Good morning -

A friend asked me if I've ever heard of this; she thinks she read about it somewhere on the 'net. It is a gadget that allows you to transfer thread from a serger cone to a regular thread spool (sounds almost like a big Sidewinder?) I told her I'd post the question here because if it exists, someone will know! Thanks!

I rarely write but while I'm here I want you all to know how much I enjoy your pictures, comments, information, etc. I'm looking out my window at a cloudy New York City skyline and planning to do some rainy day quilting so I'll see you all later and, as always, look forward to your goings-on.

I have no clue.
The Sidewinder is a bobbin winder.
I don't think you could wind a spool of thread with it

mrs. fittz, they do exist :D

There are 2 types, one that uses full size spools and one that uses bobbins. They are really nice if you don't want to buy 3-4 big cones of a particular thread color, or if you want to use the serger thread in a regular sewing machine but don't have a thread stand. I have 2 of the Bob'n Serge ones.

Here is the full size spool one:
http://www.darrsewnotions.com/darrpage/winder.htm

Here is the bobbin one:
http://www.clotilde.com/detail.html?prod_id=448

There may be more out there, but these are the only ones I know about.

That's pretty cool! Didn't know they had such a thing.
$20 too! Pretty good price, I think.

Wow! how cool. I knew there was the bobbin one. But not the spool

I was told not to use the serger thread from a cone for regular sewing as it is not as strong ? Was I mislead ? What do you think , is it possible to use serger thread for regular sewing ? Thanks for the help?

I use Maxi-lock serger thread all the time. It is strong and thin. I like it

My machine wont use cones and I just use Coat and Clarks with the pop up top and have no problems. I bought cones when I first bought my machine and it was a mess trying to use them so I gave up and just use regular thread and it works fine.
I have a H Viking Sapphire 830 machine.
I dont use the cheaper thread without the pop up top like you get at Walmart.

I've used serger thread in my domestic machine for years. It's very strong, doesn't shrink and doesn't make a big lump in the seam.

Before I got my Janome, I just used a stand alone thead spool holder behind my machine and it worked great.

I also use serger thread in my longarm with very good results.

Thanks to all of you who have responded so quickly and especially to Roben for having the answer. I'll pass it on to my friend right away.

Hello I know you have some ans. to your question. But would like to share what I use. I also use the serger thread cone. Money saver and I have never got a quilt come apart from using it.
I did buy a stand alone for the cone and didn't like it. Found the Spool Tool and LOVE IT. I used the bottom of the stand alone but you don't have to use it. Cone can stand by itself. Here is a picture of it I have had no problems of tangle,breaking anything.

BillsBonBon

BillsBonBon where did you get the spool tool ? I need one badly ! The top of my machine is like yours , except no upright spool pin . Thread tangles even with slot to the back , not happy sewing . Annie

My dad made me a gadget like that out of wood.

I use cone thread a lot for piecing and sewing. I don't usually use it for machine quilting, because I like a thicker cotton thread for that - usually Star.

My son made me one out of a $1.00 paper towel holder it works great! You ccan get them a Joann's for around $6.00

I have both. I got them through Nancy's Notions. I once worked for a Bernina Dealer who also did alterations and custom dressmaking. We often used the bobbin one on our serger when we were doing an alteration or small job. It allowed us to use regular thread rather than having to open a large serger spool that we may not have any more use for in the future. While there is a lot of serger thread out there the colors are not as plentiful. The only problem with serger thread in the sewing machine is the additional lint. Make sure you clean your machine often when using serger thread for regular sewing or quilting.

I ordered from Clotilde. web site is clotilde.com
I looked in this months catalog and it is not there so try on line. I have used thicker thread than the serger cones and it works for those threads also. The Spool Tool is what it is called and it can be used on an upright spool pin too. As long as it is on the end of macine I have no problem with tangels or breaking. As the cone doesn't spin around you can use anything that works to hold cone or nothing. I had already bought the upright thingy it was plastic and just didn't do the job. Since I had already gotten it i used the bottom for the spool. Hope Clotildes still has it.
Good Luck.
BillsBonBon

Thanks for all the input. I've hooked my friend up with this site and sure enough, she's found her answer -- the Clotilde item is what she was looking for. She also thanks all of you who responded.

Thanks for all the info. I learn something every day from this forum! :lol:

First I was amazed by the spool winder and than amazed again by the spool tool. What will I learn next?

:-) I am the friend Mrs. Fitts posed the question for.

