Best Embroidery Thread Organizers and Storage
The best embroidery thread organizers and storage include the New brothread 129 Spool Rotating Wooden Rack for a full collection on a desk, the New brothread 2x60 Spools Wooden Thread Rack for wall or shelf space, and the New brothread 4 Layer Stackable Clear Storage Box for carrying 80 spools.
On this page (10 sections)
- How we picked the best embroidery thread organizers
- Embroidery thread organizer details, product by product
- Which spools fit which organizer?
- Rack or box: which kind of organizer fits?
- How hard is setup for each organizer?
- What to check before you buy an embroidery thread organizer
- How do you sort thread once it is stored?
- Does thread storage prevent breaks and tangles?
- Mistakes to avoid when you buy thread storage
- Which embroidery thread organizer to buy
Thread spools are small, but a few dozen of them spread across a desk fast. We compared seven organizers, from wooden racks to clear boxes, on capacity, material, spool fit and setup.
If you're still choosing a machine, embroidery machines for beginners covers the models first.
Our picks at a glance
-
1
Best for a full collection on a deskNew brothread 129 Spool Rotating Wooden Rack
9.2/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
2
Best for wall or shelf spaceNew brothread 2x60 Spools Wooden Thread Rack
8.9/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
Best for carrying 80 spoolsNew brothread 4 Layer Stackable Clear Storage Box
8.6/10 our score
See it on Amazon
- 4
Check itNew brothread 2x30 Tall Clear Storage Box
Best for tall spools - 5
Check itNew brothread 3 Layer Stackable Clear Storage Box
Best for a small starter stash - 6
Check itEmbroidex 60 Spool Thread Stand
Best for a wall-mounted rack - 7
Check itNew brothread 80 Color Thread Kit with Storage Box
Best for a starter kit with its own box
How we picked the best embroidery thread organizers
We started with spool size, because a box that doesn't fit your spools is the wrong box. Then we compared capacity, material, storage layout and the space each one needs.
We checked the specs for each item and labeled brand claims as claims. Spool fit comes from each product's own size notes, so measure your spools before you order.
We also looked at setup, since a rack that needs a wall plan is a different purchase from a box that sits on a shelf.
Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for.
| Product | Best for | Holds | Material | Setup | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New brothread 129 Spool Rotating Wooden Rack | a full collection on a desk | 129 spools | Beech wood | Tabletop rotating rack | 9.2 |
| New brothread 2x60 Spools Wooden Thread Rack | wall or shelf space | 120 spools | Beech wood | Folding legs or wall hooks | 8.9 |
| New brothread 4 Layer Stackable Clear Storage Box | carrying 80 spools | Up to 80 spools | Clear plastic | Stackable box with handle | 8.6 |
| New brothread 2x30 Tall Clear Storage Box | tall spools | 60 tall spools | Clear plastic | Two lockable boxes | 8.4 |
| New brothread 3 Layer Stackable Clear Storage Box | a small starter stash | 60 spools | Clear plastic | Compact box with handle | 8.1 |
| Embroidex 60 Spool Thread Stand | a wall-mounted rack | 60 spools | White plastic | Wall mount, easy assembly | 7.9 |
| New brothread 80 Color Thread Kit with Storage Box | a starter kit with its own box | 80 spools | Polyester thread, plastic box | Four layer box with thread nets | 7.8 |
Embroidery thread organizer details, product by product
Each organizer below lists the same three facts, what it holds, what it's made of and how it sets up, so you can compare them side by side.
New brothread 129 Spool Rotating Wooden Rack
- 129 spools in total
- Turns a full 360 degrees
- Two inside doors hold 36 spools
- Beech wood, ships unpainted
A rotating rack that puts 129 spools within reach on one desk. The 93 outside spindles fit mini king spools, including 500 m and 1000 m thread.
Pros
- Holds the most spools in this roundup
- Turns a full 360 degrees by hand
- Two inside doors with 36 spools of storage
Cons
- Not suitable for large spools
- Takes desk room and weighs 6 pounds
This 129 spool rack is the top pick because it keeps the most thread in view on one desk. It turns a full 360 degrees by hand, so any color is within reach while you plan the next design.
The 93 outside spindles are 2 inches long and sit 1.9 inches apart, and New brothread says they suit all mini king spools, including 500 m and 1000 m thread.
The 36 inside spindles sit behind two doors, with room for up to 18 mini spools per side, each up to 500 m long.
It measures 6.89 by 6.89 by 15.2 inches and weighs 6 pounds, so pick a steady spot. You add the nine top spindles yourself, and the beech wood ships unpainted, so you can stain or paint it to match your room.
It suits a crafter with a large collection who wants every color in view. The drawback is size: large spools don't fit, and a wooden rack takes more desk room than a clear box.
