i save mine in a small oatmeal container by my machine when i m sewing. i like to make the thread bowls and use them as gifts filled with bath soaps and things for the bath or one i did with things for the kitchen and a few samples of coffee and teas.also baked goods to go with a gift too works. it takes a while to save the thread so i don't get to make them to often. most of it is from beginning and end of the thread when i take it out of the machine. i usally use a leader but forget sometime. that is probally why it takes me a while to collect up.