hmmm, I had this problem yesterday. Thanks for the answer (2 birds with 1 stone!) I also tried using clear thread but it kept breaking off...any tips for having it come off of the spool cleanly?

I have to put the twisty threads in a coffee mug behind the machine. I've also used a thread net on some. Other folks swear by sticking some batting in the first thread guide.

Some thread works better feeding off the spool horizontally. You'll have to rig some kind of horizontal peg for it, though. My Singer has one of each but the Elna doesn't so that's where I use the coffee mug trick.

Such great people here!

That used to work for me too. I learned the other day that any thread which is cross-wound on the spool can go on the horizontal spool holder. Any thread that is straight-wound (in rows) needs to be on a vertical spool holder.

that is great that you got it figured out, happy quilting!

thanks, I'll give that a try...

I had this problem and finally after trying everything I decided to clean the bobbin case. There was a little bit of dust, but a tiny piece of thread had somehow found its way into the case. After cleaning it worked just fine.