Taking a Thread Inventory
For the past several Thursdays, we have been discussing threads. Read more about Recommended Threads HERE and HERE. Last week, I began reorganizing my thread–you can read that post HERE. As I purge my threads, I wish I had more information about some of the threads I’ve collected. Some of the labels are gone completely, leaving me to guess what the thread is and where I purchased it. I also wish I had more information about the cost of each spool. Going forward, I plan to take a few notes every time I purchase a new thread and whenever I use a new thread in a project. Here is the information I plan to collect:
Date-(I don’t even know in what decade some of my threads were purchased. ) Since thread doesn’t last forever, I think dating each spool might give an idea if thread is past it’s “Expiration Date”.
Thread-Brand and Name of thread (e.g. Superior Omni)
Fiber-(and Weight)-Cotton, Rayon, Polyester
Needle-Once you have experimented with a thread, save time later by taking note of the needle used.
Vendor-Where did you purchase the thread? Where did you find the best price for the thread? This will be useful when you want to refill your collection.
Price- Price per spool. You might also calculate price/meter. This will give you an estimate for relative cost of spools in your collection as well as a way to estimate the thread cost for a project.
Notes-Include the projects in which you have used the thread, machine adjustments required, whether you would use it again, etc.
I think a few minutes taking notes will be a time-saver.
Do you have any other information you would add to the inventory?
I will also indicate the quantity of thread , if it ‘s possible ; I started for my cones to note when I quilt a patch , to have an idea of how long a cone lasts . thanks a lot for our blog ! sorry for my approximate english, I am french !
The quantity of a thread is a great idea–I will add that to the card. Your English is great—thanks for sharing your ideas in any language.
I love the picture of your old spools.
I think this is a great idea! I have so much thread and no idea when I purchased them! Do you use a note book or a computer?
I am using a notebook. I spend too much time at the computer. I think a notebook near the sewing machine will be handier! What works better for you?
Sent from my iPhone
A thread inventory might save me some time and frustration at some point in my sewing/quilting career, but at this point…I’d rather spend the time sewing or quilting!
That’s always the dilemma. I need to purge my sewing room, but every time I set out to do it, I end up with a new idea that I just have to try…
Sounds like work to me, knowing me–I would enjoy buying a nice notebook and setting up the categories, then do a few spools and get so far behind, that I give up. So far my inventory consists of a few photos on my phone so when I go shopping, I know what I already have. I think having the inventory available when shopping would be very handy so you know where the gaps in your colors/types of thread are. Love your blog!
That sounds like me, too–but I’m so frustrated by the spools I have that don’t have any labels any longer. I plan to start taking a few simple notes whenever I buy a new spool. I love the idea of photos on my phone–for shopping! Do you mind if I add that to any upcoming blog post?
What a great idea..need to add the color code # and attach a sample of it.
Great idea. The sample is also a great idea!
I’m like Sally. I start things like this for about 2 days. I did try to put a sticker inside the spool, but that did not work.
I love the sticker idea, but the labels fall off, so I imagine stickers would too.
what I bought the thread for a quilt etc
Yes, yes! Great idea. I might add that to the “note” section as I usually buy thread without a project in mind.
Superior threads has an app that you can inventory al your thread from that company. I thought this was a great idea as I use a lot of their thread. However, while I am in the USA, I don’t have a data package for my phone so the idea is useless. I am going t try the notebook method. I buy a lot of thread while I am here, it is so much more expensive in Canada, and not as available. Shipping costs to Canada are exorbitant as well.. I am off to a shop hop today,, a quilt show next week,, and another quilting /sewing exposition the week after that so will have to buy that notebook today!
Sounds like a blast…wish I was with you! Thanks for the tip about the Superior inventory.