The name of the gadget is E-Z Winder. I haven't lost my mind yet.
I knew I saw something someplace.

Also, as far as the Spool Tool, when I do a search, I get
manufacturing-type descriptions for very large machines.
I'd like to know where the Spool Tool was bought or what
description it is listed under.

Thanks,

Wini

I've been sewing for 54 years and I have never seen or heard of "pop-up top" spools of thread. :roll: Tell me more, please. Thanks :lol:

I use the cone thread most of the time. I haven't had any problems with it. I do need to get one of those cone holders. They work great I am told.

Wow -- didn't know the spool winder existed. Thanks :wink:

this is good info. I have a serger, and sombody? TY, was saying that colors are not as plentiful, they're right, and maybe I could get serger size cones of all cotton online, but not in stores.
anywho, gonna start using the smaller spools on serger, cause they are less expensive and I don't use the serger as much, unless making a garment or tote or something. kids love it though. wheeee! :D

Hi winia
I am the one to post about the Spool Tool. You are right I have looked for an hour now and can't find anything no matter what I key in. I orderd it from Clotilda about 3 or so yrs. ago. You can email clotilda at clotilda.com and go to customer service to see if they still sell it. I looked on their site and couldn't find it but that doesn't mean they still don't sell it. Their phone # is 800-772-2891. Or you could write or call the company that makes it.
The item is called Spool Tool
The company name is Master Piece
10481 N.W. 107TH Avenue.
Granger, IA 50109
515-999-2746
I hope this is helpful.
BillsBonBon

Why do you need to do that? There is a holder stand so you can use cone thread with your sewing machine maybe that's what she's talking about. I think I got mine at Jo-Ann's

Coats and Clarks new spools have a top that lifts up and the thread start is under it. When done sewing just slip the end under the top to keep it from unwinding.
These are just regular looking spools not the cone type.

Check out this popular quilter's thoughts about serger thread. ( I think Bonnie Hunter has the best quilt website on the web)

http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2009/...-thoughts.html

Her website:

http://quiltville.com/

I use a tread stand for cone thread. It's very heavy and wont' tip over. The plastic ones are not worth messing with.

Is it the E-Z Winder Kit?

http://www.clotilde.com/detail.html?code=235959

I remember something called I think Doodlebob? that will rewind too.

I use the serger for the Kaye Woods 6-hr. quilt. Just have to adjust the stitch a little. (I have a dinosaur serger that still works well, but doesn't have the new features).

I have both stand was plastic and was very bendable. I guess it is personal preference. I prefered the Spool Tool. My sister got the stand that was metal and she has no trouble with Hers. For me the Spool Tool was the answer.
BillsBonBon

I have used serger thread for regular sewing and quilts for YEARS. It is strong, but it is not SO STRONG that it cuts into cotton fabric. As a matter of fact, those bags of used clothes my daughter brought to me last summer included a bunch of quiltie fabric I sewed with serger thread into dresses for my GD when she was a toddler (she's now 16). The seams were as strong as the day I sewed them! I know, because I had to 'unsew' them before I could make them into quilts. And none of the seams had ripped the fabrics. They had been washed so many times that the fabric had begun to fade. Now that's a good test of thread!

THere are several ways to use serger cone thread with a sewing machine. Turn it upside down on the spindle on top of the machine. Better, use a stand beside your sewing machine. CHEAPEST: put the cone in a coffee mug next to your machine, thread it through a binder clip (like we use to clamp our quilt tops down when we layer them) clipped to the top of the machine and then through the machine.

You're right about the lint from SOME brands of serger thread. Maxi-thread is better than most. Coats and Clark regular thread is also full of lint. I clean my machine every time I change bobbins, because I don't want lint to build up.

I have had my serger E winder for several years and I got it at Nancy Notions and have seen it several other places. It works great unless you used different machines to wind as each machine takes a different rewinder bottom. The spools are special spools that you wind onto. I have seen then at some Hancock's stores also.
Serger thread is only 2 ply and sewing machine thread is 3 ply. That is why serger thread is thinner and not as strong.

OMG, I am so dense. I didn't realize the top lifts up. I got out one of my spools and lo and behold, it does. Silly me.

Thank you Joannes. I have several cones I bought and cannot use so will try the coffee cup idea. Also have those useless binder clips so will use those too.

Whoa!!! That is one neat idea with the binder clamps,wish I knew about before I spent my money. But I do like the spool tool.
BillsBonBon