to saving and noting my threads on hand etc. etc. BUT !! I do love the Pip and chip system.. but might be quite difficult to get it here in SAfrica at a good price.. they do send but can you imagine the shipping..so happy to look at yours which looks so smart and neat.. and easy to use. keep up the blogs ..and glad you are totally on the mend
Excellent detailed review! I feel your pain! Just kitted my future projects with my bobbins of DMC, I have eliminated so many plastic boxes! Love your end find, I will be checking those out! Thanks for sharing!!!!
I’m so glad I came across ur channel, I’m just getting started and immediately realized the thread was gonna be a challenge. U Clarified each system with great details also I could make an informed decision Thank you
Congratulations on solving your storage dilemma. Thanks for the information, I'm looking into a different way to store my collection. 😁 I loved seeing your beautiful baby in the background getting comfy on the daybed. 😊
Hi Teresa first time commentator i love the annies keeper system iv used it ever since your bigginers guide to cross stitch :) like you i had a full set of DMC on bobbins and the kinks was doing my head in so my husband one day said 'you need straightners for that mess' Light bulb moment i use to have long hair but now love pixie cut so my hair strainters (£6 job from tescos) are perfect for running down the length of thread for annies keepers.
Loved the walk through time and floss storage. I started with DMC stitch bows which I used for decades. When I moved to the US several years ago, I fell into specialty floss and out of love with the stitch bows. My solution was also a hanging one - Unplannedpeacocks' floss racks. Available in both US and A4 - they fit in any file rack. I have the DMC pre-labeled one which means I can just look in my file box and easily see what I have and what is running low. Otherwise, I use thread sorters for projects and only pull exactly what I need for each project (Pattern Keeper really helps with that!)
Hi there! I use my floss chips for my full set storage only and just transfer what I need to Annie’s keepers for the project. Then when I’ve finished the project I put what’s left on the floss chip again 😉
Hi Teresa, great video, very well explained. The P&C system looks great. As a fairly new cross stitcher I have already encountered a problem with how to store my floss. Will be looking at the P&C system. Thank you 😊
I have been on a similar journey to you with floss storage, and have ended up with Annie’s Keepers in an IKEA UK filing cabinet in number order, which is my master set. I then have made a working set in DMC number order, I have sewn fabric bags that are numbered, and these are stored in numerical order in wham boxes on 2 Hobbycraft wheeled storage trollies. I have 4 full coverage HAEDs and they have similar colours mostly, so I just pick out of the working set envelopes across the board. If I start a new full coverage I check the working set, and if not there go to the master set, if no joy I purchase 2 skeins for the master set and working one. This works for me as I batch make the envelopes ... nearly there with a bag for each colour, and I can make more if needed from my vast fabric stash. When I’m done with DMC I will put all threads by company in the master threads, and can just the keeper project slides or rings for working per project. I have photos of my fabric bags on my blogspot Sussex stitcher. This new system looks great for the other company threads though as I don’t have that many. X
You have made my day. Am home very unwell. NOT COVID. Always enjoy your videos, but this one was sure comprehensive re the storage system(s) lol thank you for your honesty. I am in Australia so will have to Google the accessibility of the Pip n Chip system. I am early in my stitching path, so what better time to find the hanging system of choice. Again thank you.
I enjoyed your impressions of storage systems. I hate bobbins because the thread kinks. The pip and chip look interesting. I store my DMC in paper envelopes. I tried plastic bags and hated the slipperiness of them. They were always on the floor. I tried putting the plastic bags on a ring and found it cumbersome. I like to stitch from floss drops on a ring so I am slowly moving to floss drops as needed. When I am done with flosses on the flossdrops I put them in the correct envelope and mark it withTD so I know there is already a floss drop. My specialty threads are stored the same way. I have divided my box alphabetically with company name (Weeks Dye Works, soie d’Alger ) etc and store each different company’s floss by number if applicable or by pretty name alphabetically. This is working for me and is quite an inexpensive system. I use letter size envelopes, never seal them. And fancy boxes are nice but not essential because envelopes fit into shoe boxes. Most important- I can find what I need.
Hi Teresa, thanks for this video. I got a starter pack for Annie’s keepers a while ago and love it. Am now in a thread club from lakeside needlecraft so going to get all DMC threads. Would love this system just seems a bit too expensive for me at the moment. Will need to start saving up. If they had an option to buy over 18 months the way the thread club does then that might have me interested 😂
Thank you for a great video! Thanks to one of your earlier videos, I bought Annie’s Keepers and that system works brilliantly for me. I have my full set of CXC floss on the Keepers and they all fit in 1 Tjena box from IKEA. I have that box next to my stitching area and work most of my HAEDS from that. I have one HAED that has its own floss (on Annie’s Keepers) because I’m stitching it with tent stitch so the floss is longer than my master set.
Great solution for you! You did a wonderful job of explaining it all as we have been through much of it as well. I'm definitely keeping it in mind for the future. All mine presently are housed in double-sided plastic boxes as kits with the patterns and accessories. All that winding! I have been trying drops and punching holes for those pesky bits of still useful pieces of thread beyond the main hole and then putting them in ziplocks on rings with the pattern but I've run out of totes, and haven't ventured into the bags yet but ziplocks slide so I only have two or three that I'm working on near me and their Q-snaps of differing sizes but some just have to be on the floor stands. My Stitch in Time H.A.E.D. is in that to work on and I'm still working my way across to the other end of the frame. I made it the center pages so I'm on year 3 and only have 8 to go.....I am determined as it is my first. I shudder to think about all the accumulated expense on threads over the years but I'm eying a bit of wall that could be organized and IKea could put those cubbies there but then the boxes and all the little tabs but I wish it was in existence when I began. Thank you so much Teresa. I'm still using Good Notes as it suits me just fine and I really like that white floche that I owe all to you.