New brothread 2x60 Spools Wooden Thread Rack
- Two racks, 120 spools
- Folding legs or wall hooks
- Premium beech wood
- Unfinished, ready to paint
Two wooden racks for 120 spools that stand on folding legs or hang on a wall. Each rack holds 60 mini king spools.
Pros
- Holds 120 spools across two racks
- Legs fold back for storage
- Hooks on the back for a wall
Cons
- Large spools don't fit
- Wall nails are not included
This two rack set holds 120 spools, so it's the pick for a large stash that needs wall or shelf space. Each rack holds 60 mini king spools on spindles that sit 1.7 inches apart.
The spindles stand 1.4 inches tall, which New brothread says keeps spools from falling over. The legs fold back for storage, and two hooks on the back let you hang a rack on a wall.
Its size is about 16 inches wide, 7 deep and 11 tall, so measure your shelf before you order. Nails for the wall are not included, and the beech wood is unfinished, so you can paint or stain it to match your sewing room.
It suits a crafter who wants more spool room on a shelf than on the desk. The drawback is spool size: large spools don't fit, and spools with bases wider than 1.70 inches need two or three per row turned upside down.
New brothread 4 Layer Stackable Clear Storage Box
- Holds up to 80 spools
- Four stackable, lockable layers
- Carry handle
- Small lid space for tools
A four layer clear box for up to 80 spools, with a handle for carrying to classes. Each layer locks to the next, and the lid has a small space for needles and scissors.
Pros
- Holds 80 spools in one box
- Layers lock together
- Lid space for small tools
Cons
- Isacord, Glide, Madeira, Floriani, Simplicity Pro and Robison-Anton spools don't fit
- Spools must be 2.2 in tall or less
This four layer clear box holds up to 80 spools, which makes it the pick for carrying a big collection to classes. Each layer has 20 pins that hold spools upright, and the layers stack and lock together.
A handle on top makes it easy to carry, and a small space on the lid holds needles, scissors, mark pens and bobbins. The box is clear PP plastic, so you can see each color without opening it.
New brothread says it ran anti-fall tests on the box and its lockable design. The brand also notes that the box isn't meant for commercial, industrial or jumbo spools, so keep large cones out of it.
It suits someone who sews at classes or at a friend's house and needs the thread to travel.
The drawback is spool fit: Isacord, Glide, Madeira, Floriani, Simplicity Pro and Robison-Anton spools don't fit, and spools must be 2.2 inches tall or less and 1.69 inches wide or less.
New brothread 2x30 Tall Clear Storage Box
- Two boxes, 30 spools each
- Longer pins
- Lockable, lift off lid
- Portable
Two clear boxes for tall spools up to 3 in high and 1.9 in wide. The longer pins hold the spools upright.
Pros
- Takes spools up to 3 in tall
- Two boxes in one set
- Lockable and portable
Cons
- Not water resistant
- Spools wider than 1.9 in won't fit
These two clear boxes are the pick for tall spools, since they take spools up to 3 inches tall and 1.9 inches wide. Each box has 30 pins and a lift off lid that locks, so the spools stay upright when you carry them.
New brothread says the longer pins and wider space suit tall spools from Isacord, Floriani, Madeira, Glide and Robison-Anton, and almost all home-used thread spools.
Two boxes make it easy to split colors by family, one box per set. The boxes are portable, so you can take a set to class with the spools already sorted.
It suits a crafter whose spools don't fit the shorter 3 and 4 layer boxes. The drawback is protection: the boxes are not water resistant, so keep them off a damp shelf.
New brothread 3 Layer Stackable Clear Storage Box
- Holds 60 spools
- Three stackable, lockable layers
- Portable handle
- 8.5 by 6.5 by 7 in
A compact three layer box for 60 spools, measuring 8.5 by 6.5 by 7 in. Its layers stack and lock, so it sits neatly on a shelf.
Pros
- Compact footprint
- Holds 60 spools
- Portable handle
Cons
- Same spool limits as the four layer box
- Spools must be 2.2 in tall or less
This three layer box holds 60 spools and is the compact pick for a starter stash. It measures 8.5 by 6.5 by 7 inches, and each layer has 20 pins that hold the spools upright.
The layers lock and stack, and a handle makes it easy to carry. New brothread says it ran anti-fall tests on the box and added lockable layers for transport.
Its small footprint suits a narrow shelf, and New brothread says the box keeps spools away from dust. A small space on the lid holds needles, scissors and bobbins.
It suits a crafter who wants a box rather than a rack and has a small collection. The drawback is the same as the four layer box: Isacord, Glide, Madeira, Floriani, Simplicity Pro and Robison-Anton spools don't fit, and spools must be 2.2 inches tall or less.
