Question About Horizontal Vs Vertical Thread
 

I was told today that all thread on cones should be on a vertical holder and all other thread should be on a horizontal holder. I never knew this.

Comments?

Watson

I've always heard that. Thinking about it, though, most of my embroidery thread is on spools and I use them on the horizontal holder with a thread sock.

All cones are cross wound. The thread forms a criss cross pattern on the cone/spool. Cross wound thread is meant to feed off the top of the cone/spool. As long as your vertical holder is allowing your thread to feed off the top of the cone/spool you are good. On spools that are cross wound and being used on a DSM the holder is often set horizontal, like on my Bernina. This way the thread path is still allowing the thread to feed off the top of the spool, as cones are so large you need a cone holder of some sort. Some people use a coffee cup and a safety pin or paper clip or fishing rod line holder to feed the thread properly. There aren't many threads that are stack wound which works best when the thread can feed from the side of the spool and this would be the setup for vertical holders on many vintage DSM. Some specialty threads are still stack wound like Superior Glitter holographic thread. Here is a good blog that explains it with pictures. https://archaicarcane.com/standing-at-a-crossroads-thread-cross-wound-vs-stack-wound/

Cones are wound differently than spools of thread. They spin off the cone vertically. I sew so much I pretty much use all cone thread and on the machines that need it I put the cone on a thread stand behind the machine.

So, regular spools of thread should all be horizontal?

Watson

Before coned threads were introduced regular spools always sat vertical on my machines with the thread pulling off to the side, and when I first bought an embroidery machine, the small cones sat horizontal with thread coming off the top end. I still use cones this way unless they tangle, then I sit them (and the large cones) behind - never bought a thread stand.

I've never had any problem with either vertical or horizontal wound spools.

This is worth checking out.

This explains everything about it and you don't have to read. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnO5K6AA2sY