Thanks for sharing your thread journey. I had a very similar story. You introduced me to the Annie’s Thread Keeps. I also love the hanging system but they are not easy to get a hold of, even here in the US. Maybe I will follow your lead and try the Pip and Chip version. They certainly are pretty! Thanks for sharing! Happy Stitching. 😊
I've been doing embroidery hard core for 2 years now. I use DMC floss, the thicker emb. thread, silk, etc. I put them on bobbins as I use them. I have sorted by color, down to levels of aquarmarine, yellow-greens, gray-green, lavenders, purple-pinks, etc. I just keep them by these groupings in ziploc sandwich bags. When I want to look for a brown, I can look at what's in the bag, consult my spreadsheet of what I have, and look at the DMC chart. If there are threads in parts from projects, they can get their own bobbin if need be. I do not order the bobbins by number. Then I keep the ziplocs in a box. There is also a bag of materials and a box of extra hoops, needles, threaders, etc. Even with having 250 different colors amongst all the threads, they stay compact, untangled, and very usable. One important key is having an updated spreadsheet. When I buy something, I add it to the list and record its color grouping. I do not wait until I am doing the project.
This does sound like a game changer. I’m going to look into both Annie’s and Pip and Chip. I really enjoyed your video. I have tried many different things in the last 35 years. I’m so glad I found you and checked out your videos. Count me in as a new subscriber in the USA in IDAHO and have an amazing weekend. 🤗
Hi. I just watched this video. Storage of floss drives me crazy. About 3 years ago I ordered some Annie’s Keepers. About 100 thread keepers to get started. Well I just have started to get back in stitching. The truth is I have a 7 year old granddaughter who is still waiting for her birth cross stitch and I just couldn’t get it charted. Problems at work, though now retired, and depression. But because I hadn’t done her piece I didn’t let myself do anything else. I ready to begin hers and started putting thread on the Annie’s Keepers systems. Not sure I like it. The holes are very small. But to finish this system I would have to order a lot more of the thread drops. Wouldn’t cost as much as the new system you are using but is close. Since I’m in the US the shipping is about $52. Financially I should buy either one. But I’m tired of bobbins and don’t like floss bags or any of the other systems I’ve seen. I know this video is a year old and I wanted to know if you are still liking the new system. Thanks.
I got the pip and chip system about a month ago and couldn’t work out how this would be better. I was buying dmc for all my projects and along comes Teresa telling me that I don’t necessarily have to have the whole skein. Well I feel like an idiot lol. I think I will work on getting my bobbins ironed though Thanks Teresa
WOMAN...YOU LITERALLY JUST DESCRIBED EVERY SINGLE PROBLEM IN THE EXACT ORDER...IN THE EXACT WORDS...AS I HAVE RUN INTO!!! I AM DYING!!! 🤣🤣👏🏻 👏🏻 THANK YOU FOR THIS. SERIOUSLY THANK U! P.S. Its so interesting to find I have an identical organizational twin across the globe. 🌎 🥰
Ditto what she said, I’ve watched all your storage videos and now am finally willing to throw out the cash and purchase a system. Pip and Chip here I come
Totally agree with this comment. After a 40+ year break between my last project and picking Cross Stitch up again I found that I was out of control with the floss. Love this system and your explanation of how you got there. Can't wait to try it. Please excuse this question but time and retirement has caused a lot of questions & confusion. I understand that you put an entire skein of floss on the chip and hang it in the box. When you are working on a project do you pull the whole chip or just the number of threads you think you'll need? And if you have multiple projects going with the same thread, how do you store it in your project bag? Does it just float around or do you wind it on a bobbin for the time you are using that color? Hope this makes sense. Thank you in advance for any responses/ideas you might have.
lol same here 😂😂
Its 11 months later and I'm listening to this again and it's just as funny as when I listened the first time. I learned so much from your videos. I used to bobbin but now, I've come all the way round to your way of thinking. I have adopted the Anne's keepers and Pako Floss Organizers. Game changer. I gave my bobbins and bobbin boxes to Good Will second hand store.
I recently started using Annies Keepers, which I love. For me, this is the system I will use forever.
In the UK, I have struggled to find filing boxes to fit the Annies Keepers size of hanger.
I know some people use Ikea boxes but they don't seem to be able to put the lid on then.
I have finally found a solution that works for me.
One 35 litre Really Useful Box - the kind that can take A4 and Foolscap hanging files.
Two A4 hanging files - they act as the runners and can be moved to correct width.
It really works!!
I hope this helps other UK users of Annies Keepers. I can't add a photo but I am happy to send one to anyone who is interested.
Hello Sharon, I'm new-ish to cross stitching, but would love to see your example of the A4 file's and box if possible. I'm in the uk. 😊 Tara
I love rolling bobbins! It is definitely therapeutic!!! :) my grandkids love helping too.
Teresa...regarding the Annie’s Keepers storage system, oh my goodness! I had no idea they existed before watching the two videos you have posted here. I’ve tried many systems throughout the years and I’m now eyebrow deep in Annie’s Keepers! I believe I’ve purchased one thousand of them so far and am closing in on wrapping up all my DMC and overdyed flosses. This system is THE game changer! I store my silks in floss bags but anything that’s cotton has a home on the keepers. This system is the most user friendly system I’ve ever used. THANK YOU sooo much for taking the time to share your discovery of this system…if not for you and the keepers I’d still be drowning in floss frustration!
