How I Organize Needlepoint Supplies

So many needlepoint friends have asked me to give an update on how I organize my needlepoint supplies, so I’m back with a new post sharing the best ways I’ve found to organize. My needlepoint journey began in late-February of 2020 and it’s been a full-fledge love story ever since.

And with my three plus years of stitching have come growth spurts and new ways in which I organize needlepoint supplies. It’s taken a lot of trial and error, but I finally feel like I’ve found a functional way to organize all my needelpoint supplies.

With the sheer amount of supplies I’ve accumulated since starting this hobby three years ago, I realized I needed to streamline how I organize my needlepoint items. I previously shared my tips for organizing needlepoint thread, and while I still use some of these methods, I’ve graduated to others.

Space is still at a minimum for my needlepoint supplies, so I’ve tried to streamline everything to keep it on a few shelves within a built-in bookcase in our bedroom.

How I Organize Needlepoint Supplies

ARTBIN Super SAtchel with storage bins

The is my number one recommendation for best organizing your needlepoint supplies! It’s been life-changing for me. I’ve been using the large satchels for over a year, but the little storage bins that come inside have been awesome. I store unopened skeins of thread, beads, packs of needles and spools of Kreinik inside each little bin. Previously I struggled to keep track of what thread skeins I had once purchased, and this has totally streamlined how I store these unopened packs of threads.

SMARTstore TOTE with TRAY Insert

Another top recommendation! This one came from Barb, a needlepoint friend, and it’s truly great. The is perfect for storing thread cards and/or stretcher bars. Previously, these thread cards and stretcher bars just laid randomly within my needlepoint supplies pile. Now with this tote, I have rhyme or reason to my organization! Storing my thread cards sideways really helps to keep track of the colors I already own, along with being easy to access. I also tend to use stretcher bars for smaller canvases. My bars are about 10″ or less and they fit perfectly in this tote tray! Although this organizational tray is a different brand then my others, it stacks nicely on top so I can store in my shelves alongside the others.

ARTBIN 12×12 tote with handle

These 12×12 Artbin handled totes were the first things I purchased when I began my quest to organize my growing needlepoint collection. I now have three of them, organized with various supplies – fabric and trim for finishing; project bags and zippered pouches/ziploc bags that I re-use for projects, and carrying threads when I bring my needlepoint with me or travel; and the third handled tote holds different needlepoint accessories such as scissors, my clip-on lights, etc. For me, simply having a space to store different accessories and accoutrements for my needlepoint hobby helps me stay sane. I keep these tote bins stacked within a built-in shelf we have in our bedroom. They’re easy to access, as well as open to quickly get inside of which makes all the difference!

I previously discussed here how I store my needlepoint thread – at this time, the post still applies to my DMC thread, both new and previously used on prior projects, along with opened skeins of Pepper Pot, Vineyard Silk or Splendor. I mentioned too that I was trying out storing threads in floss away bags, but I hated this option and no longer use it.

Ultimately, I’ve tried to cull down my needlepoint stash enough where I can store my previously opened threads in these grid storage organizers and my DMC thread and floss in these large Artbin units (I do not use the included dividers). I also try to keep the threads I plan to use for projects together in specific project bags to easily grab and go.

Hopefully this gives you some better ideas on how to organize needlepoint supplies! I feel like I’m constantly evolving, but finally have a method that works for me.