Embroidex 60 Spool Thread Stand
- Holds 60 spools
- Wall mount
- Removable long pins
- White plastic finish
A white plastic rack for 60 spools that mounts on a wall to free up desk space. Embroidex says the removable pins fit extra large spools.
Pros
- Frees desk space
- Long pins keep spools apart, Embroidex says
- Fits extra large spools, the brand says
Cons
- Easy assembly required
- Built to hang on a wall, so a shared room may not have a spot
This white plastic rack holds up to 60 spools and mounts on a wall, so it frees up desk space. Embroidex says the long, removable pins keep each spool separate and fit extra large spools.
The rack measures 17.25 inches wide, 3.75 inches deep and 18.75 inches tall, and it needs easy assembly. Embroidex says the plastic is sturdy and durable and the white finish goes with any décor.
It suits a craft room with a free wall, where spools stay in view and off the work surface. Leave room in front of the rack, so you can lift a spool off its pin without knocking the others.
The drawback is that it's made to hang on a wall, so a renter or a shared room may not have a spot for it.
New brothread 80 Color Thread Kit with Storage Box
- 80 spools
- Four layer clear box
- Thread nets and yarn snips
- Shades similar to Janome and RA
An 80 spool kit that comes with its own four layer box, so thread and storage arrive together. The colors are similar to Janome and RA shades.
Pros
- Thread and box in one order
- Thread nets and yarn snips included
- Holds up to 80 spools
Cons
- You pay for the thread as well as the box
- Shades follow Janome and RA, so check your design's colors
This kit gives you 80 spools and a four layer clear box in one order, so the thread and the storage arrive together. New brothread says the colors are similar to Janome and RA shades.
The kit includes thread nets, yarn snips and a color chart. Each spool holds 500 m of polyester thread, and the box has 20 pins per layer to keep them upright.
It suits someone starting a stash from scratch who wants thread and a box together. Match the shades to your design file before you order, since the colors follow Janome and RA rather than Brother.
The drawback is that you pay for the thread as well as the box, so it's a bigger purchase than an empty organizer.
Which spools fit which organizer?
Spool size decides which organizer works, so match your spools to the table before you pick one. Mini king is the size the wooden racks are built around, and New brothread says its 500 m and 1000 m spools fit them.
| Organizer | Spool size it takes | What doesn't fit |
|---|---|---|
| 129 spool rack | Mini king spools, outside spindles 2 in tall and 1.9 in apart | Large spools |
| 2x60 racks | Mini king spools, spindles 1.4 in tall and 1.7 in apart | Large spools |
| 4 layer box and 80 color kit | Up to 2.2 in tall and 1.69 in wide | Isacord, Glide, Madeira, Floriani, Simplicity Pro and Robison-Anton |
| 3 layer box | Up to 2.2 in tall and 1.69 in wide | The same brands as the 4 layer box |
| 2x30 tall boxes | Up to 3 in tall and 1.9 in wide | Spools wider than 1.9 in |
| Embroidex stand | Almost any size, and extra large with its removable pins, Embroidex says | Not stated |
On the 2x60 racks, some 1000 m spools from Floriani, Isacord and Robison-Anton have bases wider than 1.70 inches, so they need two or three turned upside down in each row.
A quick check is to measure the spool base and the spool height before you buy.
Rack or box: which kind of organizer fits?
Pick a rack if you want to see every color at once, and pick a box if you want to carry thread or keep it covered. The two kinds solve different problems, so some sewing rooms use one of each.
Open racks show every color
The 129 spool rack, the 2x60 racks and the Embroidex stand are all open, so you can see and grab a spool without lifting a lid. New brothread says its racks display the whole color assortment so you can see and reach each spool.
Open racks leave spools exposed, so a closet or a cover helps if thread sits for months.
Clear boxes protect and travel
The 3 layer, 4 layer and 2x30 boxes are clear, stackable and portable. New brothread says the clear plastic lets you spot a color from outside and keeps spools away from dust.
Each box locks shut, so spools stay on their pins in a bag or a car.
A kit with its own box
The 80 color kit is the one pick that includes thread, so it suits a new stash. The spools arrive sorted in the box, and the thread nets and snips cover the small jobs.
How hard is setup for each organizer?
The wooden racks and the Embroidex stand need some setup, while the clear boxes mainly need a flat, dry spot.
The 129 spool rack comes with its nine top spindles for you to add, and the beech wood is unpainted. The 2x60 racks pull out on folding legs, and their hooks are already on the back, but nails are not included.
The Embroidex stand needs easy assembly and is made to mount on a wall, so choose the spot before you start. The clear boxes arrive as stackable layers, so there is little to do beyond finding a shelf.
What to check before you buy an embroidery thread organizer
Check your spool size first, then the space you have, and then whether you need to carry thread.
