Updated July 12, 2022.
If you often stitch away from home, finding places to put your ORTs (end of threads) is always a problem.
What you need is something small and something which either fits in your project bag or folds flat. Or something you were going to throw out anyhow.
At my ANG chapter meetings, I often use the Starbucks cup I carry into the meeting. Once I’m done drinking the tea, it’s there and I’m throwing it out at the end of the meeting.
But what do you do if you don’t have something like that — throw the ends on the floor?
Here are some ideas for portable ORT containers:
- cardboard gift card boxes – they fold flat and are pretty
- small gift paper bags – I bought a tiny one with ribbon handles, probably made for a gift card this week
- those clear plastic containers (pictured above)
- a plastic salt or pepper shaker – I used one of these at Maker Faire
- a collapsable origami box
- AAA battery storage case
- acrylic bead storage jar
In every case, the item is small or can be stored flat, is unbreakable, and is easy to empty. Recently I have also been getting fabric and felt thread catchers or ORT containers I find on Etsy. These come in two forms, being either a circle that folds up or something that looks like a large needlebook. I’ve also found fabric cathers that fold flat but open to be little bowls.
I’m trying now to put one of these small containers into project bags I’m taking on the road.
What could be better than that?
About Janet M Perry
Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her family
I use Altoids boxes. I have one for each of my stitching supply boxes (one for each active WIP) and one on my desk. I have a few extra for just in case I can’t resist starting another project. Of course, I have to hide them because they are also the perfect size for small electronic components and ham radio projects and DH sometimes tries to steal them. When I seeing looking at one with THAT look, I tell him that he has to buy a replacement and I get to eat the contents (usually the chocolate covered peppermints, though I will gleefully eat the regular peppermints or cinnamons).
I love to fly tie and you often have a lot of scraps to toss away. My fly tying teacher a long time ago took a small paper lunch bag, folded back its opening to make it a bit stiffer and taped it to the side of my work station. The bag is emptied after class and the bag is put back in my fly tying gear. It also works well when needlepointing. It is not elegant or attractive but is portable, reusable and inexpensive. You can also find attractive, flat and bright colored plastic shapes in the REI store cooking/camping area area that can quickly be folded into a small cup then unfolded and reused. In stores where they sell art supplies like Joanne’s or Michael’s, toy often can find small canvas containers (approx 5″ square) that have compartments in the sides for brushes. The center is used to hold water for watercolor but could be an ort and the sides, originally to hold brushes, could hold scissors, bodkins and other tools. If we are willing to “look outside the box”, we can often find great items to add to our needlework kit. Look around and you might discover some great items to add to your needlework bag in some unusual locations.
I always have thought that “ORT” is an acronym for “Old Retired Threads!”
I use an empty prescription pill bottle.
I use the old-fashioned collapsible drinking cups or travel cups that you used to use to when you were brushing your teeth
Great idea!
Keep stitching,
Janet