So glad you have discovered Pip & Chip. I am a bobbin babe myself and bought the full set of DMC bobbins last year and the Bisley cabinet they fit into as well. Fabulous storage system, great quality product and made in the UK which is an even greater bonus!!! I think the bobbins were their first inventions and the hanging system followed, lovely UK company, they deserve a business award or something.
I’ve been stitching since the 70s. Over the last couple years I’ve ordered all the pip and chip bobbins. I have a set of each and put them in the Bisley containers from the container store. Love it! Best system for me.
Thank you so much for this ❤ I have picked up my granddaughter’s birth sampler (after an 8 year break!) and because of your UA-cam video I have discovered pip and chip floss hanging storage, not the one on chips like you have but the rails to hold all DMC 500 colours in one box as this was cheaper for me. I am now back to enjoying cross stitch and am looking forward to doing some full coverage (which I have also discovered on your Chanel) X
Glad you found a system that works for you. I've been stitching for more than 40 years and been using the floss away bags since the beginning.....they work for me and I've got a cabinet that fits the bags. We all have to find what works best for each of us. Happy Stitching, love to watch your videos!!
Thank you Mary for posting this, I’ve been stitching for almost 30 years and Floss Away Bags are the only way I’ve been using since the first time I stitched. 💚
I am very new to stitching and started using zip lock snack bags. I tried putting the thread on bobbins, but have gone back to the bags. I can write on them, the thread stays clean and it is working for me.
@@anne1579 I also use the snack bags and love this system. After each project I put the unused bags back into my filing system of my stash. I also put a hole punch in one corner and put my bags being used on a ring while using them. It works so well and you can see exactly what color you need .
@@bookkeeper.winniethe7497 That's a great idea, I should get some rings. So far I have been grouping my bags by colour into larger bags while I am working. I have very bad eyesight, so I am very slow! The hunt for the next thread is a chance to refocus 😳🔍🤓🤣
I started using Annie’s Keepers awhile back after watching your flosstube about them. Game changer for me. Thank you for your honest reviews (pros/cons) on the different systems available. You’re absolutely right-all depends on your style of stitching with what will work for you. I ❤️❤️❤️ my Keepers.
I want to Thank you for showing me how to stitch using the parking method. I am 64 years old and my stitches were wonky because I just grabbed a thread and went crazy until the thread was used up. I used to stress after a while because I could hardly find the thread number for single boxes throughout my work. Then theres the fact I am a beginner stitcher yet I purchased a William Morris pattern that made me lose half my hair and a few fingernails. So Thanks!!! And, I love your accent. My husband of 40 years is British.
You are the most honest person on video! I thank you a bazillion for posting. I wish you happiness and stitching. I admire you.
Your whole process, only thing going through my mind 'my husband would kill me for spending so much money on different types of storage methods.' I think this is very expensive! When I started stitching, I thought about my ideal mental storage before making any kind of purchase. How would I like to refer to my collection on a daily, starting a new project etc. I have two wood boxes that I painted, labeled with one half DMC numbers 1-799, the other 800-3999 and printed the latest version of DMC numbers from their website, and Floss bags. I put the paper in a clear sleeve (page protector) and highlight what I already have and what I buy when I store the new skeins away or place them in the project bag. This method is very easy when starting a new project, I refer to the page even before I enter a craft store, refer to quantity I have based on the project and buy what I need, not what I want.
Well, with all said, hopefully we will have this floss chip system in Canada 🇨🇦! Can’t wait because I am so tired with the bobbin system, so many problems with the floss on the bobbins, time consuming etc….thank you so much for sharing this video. ❤
I can’t quite believe you posted this video today. I invested in the Pip & Chip full chip set yesterday after umming and ahing for months. I order my Ikea boxes last night in grey and I’ve just collected them…what a treat…I’m so excited to set everything up. It was the right decision 🥰
I’m so excited about this system I ordered it and I’m a low income person but I got into Crosstitch because of you and the system is just perfect thank you for telling us about it I wish you well and I enjoy you always God bless
I had my entire collection of DMC on bobbins. I didn't like the kinks so I changed to Floss Away Bags. I ironed all the floss and cut it into 36" lengths so I could use the loop method. The Pip and Chip system looks great and maybe someday I will think about it. My current storage system fits in my space so I'll continue as is. Thank you for the very informative video...you're very talented and a relaxing stitcher to listen to.
I did the same thing! Some still wrinkled tho…😁🇨🇦
@@marilynmckenzie2111 Don't you like it a lot better though? This is the best thing I've done in a long time! I see you're in Canada...I'm in Iowa/USA. Our current temperature is 93 degrees Fahrenheit with a heat index of 105° I'm stitching inside in the air conditioning today!
@@lharris1682 Hi. IT’s very hit 88F and humid here in southern Ontario. I decided not to go out tonite to watch a friend play his guitar ( was outside ) re: floss keeper. 18 mos ago when I took up stitching again, I dug out my old bobbins
but knew I wanted something better. So I drew a picture of a dble ringed holder with a bottom shelf. Then I head out to Bed,Bath and Beyond. Went into bathroom section and found exactly what I wanted! It actually is a 3 toilette roll holder. I took all my floss off the bobbins and make up dozens of floss drops from card stock. Then cut my floss into 28” pieces ( I like the loop method ) and transferred onto the floss drops. I store it in my glass door bookcase beside my sofa where I stitch. I am not sure if you can open the pic below. It is really full now.
