Sewing Thread Organizers: Top Picks for Spool Racks, Spool Boxes, and Holders

Sewing enthusiasts know that storing sewing threads can be a problem. With so many spools and cones of different colors and types, it can be challenging to keep them all at hand. That’s where sewing thread organizers come in. These racks and boxes help keep sewing threads in one place, making it easy to find the right spool when you need it.

There are several types of sewing thread organizers available, including wall-mounted thread racks, standing thread racks, thread spool boxes, and thread spool holders.

When choosing a sewing thread storage system, pay attention to factors such as the number of spools it can hold, the type of thread it can accommodate, and the size of the rack itself.

I spent many hours researching and testing various sewing thread organizers to identify the ones that make storing threads easy and efficient. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at wall-mounted thread racks, standing thread racks, thread spool boxes, and thread spool holders, and highlight the features that make them the best options for sewists.

Before we begin, a short note: I believe these organizers are very good for keeping the spools/cones that you use most frequently or the ones that you use for the current projects. As a sewing enthusiast, I have way more than 100 spools, and if I count my embroidery threads I can easily say I have many hundreds. So it is out of the question to keep all these spools on the table or on the wall.

If you will look at my other storage article (IKEA Sewing Room Ideas for small spaces) you will notice that I have drawers where I can keep threads that I don’t use currently for longer term storage. Not ideal as I don’t see the colors and I have so many drawers that I will need to open a number of them to get what I want, but the drawers can hold many more spools.

Another note: all these open air storage racks are excellent, however all of them have one big, big drawback: they keep the threads in the open. Prolonged exposure to light will fade the color of the thread, at least the top layer. Living in Florida, and because I really like my sewing room to be bright, I have a lot of natural light and I don’t really like to keep threads that I don’t use in the open. These racks I use to store the spools that I use most frequently or for the current projects, not for long term storage.

As sewing enthusiasts, we understand the importance of having a well-organized thread collection. No matter your level of experience, keeping your spools and bobbins in order and easily accessible can save time during your sewing projects. So, without further ado, here are my top picks for the best sewing thread organizers on Amazon.

I am always looking less at what the positive reviews say; obviously, if someone leaves a good review, he/she is satisfied with the product, its function and price. But I am carefully reading the negative reviews. If multiple users complain about the same issue, then it is likely the product indeed has a problem and I would have to decide if I can live with the shortcoming or not. The “cons” below include both my observations and the issues I gathered from users’ reviews.

Best Sewing Thread Racks

A thread rack is a storage device used by sewists to organize and display their spools of thread. It typically consists of a wooden or plastic frame with multiple pegs or dowels on which spools of thread can be hung. Thread racks come in various sizes and designs, and they can be either free-standing or mounted on a wall. The primary purpose of a thread rack is to keep spools of thread organized and within easy reach during sewing projects.

Note: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. This means I will receive a commission if you order a product through one of my links. I only recommend products I believe in and use myself. 

I own the New Brothread 84 Spools Wooden Thread Rack (bought about two years ago) and was impressed with its overall quality and functionality.

The rotating design is a great feature, as it allows you to easily access all of your thread spools without having to move the rack around. The wooden rack is quite sturdy and can hold up to 84 thread spools, which is more than enough for most users. Certainly it is enough for me for daily use. I like that the rack is made of premium natural beech wood, which gives it a nice, high-end look.

Given that I do not like to leave thread in the open when not in use, I recommend this rack wholeheartedly. If, like me, you are concerned with the effect of light on the thread, you can easily drop a piece of material on the rack when you leave for longer periods of time (vacation?).

One potential downside to the New Brothread 84 Spools Wooden Thread Rack is that it’s not suitable for many large cones. But you can overcome this by installing longer pegs on top and store a couple of large cones there.

Some users have reported that the rack can be a bit difficult to turn at times, although I didn’t experience this issue. My husband made fun of me when I told him this might be difficult to move. His answer? Grease it! Of course, not with grease, but a little soap may work wonders. Fortunately, I did not have to use even that yet.

I definitely recommend this. I think the New Brothread 84 Spools Wooden Thread Rack is a great choice for anyone looking for a high-quality thread organizer that can help keep the sewing room or sewing desk neat and tidy.

