Makes sense to me. I have an old sewing machine and I noticed sometimes that it doesn't like where the thread is coming off the spool, and like you said, changing the spool alignment solves the problem. (The tread rubbing against thread changes the tension, causing drag right at the spool.) I've heard with LAs that some threads come off the spool better if they are hung horizontally rather than the traditional vertical position because that position eliminates most of the drag off the spool.