The only dumb question is the one not asked. In some quilt or quilt supply and in Clothildes catalog you can find a thing(Thread holder?) that sit on the table behind your sewing machine,it is about 15 inches tall and can be made of wood or a heavy wire . It goes straight up then has a hook on the top. You set the large spool on it and the thread comes off the spool, over the hook and will feed to your machine. The thread we buy where we get material,Hancocks, Joannes,Hobby Lobby. The cost varies but usually about 20.00.