Sewing Thread Spool Organizer Boxes

A sewing thread spool organizer box is a regular plastic box with locations for thread spools or pegs inside the box allowing the insertion of the spool. It’s a great tool designed to help you manage your precious thread collection with ease and efficiency and keep threads sorted for easy access.

Organizer boxes for sewing spools come in various sizes, materials, and designs, catering to different preferences and needs. An effective organizer should securely hold your spools and protect them from dust, light, and external damage.

When selecting a thread spool organizer box, ensure it has a suitable storage capacity to accommodate your collection. The material should be durable, with an efficient locking mechanism to secure your spools. Extra features such as transparent lids, compartments for spools, and portability add value to your organizer.

By keeping the thread collection in these organizers, you can prevent dust from settling on the spools. The boxes also shield the threads from harmful UV rays, which can fade or weaken the fibers over time. 

In my opinion, thread spool boxes are excellent for small spools but they are more difficult to use than the open racks.

I have accumulated a large number of spools and cones, so I can’t be satisfied with just a few of these boxes. Although the few boxes I have may not accommodate my entire collection, I have found a practical solution by storing threads in them at my daughter’s house. 

Whenever I visit her, I can sew and use a variety of threads for my projects. However, most of these projects revolve around repairing clothes for my daughter so I don’t use a lot of thread. She likes high fashion garments and prefers not to part ways with a brand name dress simply due to a missing button or a small hole.

So I made images of my boxes for this article and I see that the threads inside them are quite old, possibly dating back 20 years or more. It’s amusing to discover these forgotten threads in my sewing thread boxes and realize that I haven’t used them frequently. I guess the threads lost some of their vibrancy or quality over time. 

So now I see it’s always a good idea to periodically assess and update my collection. This way, I can be sure that I have a range of high-quality threads suitable for my current sewing needs. 

Below I have compiled a list of the best sewing thread spool organizer boxes available on the market today.

Thread spool holders

Sewing thread holders can actually refer to two different things. 

#1. The first meaning is a sewing thread stand that is used to hold a few spool of thread for the current project on a sewing machine. These stands are separate from the sewing machine and can hold spools of thread in varying shapes and sizes.

They are particularly helpful when you are using spools that are larger than the machine can hold or that have a different shape. This is almost always seen for sale as a “thread spool holder”  and I am talking about it in this article: What is a Sewing Thread Stand for a Sewing Machine, and Why Do I Need One?

While some of these stands can store multiple thread spools, some even quite large, this kind of device has a different purpose than the thread racks from above. It is meant to properly position the thread for your sewing machine use, usually by elevating it and allowing a smooth thread flow avoiding snags. This is an essential tool in your sewing arsenal in my opinion and I own a number of them, both store bought and self made.

#2. The second meaning of sewing thread holders refers to something that holds thread on a spool and prevents it from unraveling.

When storing thread spools and cones, consider using something to prevent unraveling. It is not a question if the unprotected spool will unravel; that is certain. The only question is how big of a mess it will make and how much thread you will lose. 

I recommend the simple spool huggers which are very cheap but work reasonably well in preventing this. Thread spool huggers are small silicone wraps that fit around the spools of thread to keep the thread from unraveling, tangling, or falling off the spool. They come in a variety of colors. 

They also prevent thread spools from rolling around or getting tangled with other spools. 

Check current offers on Amazon here.

While thread spool huggers are a popular tool for keeping thread spools tangle-free, they may not be ideal for everyone. Sometimes the thread can still fall off the spool even with a spool hugger in place. This can lead to wasted thread and time spent untangling the spool. 

Some people may find that spool huggers don’t fit all types of thread spools or that they are difficult to use with certain types of thread. So I explored other options for keeping thread spools organized and found Hugo’s Amazing Tape.

It’s a self-clinging, reusable tape that can be used for a wide variety of purposes, including keeping thread spools from unraveling. The tape is made of a unique material that sticks to itself without leaving any residue or stickiness on the objects it is wrapped around. 

To use Hugo’s Amazing Tape to keep thread spools from unraveling, simply wrap the tape around the spool of thread, making sure to overlap the tape slightly as you go. The tape will cling to itself and hold the thread securely in place, preventing it from unwinding or becoming tangled.

