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Every cross stitcher knows the feeling; you've just finished tucking in the final thread at the end of your latest project, and you're left with a small pile of colourful snippets. These little treasures have a special name in the stitching community - ORTs - and there are countless ways to give them new life rather than letting them end up in the bin.
Whether you're a cross stitch beginner or have been stitching for years, learning what to do with your thread remnants can add an extra layer of enjoyment to your hobby while being kind to the environment.
ORTs stands for "Old Ratty Threads" or sometimes "Odd Random Threads" - those small pieces of embroidery floss left over after completing your cross stitch projects. Originally, the word "ort" comes from Middle English, meaning a scrap or remainder, typically referring to food scraps. The cross stitch community has adopted this charming term for our thread remnants.
These colourful snippets represent hours of peaceful stitching and cherished memories. Rather than viewing them as waste, many UK stitchers see ORTs as tiny mementos of their creative journey. Each thread carries with it the memory of a project completed, a quiet evening spent stitching, or a gift lovingly made for someone special.
From an environmental perspective, saving and repurposing these threads helps reduce textile waste. When you consider that a typical cross stitch project can generate 20-30 thread ends of varying lengths, the amount of perfectly usable material adds up quickly across multiple projects.
Before we look at creative uses for ORTs, there's a crucial safety message that every stitcher needs to know. Never put thread scraps outside for birds to use in their nests. While this might seem like a lovely, environmentally-friendly gesture, it's actually dangerous for wildlife.
The Audubon Society specifically warns against leaving out yarn, string, or thread for nesting birds. Baby birds can become fatally entangled in these materials, even when cut into short lengths. Additionally, the bright colours can attract predators to nests, synthetic fibres don't decompose naturally, and thread dyes may contain chemicals harmful to birds.
The most popular method for collecting ORTs is using glass jars with easy-to-remove lids. Mason jars work wonderfully, but any clear container will do. Here are some storage ideas that work well for UK stitchers:
Small spice jars (available from IKEA or kitchen stores) are perfect for project-specific collections or yearly ORTs. They're small enough not to take up much space but large enough to show off your colourful collection.
Medium-sized Kilner jars provide more room and are readily available from shops like John Lewis, Lakeland, or online retailers. These work well if you're combining ORTs from multiple projects.
Decorative bowls or containers can sit beside your stitching chair for easy access while you work. Look for something with a wide opening that makes it simple to drop threads in as you trim them.
Consider organising your ORTs by:
One of the most meaningful ways to use ORTs is creating memory displays that celebrate your stitching achievements. These visual reminders of completed projects can bring joy long after the cross stitch itself has been framed and gifted or displayed.
Yearly Memory Jars work particularly well. Start a new jar each January, and by December, you'll have a colourful representation of all the projects you've completed that year. Label each jar with the year and perhaps a few notes about memorable projects. After several years, you'll have a lovely timeline of your stitching journey.
Project-Specific Jars can commemorate special pieces. Keep the ORTs from your wedding sampler, a baby's birth announcement, or a milestone birthday project in separate containers. These become treasured keepsakes that connect you to precious memories.
For display purposes, arrange your ORT jars on floating shelves in your craft room, on a windowsill where light can illuminate the colours, or on a bookshelf alongside your cross stitch books and magazines. The rainbow of colours creates a cheerful, inspiring display that reminds you of projects well done.
Image: Sirious Stitches
Christmas ornaments made from ORTs - affectionately called "ORTaments" - have become a beloved tradition among stitchers worldwide. These decorations combine the joy of the season with the satisfaction of using every bit of your precious threads.
Materials you'll need:
Steps:
Alternative shapes beyond traditional round baubles include heart-shaped containers for Valentine's Day, star shapes, or even clear acrylic boxes for a more modern look.
These handmade decorations make wonderful gifts for fellow stitchers. Consider creating ornaments in someone's favourite colours, or use ORTs from a project you made specifically for them. Package them in tissue paper with a note explaining their significance - recipients always appreciate the personal touch and the story behind each decoration.
For family members who aren't stitchers, ORTaments can serve as a conversation starter about your hobby and the time you invest in creating handmade pieces.
ORTs make excellent stuffing material for small stitched projects, offering several advantages over synthetic alternatives. They're natural (if using cotton threads), completely free, and give you the satisfaction of using every bit of your materials.
Suitable projects for ORT stuffing include:
How much stuffing do you need? A standard biscornu requires about a small handful of ORTs, whilst a pin cushion might need significantly more. ORTs compress well, so you can pack them quite firmly to create good shape and stability.