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@@marilynmckenzie2111 I am unable to open your picture but it sounds like you've found a great way to store your floss. Anything to get rid of those awful kinks! Happy stitching!
Thanks for outlining your experience. I have bobbins, floss bags, and floss drops. The floss chips will be great for my future storage. I’m willing to unwind my bobbins but ironing never. I may give them away to a new stitcher that’s on a budget. Then treat myself to the complete set of DMC. Thanks this was VERY HELPFUL.
Love the way P&C chips look! I have been stitching off and on for years. I used the bobbins back in the day. When I started stitching again, I went to the bobbins. I quickly realized I didn’t like them. After making something to see if I liked that (I hated it) I went to floss bags. I must say, those work the best for me. I live in an old house in SW France and I found these wooden long boxes that work great for the bags. I pull the bags when I start on a project and keep them on a ring. That said, my projects are SO much smaller than yours. I really appreciate this video to see what others use. Take care and all the best from Gensac.
I bought the Annie's Keepers system after seeing it on one of your previous videos and love it. Integrating the Pip and Chip system with the Annie's Keepers sounds like a no-brainer and will definitely invest as I feel that this will be the FINAL storage system I will ever need, never having to think about it again. Thanks for the information Teresa. Take care. 🥰
What a great video!
Looks like you have achieved utopia in the floss world. Now for me, I am so disorganized, some are on bobbins, some hanging on cards, some still in skeins and some just a tangled mess. You gave me ideas to strive for in my thread journey. Thank you.
Hi my name is Chloe, and I have been watching you UA-cam for about 4 months and really enjoy it. I have learned a lot from you. I live in Lebanon Oregon USA
Hello from British Columbia Canada. So glad to come across your channel. Thank you so much for all the info on storing threads. So helpful. I've been stitching for over 30 years now and have always used bobbins.Now that I know there are other options it's awesome. The thing is it doesn't matter how long you've been at something there's always something to learn about it.Thank you so much and all the best for a full recovery on your hip replacement. God bless you. Looking forward to more great videos.
I don’t have storage space for the boxes for bobbins and/or the Annie’s bobbinator. I just keep mine in the skein, pull out the length I want. Separate the tread off and fold the skein in half and wrap the unused on the skein and toss in my project bag. Saves a lot of money.
Your stitching story sounds like mine. I tried everything and do not like bobbinating or floss away bags. I love hanging threads and I love seeing them and I love them neat. I will look into this system today. Thank you.
Wow! Spot on… but dread the thought of having to redo all my DMC… 😢
Hi Teresa! I use Floss-a-Way bags for every project. Have them all on ring holders. I love them!
I use the same system works well for me
I'm sorry, I was chuckling the whole time I watched this.... Not because I didn't feel for you, but the opposite. I was with you every step of the way until the end. Every changeover, bobbin wrap, etc. And I just finished my newest try this weekend! Gotta smile about it, right?
Thank you so much for sharing your journey and helping us fellow stitchers to avoid some pitfalls along the way. 🙏🏽😊
Hi Teresa. Loved that you made a 35 minute video on floss storage! A subject all cross-stitchers understand. We’ve all been there with the storage questions and I’m still there lol. I use homemade floss drops and skeins which I store in floss bags. So the plan is to pull the existing floss drop out from the bag or make a new floss drop when I kit a project while keeping the remaining length of the floss skein in the bag for future projects. Not a perfect system - still doesn’t stop me from buying more floss 😆. Love your videos and beautiful stitching. Happy Stitching.
i have every current DMC color. on bobbins. and that's as simple as i will keep it. no other brands, no hand dyed, no nylon, nothing. just DMC. when i pick a project, i pick one-till-it's-done. so i keep my bobbins in a small bobbin box with a compartment for seam ripper, extra needles, small scissors and a pen. i put my project in a zip lock bag. put that and the box, chart (copy) in my plastic tote from joann's and it's perfect!.
I had not heard of this system, thanks for all the info. Well definitely give this some thought. Loved the video - absolutely enjoyed it. Stay safe and well.
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on storage and space. Sounds like a brilliant system, off to order right now. Take care and thanks again 😊
Thank you Teresa. I have never bobinated as I embroidered before I cross stitched many years ago and bobbins were not around. I remember your video and being so excited and I immediately got Annie's keepers. I agree about the storage of them, I adapted a filing cabinet as letter size was no go here in the UK. Love the look of the pip and chip ,what a great idea to combine them, Alba sticher used them and I do like the colour code and number. So nice to see something from here for a change. Sticherista has a full set of them in the wooden DMC drawer. Fly the flag as they say.
Not gonna lie - that system looks amazing. I have all keepers now and do love them. These look great! I'm so happy you found a system that works for you! It's such an added stress if your organization isn't right. Of which your keepers video is how I found annie's keepers so thank you!!!! IN combination with systems like that I'd recommend an app called "Thread Organizer". The icon is blue with a green and red checkmark. It's about $5 USD but after trying MANY inventory apps (including making my own) - I found this one and haven't looked back. It's a bugbear at first - but after everything is in it makes checking if you have a color or not SO easy. Especially if your not at home. And it makes adding thread when a project is done easy too!
You have perfectly charted the path I've been down, exactly. I am just hearing about Floss away bags, and rings and stackable boxes to store these. Its exhausting. LOL.
