You wanted a spool holder for larger cones ---------------check out my new web store - It is so new, it goes live on March 1, 2009. www.houseof2morrows.com
We have invented the FATS 1 and the FATS 2 (Fancy All-Threads Stands) which will hold anything from a small Gutterman spool to a large cone, and will allow that thread to be held either horizontally or vertically!! The horizontal part is what hasn't been invented for larger spools yet. The thread guide lifts the thread vertically to a height of about 16" which should clear the top of most any type of home sewing machine. The FATS 1 holds a single spool horizontally and a single spool vertically, and can be used for both at the same time if you wish. The FATS 2 holds 2 horizontal and 2 vertical spools and they can all be used at the same time if you wish (and your needle can accommodate 4 threads). These holders are being launched for sale at the same time as our new web store, so please excuse the commercial, but I want to get the word out to as many people as possible, because we are really excited about the possibilities of these new thread holders. :lol:

I've been buying 1200-yd. spools of Coats & Clark at the local Joann's when it's on sale or I have a coupon. I've not had any problems with it yet. Once I bought a whole box (or maybe 2 boxes) of Signature 500-yd. spools there at half-price. I really liked it, but ran out of the color I was using and needed more. When I went back to Joann's to get more, they no longer carried Signature. I searched for that particular brand and color name on-line and found it at Red Rock Threads. I bought a 3000-yd. cone from them. I was really pleased with both Signature Thread and Red Rock Threads (who carry many, many brands of thread). I can't remember what I paid for the 3000-yd. cone nor what I paid for shipping and handling, but I just checked out their current prices and see that Signature cones, 500-yd. are $4.75; 3000-yd. are $11.95 and 6000-yd. cones are $20.95. I THINK there are very few color choices on 6000-yd. cones. On top of that, add shipping and handling ($???).

I have a Janome 1600P DBX set up on a grace frame with a practice quilt on it. Unfortunately I have not had much time to play with it, but when I did practice a bit with it, I used Coats & Clark thread and had no problem with it. I hope it continues to work o.k. for me ... I have a half-dozen spools of it and I hate to waste anything.

[b]The very best thread is from "Superior Threads" it's called Masterpiece.

It is 100% extra long staple egyptian cotton. They also carry a variety of threads. Once you use them you'll never go back to other threads on the market. Why spend a lot of $$ on your machine and use thread that has a lot of lint!

wow, those are some good prices! thanks.

I have heard of aurafil also. bookmarked this thread to come back to all this great info.

JanW, Everybody that has told me they have the 6600 Janome say they love it. I haven't found anything about it that I don't like yet. Can't wait to have more time with it. Been gone for three days and trying to get laundry done today. Especially fabrics dried so I can finish cutting quilt out. This will be machines first project. :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mountain deb

Try this site for threads. [email protected]. Don't drool to much, it is hazardous to your computer :D javascript:emoticon(':D');
javascript:emoticon(':D'); I stopped in there when I was in the area. It is a wonderful store and just as wonderfully staffed. I stocked up on thread, to feed my thread stash. A lot of quilters were there that day, so that says something about the thread.

Just 22 lights away was another little jem, www.maryjos.com. I think I left some drool on a few things. javascript:emoticon(':oops:');
javascript:emoticon(':oops:');

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:lol: :lol: :lol: thanks

crazyquilter wrote:
Also forgot to mention that Atlanta thread has Coats and Clark 6000 yd cones for 13.55 each. (All colors.)

wow, sure beats the heck outa 122 yards for 11.00 and some change. :wink:

oops :shock: , meant 1200 yards, for about 11.37 :lol:

whoa, I sure hope I don't have any problems with the Essentials thread, cause I just bought 87.00 worth. But I do have more than one machine and I make clothes, toys and home dec stuff too, so it won't go to waste. I sure am glad to know that though. I won't mess around about my yearly tune-ups, (or sooner, depending on how much mileage I put on it :wink: )

hadn't thought of using a different brand for bobbin. I try to be frugal also. Compared to year and a half ago, I would say I am doing quite well with funds, now. great to know of bargain products that work. hugs to you too, sue. thanks. :D

ty! machinequilter :D

wow, when I first posted, I figured this question would be so old, I'd be lucky to get one or two answers...thanks everybody. was trying to reply to each person individually, as I am thankful to all, but page turned and I had to keep going back so please forgive me. my computer is a bit slow at times...also downloading something right now.
seems you gals know your threads. I have heard of all these brands, but had never tried many, because you use what's available to you. I am just now learning to overcome 'online anxiety' about buying. With info, I have a lot more confidence about products. :wink:
P.S. nice to meet so many nice ppl with 6600 too. I agree, lots of good machines, good threads and everybody just has to find what works for them, but I'll take all the help I can get. :D

I love Connecting Threads Essential 100% Egyptian Cotton thread and their service is very fast.

