Wednesday, March 3, 2010

bobbin storage


Previously I was storing my bobbins in a box like this but I hated it. The thread would unwind and since the bobbins were stacked four or five deep I would have to rearrange and dig to find to find the color thread I wanted. Basically it was a constant mess.

Remember those plastic things that we used in High School to bind our reports? They are called plastic binding combs and they are perfect for storing bobbins! They provide easy access to each bobbin and the ring keeps the thread from unwinding.

I have mine tacked to my inspiration board but they would also fit well in a drawer or sewing box.

Now, I can't accept credit for this brilliant idea my friend Nellie told me about it (She doesn't have a blog but check out the Etsy shop she runs with another friend: Hucklebaby). She even gave me the four combs I am using!

The only way this storage system could be better would to use clear binding combs (to more easily see the thread color). I didn't think they existed but I did a little search and found these. A 100 pack of clear binding combs for $1.70? Can that even be right???Do yourself a favor and buy a box. Share it with your friends. Be organized. Be happy!

It was too good to be true. Thanks Joella for pointing out my size mistake! 1/2" is the right size. $8.07 still isn't bad. Especially if you split it with some friends. That breaks down to $.08 a comb. Dirt cheap and effective!

21 comments:

Char @ Crap I've Made said...

I am SO doing this!

Steph said...

Your genius never ceases to amaze me. Yay!

Joella said...

What a fabulous idea! My bobbins are always unwinding. The link you have for the clear binding combs is the 3/16" size... much smaller than the ones you used. Do you know which size the ones you have are? I did a search on that site and they had the clear binding combs in all sizes. I'm thinking maybe the 1/2" size???

Andrea said...

Wow great idea!

Erin said...

Joella- Thanks for noticing that! I didn't even think to check the size. How silly of me!

I have the 1/2" size- http://www.mybinding.com/.sc/ms/dd/ee/2536/1-2-Inch-Clear-Plastic-Binding-Combs-100pk

$8.07 a box. Still not bad. Especially if you share the cost with friends!

Anonymous said...

Love it! Great idea...if I had a real craft room, I would be doing this!

Claudia said...

What a great idea!! I was just thinking how much I hate my bobbin box. Now I get to replace it. Thanks for sharing

Our Beautiful Life said...

How funny. I used to work for Kinko's and bound books with those every day and it never crossed my mind to do that with them!

Sophie.J said...

Ok. I'll go and get myself one of this really soon. ^^

Joy said...

Brilliant! I will do this.
I have bobbins floating all over the place

♥ Joy

hing12133 said...

You should try bobbin buddies. They are cheap and keep your bobbins from unwinding, and you can still see what color your thread is. These are standard in my sewing room!!
http://www.nancysnotions.com/product/supplies/bobbins/bobbin+buddies+24+pkg.do

Tammy @ she wears flowers said...

I looked around my chaotic sewing table yesterday and was thinking about your post about organizing your work space. I pulled out a bobbin and thought, "I wonder if she (meaning you) has a way to organize these?" How weird to see this today. It's a great idea--thanks!!

Anonymous said...

genius idea! I was just about to toss my little plastic bobbin box out the window yesterday out of shear frustration. Now, I'll go get some combs and save the poor little plastic box for something else. Thanks!

Joy said...

That's just too perfect! Even now I have a tangled thread mess in my bobbin case! I'm definitely doing this too! How awesome! Thanks for sharing!!!

granma and papa said...

sign me up, kiddo, I'll be happy to split the cost, I think this is brilliant - thanks, Nellie - let me know if you decide to do this. Sending you a box today, coloring books (thanks for letting me clean my shelf) paper dolls for Sutton, football for Liam, blocks for Ez (yes, thank goodness he will SHARE) and Sutton's bracelet. Sorry I carried it home and that it has taken me so long to send back. Love you!

Suze said...

Great idea. I'm sorry it wasn't yours, but thanks for sharing!

merathon said...

someday if i ever have more than five bobbins that i use, i'll totally do this! :)

Kim said...

ooohhh! I love this! Now if I only had a designated sewing space. Wonder if the ballerinas would mind if I take over half of their playroom? ;)

Melissa said...

Erin, this is a FABULOUS idea. Penelope keeps snagging my bobbins and pulling the thread out, but if I do this, it may remedy my problem!

Marisa said...

What a great idea! I was just looking at my mess of bobbins and wondering what I could do. Thank you!

By the way, your blog was recommended to me by Abby at Tales & Trials. I love it!

Unknown said...

That's a really neat idea! I will have to do that when I actually take the time to thread my bobbins before I need them. I'm such a slacker on that, even though I know it would save me some time when i'm actually sewing.

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