It sounds as ironing the kinks out is more off putting for you than unwinding bobbinated floss. I suggest a science experiment:
Unwind a very few bobbins. Give the floss a thorough soak in distilled water to relax the bends. Wrap it to the length of your hanging system and hang it to dry. Snap a binder clip to the bottom for weight, to encourage the floss to dry straight.
If it works, you will be a hero for those who want to be rid of their bobbin system and have nice straight lengths of floss. If it doesn't work, the worst would be that you would iron those few skeins and be rid of those few bobbins for yourself. In either event, I think it would make another entertaining flosstube episode.
I adored this video lol so nice to know I'm not the only one that keeps evolving the storage and systems because I .JUST.KEEP.STITCHING.
For me, the quick and easy solution to getting the kinks out of the previously bobbinated floss is to get it wet and let it dry on its own, no ironing needed :) Just make sure to keep track of which skein is which color, which I now realize is also not a problem with these floss chips since they're plastic and you can leave your floss right on them while wet (I use paper thread drops, so have to take it off while wet)
So happy to see you broach this subject! This was brilliant Teresa❣
I've only just got into cross sitch and i think it is something i wanna keep doing, the chips sound like a really good way for keeping them all together, i will have to look into them and if they come with the code and color already on them that save me trying to find a pen that will work on the plastic lol,
right now I have just tapped the numder onto the top of the bobbin.
Yes! I love talking about floss storage systems!! I too have my Cxc on Annie’s Keepers..and my dmc on the Pip & Chip bobbins stored in a Bisley file cabinet..that’s just for storage though..I use cheap gift tags from Amazon to kit up my different projects..that kind of work like the P & C chips do with the extra hole punched in it for extra floss bits.. Now I need to get myself as organized as you are
This video is soooo funny to me ! Because you just explained my whole stitching journey with the floss storage situation 😂😂😂 and no Teresa you are not the only one ! The good part in my case I never bobinatted a full DMC set 😊I had some but when I bought the full set I DIY a hanging system
FINALLY!!! A company that has completed the complexity of organizing floss. If I was just starting out, this is "the way" to go.
Thanks for sharing this, certainly gives something to think about. I sitting here feeling guilty as mine are mixed up in a colour in different drawers. I’m glad you went for full cxc threads. Beautiful colours I never seen.
I wanted to keep mine in the skeins, so I bought the DMC 120 wooden box set, but then as I have added to it they don't all fit, and finding the numbers is hard as skeins don't lie well in order. Then I realised my Mum has been stitching for 20+ years and always used bobbins, I already have the 5 drawer Bisley that I had my machine sewing notions in which was half empty. So I just invested in the full Pip& Chip bobbin set with bisley drawer inserts, and my DMC box will become my machine sewing notions box. But I have had them 2 days and still can't bring myself to start bobbinating them, I will most likely do it gradually as I pull colours for projects, or when I am WFH and on long work calls 😂 I also got a couple of their project tins that hold the bobbins for each project.
I have DMC on Annie's Keepers but have had my 👀 on the Pip & Chip for a while. I haven't pulled the trigger on them because of them requiring more space. I have all of the DMC in 2 boxes.
Thank you for sharing! I love seeing organizing videos, especially floss.
Yes, I bobbinated....yes I have floss bags...... then... I watched a flosstube video from this lovely lady called Teresa ...... aaaand bought annie's keepers and feel very happy with it..... yesterday I watched this video and guess what......yep, thinking about getting the chip system 🙄😏🤣🤣🤣
I have always used the Floss Away bags & bobbins in my projects. After watching one of your recent videos on Annie’s Keepers I have purchased this system and love it! Mine are stored in a file box but for a project I just pull out the colors I need and put them on the project file rods. Thank you for sharing this system..so much easier to use! 😊
I have been doing the bobbins Simply because it was the only system when I first started embroidery work 50 years ago and over the years I have seen other systems come and go I that time, but the system of Floss and chip I love because IKEA is all over the world even here in Australia.
As you can imagine I have boxes and boxes and yes boxes of threads of different brands in the past 50 years 😹😹 I don’t even want to think about how much thread I actually have in my stash but after checking out the “floss and chip” hanging system I agree with you 100 no 200% this is a better system so it looks like I am diving into a new rabbit hole and will be converting all of my threads to the “floss and chip” system next year as that’s when my workshop will be finished and I can look at making the new changes both the “Annie” and “floss and chip” are new to me this is the first I have even heard of it and I do like the idea that you are using for both to keep the projects tidy and organised using both systems.
As for the old bobbing system I can just switch a few over when ever I get the iron and ironing board out to press anything I can say throw in a handful of bobbins in to be transferred at the same time that way it won’t be over whelming in the short term 😹😹
Thank you for sharing🤗🤗🤗
This system is very nice!!!! I have been CS for more than 30 years I wish I would have found this years ago. It is little on the expensive side. I am a little OCD about my floss storage and would love to have this system but it is more than I can spend. Love your posts, please keep them coming.
This could be a comedy show on cross stitch or embroidery storage.😂. Everyone goes through it.
Hi Teresa, thank you for sharing your thoughts. I think we have all gone down the rabbit hole of trying different storage methods. When I first stitched back in the last 80s / early 90s I think bobbins was the method available (at least that I knew of anyway). Just as cross stitch designs and styles have come a long way and are so diverse now, so too are storage methods. Plus our taste as stitchers develop and change as we go. Since I started up stitching again about 4 years ago, I refused to use bobbins. They are such a pain to wind, unwind, rewind, and the kinks... ugh. Currently I am using floss away bags, but am intrigued by these floss chips. I will check them out. Thank you again. Hugs from AZ
I found Annie’s through you, and it is the best thing that ever happened to my stitching. I agree that the hole is quite small, and I actually split the DMC skein in half. Put one half in the Annie and I twist the second half for storage. That’s for my master set. For my ‘kitted’ projects on Annie’s I just pull a couple of strands and put it on rather than fully kitting - so I don’t have the same issue you had as having excess skeins.