I just wanted to let everyone know that Singer, when it comes to their embroidery machines, does NOT recommend Coats and Clark thread due to the lint problem. It causes alot of machines to be serviced and can cause the need to replace parts that are expensive. So my new Futura came with a warning.

However, normal sewing, may be OK on our machines. Something I have learned over time, is keep your machines free of lint between your projects. It is the build up that can cause problems..Those mini vacs work great!

I use Essentials (Cotton)f or quilting and Robison Anton & Maderia (polyester and rayon) for embroidery.
Diana in Texas

I'm certainly not here to "knock" anyone and their choice of thread, but I have a Gammill long arm quilting machine, and I was told the same thing by the service man who set mine up. But, I have to say, that I used C&C for years in my regular sewing machine (Pfaff) without any problems. I'm a good lint chaser tho, so maybe that's why? :lol:

I've heard the same thing. Even though I have to admit, I have used them on my Janome and had no problem. But, I'm a lint addict and if I see a speck-it's gone! Poof!LOL I know the big serger thread I use often is a hairy one but so far so good for the money. Just my 1 cent-Skeat

Tristan thread in Western Canada is clearing out of Aurifil. The price converts to less than $4. US for 1300 meter spool including shipping.

http://www.tristan.bc.ca/

Have you looked at Thread Art? I believe the web site is threadart.com . I just purchased the large spools of 40 / 3ply cotton thread for 3.75 a spool. It is on sale right now until the 28th at this price. It is usually 4.75 a spool. They also have some "deals" on Ebay that are cheaper than the store at times.
I use in on a quilting machine.
I too went to a quilting store and looked at the same spools of thread but they wanted $12.00 a spool. Karen

I have a 6600.....but I may not be alot of help to you LOL......it's a a new machine and I'm a new quilter sooooooooo....LOL

But I do LOVE it.

BArb

When I have a large spool of thread that won't fit the in machine, I put it in a coffee mug on the right side of my machine, thread it through a loop in binding clip clipped to the fold-open cover of the machine and then thread it through the machine.

[b]

thinking a mini vac would be a great investment. Know where i could get one. I am thinking maybe you don't mean a dust buster or similar, but something with a smaller attachment? :)
[color=blue]

gulp! :shock:
thanks for the addy, that's a good price for my serger! :D

great tip, cause I have a lot of stuff on my table already and if pushing a quilt thru there, a mug might be a better choice for me, thanks :D

hmmm, seems I goofed a little on some of these replies, but think you can still read them. It's very early and the cat had kittens. (I know, that is an old one, lol!) :D

Here's a good idea for a vacuum attachment for lint on the machine at: http://www.clotilde.com/list.html?cr...acuum&x=1&y=16 that is on my wish list down the road (anyone have this?)
Love the coffee mug idea! Very smart! And, since I hadn't been so smart in figuring that out myself I picked up one of these at our sewing shop-and I paid more then this for it...but, love it! Go to: http://www.clotilde.com/list.html?cr...stand&x=3&y=11 That thing doesn't move! Have a friend that has a plastic version and it is always getting bumped around (she is a crazy and out of control sewer!LOL)So, the cast iron version works best for me too. Skeat

thanks for web site info, Skeat. I use clotilde and hadn't thought of looking there. Too much quilt info in my head. Just looked at it and gonna order today. I have a heavy cast iron base to a light/magnifying lense that broke, but it's still sitting here..."oh, I might think of a way to fix it, or use it...", well hubby welds, so I might get him to make me a thread holder! this thread has certainly produce a lot of great tips and ideas! :D

The vacuum attachments for your regular vacuum cleaner sold at Clotildes and other shops, I bought several years ago. I use it all the time, along with a sheepskin brush to agitate the dust bunnies. They do not like that, they like their little hideyholes(LOL). From time to time I also use a can of air to clean, but I think I heard somewhere that you can force some of those little dust bunnies into the crevises and foul up your machine. Any one else heard of this?

I have the mini vacuum attachments package for sewing machines (good for areas of my computer also); it works o.k., up to a point. Can't get to the tiniest spots, but those areas pretty much require a service call to the dealer anyway. It does suck up a lot of dust and is REALLY a boon when it comes to cleaning the lint from my serger. The mini attachments come with a plastic tube hose, which attaches to a vacuum cleaner hose; the type of vacuum cleaner is a factor, also. The one I have now, which is a Dyson, is a BIG pain in the butt for using ANY attachments, so I thought to use my hand-held Dirt Devil when using the mini vacuum, but it doesn't have enough power to do the job.

To sum up, if you have a good vacuum cleaner that easily adapts to using its various attachments, the set of mini vacuum attachments is useful. Before my old Hoover died, I used it with the mini set and it worked fine.