Hugo’s Amazing Tape is reusable, it can be used over and over again, making it a cost-effective and  eco-friendly solution for organizing and storing thread spools. The tape leaves no residue or stickiness, so it won’t damage the thread or leave any marks or residue on the spool. 

Buying Guide for Sewing Thread Organizers

There are several options available in the market for sewing thread organizers. Choosing the best one can be difficult given the variety of choices, but I hope this will help you make an informed decision. In this buying guide, we will discuss the features you should look for when buying a sewing thread organizer.

Capacity

The first thing to consider is the capacity of the organizer. You should choose an organizer that can hold all your frequently used thread spools that you use most often. All the ones presented above will be certainly large enough. However, if you intend to use the thread racks to keep your entire collection of thread spools, you will definitely need larger racks or more of them.

Durability

Durability is another important factor to consider. You want to invest in an organizer that will last for a long time. Also, consider the weight of the organizer. A heavy organizer is more stable and less likely to tip over.

Accessibility

The accessibility of the thread spools is also an important factor. You want an organizer that allows you to easily access the thread spools. Wall-mounted thread racks and standing thread racks are great options as they allow you to see all your thread spools at once. Thread spool boxes and holders are also good options as they keep your thread spools organized and easily accessible.

I definitely do not recommend keeping threads in the open long term, light will damage the thread and also they can gather dust. If you plan to use the thread racks for your entire collection I suggest consider organizers that can be easily moved to a storage area or that can be covered for long term storage.

Price

Price is always a consideration when buying any product. Sewing thread organizers come in a range of prices. Thread spool boxes and holders are generally the most affordable, while standing thread racks and wall-mounted thread racks are more expensive. Consider your budget and choose an organizer that fits your needs and budget.

In summary, when buying a sewing thread organizer, you should consider the capacity, durability, accessibility, and price. Choose an organizer that fits your needs and budget and my advice is do not always choose the cheapest product but the best one which you can afford. If you invest in a high-quality product, it will last for a long time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different types of thread organizers?

There are several types of thread organizers available in the market. The most common ones are wall-mounted thread racks, standing thread racks, thread spool boxes, and thread spool holders.

How do we choose the right thread organizer for our needs?

When choosing a thread organizer, consider the number of spools you have, the space you have available, and your personal preference. Wall-mounted thread racks are great for those who have limited space, while standing thread racks are perfect for those who have a lot of space and use a lot of spools. Thread spool boxes and holders are great for those who don’t like to keep their spools in the open.

What are the benefits of a wall-mounted thread rack?

Wall-mounted thread racks are great for those who have limited space. They are easy to install and take up minimal space. They also keep your spools organized and easily accessible.

Are there any DIY options for thread spool holders?

Yes, there are several DIY options available for thread spool holders. You can make them using cardboard, wood, or even PVC pipes. There are many tutorials available online that can guide you through the process. Check out this tutorial by Sewing Bee Fabrics – How To Make A Wall Mounted Thread Rack

What is the difference between a thread spool box and a thread spool holder?

A thread spool box is a container that holds multiple spools of thread. It is usually made of plastic and has compartments to keep the spools organized. A thread spool holder, on the other hand, is designed to hold a few spools of thread currently used in a sewing machine. It can be made of wood, plastic, or metal and its main purpose is to hold the thread you are currently using in a good position (usually elevated) for your sewing machine.

Can a standing thread rack hold large spools of thread?

Yes, some standing thread racks can hold large spools of thread but most do not. It is important to check the specifications of the particular rack before purchasing it to ensure that it can hold the size of spools you have.

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So, now you know a lot about thread spool organizers. Another crucial item that often gets overlooked is the bobbin holder. Are you tired of spending precious sewing time searching for the right bobbin amidst a tangled mess of threads? Thankfully, there is a solution! I have an article –  Top Bobbin Thread Holders and Organizers (2023) where I guide you through the world of bobbin holders, offering recommendations that will uncover the secrets of efficient bobbin organization.

Did you find this tutorial helpful? If so, save this pin (see below) on your sewing board so you can come to the article later when you need this information on sewing thread organizers , and follow me on Pinterest for more tips, tutorials, and inspiration!

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