Organising your threads: kitting up like a pro

A growing thread collection is wonderful, until you're searching for that one shade of green. A little system saves a lot of time.

Bobbins, rings or bags

• Bobbins: small cards you wind each skein on, with the number written on them. They fit neatly in a box with compartments.
• Floss rings: a ring with a cut length of each colour and a label. Quick to grab while stitching.
• Small zip bags: one bag per colour or per project. Easy, and the original label stays with the thread.

Whatever you choose: always keep the number with the thread. Without the number, you can't tell two shades apart later.

Kitting up a new project

"Kitting up" means gathering everything for one project before you start:

1. Print or open the pattern and check the legend.
2. Collect the threads, fabric, needle and hoop.
3. Put them together in one bag or box, with the pattern on top.

Then you can grab it and start, even on a busy evening.

Never buy a colour twice

Keep your thread stash in the JoyStitch app, by DMC number. With "Can I stitch this?" you see straight away which threads of a pattern you already have, and the missing ones go to your shopping list. Handy in the shop. You can look up any colour in the DMC colour chart or print thread cards of your own stash.