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Okay, thinking this would be a snap, I bought a big spool of neutral thread. Exactly what I use all the time (Connecting Threads Essential in beige). I had a cheap thread holder thingie and hooked it all up. Okay, it was cheap for a reason - no weight. Kept falling over. So I put a hacky sack on it, but that didn't work. Finally clamped it to the table and broke it.

So - how do you hold your big spools of thread? They seem so much cheaper in the long run that I'd like to use them.

I use the heavy based bottom stand alone thread holder, paid $10 for it at a local quilt store

Try putting the spool in a quart sized canning jar to the back of your machine, the jar pretty much stays in place and the spool and lightly jump around if needed. Do you still have the wire coil thread holder of the thing that broke? You could tape that holder on the top of the jar so the thread comes off at a better angle and tension. That would keep the spool more stable also.

Katie, I hate to tell you this but you are going to have to get a new sewing machine that has an upper thread guide! http://www.sewingmachines.com.au/mc6600p.jpg Just kidding, of course, but that is one option. EBGQ and quilting wifey have much more economical suggestions.

An Empty CD Spindle...you know the thing that holds the CD's in place when you buy 20-50 of them. I have a friend that uses one of those for the biggy spools.

pvillelou - Gee, do ya think I could actually find a way to rationalize that to my DH? I mean, I have this giant spool of thread and no way to use it (proper batting of eyelashes too) Think he'd buy it? Probably not.

You guys are geniuses - I knew you would have some answers for me. And so quickly too. I will work on this when I get home tonight. Tonight's a 'free sew' night for me. We usually go out to dinner or something on Fridays but DH is not feeling well (head cold) and just wants to lay on the sofa so I'm sewing.

I have an adapter called a King Kone Master Pin. It's still nicely sealed in plastic...never used it. I have probably 2 lifetime supplies of little spools of thread from JoAnn sales!

My friend also gave me the empty plastic tube from inside a 1000m spool of Mettler Metrosene thread. She said she uses that as an adapter for larger spools.

Do you have an upright spindle on your machine? I have used a straw on mine to hold larger spools. My horizonal, holds most spools.

A guild member knew someone who worked in a flower dept. that saved the nets from flowers for her. She washed them and passed them out a guild meeting. Same as the ones you buy, maybe a little smaller. The tread net thingy may help some too.

The machine I prefer to use for piecing does have a long vertical spindle as well as one that holds cones - and a telescoping thread holder. But when that machine recently was on a 3.5 month vacation (dealer was a bit slow with the repair) I eventually started using a jar on the desk behind the machine as was suggested. Worked fine.

Well I put a mason jar behind the machine and gorilla glued the stick part of my old thread holder to the side. It works just fine. Thank you ladies. Hate to waste all that thread that I like and paid for.

quote:

Originally posted by EBGQ:
I use the heavy based bottom stand alone thread holder, paid $10 for it at a local quilt store

me too..i got it at Joanns, i am sure..has a heavy base. no problems at all.

you could also use the bottom of a CD holder..it works pretty good too..

I've used the jar method for a couple of years. A quilt shop owner is the one who clued me in! I don't use anything special in it...the thread just flows.

And I use a tall mug (sitting inside one of those circle things with a tall spindle with a hook, maybe a banana hanger??) anyway with an empty small Guderman spool sitting in the bottom to keep the cone from running amuk in there, and the large spools have the center of one of the guderman spools shoved up inside - those platic things come all apart - I created a taller spool holder for my machine using a chop stick with the square end pared a bit and then whacked and smoothed the pointy end. I push it into the hole where the spool thingy goes when filling bobbins .. no sense wasting perfectly good tools...

I love this forum! The things I learn by reading! Thanks ladies!

Quilters can certainly find ways to improvise with whatever we have on hand, can't we? I once broke a thread guide off the top of my machine. Since I wasn't able to take it to the repair shop right away, I taped a paper clip to the machine - it worked so well that I didn't bother getting it fixed.

I've wanted to try the thread but don't have the hootchiedoo for the spindle. I don't get out much for stores here. Where can I find one on line? and... I'm not really sure what I'm looking for, either...is there a name for it?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: nancyc20,

convert a wooden paper towel holder for large spools of thread. drill small holes in the base and put in two more dowels and put some eyelet screws in the top for thread guides. It can hold 3 large thread cones.

this one is by dritz.

Check for a free shipping code for Joanns, or
do you want me to pick you up one and mail it to you? i have a 50% off coupon plus a 25% off total order coming up this week or next.

but would have to ship it flat rate priority envelope legal size may work,

I've found that the Dritz thread holder sold by Joanns is much too light. I would recommend another brand. The one I bought from the LQS is much heavier - but I love the mason jar solution!

I also found the Dritz thread holder to be too light weight

Kim.. really like the papertowel dowel solution - neat idea. So far the Dritz light weight holder has worked for me. I also use the mason jar for monofilament.

