Spools vs cones
 

Had a discussion with other quilters this weekend and we were discussing the pros and cons of spools of thread vs cones.
Most of them felt that cones were more economical and the thread was stronger. Which do you use for sewing your blocks together and quilting?

I use whatever I have on hand, but will go to the cones first for piecing. I don't find them to be any stronger or weaker than spools of thread. I use both spools and cones for quilting on the LA. I don't know if it's more economical but I like not having to buy thread all the time :)

The same kind of thread often comes on both cones and spools. If it's something that I will use a lot, or if I will use it for quilting on the longarm, then I prefer to buy cones. I did buy a lot of spool sets from CT when they were on sale just to have the huge variety in colors, and because their sales price was at or below the price of the same amount of thread on the cones.

I use cones for both my piecing and machine quilting. It's much more economical. I have someone in my quilt group who keeps an eye on-line for deals. Just got cones of 40 wt. thread for $6.50....can't beat it. I bought 7 cones....so I won't be in the market for thread for quite some time.

I use the cones whenever possible. I don't like to run out of thread in the middle of something. I also think the cones are more economical. I don't, however, need a lot of different colors, I usually piece with white or beige, and quilt with beige or light grey so laying out the money for just those few colors isn't a problem! And they last a long time for me.

I do prefer cones. Once I had my cone holder , it just made more cents( pun intended).

I use the cones for piecing and quilting. But I use lots of spools of different color threads for my appliques. I buy my cones in white, tan, black, and grays. I do agree that cones are more economical.

I prefer cones more for my $.

I haven't bought any cones. I do have tons of thread on spools and trying to use them up.

Sometimes I don't think before I act. I gave away 2 cone holders to a second hand store about 2 months ago and am now reading this thread and realizing I should have kept at least one. Now I need to go buy another one. My sister died and I received them from her estate. Are they expensive and where is the least expensive place to buy the cone holders?

I use cones because they are more pracital money wise. I do not find that the thread is any stronger or weaker going either way. The same thing applys for my machine embroidery thread.

I bought mine from Superior Threads at a quilt show, but they are also available online. They're good and heavy, which is what is needed so it doesn't tip over. A lot of people make their own - you can probably find some directions on the board if you search.

I use a jar behind my machine to hold the cone and hang a big safety pin on the thread spool holder on the machine. Then I feed the thread thru the safety pin then thread the machine. I use it for cones and spools too

Long Creek Mills sells heavy duty thread stands on their website for $7.99. These have a metal base unlike the lightweight ones sold by JoAnn's. The Long Creek Mills website is a bit challenging so click on "products" and then "notions". Great pricing on cone threads which are spooled on-site and they charge fairly for shipping. If you don't see what you need call them .....866-869-6651. I've been buying from them for years.

I use cones because they end up being less expensive

I mostly use cones. I do have spools leftover, but won't be buying anymore. I'm just adding more colors to the collection of cones.

I have lots and I mean LOTS of thread spools. I will use these up before I use cones on my Janome but I do use Cones on my long arm so far only using tans grays and one quilt had to have black thread. Its bad enough when I run out of thread on my bobbin I'd hate to run out of my top thread too! LOL

My sewing machine has a built in cone holder. Perviously, I used one my DH made from a round of wood (about 5" across and 3/4" thick, well sanded. He took a piece of welding rod, made a cirlicue at one end and inserted the other through the wood, near the edge. that is to make the thread go up from the cone. He used a half inch dowel inserted into the middle of the round and screwed it in place from the bottom.

I use cones because they are cheaper and because when I am quilting I go through a lot of thread and hate changing spools. The disadvantage is that there are fewer color choices. If it is the same brand and weight, it is the same strength.

This is a very interesting discussion about whether or not buying cones or spools being more economical. I have also been wondering the same thing. But wouldn't one save more when buying them on sale. I also would like to keep on hand spools for uses to wind bobbins with so that I would not have to unthread my machine every time I run out of bobbin thread. I think the next time Connecting Threads have their thread sale that I will stock up on thread cones and spools.