I use a cone holder. I put all my thread on this when using the machine.

I taped a short knitting needle to my upright spindle, put a small spool of thread inside the cone, and put the cone on the spindle.
Been using it for years. :idea:

Here is a picture of my spool holder
On the left is a spool of serger thread and on the right is
embroidery thread. Background is smaller cones of embroidery thread, large spool from ThreadArt 4.99.
The holder usually set to the right of my sewing maching.
On my Kenmore I taped a cardboard to the back top side of the machine and put a hole/guide in it.

lol I have wondered about this cone thread too. Also wondered why you could get it so much cheaper. Hm.

Anyway, glad the topic came up and we have so many helpful quilty friends. I'm going to try this out.

Me, too! And unless it is a specialty thread I need, I almost excluseively use cone thread. I would suggest though, if you can find a metal cone/thread holder I think you will like it better because is heavier and sits sturdy, the plastic is pretty light-weight. Also, I buy a lot of my cones from Atlanta Thread (not affiliated, just a decades-old customer) - they have every kind you can imagine and at reasonable prices, with frequent sales.

Marysewfun

I use a cone stand sitting behind my machine. It works great, and is easily portable to other machines if needed.

.... OR, you can buy your favorite flavor of "Pringles Potato Chips" a tall Iced Tea and a good movie. When you're done, cut the pringle can in half and pop your large spool of thread in one of the halves. Set the can in the back of your machine and thread it as usual. If you save the top of the pringle can, you can have a spare container for pens, pencils, or another cone of thread. I've been doing this for years, wrapped in contact paper they make really cute containers for assorted notions in the sewing rooms.
good luck

See - - - aren't you glad you asked??? There are all kinds of solutions out there -

Also, I just found in my machine manual that I can load bobbins without unthreading - hmmm, going to have to go back and try it. Otherwise, I too use a lot of pre-wound bobbins, depends on what I am sewing.

Love this Board !

Marysewfun

Mine does. Of course, my machine is 35 years old - a Singer Futura II. Getting bobbins for it is becoming challenging. I need to order a stock of them as they slowly are disappearing, but my machine is chugging along merrily!

Husquvarna has an adapter to fit machines so you can use a cone spool of thread. It fits on your machine so thread comes off well

I bought several of these large cones of fabric, then purchased a metal thingamajig that had a heavy metal base, a spool for holding the spool of thread, hen a taller metal "dowel" with a hook at the end. I've had great success with this. Sorry I can't remember the name, but I'm sure Nancy's Notions or other catalogs, or sewing machine dealer would have these. It wasn't that expensive and it really keeps the thread from tangling. That is unless TJ the kitty walks behind the machine, but she doesn't do that often.

I have the 4 1/2 inch cones that I set behind my sewing machine and it works fine. When I need to fill a bobbin I set it where the normal spool is on the machine and put my finger in the hole on top, fill my bobbin and it works fine. I only use this thread to sew my charity quilts with and do all my quilts by hand quilting or tying.

I have a cone holder sitting behind my Janome and I have two safety pins taped to the back of my sewing machine to thread the thread thru before I thread the machine in the usual way. The pins are closed of course and I run the thread from the cone through the little "circles." Otherwise, the thread coming off the cone is just hanging loose for anything to get tangled up in it. Ask me how I know that.

The pins are the same size as the ones I use for basting the quilt and are taped to the machine upside down. The circle (bottom of pin) is sticking up just above the machine.

I have one pin taped close to the wheel and one just before the first step in threading the machine (don't know what it's called.) The circle is all I can see when sitting down at my machine. Sorry to be so long-winded for such a simple answer. Don't ask me what time it is... I'll explain how to build a clock...lol.

Try taking the thread out of the needle and then through the bobbin thread guides. Then wind the bobbins. I do it on my Viking 835. My machine has another feature to wind while you sew, but I use big spools, so I don't usually have 2 spools. I do however have many, many bobbins and wind a batch - 6 at the beginning of each new quilt. Now all I need is a flashing light when the bobbin thread runs out. I've chained several yards before I noticeed there was no bobbin thread. Daydreaming away....

In answer to your question, yes my machine, Viking D1, winds the bobbin while still threaded. I love it.

no question is dumb but I have even used serger thread on my sewing machine I purchased a thread holder at Joanns with my coupon and works great even those essential threads from connecting threads cheaper than the small spools

also there is never a dumb question....just one we don't always know the answer to.....

