Connecting Thread
 

I recently bought some of Connecting Thread's thread and like it but I am finding that there is a little wobble that occurs on the spindle and I believe it is affecting the quality of the stitches. Does anyone know what I can do to stabilize the spool?

Maybe your sewing machine doesn't like the thread. There are some thread I can't use with my sewing machine.. I love to use King Tut thread, I have some friends that can't use that.. Try a different thread and see if you still have the same problem

Do you normally use smaller spools? Does your spool pin have a good flat platform at the base of it? My pin sort of floats out there but it comes with various little plastic platforms I can put on the base - I keep the widest one on and that helps with wobbling with larger spools & cones. (This is assuming you have a vertical spool pin.)

You could also try flipping the spool over and see if it unwinds better the other way. Or the old-school method; drop it into a can behind your machine and see how that does.

I use CT thread a lot and no problems, but my machine is not at all picky about thread.

How is the thread wound on the spool? If it's wound like Coats and Clark you can have it on a spindle thats vertical, if not it needs to be on a horizonal spindle.

I wonder if there is something that you can put on the inside of the thread core that will make it smaller. Different brands have smaller or larger cores, but my spindle is just one size.

Essentials threads are usually used vertically. on a stand next to your machine. Now, mine do wobble when the thread is almost down to the last. I tend to use up all i can. hate waste.

If it's a small cone spool, a Deelibob works. Large cones like serger types can use the same cone holders sergers use.
If you can't fit it upright, get a metal cone holder.

I've got some King Tut I have trouble with. They are vertical, but the thread seems to be crosswound at the bottom of the spool. Every time thread has broken, it's at the underside of the spool. Never at the top. If you pull it (unwind it) by hand, you can feel it catch at the bottom, so it isn't the machine. The emptier the spool gets, the worse the hangup.

I've learned to unwind cones by hand. I've had serger cones that have either a cut thread or tangle for a couple of revolutions in the same spot. Saves trouble unwinding by hand. You can find the glitch without having to rethread the machine constantly.

On my Bernina, I have cut pieced of felt or felted wool at the base of my spindle. They look like those items you put on your 3 ring binder paper so that the holes would not rip, kind of like small donuts.

My Juki has a foam pad that the spool or cone sits on. It would be easy to cut a piece of foam to fit most any machine, I think.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I believe the problem is that the core of the thread is slightly larger than the spindle on my machine and I don't know if there's a anything I can put on the spindle to make the cone more stable. In any event I will try some of the other suggestions.

The spindle is suppose to be thinner then the spool core. It could be wobbly because the spindle is shorter then the spool or the thread is being jerked by the needle. This shouldn't cause any stitch problem though. The tension should take care of any slack. I use the Superior thread stand for all spools and cones. The stand will hold spools horizontal or vertical. It has never tipped over which makes it a great stand in my opinion.

Try a drinking straw over your spindle. The fat ones from McDonalds or Sonic will be better than your run of the mill straw.

Have you tried putting it in a cup or mug. Sometimes that works and I have used that method that a friend of mine used and it worked for her and it worked for me. I don't use it all the time. Depends on the thread especially really large cones.

That's a good idea. I use straws on my thread rack to hold more then one spool.

Make sure your spool is right side up. Often, mine will jump around if I have it upside down on the spindle.

No, I haven't tried the straw - I will though. In fact I think I have some McD' s straws in my sewing room. Thanks for this tip and all the others, which I will try if the straw doesn't work.

Yesterday's post included a link to a video clip entitled 5 tips. The presenter talked about thread and how it is to be placed on your machine to avoid glitches. It is very informative. Other tips given here are also good. A vertical pin is used for thread stacked on the spool. The thread needs to pull from behind so that it does not hang up on the slit in the spool which can be used to store your thread without it unwinding in the drawer. However, many brands of thread now use the double top so the thread slides between them to keep from unraveling. For cross wound thread I used a horizontal pin and securing cap or I use a thread stand for large cones. Rarely do I have a problem and I use a large variety of thread. My Bernina just likes thread.

A thread cone stand will solve a multitude of problems and if you do not like the spool on the stand, put it in a mug and just take the thread up and over the top loop of the thread stand and over to your machine.

Use a roll T-Paper comes on, cut some out and fit inside spool and try that, might have to use two pcs together, but should tighten spool up on spindle.

My lqs has wooden dowels that slip into the center then that slips onto the spindle. They have a whole in them.There are not expensive and they work great. Just remember to remove it. I've had to remove many from trash.

I cannot use this thread on all of my machines. I love the thread and use it on my old Singer 401 and one of my Kenmores.

insert
 

Try taking a round dowel that will fit inside the cardboard spool, cut to length, drill a hole down the center of the dowel. This is what I have done to make it work. Can buy them, but pricey, when you can buy a dowel at Wal-Mart or any craft store and make them a whole lot cheaper.

Good Luck!

Reply
 

I have a Deelybob that stabilizes all sizes of spools. You can add or subtract pieces as needed

I am always on the lookout for cylindrical shaped objects that I can adapt to use with different sized thread spool holes. I have used old pen shells that I've cut down , I have straws wound with tape ...my favorite by far is a dritz thread holder that I took apart and repurposed..
http://www.amazon.com/Dritz-920-Cone...B69X47HHKCPEM5

the small cones are angled so they fit up into a variety of different spool sizes...just keep looking at things differently, and you will find the perfect thing!!

I too use the Superior Thread Stand for all my threads & never had a problem

Thanks so much for all the suggestions. I tried McD' s straw and it worked - the stitches are perfect.