Cones of Threads
 

I've never had the wonderful opportunity to deal with having a lot of cones of threads before. Spools I have a system. I'm looking for tips better than sticking them in a drawer -- which is their basic status right now. I do wish to keep them out of the light.

Recently I won an auction for a large lot of So Fine thread, around/over 20?? large cones. Six are still wrapped but most are opened and range from the very full to maybe half. I've looked but I haven't found any secret method of securing the loose threads. I wish to keep the labels with the color numbers in place. Maybe it's not the issue it once was since my cat passed, but I hate it when a thread escapes and gets pulled all over the place.

It wasn't quite what I wanted (the more knitted type) but my first stop was to the dollar store and I picked up some hair bands. They are doing ok for now holding the full cones.

What all do the rest of you do?

That's Smoke and Silver with hairbands on the backing for my Bonnie Hunter top.

Wow that is a beautiful thread. I have mine thread spools in a silverware tray within a drawer. As far as the ends, haven't found what works for me yet. Will be watching this thread for ideas.

I mostly use the hair bands like you did, but Saran Wrap can work good too. And mine are all in drawers to keep dust off them. The spool net covers work great. https://www.ebay.com/itm/25485641541...37fa2f3618b6bd These can be left on so the thread doesn't spool off too quickly when you are sewing.

Oooo... already a great idea! In the new products stuff at my local goodwill are a number of Bamboo silverware trays... Basically just an open box with equal divisions. I think the divisions would be a super size -- and if not, probably a better solution for my Aurifil shaped threads. Today is my Tuesday quilting group, I'll run to the Goodwill with a couple of spools in my purse.

Thanks karamarie!

I will sometimes cut up old panty hose to put over spools to hold loose ends, kind of like the nets. I like the Saran Wrap (Cling Wrap) idea, too.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

I use nets from the flower shops. Their flowers all have a netting over them to keep them from getting damaged during shipment. These are usually around 4-8 inches long made out of a plastic and can be cut without raveling so you can make them the size you need for the spool in question. Most times the floral shops throw them out so they'll give them to you free or have in the past for me. I started out with socks that would eventually unravel in time so as they go bad on me I replace them with the floral nets. Free is good!!!!

I have 2 large bins full of large cone threads and several smaller cases that I keep thread in. the best thing I have found for loose thread ends is the netting that you put over the cones. This secures the thread nicely and the netting is sold in long sections that you cut to the cone sizes. I wouldn't be able to manage all my thread without it.
BTW great auction find.

I have some of those big old candy jars, and that’s where I store all of my threads including the cones.

I use Amazing Tape to hold my thread end to the spool. The tape only sticks to itself so nothing sticky on it. It's reusable forever I guess, still using the firsts pieces I cut. I have my cones of thread in see through thread cone holders. I found them on sale over the years at different online sites I have them stacked on a shelf. I use to keep them on spool racks hung on the wall but they were getting dusty. Nothing is more tedious then dusting spools of thread. LOL

I use blue painters tape to hold the loose ends.

I thought about blue tape -- I already keep a roll of it in my sewing kit. My preference though would be to stick it on the inside of the cone and then I think you still have the possibility of the thread looping over the spool and coming off. Do you just put a piece down on the outside or peel back a corner or anything for easier take off?

The idea with the hairbands is that they don't stick to the hair (so much) and so will be easy to pull on/off the spools. The reality is that this is enough thread for the rest of my sewing life and maybe something like the press and seal and pretend that they are just all new until I want that particular one might be good. Had a friend who was crazy good at doing everything that couldn't be done with duct tape with press and seal!

The netting, I think I see that in the thrift stores sometimes -- it is green? Does it come in clear or other colors??

Some of the cones have a flip-edge on the base that you can flip open, wind the loose end into, then snap shut. Glide and Isacord come to mind.

On some, the cap can be loosened/pulled up and the loose end tucked there. I'm thinking Superior and Aurifil are like this.

Either way, look at the cone construction to see if base or cap are design to do that.

There is a slit in the bottom plastic of the So Fine cones to pull the thread through. Turn over the unopened cones and you should be able to see where the thread is secured.

