DIY bobbin organizer

Tidy bobbins

Don't you just hate it when your sewing machine bobbins end up in a tangled mess? I have a bobbin organizer that I love (the grey one in the photo), but I felt like it was a little pricey. Rather than buying more, I decided to craft my own.

By using tubing from the hardware store, I was able to create a similar organizer for a fraction of the cost. The only essential tool is a sharp utility knife, though a pipe cutter is helpful for making uniform cuts at the ends. It's also a good idea to work on a self-healing cutting mat or other surface that won't be damaged by the utility knife in case it slips.

Here's how to make your own:

1. Head to the plumbing section of the hardware store and purchase some clear vinyl tubing that is marked 1" OD (outer diameter) x 3/4" ID (inner diameter). Usually this tubing costs $1-2 per foot. 
2. I bought a three-foot section and then we cut it into 6-inch sections. This way I ended up with six compact bobbin organizers that would easily fit in my thread storage box. We used a ratcheting pipe cutter to get an even cut on the end of the tubing, but you can also use a utility knife. 
3. You'll need to create an opening where you can insert the bobbins. By doing so, you'll also get rid of the ugly writing that comes pre-printed on the tubing. Start by using a permanent marker to draw two guide lines lengthwise down the tubing, about 1/4" apart and on either sides of the text.  
4. Use a utility knife to cut all the way through the tubing along one of the lines you drew. Be certain that that you have a secure grip on the tubing and that your fingers aren't in the path of the blade. Safety first! 
5. Next, cut through the tubing along the second line. You'll end up with a long, skinny piece of tubing that you can discard. 
6. That's it! All you need to do now is insert your bobbins and enjoy a blissful, tanglefree collection of bobbins.

One of the best things about this project is that it will work with any size bobbin. The sidewalls of this particular tubing seem to have just the right amount of give. And because the tubing is transparent, it's easy to see what color bobbins you already have wound. But best of all, you can put an end to those annoying bird nests of jumbled bobbins rattling around in your sewing box.



A big thanks goes out to my boyfriend -- he did all the manual labor on this project while I stood next to him making sure that the pictures were framed the way I wanted them to be. Thanks, Babe!