how to use the large spools of Essential thread on my sewing machine? My thread holder is for smaller spools and the large one jumps off. I know it is a dumb question but I would like to know since I have purchased several spools.

Thanks for your help.

good question.. will watch this post for an answer ! Thanks !

Are they the larger ones that stand up? If the thread comes off the top, I have used an Ornament stand (about 9 inches tall with an overhanging hook) and run the thread through the top. The spool sits right in the center of the stand loop.

There are stands out there that are made for that purpose. They are basically a base that sits on the table behind your machine and has a pin for the spool of thread to rest on and then a rod with a loop to thread the thread through and guide it to your machine. I have one I purchased from my Bernina dealer that is plexiglass and just not heavy enough to stay put when I put the pedal to the metal. I recently purchased a metal one that is much heavier from another Bernina dealer who is a Menninite gentlemen. I couldn't find a manufacturer's name or number on it so it may have been made by a local machinist. It works great. I purchased spools of bobbin thread for my embroidery machines that are as big and heavy as serger thread. The thread stand allows me to use that to fill my bobbins.

You can buy spool holders at Joann's. These are cheap plastic things. http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/p...RODID=prd12768

Or if you're handy, you can make your own. I've heard of people using paper towel holders: Place your spool on the small vertical piece and screw an eyelet screw into the tall piece (where the paper towel normally goes) for the thread guide. If you don't have an eyelet screw, try taping a paperclip on it to use for the thread guide.

You can also run to your favorite craft store (like Hobby Lobby or Michael's) and pick up some dowel rods and something for a wooden base and make your own.

i found this on ebay to give you and idea of how easy these are to make.

These are not the cones. I have a cone holder but these are the Connecting Thread Essentials. They are 2 1/2 inches tall with a larger hole than regular spools.

For large spools that don't fit on my machine I grab a coffee cup, set it BEHIND my sewing machine inline with the spool pin. I put the spool in the cup and pull the end up, and to the RIGHT side of the spool pin I then put it around the front of the spool pin, and then go on to thread the machine like normal. I have NEVER had any trouble doing it this way and I pretty much do ALL my piecing this way!

I would take a picture but my camera battery died at the baseball game last night and I am to lazy to charge it right this moment! lol

I set large cones in a coffee mug behind my machine & run the thread through the guides like normal. I have also had to do this to get some embroidery threads to behave as they are wound for horizontal delivery & my Elna only has vertical pins.

Thanks for all the information. Going to get me a coffee cup right now. Thanks to everyone for responding.

That is ok. Because the 2 1/2" spools are also cross wound the same way the cones are you can use them on the upright spool holders made for the cones. If the Essential spools are coming off your spool holder use the cone holder you have with them. I have used these size spools on my cone holder with no problem.

I just can't believe this board. I literally learn something every day i am on here. I have several large spools that i haven't used because i can't figure out how to do it. The coffee cup idea is perfect! I can't wait to try it. I'm off today-rare- I should be cleaning house-but i think i'll go in town to my office to sew! thanks!

I didn't realize that the thread you were using was not cone thread. There is a wooden spool base that you can purchase that fits inside the larger spools to make the hole the right size for your machine. I have even used the wooden pins left after you finish a larger spool for the same purpose. Like my other stuff there is no manufacturers info on it.

I am sorry, I guess I wasn't explaining very well. Thanks all. Now is can use my pretty thread.

They work great on the thread stands that sre pictured above. I ordered mine from Nancys Notions. It is a metal one and I use them with all my thread.

Thanks for asking this question Joy,I learned from the answers you recieved

great tips!

I mostly use a dinky Brother mechanical, and, I take a drinking straw and put it over the vertical thread holder on the top of the machine for these types of spools. They sort of bounce around if I am at top speed, but for piecing, not normally that fast, and all I have to do is every now and then make sure it is all still in place. I haven't had any major mishaps with this system.

On some of the thread pins you can take the ink filler out of a BIC Stick pin and it will fit over the thread pin. That also works great for the Essential thread. :thumbup:

The upright delivery system will be better than it spinning on a spindle.

spools like those essential threads from connecting threads are meant to be unwound off the end, like a cone. What I find is that a twisty kink develops as the spool spins. This and gutteman & mettler are the 3 threads I use, and cones for serging.

I found one of the big cone holders on quilting warehouse.com for less than $5.00. Try it!

Would it work to cut the top off of an empty spool & place it inside the larger spool, then place them together on the spindle?

Clotilde and Nancy's Notions have different types of attachments you can use to extend the length of the spindle that holds your thread. Or-google for thread spindle extension and see what is there. Several people at my guild have these adapters.

In another thread, someone mentioned that they put the spool of thread into a mason jar .... and loop to machine as stated in PPs

I bought a wooden insert that goes inside the spool and fits on machine spool holder from my Bernina dealer it works great and cost about $2.00.

I think they will still work with the cone holder.

Here is the one DH made for me. The base is from a lamp made of cast iron, very sturdy & has felt feet. He is such a handy fella :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

ok after all the comments I had to go make one of these..

I used a coated wire hanger and a piece of pressed wood we had in the garage. Works great!!!!!!

I use a heavy bottom mug. Like a clear beer mug. It works great.

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

The paper towel holders was what I was thinking of also.

Depending on the size of your spindle, place a plastic soda straw on it. the height will be determined by the height of the spool, but you can cut the straw down to size. Worked for me. I now have a machine where the spindle is too thick for a straw, so I simply placed the spool in a soup bowl and placed it back of the machine. Makes a lot of noise as it moves around in the bowl, but it's not that bad.

Go to your LQS there is one with a heavy base sits behind your machine does a great job (if they don't stock it ask them to order it from Checker around $10.00) if it's not a heavy metal one it will be falling over all the time.
Hope this is helpfull.

You can also cut a drinking straw in half and slip it down over the regular thread holder...........works great.
Katrina

Hey thanks a million ,now that gives me an ideal

I use a paper towel holder which sets either on a table near the machine or on the floor in back of the machine.

Buy/make a spool stand and place your thread on it so that it stands next to or above the machine. Most machines have thread guides to assist you to do this and you can always get a telescopic head on your spool holder.All the best. (Some people stand them in a mug next to the machine).

This is what I'd get if I were you. I'm getting one so I can use the larger spools.

[quote=Joy HigdonThese are not the cones. I have a cone holder but these are the Connecting Thread Essentials. They are 2 1/2 inches tall with a larger hole than regular spools.[/quote]

my friend take the empty plastic small spools and fits them inside the larger hole of the spool with thread on it.
i took and posted pictures of it a long time ago..but it was a reply to a thread here, so i don't think i can find it..

"deeley bobs" ? were made for this purpose, but never used them, and not sure if they work good enough to warrant the cost.
but what my friend rigged up, is the same idea.

http://www.deelybob.com/product.sc?productId=2

Don't bother buying a plastic one - they aren't heavy enough and don't work. The thread guide would bend over with the tension created by the thread moving thru it. You need either a solid wood base or a heavy metal base for the spool to sit on and a good sized wire or metal rod thread guide to guide the thread up over the spool and over to your machine's thread guides. I ordered one from Clotilde for around $9.00.