Yes, I have heard that you should never blow into your machine workings. Always suck the dust out. It makes sense to me.

For a cone holder see http://www.longcreekmills.com/product/stand.html (on sale, ususally $33.95 now $9.59). They also have quilting thread (50wt) on sale, usually $9.95 for $3.

Superior threads is having a "try me" special;" you choose the thread & quantity, they choose the color. http://www.superiorthreads.com/shop/...cials/products

(I just placed an order for the try-me's at Superior Threads; haven't ever used Long Creek Mills, so can't say anything about either as far as service.)

Connective Threads? hapytlk

Hi! I also have a Janome 6600. It is a great little machine, and I love it. It has so many different stitches I don't think I will ever use all of them, but you never know. I too use a wide mouth canning jar to hold my large spools of thread, works great. :-) I get my thread from Marathon Thread, I usually get them at the different quilt shows I go to but they do have a web site you can go to also. I like the Essentials thread form Connecting Threads also but I find it a wee bit linty. :cry:

How about the tension on your Janome?? Mine is a 350E, embroidery only, and I am not happy: I keep having to lower the upper tension... I have 2 friends who have had the same problem. I had to take the upper tension down to almost zero to get a good stitch quality. I am not happy with Janome at all. Would never buy another one of any way shape nor form. No really good support or answer. If you ask them a question they are in la-la land. Well, did you do this, or did you do that??? It also is supposed to be able to tell what color to use... not the case, that simply doesn't work. The last ignoramous salesman I spoke with asked me if I was threading it correctly! Hello!! Hello! I finally took half the machine apart on my own and tightened up the bobbin tension until it can't get any tighter, and now it gives me a decent stitch at a setting of about 3 to 4 on the upper tension. I have a Husqvarna Rose which has a limited field of 4x4, but you can't beat the stitches. Absolute quality every time. But who wants just a 4x4 field? I digitize, and it does come out well with the Janome. Does anyone else use their MB4 digitizing program? It's about time that everyone should be aware of the pitfalls of some of these so called wonderful machines...

crazyquilter, so sorry you are having prob w/an individual shop/dealer..I have to admit you are the only one I've heard that didn't like their Janome and are having problems. I am sure it is not actually the janome,but, the 'who' you are dealing with.. I'm not sure where you are, but, I'd defin. outreach. My mom has the exact machine you have and just bought it about 6m ago and she has not let it cool off yet! She has absol. not had any problems at all and loves hers. She has had to do NO adjustments to it at all. In fact she's been doing so great with it she ran back into the shop she purchased it to find out some more tricks to it. Do outreach and seek the right help! There has to be nothing more frustrating then to be in your situation right now. Do keep us posted and good luck! Skeat

Thanks for your kind and sympathetic response, but maybe your mom hasn't used hers as much as I?? Maybe I got a "lemon", but no one seems to want to help me. When I buy a machine, it has to work, and I mean work. I don't want a machine that might work for one pattern once every 2 weeks. I want something that will work like this old Pfaff 1475 that has worked for 19 years: I mean sewing everyday; wedding dresses; prom dresses for half the grads in Torrance CA, costumes; etc, an old work horse like you would never believe. I don't want a Janome that I paid about 2500 for it and software that doesn't work at all the way I want. We all need to speak up and say what is right and what is wrong. Maybe it works well for you, but for those it doesn't work for, they need to stand up and have a voice. This will help us all in the long run!!! Not angry, but we just all need to stand ourr ground for what is right...

(think it was mountainDeb? wrote):
....From time to time I also use a can of air to clean, but I think I heard somewhere that you can force some of those little dust bunnies into the crevises and foul up your machine. Any one else heard of this?

I have heard that you shouldn't blow air into your machine, but I can give you a reason that ppl here in the south, especially, would benefit from....ALLERGIES. I bought ONE can of this canned air and used it on my serger i think, and all the dust blew back into my face and I had a bad reaction. Not the kind that makes you call the EMT's, but bad enough. I broke out into hives and in less than a minute was the most irritable feeling I think I have ever been in my life. I have been angry before, but this was a form of agitation that was unreal. My allergist said that was the dust/reaction! :shock: anyway...I won't be doing that again, lol. funny NOW! :D

crazy quilter wrote:
.....We all need to speak up and say what is right and what is wrong. Maybe it works well for you, but for those it doesn't work for, they need to stand up and have a voice. This will help us all in the long run!!! Not angry, but we just all need to stand ourr ground for what is right...

maybe if you go to janome.com and contact them with your complaints they can give you some suggestions to get satisfaction. I agree, consumers have a right to complain about any product, but when we pay the kind of money we do for these machines, they should tap dance and do dishes! (at the same time too, lol! :wink: )

been there, done that! No help. Janome, beware.