I store my thread, by type, in a small cabinet with lots of drawers that I label with the content of the drawer. I make sure the loose end is fastened down either with a notch on the spool or a small piece of tape. I do not want to have a lot of bobbins with a small amount of thread on them to match thread spools I only use occasionally so I either use the bobbin thread to piece with since it won't show (similar colors, of course) or, I wind it back on the spool and store it. Then, if I need that color again, I just wind it off on a bobbin. I have only 12 bobbins and that is great for me.