I love the look of Pip and Chip, but I can’t bring myself to mix brands when I can help it and I have already invested too much into my Annie’s.
I love the Pip and Chip system, I however couldn’t afford the complete system so I went with the 5 inserts for the thin bobbins, it works perfectly for me I love it .
I find it relaxing to bobbinate, too!
I have the DMC cabinet with the entire set of DMC and had no idea how I was going to organize them so I did buy the pip and chip, I love them!!! I bought some wooden holders for each project by modera hoopla off etsy and it holds 12 pip and chip bobbins. So for those that do small projects this is great! I use the Annie’s keepers too, love them. I label them with small round stickers and place the thread name ie: dmc 450 or CCW (classic color works) sunset in different sections but this way I know which set they are. I have them all organized. I don’t know how you label your Annie’s keepers, I havent’ watched all your videos with Annie’s. Thanks for this! Very informative. I too have tried all these systems plus the bows! Have a great day!
Ordered a set for myself. For me, the fact that the color # is pre-printed is significant because I have to deal with the little dmc stickers falling off. Can’t wait to get it. Love my Annie’s Keepers but this will be a game changer. Thank you for the review. Loved your video. 👍💕
Great video! You had me agreeing and laughing along with your journey through the dilemma of floss storage. Been there; done that. I'm also using a combo system as a compromise of DMC bobbins filed in plastic sheets within 2 zipper closed large binder cases and a drawer for hand dyed threads. Krenik and Rainbow Gallery, etc. have their own drawers. My space is very limited as well and unfortunately one system doesn't work for all thread varieties. Thanks for the walk-through thought process since it gave me food for thought and maybe new options to investigate.
Thank you for this video! I am a baby stitcher…lol I have been in the game for 5 yrs now and I know I love this! I am currently using bobbins and I think it’s time for a change! 🥰
Hi Teresa, like you, I’m using Annie’s Keepers for all my non-DMC threads, and have recently changed all my DMC from flossaway bags to Pip & Chip Chips in the IKEA boxes. I haven’t bought the shelving unit(s) yet, and before I do would like to know if your boxes will fit in your units with the lids on. In your videos I see you aren’t using the lids, but I live in the country with the usual increase in dust etc. so using the lids is a priority for me. Thanks so much - I really enjoy your videos❣️
Thank you for sharing all this information. I am new to cross stitch and I was trying to figure this out as well. Love all the ideas and struggled the same way you did in the beginning!
Ordered a week ago and just got notified that I will be receiving them in California on Monday, July 18. Not even two weeks. So excited.
This has been the most informative video! Been there, done that and I’ve been debating Annie’s Keepers vs. Pip and Chip and now I have my answer. Thank you so much! ❤
Glad it was helpful!
Those thead organizers are out there with 50 slots too. I just started using them in the past few weeks and really like them for my larger projects. For smaller projects I still use thread keepers (a row of holes punched along the edge of cardboard). A lot of people may have fits at this, but when a project is finished, unless it's a large amount, I throw the floss away. I'm talking about less than $1 worth US. I only pull off just what I need for that kit, so there is very very little waste. My floss is mixed skein & bobbinstorage. As I need colors for a k it, I go thru the bobbins first, pulling off what I need. Any colors not on bobbins will be in the skeins, which are bobbinated at that time. Slowly but surely all my floss will be on bobbins one day.
I love the idea of this system! I'm a brand new stitcher, so I'm trying to find a way to keep everything organized without losing track of what I do/don't have
I love the look of the pip and chip bobbins, I've stuck with bobbinating and working on an excel spreadsheet to keep track of my threads and where they are in projects to stop me buying extras.
Loved this. A history of floss storage! Xxx
Love the video all these different storage systems wow I’m just got mine on bobbins in the storage box you showed at the beginning of the video I have 2 of them and 1 medium storage container for my variegated thread 😍😍👍👍
WOW! I never really understood what the charts meant when they had all that info on it!! Thank YOU!!!
Not all charts have it, but the bigger companies do! Nice! Magazine patterns often don't have all that info, either.
I currently have the Bobbin storage system you initially had and have my entire life. I'm on an extremely strict budget, I don't know if I can afford to change now. Hmmm???
I find if I have 3 or 6 projects going simultaneously, I also end up with an excessive amount of certain colors! Ha! I currently have 5-6 of the DMC 500-503's!!! Lol!!! I do have the entire collection of DMC threads and LOVE it! I always have the colors I need, or so I think! Surprise!! I'll be missing a color here or there, and it could be in another project box! I do use mini boxes for projects, sometimes I'll have 2 projects in one box. I figure I just have 'extra insurance' with repeat colors!!! Lolol!!!
My mother always had a little damp sponge whenever she stitched, and the DMC on bobbins, after pulling the length she needed, she'd run it over the sponge and straighten the threads out with the water, and I do the same, they dry fast! Nice!
My problem now? I have a suitcase I store my bobbin cases in and they cases are labeled, it used to be easy to grab a bobbin box. Not now! I have ALL the colors and extras of the many colors, so now not ALL my storage boxes fit in that ONE suitcase! That is my dilemma now! Where do I store the extra boxes I really need and use? Hmmm??? Again, financially, I'm not in the position to spend what I need to to make a 'new' storage system. I'm in a pickle there! I have not yet figured out what to do about this problem now . . . I store the extra bobbin boxes in 'one' cupboard here in my bedroom.
