Ideas for storage of thread cones for long arm
 

when I bought my long arm 3 years ago, I also bought all her rulers and thread--3 footlockers of thread. Most colors have multiple spools and also at least one bobbin with thread on it. I currently put like colors and any bobbins with that thread on it into a zip-loc and divide by color into one of the 3 footlockers.

I am looking for an idea that would keep all the like colored thread together and also be able to store the matching bobbin together, keep light and dust off it, but also not have me continually digging among my bags of cones for the "perfect" thread choice.

What do the rest of you use?

White thread.

My DH made me an A frame on wheels that has pegboard on each side. The matching bobbins fit on the thread of the pegs and the cones slide over them. To keep dust off the large clear plastic drink cups have a hole punched out in the bottom and I also have the end of the cups numbered with the thread # and color name.
Only problem is it does take up floor space.

I have what looks like a coat rack or basket rack. It's a tall skinny rack made from 2"x 2" wood with 4 braceing cross bars on the bottom to hold it upright. We drilled holes to hold dowel rods at an angle...can't remember the size dowels or the length but each dowel will hold a large cone of thread comfortably. The important thing is that it can sit in a corner and not take up much space at all. Each side (4 total) of the 2" x 2" can hold 8 to 10 cones.

I bought one of those wide plastic drawer units from a big box store (WM, I think). It's 3 deep drawers high and fits nicely under the LA frame. I cut pieces of pegboard to fit the drawers and glued pieces of dowel rod in every other hole (staggered the rows) for the cones to fit on. Never thought of making the dowels long enough to hold the bobbin too, but I just checked my set-up and found that the bobbins will fit over the end of the dowels but not go all the way on. Wouldn't want to force them on for fear of bending them. Hope that makes sense.

I have a cabinet with sliding doors for my thread cones. It is narrow so can put only two cones deep but that is good as I buy two of each color(easier to work with). I put any bobbin with thread still on it inside the cone it belongs with and keep the cone and bobbin in the original bag the cone came in. I keep the bags from any empty cones in case I have one rip. My cones are all Superior thread company. I don't know if other brands have a big enough center hole to hold the large bobbin. I also stocked up on bobbins(like 35 I think) so I don't have a problem running out of bobbins though I have come close once or twice.

My cabinet is set on an southeast facing wall which has windows so it doesn't get sun at all as there are no other windows there(basement).

I don't use cones, but I wanted to know........does thread "go bad"? I have a friend who has a lot of thread that she's had for awhile. I know about pulling it to see if it breaks...but does anyone have any idea how long thread usually lasts if stored out of light, away from dust, etc.?

I'm working on organizing and redoing my sewing room. I have a chest of drawers and I put my thread in one of the drawers. I have my bobbin boxes for both machines but each box is labeled for specific machine. My threads are also labeled, cotton, cotton/poly, and poly. Now my cousin has her la thread spools on a built in shelf. She made a curtain out of a heavy blackout fabric on a swing rod. Keeps the sun out. My neighbor has old sewing boxes labeled with the different thread.

Just test it. I've got thread I haven't used yet from estate sales that still have wrapping on it.