Cone Thread Holder Idea
 

I have been trying to figure out a way to use the large cones of thread on my sewing machine. I had purchased one of the flimsy plastic ones from JoAnns but was unhappy with it. Then I was looking at the size of the cone spool and thought maybe if I could find a regular spool of thread that would fit into the cone hole then I could put the regular spool of thread inside the cone spool and set it on my sewing machine. I first tried this with a spool that was about half full and it worked just fine. I finished that spool and put on a full spool but haven't done a lot of sewing with the full spool but I think it will work just fine.

I also think that maybe the older singers do not like cone thread as I have had no luck using it on my Singer 15-91 or my 201. I haven't tried it on my FW. But that is OK, because the cone thread works just fine on my brother CS6000i and my new Singer 160th Anniversary machine.

Here is a couple of pictures of my cone thread spool idea on the machine.

Good idea!! I will have to try this when I use my older machine. My Janome 7700 does not have a problem with cone thread in the back on the table, but sometimes the quilt gets tangled with it when I FMQ.

Good idea in a pinch! I was so tired of fighting cone thread on flimsy holders and make do jars and home made holders. They just don't feed correctly. I bought this holder and it's the best I've used. It will hold a cone upright perfectly with even feed and will hold convert to horizontal. I was surprised at the heft and quality of it, very well made.
http://www.superiorthreads.com/produ...-thread-stand/ Nancy Notions has them sometimes on sale.

BellaBoo, does this hold the very large cones? I hit a garage sale and got the biggest Superior cones for $1 each and they don't fit well on the vertical spool on my machine so I go to one in the back.

That is a great idea!! I will have to try that!

It holds all the cones I have and the biggest one is a 10,000 yard size. (Aurifil score!) It will hold all the Superior cones as it was made for them. Another poster here recommend it when I was looking for a good cone holder.

This doesn't work for me, because my machine doesn't like trying to drag the thread off the big (heavy) spool if it has to spin it. I need to feed the thread up off the spool, and then through my machine. But I have had success with some creative "threading" of the thread off the spool, around a post on the machine, and then through the regular path.

I have 2 of them! Aren't they the best!?

I think the weight of that big cone will eventually wear down the machine. Cones that size should be set on the right side of the machine on a thread stand. The cone doesn't have to turn at all. The thread unwinds from the top and then thread the machine as you usually do. http://www.allstitch.net/product/sin...stand-4412.cfm

I use a thread stem. They're smaller and cheaper than a thread stand and way more portable.

http://www.clotilde.com/detail.html?...494&cat_id=234

The cone isn't secure with the thread stem and kept falling over. I think I have tried every cone holder trick and notion. :) When I'm on a mission to find the best tool that works for me I keep trying until I find it.

I put an empty cone inside the new one and put it on my machine upside down..works great for me!

Thanks for the great tip, I will try this on my brother.

I have one of these, too, and it is a nice weight.

Another great tip...I can always count on this board for solutions

I looked at this and can't' picture how it works. is cone still on table or machine?

I have never found thread at a garage sale.Really not fabric except 1 time that was said quilting fabric and it wasn't anything but polyester LOL 10,000 Aurifil?? wow wish I could find that. I have found the purpose of the thread holder it to get the cone to wrap up then over to the machine. My holder has multi holes (got it for embroidery thread) for many spools to sit on. Telescopic thread guide with multi hole. I can't put as many cones (of course) when I put large cones but it works for me

Oh I just noticed that the spool said hand quilting thread. Maybe that's why your other machines don't like it. I was told it was special coated to help fray when hand quilting and shouldn't be used in a machine

I had purchased one of those flimsy thread stands, too...

Didn't like the way it moved around...so....I went to the tool bench in the basement and found a few large metal washers. Threaded them on the spool pin and they hold the stand where I place it...and works like a dream. I even took a scrap of fabric and wrapped the washers so that I didn't have to worry about possible rust or oil problems in the future.

So...try the washers....work great.

Holding Cones of thread...
 

HI,
Just thought I would share this trick... take one wire clothes hanger; hang over your pole light at your sewing machine; put your thread in heavy mug or coffee can thread through wire clothes hanger then thread sewing machine. Sew, sew, sew. Have fun! My mother and I have done this for years for our machines. -Bobbie

Big cones should have the thread coming off the top to keep the twist out of the thread. A twist will cause thread breakage and tension problems.

great idea, thanks for sharing this method.

Someone recently posted an empty spool of thread with an eye screw attached put on your threa spool. That way the weight of the cone won't affect your DSM.