Anyway, this was FUN being able to relate to you so well! Thank you for discussing this issue! It's definitely an issue for sure!!!
Thank you for sharing what your solution is! Yay for you!!!
Your way would also be a BIG time saver instead of wrapping every color we purchase onto a bobbin! That alone takes HOURS to complete especially if we purchase a large amount to restock our supply! I've been there so many times! It can take an entire evening when instead we could be stitching!!!! Kind of frustrating!!!!
Now, for Kreinek and braided glosses - another bobbin box! Argh!! Lol!!! Same thing with Mill Hill beads, charms, etc!
Loved this Teresa....it was definitely a walk down memory lane of you and also my life 🥰 . Still have bobbins that I fail to use and also order new. I really love threads hanging...just pull your thread and stitch!! No more wasted time. Hope you have a great week and plenty of enjoyable stitching 🥰
What a great video Teresa, Glad you seem to have found a solution to your floss storage. I am sure it was a great help to many. :)
Having the colors already printed is really great. Nice system. Just an upgrade on Annie's keepers...lol⚾️
FAAAABULOUS , Teresa !!!!!! Thank you SOOOOOOO much ! This is just a game changer for me !!!!!!! All the best, marcia
If you ever get to the point that you want to unbobinate: just put them on the hanging system, put it on some kind of rod and just use the iron steam on them. You can put clips on the bottom end, to kinda weigh the floss down to help it straighten. This should work just fine ;)
I’m literally just starting cross stitch. Thanks for saving me a lot of time and money lol
so I was bobbinating while watching you.. love all you say.. but I have been winding since for ever! would be difficult for me to change.. so I have my own system to saving and noting my threads on hand etc. etc. BUT !! I do love the Pip and chip system.. but might be quite difficult to get it here in SAfrica at a good price.. they do send but can you imagine the shipping..so happy to look at yours which looks so smart and neat.. and easy to use. keep up the blogs ..and glad you are totally on the mend
Excellent detailed review! I feel your pain! Just kitted my future projects with my bobbins of DMC, I have eliminated so many plastic boxes! Love your end find, I will be checking those out! Thanks for sharing!!!!
I’m so glad I came across ur channel, I’m just getting started and immediately realized the thread was gonna be a challenge. U Clarified each system with great details also I could make an informed decision
Thank you
Congratulations on solving your storage dilemma. Thanks for the information, I'm looking into a different way to store my collection.
😁 I loved seeing your beautiful baby in the background getting comfy on the daybed. 😊
Great information! I have thought about Annie’s Keepers system. I may have to get your DMC system. Thanks for sharing. Hope your hip is doing well.
Hi Teresa first time commentator i love the annies keeper system iv used it ever since your bigginers guide to cross stitch :) like you i had a full set of DMC on bobbins and the kinks was doing my head in so my husband one day said 'you need straightners for that mess' Light bulb moment i use to have long hair but now love pixie cut so my hair strainters (£6 job from tescos) are perfect for running down the length of thread for annies keepers.
I am loving my Annie's Keepers, I will have look into the PIP and Chips. Thanks for sharing.
Really enjoyed your chat today. Floss storage is so varied with what people prefer. I like the floss chips they look great, I might have to invest!!
Loved the walk through time and floss storage. I started with DMC stitch bows which I used for decades. When I moved to the US several years ago, I fell into specialty floss and out of love with the stitch bows. My solution was also a hanging one - Unplannedpeacocks' floss racks. Available in both US and A4 - they fit in any file rack. I have the DMC pre-labeled one which means I can just look in my file box and easily see what I have and what is running low. Otherwise, I use thread sorters for projects and only pull exactly what I need for each project (Pattern Keeper really helps with that!)
Great Video Teresa, making good progress on Evening in the Park, this can be a finish by the end of the year 😜 xx
I was so looking forward to this. I am at a cross roads on deciding what system to use. Thanks for all the ideas.
How do you use floss chips in a project bag? Or do you just "shop" from your floss chips and use a different system in a project bag?
Hi there! I use my floss chips for my full set storage only and just transfer what I need to Annie’s keepers for the project. Then when I’ve finished the project I put what’s left on the floss chip again 😉
@@TeresaLittleStitcher thanks!
Hi Teresa, great video, very well explained. The P&C system looks great. As a fairly new cross stitcher I have already encountered a problem with how to store my floss. Will be looking at the P&C system. Thank you 😊
Excellent video! Always appreciate that you share your knowledge!
Thanks, Kim T ☀️
I have been on a similar journey to you with floss storage, and have ended up with Annie’s Keepers in an IKEA UK filing cabinet in number order, which is my master set. I then have made a working set in DMC number order, I have sewn fabric bags that are numbered, and these are stored in numerical order in wham boxes on 2 Hobbycraft wheeled storage trollies. I have 4 full coverage HAEDs and they have similar colours mostly, so I just pick out of the working set envelopes across the board. If I start a new full coverage I check the working set, and if not there go to the master set, if no joy I purchase 2 skeins for the master set and working one. This works for me as I batch make the envelopes ... nearly there with a bag for each colour, and I can make more if needed from my vast fabric stash. When I’m done with DMC I will put all threads by company in the master threads, and can just the keeper project slides or rings for working per project. I have photos of my fabric bags on my blogspot Sussex stitcher. This new system looks great for the other company threads though as I don’t have that many. X
You have made my day. Am home very unwell. NOT COVID. Always enjoy your videos, but this one was sure comprehensive re the storage system(s) lol thank you for your honesty. I am in Australia so will have to Google the accessibility of the Pip n Chip system. I am early in my stitching path, so what better time to find the hanging system of choice. Again thank you.