Mixing materials: Some stitchers combine ORTs with natural materials like ground walnut shells (for pin cushions - they help keep pins sharp) or rice (for weight in decorative items). Avoid mixing with synthetic stuffing, as this defeats the environmental benefits.
When using metallic threads as stuffing, distribute them evenly throughout cotton ORTs rather than clumping them together, as metal threads don't compress in the same way.
Perhaps the most ambitious use for ORTs is creating patchwork cross stitch art. This technique transforms random thread remnants into purposeful, beautiful pieces that can be framed and displayed.
Size considerations: Start small with a 4x4 inch square, which requires roughly 60-80 small blocks of stitching. This size is manageable but large enough to create visual impact when completed.
Colour planning: You can work with whatever colours your ORTs provide, creating a truly random rainbow effect, or you might choose to work with a more controlled palette. Some stitchers sort their ORTs by colour families and work in gradients or planned colour combinations.
Block size: Most patchwork ORT projects use small blocks of 6x6 or 8x8 stitches. This size works well with the typical lengths of leftover threads whilst providing enough visual impact in the finished piece.
Work on your patchwork project during quiet stitching sessions when you want something relaxing rather than challenging. There's something meditative about using up these small lengths of thread, knowing that each stitch represents materials that might otherwise have been wasted.
Keep your patchwork project in a separate bag or box so you can easily grab it when you have ORTs to use up. This makes it a perfect travelling project or something to work on while watching television.
Finishing options for completed patchwork pieces include:
Image: Bugs and Fishes
Beyond the main projects, ORTs can enhance many smaller creative endeavours:
Bookmarks and gift tags: Longer pieces of ORTs can create simple but effective bookmarks using basic cross stitch or running stitch techniques. These make lovely additions to handmade gifts.
Teaching tools: ORTs are perfect for teaching children basic embroidery skills. They can practice threading needles, making simple stitches, and learning colour recognition without using "proper" thread from your stash.
Mending and repairs: Keep ORTs in similar colours for small repairs on clothing or household linens. Having these threads readily available means you can fix small issues quickly rather than letting them become bigger problems.
Mixed media projects: If you enjoy other crafts alongside cross stitch, ORTs can add texture and interest to scrapbook pages, handmade cards, or art journal pages.
Your ORT collection tells the story of your stitching preferences and project choices. Threads from different cross stitch kits create different effects in ORT projects - DMC cotton creates a traditional look, whilst silk threads add lustre and metallics provide sparkle.
Consider how your choice of cross stitch kits influences your ORT colours. Kits featuring landscapes might provide lots of greens and browns, whilst floral designs offer pinks, purples, and yellows. Over time, your ORT jars become a visual representation of your project preferences and stitching journey.
When planning future projects, look at your ORT collection for inspiration. If you notice you have lots of blues and greens, perhaps it's time for a project featuring warmer colours to balance your collection.
Any piece longer than 2 inches can be useful in ORT projects. Even shorter pieces work well for stuffing or very small decorative elements.
Absolutely! Mixing DMC, Anchor, Madeira, and other brands creates interesting texture variations and is perfectly safe for all the projects mentioned.
Remove the threads, wash jars in warm soapy water, dry completely, then return the ORTs. This prevents any moisture from causing problems with your stored threads.
Store ORTs in sealed containers and consider adding a lavender sachet or cedar ring to deter insects naturally.
Yes, though metallic threads behave differently - they're less flexible and can be trickier to work with in patchwork projects. They're particularly lovely in ORTaments where their shine catches the light.
Threads that have become badly tangled, very dirty, or damaged should be discarded. Also avoid saving threads from projects that might have been exposed to chemicals or strong perfumes.
Your journey with ORTs can be as simple or as elaborate as you choose. Whether you opt for a basic memory jar or embark on an ambitious patchwork project, you're participating in a tradition that celebrates both creativity and sustainability.
Remember that there's no wrong way to collect or use your ORTs. Some stitchers are methodical organisers, whilst others prefer the serendipity of mixed colours and random selection. The important thing is that you're finding joy in every aspect of your cross stitch hobby, right down to the smallest thread end.
Consider sharing your ORT projects on social media - the cross stitch community loves seeing creative solutions and new ideas. You might inspire other stitchers or discover techniques you hadn't considered.
Every time you save those colourful snippets instead of throwing them away, you're making a small but meaningful choice for creativity and environmental responsibility. Your ORTs represent not just thread, but time, care, and the quiet satisfaction that comes from using every bit of your materials thoughtfully.
Ready to start your next cross stitch project? Browse our collection of carefully chosen cross stitch kits that will provide you with beautiful threads - and eventually, beautiful ORTs for your creative projects.
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