How to Organize a Cross Stitch Project Using a Three-Ring Binder

Melanie L. Marten
Cross stitch projects can become unwieldy on your craft shelf or beside the living room chair. While there are craft baskets and tote bags, these can also by too bulky to store neatly. If you want to organize your cross stitch project without mess or confusion, consider using a three-ring binder. Not only does it fit neatly on a shelf, it keeps your project in order so you can sit down and stitch whenever you feel like it.

Organize Cross Stitch Project - Pattern Booklet

Pattern booklets can be easily added to a three ring binder by punching wholes in the left edge. If you do not want to do this to your cross stitch patter, or if the pattern is in a larger book, purchase a sturdy folder that has the holes punched in it. The cross stitch pattern booklet can be placed in there. You could also photocopy the pattern for ease of storage.

Organize Cross Stitch Project - Cloth

The cross stitch fabric or cloth you are working on can be placed into the three-ring binder as well. Simply slip the work in progress into a plastic ziploc style bag, seal it up, and punch a hole through the edge. Hook it into the binder clips to keep it secure.

Organize Cross Stitch Project - Embroidery Floss

Before starting your cross stitch project, find all the embroidery floss colors you will need to complete it. Then, place these in plastic bags or envelopes and put them in the three-ring binder. You can use either skeins of the floss, or the winder cards with the DMC numbers attached. For easier use, separate the embroidery floss by color or need for the particular cross stitch project.

Organize Cross Stitch Project - Needles and Magnifiers

Losing an embroidery or tapestry needle is one of the most annoying things to deal with when completing a cross stitch project. You can easily keep track of needles and other small items like magnifiers by putting them in a small plastic bag. Stick the needles through a scrap of felt fabric or put them in a needle case before storing. Some people keep their needles stuck in the pattern paper or the cross stitch fabric.

Keeping your cross stitch project organized in a three-ring binder will help you keep track of everything you need for your favorite craft. Not only will it keep everything neat and clean, it is also much easier to store on a shelf than a bulk basket or box.

Published by Melanie L. Marten

Melanie Marten is self-taught and self-employed. Besides freelance writing, she dabbles in website design and owns dozens of websites and blogs. Work is squeezed in between parenting two boys, homeschoolin...  View profile

  • Before starting your cross stitch project, find all the embroidery floss colors you will need.
  • Cross stitch projects can become unwieldy on your craft shelf or beside the living room chair.

4 Comments

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  • Amanda R. Roby8/8/2008

    Great idea. I'm trying to start a cross-stitch pattern business, and I will definitely be using these ideas to keep me organized. Thanks!

    Amanda

  • Stephen Joltin7/1/2008

    Great ideas. I bet these could be sold on eBay or on a personal webite as well.

  • Judy Shubert6/11/2008

    Very good suggestions. I might add that if you use a hoop you should take the project out of the hoop each time you finish working on it. It's a pain to remove those hoop marks from a project that has taken a long time to finish. And don't store your needle in the cloth. It could discolor fabric. I really like this ring-binder idea. It would save a lot of space and hassle.

  • Pam Gaulin6/10/2008

    Great re-purposing of a three-ring binder!

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