Pick an embroidery thread organizer that fits your spools
The 3 and 4 layer boxes take spools up to 2.2 inches tall and 1.69 inches wide, while the tall boxes take spools up to 3 inches tall and 1.9 inches wide. Measure one spool before you order, and compare its height and base width with the numbers in the table.
Count your spools and leave room to grow
Add up the spools you own and the kits you plan to buy, then pick an organizer with room to spare. Thread kits come in different counts, such as 40, 63 and 80 spools.
The 3 layer box holds 60 spools, so a 63 spool kit wouldn't fit on count alone. The 4 layer box holds 80, and the 2x60 racks hold 120.
Desk, shelf or wall: where will the thread live?
A rotating rack takes the most desk room but shows every color at once. A wall rack or a stacking box frees the desk, so measure the spot before you pick.
The 129 spool rack has a base of 6.89 inches square, so it fits a corner, but it needs open space to turn.
Carrying thread to classes
If you travel with thread, pick a box with a handle and locking layers. The 4 layer and 3 layer boxes both have handles, and the racks stay at home.
The lid space also holds spare needles. Unplug your machine before you change a needle, and keep your fingers clear of the needle area.
Embroidery machine needles explains which size to pack with your thread.
How do you sort thread once it is stored?
Sort by color family first, then by brand, so you can find a shade quickly. Clear boxes make this easy, since you can see the colors without opening a lid.
Give each color family its own row or layer, so you can add spools without re-sorting. When a row fills up, add a second box rather than stacking spools on top of each other, so each one stays on a pin.
Keep sewing thread apart from embroidery thread, as embroidery thread vs sewing thread explains, so the wrong spool doesn't end up on the machine.
If a stored spool still causes trouble at the machine, fix embroidery machine tension problems walks through the checks. Brother USA hosts manuals and support pages for Brother machines.
Does thread storage prevent breaks and tangles?
Good storage helps with tangles and dust, but it won't fix a dull needle or a bad thread path. Embroidex says spools tossed in a box or drawer tend to tangle and unravel, and says its rack prevents that by keeping each spool separate.
If thread keeps snapping at the machine, why embroidery thread keeps breaking lists the causes in the order to check them.
Mistakes to avoid when you buy thread storage
The biggest mistake is buying an organizer before you measure a spool. A box that looks big enough can still be too short or too narrow for a tall spool.
Another mistake is buying a wooden rack for large spools, since the racks are built for mini king size. Wall racks also need a spot and fixings, and the wooden racks don't include nails, so plan the install before you buy.
If your collection mixes short and tall spools, pair a box for each type rather than forcing both into one organizer.
Which embroidery thread organizer to buy
Measure a spool first, then match the organizer to your space and to how you use the thread.
- Pick the 129 spool rack if you have a large collection and a desk with room to turn it.
- Pick the two 60 spool wooden racks if you want 120 spools on a shelf or wall and your spools are mini king size.
- Pick the four layer box if you carry thread to classes and your spools are 2.2 inches tall or less.
- Pick the two 30 spool tall boxes if your Isacord, Floriani, Madeira or Glide spools are too tall for the other boxes.
- Pick the three layer box if you want a compact box for about 60 spools.
- Pick the Embroidex stand if you have a free wall and want every spool in view.
- Pick the 80 color kit if you're starting from scratch and want thread and a box together.
If thread still breaks after you store it well, read why embroidery thread keeps breaking next.
Our top 3 picks at a glance
-
1
Best for a full collection on a desk
New brothread 129 Spool Rotating Wooden Rack
9.2/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
2
Best for wall or shelf space
New brothread 2x60 Spools Wooden Thread Rack
8.9/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
Best for carrying 80 spools
New brothread 4 Layer Stackable Clear Storage Box
8.6/10 our score
See it on Amazon
Frequently asked questions
What size spool fits most embroidery thread organizers?
The 3 and 4 layer boxes take spools up to 2.2 inches tall and 1.69 inches wide, while the 2x30 tall boxes take spools up to 3 inches tall and 1.9 inches wide. Measure one spool before you order, since large brands such as Isacord and Madeira don't fit every box.
Can a wooden thread rack hold large spools?
No, the New brothread wooden racks are built for mini king spools, and the brand says they are not suitable for large spools. On the 2x60 racks, spools with bases wider than 1.70 inches need two or three turned upside down in each row, so check the base before you load one.
Do thread racks need a wall or a table?
Either works, depending on the rack. The 2x60 wooden racks stand on folding legs or hang from hooks, and the Embroidex stand is made to mount on a wall, but nails are not included with the wooden racks, so bring your own.
Do I need a box if I already have a rack?
Not always, because a rack shows every color at once while a box keeps spools covered and lets you carry them to classes. If you travel with thread, a box is the better fit, and if the spools stay at home, a rack is easy to browse.
