flowerjoy--hope you find this answer and it's not a repeat. singer made a machine in the late '60's, early '70's that could rewind the bobbin while it was in the machine. the bobbins were pretty flat and the top was wider than the bottom, as i recall. hope this helps you.

Invest in extra bobbins and wind 4 at a time for each of your large spools. And if you use shades of grey, you can use these with just about any fabric you have because they end up just looking like shadows not stitches. A lighter grey with lights to a deep pewter gray for really dark fabrics. Charlie

I use a paper towel holder and place it on the floor or on a nearb y table. Works great. Cones last longer and thread is just as good if not better. I use regular spools of thread for bobbins.

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.

Instead of buying an adapter I use an old hand towel holder - tall, 3 prong, heavy on the bottom for stability, that was designed for bathroom counter. The thread pulls straight up off the large spool, loops loosely over the top rung, and into the thread guide at top of machine. But some other "thing" that can guide the thread up high enough to feed into guide would work.

I have been using this for a couple of years and it is terrific. Dritz(R) Cone Thread Holder
Have a Blessed night
Ellen

I have not bought the big cones because I have heard they are 100% poly or serger 2 ply thread and i only use cotton thread and 3-4ply thread for quilting am I doing something wrong

These can be used on regular sewing machine. You might need a free standing stand to support the thread. However, they are normally use for sergers and are a weaker weight of thread. I use mine for the bobbin thread and regular thread for the top of the machine.

Another way is to fit a regular spool up inside the cone and then set it on the spindle on your sewing machine. I do this when I am sewing where my cone holders are NOT! I also use the cone holders which work extremely well.

I have used a mason jar as well.