You all have solved my problem. About a month ago I bought a cone spool of Aurifil, not realizing my Janome isn't set-up for a cone. Yesterday, because of all your suggestions, I taped the safety pin on back of machine and put thread in a cup - but the spool doesn't sit perfectly upright. Guess I will buy a canning jar, or try the straw idea. I am concerned, though, about winding a bobbin. Also do you need to use a smaller stitch length - I sew with the factory setting of 2.2. Thanks all.