I see the Clotilde catalog lists a cast iron thread stand but I see it is out of stock just now. Superior Threads also has what they describe as a metal thread stand that isn't supposed to tip over. They also have fancier models. I haven't used any of these.

The one i have has a heavy bottom that i got from joanns. it may be steel or cast. I have never had it fall or move ..so far.
I DID have one that had a plastic bottom, that was useless..i may of gotten that one from joanns too.

i just weighed it.1.5 lbs feels heavier than it actually weighs.

My cousin is an avid crocheter. She took a two liter soda bottle and cut it apart about 3 inches down from the neck. She puts her crochet thread down inside the bottom and slips the top back down on the bottle. Holds her crochet thread without it getting dirty on the floor.

I know this has nothing to do with this problem but I bet you could use the same concept in some way.

I have one of the store bought kind with a heavy metal base. I have it screwed to my kitchen table top that I sew on.

...are you taking orders?

kim... if that is platic they don't work, I even tried filling the bottom with heavy stuff and glued a cd over it .. didn't work.. I want that wooden one ...

Look how clever you guys are!!! I love the paper towel holder - great idea.

Kim: What a sweetheart!!! I think I'll go with the mason jar for right now. and, hey! I have to get the thread first!! You guys ar eht best! I may try Clotilde's too...I saw some other things there I need. Thanks Bozie.

I bought a metal one from my Janome dealer. It's pricy but worth the price.

I love the paper towel holder conversion! I've been wanting to try some of the larger thread cones for the colors I use most. This would be perfect for white, black, and the neutral/khaki color.

Hi Gals,
I post mostly on the Holiday board. I sew small fabric teddy bears. My trusty old Singer 1425N thread winder recently quit working. I can't find a repairman locally and I'm thinking about purchasing a new machine. I'm thinking Singer. I don't do fancy stitches, mostly straight & zig zag stitching (for the bears).
Recently, I was given a LOT of cone thread, and I'm thinking about how to adapt it to my home sewing machine myself. I'd sure hate to toss the thread. I saw the site about using a CD holder & converting it...think it would work? The paper towel holder sounds promising.
Kathleen

..... I stand my cones in a tall mug, and drape the thread through the hooks of a banana hanger .. or you can a cone thread holder with the tall stand to drape your thread through - you don't need to do any fancy conversions ...
as for a m achine .. I have a wonderful Brother i got at Amazon for about 150 a few years ago ... and it's still go ing strong - it's basically a 'throw away' but after a couple of years I'm not worrying any about it ...

Sandee,
I have had no problems with this old Singer since my late husband first purchased around 1985 or 86. I'll take a look at the Brother sewing machine. It may well be worth the look-see. Thanks. The teddy bears I sew are given to our local hospital by volunteers.
Kathleen

Gee, I guess my suggestion for using a heavier mug has already been taken, huh? Works great, spools don't wobble around; just spins the thread off with no problem.

I use a heavy jar with a wide mouth for cone thread, but the idea of a heavy mug would work, too. Also, tape a large safety pin upside down to the back of the machine so that only the round hole is poking up over the top of the machine for a thread guide. Put the jar under this pin and thread the thread through the round hole before threading your machine.

Kansasretiree, would love to see pictures of your teddy bears.

I have one for each of my machines and one of them is quite heavy, I haven't had any problems with this one. The other is quite flimsy and falls over. I purchased a couple of large heavy washers to put on the spindle under the spool. This works great. The safety pin on the top of the machine also helps to guide the thread through.

I have a shelf above my sewing machine (4ft). My husband hung a paper toilet roll under it. Holds the large spool great. You can remove the bar and replace the thread, just like replacing a roll of toilet paper.

I have purchased paper towel holders at thrift stores or yard sales and have one for each of my machines. Work really really well!!!!

Gravy boat. Discovered this when I couldn't find my thread holder. Thread through the handle before the machine. And turn down the machine speed at least one notch to prevent hopping.

I'll tell ya, as if you didn't already know, we are an inventive group, aren't we? lollll No wonder we make such great lemonade. (When life hands you lemons....)

One more idea...
my friend has a lightweight cone holder, too. She uses a big spring clampy thing (like can be used to clamp fabric to the table when pinning) to hold it onto her sewing table.

Has anyone bought thread cones from www.marathonthreads.com ? I picked up some from a quilt show but have not ordered thread online. I just now remembered them as I read this thread.

yes I like their thread, you can also get a free (This month)CD about thread from them. You must pay the shipping. This CD has good information on it and I purchased their thread holder because I like the way you can change the direction the thread is unwound from the spool.

I just reread this thread and I goofed. It is not marathon that has the free CD offer. This is from Superior Threads. I have mine and it does give a lot of good info. At least a lot of stuff I did not know about threads. Marathon thread is ok I have most of the colors, but I find some of it shreds. However I am using the polyester and Rayon thread NOT the cotton. I don't like their metalic threads....at least my machine doesn't like it.