They are like nylon netting bags open on both ends. they slip over the cone to help the thread unwind evenly and not too fast. I got some with my serger, but you can probably find them at JoAnns.

I save the netting from the grocery store small produce and it works great as a thread sock.

I put mine in a large coffee cup behind my machine. Works great for me. I bought a metal thread holder several years back & for the life of me I can't find it since I moved 6 years ago. Probably packed away in the garage. Have no idea but since I didn't want to buy another one I just use the coffee cup

I use a thread cone standing behind and slightly to the right of my machine and have no problems. Mine is a really old one and very heavy so it doesn't move or tip. When I wind a bobbin, I run the thread up over the bar on top of the thread cone and usually place my hand in the area of the machine's spool holder to let the thread run over my fingers and into the guide at the same angle as if it was coming off the spool holder. It works fine that way.

He he, I use a Mason jar..works for me.

That's the way I do it. My thread stand is behind my machine a little to the right of the spool spindle.

You run your thread through the same path as always. I have the heavy metal bases on mine and I always regardless of what spool of thread I use, I guide my thread onto my bobbins between my fingers. I like nice even tightly wound bobbins and so does my machines.