View Full Version : Thread storage/transportation
I saw this idea on another site using a different technique but managed to come up with my own version of it:
The site recommended using a clear plastic Christmas ornament (two piece) to store and transport thread balls in. The author said she would drill a hole in ornament to pull the thread through and that the ornament kept her thread clean when she took her projects places. Well, I was walking through the local department store around Easter time and found these balls for filling with candy. They were two pieced items with holes already drilled in them! They hold the thread very well and when I'm taking my projects with my I just poke the needle (I'm a needle tatter) through the hole into the ball to keep it together with the thread in my take along bag. They priced out about 50 cents each and came in a package of three.
Just thought I'd share my find with you!
http://www.intatters.com/picture.php?albumid=64&pictureid=1157
http://www.intatters.com/picture.php?albumid=64&pictureid=1156
nancylynn
07-05-2009, 10:42 PM
That is a great idea!! Thanks for sharing!
tattabugg
07-05-2009, 10:54 PM
Great idea! Thanks.
tattrldy
07-05-2009, 11:44 PM
What a cute solution! Thanks for sharing.
ginabea
08-05-2009, 12:23 AM
What if you were to modify the soccer ball to give it a flat base? Maybe just a simple large o-ring or something else from the hardware store to keep it from rolling as you use it?
Great idea, Ginabea! I usually have it in a bag at my feet, though. I'll keep that in mind if I plan to use it without the bag! :)
Tammy
08-05-2009, 01:14 AM
If you put a couple more holes in it you can either add a piece of elastic to make a 'bracelet' of sorts or make a bracelet to put through the new holes. Now you wear it on your wrist while tatting and the thread is fed right up to your hand. I do this with any small container for needle or shuttle.
I love it when everyone shares their 'gadget' ideas. :flowers:
TeresaW
08-05-2009, 01:18 AM
:whistle:Better not let my boys see that soccer ball. Both played high level when they were pre-teens and teenagers. A ball like that would NEVER make into my tatting stuff because they'd be kicking it all over the place!!:party:
Quirkyk
08-05-2009, 03:14 AM
I actually make yarn holders :) I sculpt with Polymer clay and thought it would be fun to do some of my own...I got the idea from the old fashioned yarn bells :) They work GREAT!!! we have 5 dogs, most long haired so having my yarn in the bell keeps the dog hair in my projects to a minimum! :)
Lol TeresaW! I also have a baseball and basket ball!! They came in sets of three....
Tammy - I like the bracelet idea...there are three holes in each ball so that could work!
Dawn
Tammy
08-05-2009, 03:48 AM
QuirkyK I would love to see pics of your yarn holders!!!! Ppppllllleeease.
Quirkyk
08-05-2009, 01:45 PM
:) Tammy I'll try and get some pictures this weekend for ya! :) I kinda varied my pattern for them a bit...I had such an annoying time trying to pick up the bells I put a little notch around the top so you could grasp it easier :) The ones I make are pretty big as I used them for yarn but I could make some smaller to accommodate smaller skeins...I'll wait and see how big a ball the skein from Sherry is to see..Or if you all wanna give me an idea I'll tackle making a smaller version this weekend as well as taking some pics :) Just let me know about how tall and wide a ball is and I can go from there :)
TotusMel
08-05-2009, 02:43 PM
I use those containers that quarter machines toys come in. It has a flat base and I use a hole punch to make a hole in the dome portion.
Just out of curiosity, what are quarter machines toys?
Sarah
09-05-2009, 04:39 PM
I've used the quarter toy containers too. They work pretty well. I noticed the ziplock bag that the Lizbeth thread comes in has a couple of small holes near the top, probably for ventilation, I pull the thread thru one of the holes when I fill shuttles. I tat in the car waiting for my daughter afterschool. She keeps telling me just to come in and get her, but I enjoy the extra tatting time. Anyway, the thread seems to stay put and much cleaner left in the bag :)
Tammy
09-05-2009, 06:22 PM
For those that aren't sure what we mean by the ones made from Christmas ornaments, you can see it on my page. It has been there so long I forgot about it. Thread Holder (http://www.frontiernet.net/~tammyrodgers/holder.html)
Oh wow, Tammy, I didn't know just where I read the ornament idea or I would have credited to you! I'd been reading on a lot of different sites and the idea just stuck. Thanks for posting the link! :)
Tammy
09-05-2009, 08:10 PM
LOL No problem Dawn. I have used this method for so long I forgot that I had it posted on my site. :whistling:
dilaw
02-06-2009, 04:17 PM
Something I really like to use for thread storage, at least for smaller threads, are empty spice containers (I only use pleasant smelling ones like cloves or cinnamon, no onion or garlic, although I have never noticed a lingering scent on my threads). I can drop the ball into the container, then the "sprinkle and pour" top goes on with the thread coming out the pour part. While I'm working the thread easily comes out and when I'm ready to pack it away I can close the pour thingy onto the thread so it won't come out any more. I like this when I'm measuring my thread too because I can pull out so much, close the lid and wind my shuttle until I get to the container and I know just how much I've pulled out.
Also the smallest Glad containers work well. I've cut a small notch in the lid before and used that to dispense my thread too. With smaller shuttles and thread I can even store a whole WIP in a container.
I hope this makes sense. I liked the ideas you posted but it always worries me to put my thread through a hole that I can't get it back out of once I've started my project. I guess there really isn't a problem with that, just a quirk of mine.
I couldn't post pics here so I added them to my profile: http://www.intatters.com/album.php?albumid=145
Diane
Good ideas, Dilaw! Thanks for sharing them! I always love to hear what other are doing to solve a particular challenge. :)
AnneB
02-06-2009, 09:54 PM
I use a soap box with a hole in the lid for my Mölnlycke spools.
Another tip: to transport spools for spool shuttles I use tiny rubberbands (for advanced hairdo) to keep the thread in place.
Yet another great idea!! Nice job, AnneB!
Liyarra
03-06-2009, 05:24 AM
Here we have a horrible little thing called Pavlova Magic - it is a ready to make pavlova (ewwww) a bit along the idea of shake and bake pancakes. But it has a totally cool container. Egg shaped, splits in the middle, with a flat bottom and can hold a standard Coats ball of thread or anything smaller. I put a hole in the top and then decorated the "egg" with rice paper. Later I modified it to have a hole along the side join instead so it was easier to remove thread if I needed to. It will hold a ball of thread, my clover shuttle and one of Sheridan's little beaded picot hooks quite nicely!! Doesn't fly apart if you drop it either.
There are photos in my album under bits and pieces.
skfuller
03-06-2009, 03:03 PM
Thanks everyone - so many great ideas! I'll be experimenting these next 3 weeks before we jump into the car for vacation!