Declutter Challenge 2025 - Day 9 - Thread

Threads are the unsung heroes in our quilt-making. Fabric gets all the attention and the biggest impact on our wallet. However, without thread, nothing would stitch together, and we wouldn't have all those fascinating quilted designs.

We can become just as obsessive with our thread purchasing. Weights, textures, and a rainbow of colours, oh my! If nothing else, playing with the colours can lift your spirits for the coming week.

Since thread has a function the question we want to ask today is,

Is this the right thread to use here?

The amount of thread you need is dependent on what type of quilting/sewing that you like to do. And you need the thread as close to the machine and tools where you use it. So your everyday thread is near your sewing machine. Your serger threads should be with your serger. Your hand sewing threads with your slow sewing kits etc. And your capacity in each spot will be different too.

So what can you do if it doesn't all fit.

Space Start with how much space that you want the thread to occupy. I tripled the capacity of my thread drawer by making trays out of foam board. This is one of my older videos which you can watch here. Foam Board Organizational Hack

Eliminate the Dusty/Old Ones

I have many that I accepted from friends that were cleaning out their mother's or aunt's sewing room and they thought I could use them. But now their quality has deteriorated beyond the point of usefulness.

No Label

Consider eliminating those without any markings. If you have no idea if they are poly or cotton, 60wt, 50wt or 40wt, what are the chances you might actually use it?

Spool Shape

How many different spool shapes are you wanting to manage? Can you eliminate one size?

Amount of Thread

How many spools have less than a project left on them? I add my end-of-spools to a miscellaneous bobbin that I use for practice pieces. I also like to use them in my hand sewing when I make my hexies.

Bobbins

Speaking of bobbins, how many do you have? Do they work in your current machine? Any broken ones?

You might have other threads for other crafts like floss for cross-stitch, etc. How many of those projects will you make in the next 5 years? How much space in your sewing room do you want them to take up? Be honest and cull accordingly.

While you’re working on this challenge, I have two great podcast with thread experts. Anita Zobens and Stephanie Ngai of Wonderfil.

Did you find a thread nest? Share your stories on social media. Follow the hashtag #declutterchallenge2025.

I’ll see you tomorrow for Day10.