Oh my goodness! DebJMills, by looking at the sealed cones I was able to see what I couldn't see/feel on the opened ones. I have vision issues and the base is rough enough that various things caught my fingernail explorations.

Thank you so much! This will help prevent the tangle and regular maintenance I didn't want to deal with. Am still going to look at those drawer organizers.

My cat Tomas, he could take a loose end of thread and run it hundreds of yards this way and that and all through the house. A spool with the thread secured wasn't so much fun, eventually they all ended up under the couch. But.. a loose thread coming out of a drawer was something like out of a cartoon.

plastic tablecloth the clear stuff you can buy it by the yard I just cut strips the width I need and the length needed I add some so it overlaps it clings so it works good

I use this tape to wrap around spools. The roll has lasted a long time. I use the 1 inch size and then slice it down the center. Two for one works for me.

https://www.amazingtape.com/

I made storage boards to store embroidery threads and serger cones in the drawers. Cut dry erase board to fit the drawer, mark a grid and glue on golf tees. I use longer tees for the cone threads. The spools stay in the right space. Easy to take out and put the thread back when done. For embroidery threads the drawer holds 81 spools. I forget the serger cone numbers.

When you glue the tees onto the board just space them so there is room to fit the next spool on the board.

I take a single edge razor blade and cut a small slit in the base for the cone and pull my thread end through it. It holds for me, sort of like the slit that is on one end of some spools of thread.

I simply use a piece of tape from my tape dispenser and keep my spools in drawers organized by color families. Has worked for me for years and never a problem removing the small piece from the cut end.

I ordered 40 yards of thread net covers and just received it yesterday. I hope it works. I thought it was funny that this subject just came up after I received it.

I use the pony tail holders, except I bring the thread down to the base of the cone and then put the band on, it works for me.

I bought some of the heavy cardboard decorative boxes at Joann and keep my colors in boxes so I don't have to look through everything to find the right color. I have used blue painters tape and the netting for my spools. The boxes look nice in my sewing room.

As a longarm quilter I use the large 6,000 yard cones of quilting thread. I keep these on the large thread holders (wooden pegs) placed on top of wooden bookcases along a wall in my quilting studio. I have positioned tape on the bookcases in front of the legs of the thread holders to keep them from slipping off onto the floor. I have placed very thin plastic cut from dry cleaning bags just behind the thread holders and draped over the top and down the front to keep dust of the thread. I can easily see the colors of each cone thru the plastic. For my extra cones that are still in their plastic bags, I keep on the shelfs below. I have done this for the last 20 years, works very well for me, and I find that the thread has never faded from the artificial light (basement quilting studio).

Look in the first aid section of your pharmacy and get the knit tubing that goes over a bandaged finger. Cut off a section and stretch it over the cone. It works well and can be left on during sewing to keep the thread from back lashing, etc.

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/14/b9/7d/1...bd7906a38b.jpg
I was wondering how to tame my bobbins, especially metallic thread, so I googled it. Thought I'd share the dollar store hair bands pic.

I use the yard sale type stickers and stick them to the ends of the thread spool.

Aashley -- that's the type I wanted! They only had small like those for the bobbins. I think the large ones can be twisted on to the less-than-half cones better than the regular elastics, which are great at full but won't get smaller easily.

But thanks all for the ideas! I plan on going to the Goodwill today to look at those bamboo cutlery trays -- I think one would be perfect for the Aurifil.

Don't think I'm going to be able to find those notches reliably/easily. Since I bought the elastics, for now maybe I'll try some that way and some with blue tape to do a comparison. I like the idea of simply taping it to the base, don't know why I didn't just stop there instead of mentally putting it inside.

Yesterday at my Tuesday group I was given a stash clearing UFO that is just gorgeous and I once again, I got distracted by fabric (sing to the tune of Blinded by Science0.

Ashley has the kind that I get, at the dollar store.

I keep spools on shallow shelves on the wall...but l'm in basement and lights are only on while l'm in the room sewing. A large medicine cabinet (bathroom style) would be perfect with doors on in a sunny area. I arrange spools by colour.