I bought a thread holder for large spools and sit it next to my home machine. It works fine - because the spool sits vertical, the thread unwinds easily and smoothly.

I use a coffee mug, but I place it on the floor right next to the edge of my sewing table. This way I don't ever knock it off the table, and I don't need to have a hook. Works good for me.

There is a thread holder fore the cones go to walmarks and ask for a cone thread holder It is a round plate with a hole in center that a piece medal fits this holds your cone Just follow the pictures on how to use it that is all I use.

76 and counting

My hubby made a cone holder that I put on the right hand side of my machine and I have a small safety pin taped to the top edge to use as a thread guide. Works well and the cone holder is not behind the machine to get knocked over like it used to.

I use a large mouth quart canning jar for my large spools. Not any problems with tipping over and works great.

BINGO!

I have a suggestion that I have used for a long time regarding bobbins and sewing When I begin a project I fill 4 or 5 or 6 bobbins, depending on the project. You can also do this while you are sewing but that does require two spools of thread.

Now I have a question I hope someone will answer regarding the large coness of thread. Is the thread suitable for piecing or just the actual quilting?

as you can see, there are several ways to handle the large spools. I have used all of them and most have been successful. I use a quart mason jar and put a bobbin on my upright spool pin and direct the thread around that and then thread the machine as usual. I keep the jar to the right of my machine so it doesn't get knocked over by the sewing. In respnse to a question about self threading machines. I believe that some of the newer machines have this feature. None of my do, but I am the queen of bobbins. I have at least 20 bobbins for each of my machines. When I start a project, I just load up at least a dozen bobbins before I start and then I don't have to stop very often. You can find all sorts of bobbins to fit your machine through a supply house or ebay etc.

I have had this large spool holder for over 30 years. I think I purchased it when I was doing upholstery work. It has a heavy metal base. Very sturdy and heavy and also can be fastened by screws to a work surface. Works great with my Elna 7300 Pro Quilting Queen machine. You might still be able to find something similar.

I bought mine at Joann's years ago, it is a great money saver when you find the large spools at a yard sale. My dh added a piece of wood on the bottom for a weight.

I also have a spool holder like Carolina S. I bought mine when I purchased my sewing machine in 2005, I love it.

I use the cone thread on my Viking. There is
an attachment you can buy that goes on the
sewing machine thread holder, or you can just
set the thread in a tall coffee cup or Jo-Ann's
has a special cone thread holder for around $8.00?

I think I just found a good use for the bottle dryer my dad made - piece of wood with 3 dowels drilled into it

thank you for asking this question, I needed to know too....

to luckydenny regarding thread.

I used to think there was differencein serger thread but tried it in my machine. works good although it leaves more lint by needle so I clean that out. maybe if I had larger eye needle it wouldn't do that but it seems strong and not easy to break. Maybe others have more opinions too.

Only prob I see is bit more lint, but some brands seem to be more linty than others . Oh, I also wind lots of bobbins in generic colors too.( Gray or white)

I am excited, a quilting friend bought me a cone holder and I am buying the thread from her, so will get to try this first time. the savings is really awesome. :)

I put my spool in the top drawer of the cabinet. It works well unless I close the drawer then the thread breaks.

I recently bought an adapter at Joann's and I really like it. You can see the picture of it on Amazon, and you don't have to pay the shipping if you have a Joann's near you.

My husband made me a cone spool holder out of a piece of wood and a metal rod from a campaign poster, that had been placed in our yard. I use the cardboard from the poster to make stencils. lol

I recently had to deal with this also. the only thing i had here at the time was some metal washers-I put them up inside the cones worked great for a while. Not my finest moments in time, they kept falling out. I was gona go check for bigger ones that would fit inside but forgot. I had a cone holder and threw it away with empty spool not thinking. Why d ont they make them to sell also? Anyone who has electronics on there Machines--do NOT use the Plastic Cone holders--for some reason they make static? and it can mess with ur machine. I got tired of chassing the thread with it that i just made me one out of a coated hanger and a flower pot, works great till the thread get down to last of it then to light to stay in place....tall2

I bought a plastic one that works just fine then I made one from blocks of wood and a wire clothes hangar.

i use a glass jar to hold the big cone of thread , i place it behind my machine , works great

When I use my quilting thread cones for home sewing or embroidery...I use a glass measuring cup, behind the machine, to the right. Then I run the thread up to the top thread post, and thread as I normally would. Some need a high eye above the glass cup... a metal coat hanger cut and bent..then taped to the outside of the cup works perfectly.