A long time ago, I had my machine set up in front of a window and used a wire coat hanger hung on the curtain rod and looped large spool thread through the hanger down to the machine. Then I purchased a thread stand which worked for a while but it had a plastic base which eventually broke (my nickname is Calamity John). Now I have a thread stand with a cast iron base I purchased at the local Sew & Vac. I recommend spending the few extra bucks for the cast iron base. On my Necchi BU, I do use a large safety pin on the extra spool pin held down by a magnetic seam guide as an extra thread guide so the thread doesn't pop out of the first thread guide on that machine.