Need a quick fix for keeping thread from coming off spool when it's being stored...not all spools have a slot cut..seems like a small problem; but it's driving me crazy..I can't be the only one with this problem..and I believe some quilter has the answer.

I buy to tiny pony tail holders (stretchy bands) and put them around the spool. Works great

I use press n seal on my thread or Hugo's magic tape.

once I saw a 'tab like' thing that was put into hole at top of spool - of course I wasn't sewing then so didn't pay attention to details & haven't seen it since. Hope someone has an answer for you because I'm going to use it too!

good idea! I love that little face on your avatar!

I use masking tape

They sell tube netting that you cut and put over the spool...try Joann's

Thanks, That me ... Just a couple of years ago :)

I use blue painters tape

WOW!!! :shock: Do you sell what you're drinking?! :lol: :lol: If you do, I'll take a barrel of it!!!!! :thumbup:

Pantyhose! Works great, makes a stretchy little sleeve. I also use this on my embroidery thread in my embroidery machine. One pair of old cheap panty hose makes alot of thread holders.

I like to use elastics for the spools of thread because I found that tape left a sticky residue, and I hadn't thought of some of the members of this board's resourceful suggestions.
For bobbins, no matter how well I wound the thread around, my bobbin case always had a mess of threads all over everytime I opened it. I tried the mini pony tail holders, which held the threads tight on the bobbins; however, they obscured the colour of the thread that was on it.
Then I read a tip that works really well. Go to your local hardware/home supply place/aquarium shop and get some clear tubing. Use a sharpie or a similar pen and make a little mark on the tube that is a bit smaller than the inside width of your bobbin. Then, on the opposite side that you made your marks, cut straight down the clear tube so that it can open up. Once you do that, you can just cut across the tube where the marks are. You end up with a bunch of rings with a slit on one side that you can open up like the letter "C" and slip over your bobbin. Hope that makes sense-- it would be a lot easier if I could just draw a picture. Most of us quilters are pretty visual people!

Thank you all so much, don't know which I will try, but at least I've got some new ideas.

If my thread spool doesn't have a slot, I make one with something sharp pressed into the side of an end. It's the bobbins that drive me nuts and I love the aquarium tubing fix. I bought a tackle box and keep spool and bobbin together in sections because I was having trouble matching the exact shade of ecru, ivory and white or grey, greyer or greyish threads off the spool with the started bobbins. Now if they're in a little section together, they belong together. I can also change the section sizes and if I have multiple spools the same colour they stay together with a bobbin.

I use scotch tape, especially if I know I won't be using it any time soon.

I had the same idea, but I buy the fuzzy ponytail holders (for children) at the dollar store. They are easier to remove with my fumble fingers. :oops:

Blue Painters tape works the best and doesnt leave any sticky residue.

I just wrap a rubberband around the spool.

Thanks for the tips everyone! :D

If my spool doesn't have a locking mechanism, I use this medical tape. I cut about 2-3" strips and cut those into even thinner strips (after all - I'm only trying to trap one thread. I'll attach a picture. It works great. It sticks only to itself - not my thread. I use the same technique on the bobbin thread and make it about as thin as I can get it, so I can still see the color on the bobbin.

I like this stuff so much, I wish they sold it in black so I could harness my extension cords with it. I think I will try it on my toaster oven, crock pot and blender cords while they're stored in the pantry though. Humidifier? Razor charger... Cords Under computer... Hmmm

They make that tape in a whole bunch of colours. I get mine at feed store that sells vet supplies for farmers. I've never thought of using it for thread spools or cords. That's a great idea.

Clotildes and Nancy's Notions has them. I bought them and use them all the time. It keeps the bobbins together with the spool of thread. I tuck the threads under the little plastic thingy. (I think that's the 'technical' name for them!)

connecting threads has them...clotilde also

I tried your idea with the tubing yesterday and I love it. No wasted tape, no residue, doesn't cover the color of the thread and very inexpensive. It works great! Thanks!