I enjoyed your impressions of storage systems. I hate bobbins because the thread kinks. The pip and chip look interesting. I store my DMC in paper envelopes. I tried plastic bags and hated the slipperiness of them. They were always on the floor. I tried putting the plastic bags on a ring and found it cumbersome. I like to stitch from floss drops on a ring so I am slowly moving to floss drops as needed. When I am done with flosses on the flossdrops I put them in the correct envelope and mark it withTD so I know there is already a floss drop. My specialty threads are stored the same way. I have divided my box alphabetically with company name (Weeks Dye Works, soie d’Alger ) etc and store each different company’s floss by number if applicable or by pretty name alphabetically. This is working for me and is quite an inexpensive system. I use letter size envelopes, never seal them. And fancy boxes are nice but not essential because envelopes fit into shoe boxes. Most important- I can find what I need.
Hi Teresa, thanks for this video. I got a starter pack for Annie’s keepers a while ago and love it. Am now in a thread club from lakeside needlecraft so going to get all DMC threads. Would love this system just seems a bit too expensive for me at the moment. Will need to start saving up. If they had an option to buy over 18 months the way the thread club does then that might have me interested 😂
Thank you for a great video! Thanks to one of your earlier videos, I bought Annie’s Keepers and that system works brilliantly for me. I have my full set of CXC floss on the Keepers and they all fit in 1 Tjena box from IKEA. I have that box next to my stitching area and work most of my HAEDS from that. I have one HAED that has its own floss (on Annie’s Keepers) because I’m stitching it with tent stitch so the floss is longer than my master set.
Great solution for you! You did a wonderful job of explaining it all as we have been through much of it as well. I'm definitely keeping it in mind for the future. All mine presently are housed in double-sided plastic boxes as kits with the patterns and accessories. All that winding!
I have been trying drops and punching holes for those pesky bits of still useful pieces of thread beyond the main hole and then putting them in ziplocks on rings with the pattern but I've run out of totes, and haven't ventured into the bags yet but ziplocks slide so I only have two or three that I'm working on near me and their Q-snaps of differing sizes but some just have to be on the floor stands. My Stitch in Time H.A.E.D. is in that to work on and I'm still working my way across to the other end of the frame. I made it the center pages so I'm on year 3 and only have 8 to go.....I am determined as it is my first.
I shudder to think about all the accumulated expense on threads over the years but I'm eying a bit of wall that could be organized and IKea could put those cubbies there but then the boxes and all the little tabs but I wish it was in existence when I began. Thank you so much Teresa. I'm still using Good Notes as it suits me just fine and I really like that white floche that I owe all to you.
Thanks for sharing your thread journey. I had a very similar story. You introduced me to the Annie’s Thread Keeps. I also love the hanging system but they are not easy to get a hold of, even here in the US. Maybe I will follow your lead and try the Pip and Chip version. They certainly are pretty! Thanks for sharing! Happy Stitching. 😊
I've been doing embroidery hard core for 2 years now. I use DMC floss, the thicker emb. thread, silk, etc.
I put them on bobbins as I use them. I have sorted by color, down to levels of aquarmarine, yellow-greens, gray-green, lavenders, purple-pinks, etc. I just keep them by these groupings in ziploc sandwich bags. When I want to look for a brown, I can look at what's in the bag, consult my spreadsheet of what I have, and look at the DMC chart. If there are threads in parts from projects, they can get their own bobbin if need be. I do not order the bobbins by number.
Then I keep the ziplocs in a box. There is also a bag of materials and a box of extra hoops, needles, threaders, etc. Even with having 250 different colors amongst all the threads, they stay compact, untangled, and very usable.
One important key is having an updated spreadsheet. When I buy something, I add it to the list and record its color grouping. I do not wait until I am doing the project.
This does sound like a game changer. I’m going to look into both Annie’s and Pip and Chip. I really enjoyed your video. I have tried many different things in the last 35 years. I’m so glad I found you and checked out your videos. Count me in as a new subscriber in the USA in IDAHO and have an amazing weekend. 🤗
Hi. I just watched this video. Storage of floss drives me crazy. About 3 years ago I ordered some Annie’s Keepers. About 100 thread keepers to get started. Well I just have started to get back in stitching. The truth is I have a 7 year old granddaughter who is still waiting for her birth cross stitch and I just couldn’t get it charted. Problems at work, though now retired, and depression. But because I hadn’t done her piece I didn’t let myself do anything else. I ready to begin hers and started putting thread on the Annie’s Keepers systems. Not sure I like it. The holes are very small. But to finish this system I would have to order a lot more of the thread drops. Wouldn’t cost as much as the new system you are using but is close. Since I’m in the US the shipping is about $52. Financially I should buy either one. But I’m tired of bobbins and don’t like floss bags or any of the other systems I’ve seen. I know this video is a year old and I wanted to know if you are still liking the new system. Thanks.
Yes - still loving the storage system. I hope you have worked out what works for you. Happy stitching! Xx
I got the pip and chip system about a month ago and couldn’t work out how this would be better. I was buying dmc for all my projects and along comes Teresa telling me that I don’t necessarily have to have the whole skein. Well I feel like an idiot lol. I think I will work on getting my bobbins ironed though Thanks Teresa