I have a little problem. I bought these nice size #50, 1200 yds., cotton spools of thread at JoAnn's during the 50% off sale. Unfortunately, the core/center is too large for my spool pin.

Do they make something that fits inside the larger spool to adapt to my smaller spool pin?

Or should I just take this stuff back and buy the smaller spools? Or do you just put the larger core stuff on the small pin and go for it?

You can buy a little stand-up thingy that holds large spools. It just sits behind your machine, and you run your thread up into the slot at the top and then thread your machine as usual. Keeps your thread running nice and smooth. I got one at one of the quilt stores and I think it cost me around $10. I forget what the darn thing's called, but you can just tell them what you need it for and they'll know what you're talking about. :)

Thanks so much! I knew one of you would know what to do! And lin, I'm definitely trying your take on the runner. Yours turned out gorgeous! Maybe tomorrow's project?!! Laundry can wait!

I got some wooden spool adapters that are made for these spools at my local quilt store. Or if you have a handy hubby have him take a dowel the size of the inside of the spool and take and drill a hole the size of the spindle. I don't think the ones at the quilt store are very expensive there are two in a package and I think they are under $3.00

Debbie

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I just didn't know if they made adapters. Since you gals are fueling my quilting hobby, I would love to use the bigger spools! Seems like good thread, too.

I use it for piecing and machine quilting. I just use the neutral colors and saves me so I don't have to change the thread all the time. I wind about 10 bobbins and away I go! LOL

Debbie

I ordered more bobbins for my new machine too, Debbie. Funny thing, when I started your runner this morning, I put the 9" block square instead of on point. I realized my mistake after framing it. I had used white bobbin thread and it was so glaring against my dark batik background. Once I pulled everything out to do it correctly, I changed my bobbin thread to match the backing and started over. Maybe me messing up was a sign?!! Anyway, the runner was fun and I love how it looks. Thanks for the lesson!

I use the large spools of thread, I use wooden chop sticks or skewers. I take out the spool pin and put in one of my tall boys......works great. :D

Ruth, I'm not sure what you mean. Do you fill the larger core of the thread spool with chopsticks to make it fit on the smaller pin? I have chopsticks!

I had a hint from a friend to tape a safety pin to the back top of your machine and just set the spool of thread behind your machine and run the through the eye of the safety pin and over your machine to thread as usual. Works quite well, and of course, you can't beat the price.
I just started using the prewound bobbins, and they sure last alot longer then the ones I wind myself.
Debra

How ingenious, dungeonquilter! I'll definitely give it a try. Many thanks! You gals are my heroes!

I use one of the small spools of thread, I put it inside the large one, then set it on the machine pin and it works just fine, and free!!!!!!!!!!! Sure saves on the rethreading since it lasts forever- or so it seems.
Deb

Chele, the log cabin way of making the runner seemed to work fine, but I'm not sure it was as fast as the way Debbie showed us, and I loved the look of side to side like you did. You sure got yours done fast!! :D I'll try her way too! Why not? The more the merrier. :)

I used to try to just set my larger spools behind my machine in something so they wouldn't fall over, but found out that I really needed that top loop to hold the thread so that it would unwind straight up since that type of thread is not wound in a stacked manner like regular thread, but rather in a figure eight type wind making it easy for the thread to get stuck and stop unwinding as I sewed. I made such a mess of things until I figured out that I really needed to keep that thread straight up higher than the spool! My dh designed something for me to use temporarily until I could find out what was on the market that would do that for me. My Juki is already set up for both types of wind. I love that!

I'm sure all that was clear as mud! LOL

Chele
If your talking about the large spools that are for a serger, thats what I buy, mainly because I free motion quilt and it takes so much thread. They to are to big for my spool on my machine, but they work for me. As the thread gets low on the spool it will on occasion flip off, due to becoming lighter in weight, but as of yet has not caused me much of a pbl. And I might add the faster I go, will cause the spool to flip off, if the spool is low on thread. But in the long run it works for me, considering all the thread I have to use when free motion quilting.

I take the spool pin out and put a chop stick in the hole. I like the idea of putting a small spool inside the cone and then on the long stick. I will have to try that myself. :D :D

Ruth
Thats a good idea about the chop stick, I'll have to try that. Now to find a chop stick.................