With over 500 basic threads, and 50 varigated, variations, coloris and etoile threads its hard to keep track of which threads you have, and which you don’t (and don’t get us started on the discontinued threads). Even those who have a full set of DMC threads, still have spares we need to track (no one wants hordes of one color). So how exactly can you go about tracking which threads you have, and how many?
In short, there are two distinct ways; a spreadsheet, and a tracker. We’re going over both here, and we’ll give you multiple options.
Spreadsheets
Spreadsheets are great for tracking things, so its no wonder you can find frankly hundreds online for DMC threads. You need to be careful that you’re picking up a recent one, especially with the 35 new DMC threads that came out in 2017; most don’t have these on! The spreadsheet used to be PC only, and for many, that’s still how they’re mostly used, you can set one up with a Gmail account, and you can access the spreadsheet on the go with google docs. It might not be as user-friendly when you’re out and about, but it’s a great visual representation of what you do, and do not have.
We’d suggest our new one, which includes nice colors to go with everything too.
Trackers
When it comes to trackers, you’ll be using a phone, or ipad/tablet. Once you’ve located a device of choice, you can pick your app. Now, some do more than just track threads, which is what makes these great, but the big plus is that they’re avaliable on the go. You can simply pull out your phone when you’re at the store and you can make sure you’re not getting duplicates.
iPhone
Thread Tracker 117 ($1) – 7/10
Based on 14 reviews
For a dollar, it’s hard to say anything bad about this app, however in reality, it’s just a spreadsheet to track which DMC threads you have. The advantage, and the thing that makes this app so successful is you can import list of colors needed for your next project, and the app works out which ones you need. Next time you’re in a store, pull the app out and the list is there straight away. Of all the apps on the list, this is the one I personally use the most.
iPad
X-Stitch ($3) – 9/10
Based on 27 reviews
Similar to Thread Tracker 117 this app not only tracks threads, but aida, needles, charts and other tools. It’s “need to buy” feature not only works well, but it reads your charts and patterns to give you lists of threads needed for each project too!
Android
Cross Stitch Thread Organizer ($1) – 8/10
Based on 30 reviews
Doing exactly what it says on the tin, Cross Stitch Thread Organizer orders your threads with to-buy lists, current stock, and warns you if you’re running low on a thread and a future project needs it. There are a lot of other apps doing exactly this, however what makes this app fantastic is the constant upgrades, and a really devoted developer who can be found on reddit daily.
I am looking for a DMC already printed inventory list as I don’t have printer capability. Do you have such anything for sale?
I’m afraid we don’t sell printed materials, however our printable lists can be printed in places like Staples or print shops for a few cents!
Hi,
I put my DMC floss in a zip lock bag or plastic storage box. I have stashes of the same color. Do cotton threads stored well deteriorate? Should I not buy so many at once? How long should I use them up by? It saves me time to buy a lot when they are on sale.
The important bit is where you put them.
Sunlight (direct or indirect) will change the color of threads. If you keep them in a draw, etc, it shouldn’t be an issue!
But if you keep them in a clear storage box on the side, then sun light will damage them, and you should buy them in smaller stashes.
Personally; I’d keep them in a draw, and then there will be no issues! 😀
FYI this page’s direct download link for the DMC colors spreadsheet (new version, including new colors) is broken. I found it through hunting around, but since this is such a useful article I thought you might want to fix the broken link.
Yikes! Thanks for the heads up, I’ve updated it now. Sorry about that!
Thank you so much for the google doc spreadsheet!
I write computer code and work with spreadsheets all day long. I don’t want to work with them for fun. My low-tech method is keeping my spares in three small plastic bags with labels that correspond to the number series kept in my three plastic boxes of DMC thread on numbered bobbins. I keep all non-special colors DMC in-stock thread in those three boxes in numeric order. When I run out of what’s on a bobbin, I look in my spares bag for that color for that box and go to store if I don’t have a spare. Every couple years when floss goes on a big sale, I take out the spares, line them up in numeric order, then make a big list of what is missing a spare compared to what is in my boxes. I then buy one each of the missing colors. I went to three different stores and used coupons last time to get 300 or so. I don’t buy lots of extra floss or random lots. The specialty DMC types I keep in a separate box, and I keep my non-DMC sampler threads in a larger separate box with the projects they are used for.