www.Purplemoosedesigns.com has a metal based thread stand for $7.95. (Look under "Thread" link, then go to stands link). I bought one from them a few years back. Good and heavy and well worth the money. Hope this helps.

Anita

I have some good quality thread that has those notches. It's not all cheap thread that has them. They are a pain. I've been buying the large cones for the last two years and it's so nice I don't have to mess with that. But when I applique, I have to and I hate it. I never thought of a pin. That's a good idea! Thanks!

Signature does. I think I have some coats and clark that do as well, most other brands don't. Those are the only 2 brands I know off

I'm with Bearisgray I use A pin to hook out of slit. I use small spools of different colours for appliqué. Madeira rayon is one and I have more problems putting the tail end into the slot around the spool to stop unwinding when storing.

Mark that pesky notch with a permanent pen and then be sure you have it AWAY from the spool cap on the machine. Once I get the thread out of the notch, I never use it again but use a little kids pony tail holder around the spool to secure the end.

I file them down with an emery board. Works every time.

You can buy the metal thread holder at Connecting Threads or Annie's.

Thanks for all the terrific suggestions. The spool holder on Purple Moose looked good and I might get one. The one I had previously was attached to my table with a vise grip and was quite large. I used it to pop on large spools of lace for my business sewing. But I think that this could be a good suggestion for my embroidery machine as well so I can use larger spools.
The companies I know that still have notches are Coats and Clark, American Quilting Thread and Walmart. I also buy tons of thread at estate sales -- you can't beat getting a grocery bag full for $5. It lessens the annoyance of those pesky notches.

The spools that I have seen with notches usually have the new thread end under the paper label at end. A pin easily lifts enough of that paper label to get a hold of the thread. Then when I put the spool away, I always put the thread end back into the notch. It is there to keep the thread from unwinding in storage, and it works.

Most times, it is hard to see the notch to get the thread back into it. So I mark a tiny line on both sides of the notch with a black permanent marker. Works like a charm to find the notch.

I checked this out -- unfortunately with postage it came to almost $20!!! Somewhere I read that you could also use a grated cheese or sugar dispenser -- the glass kind with the metal top that has a hole in the middle like you used to see in diners -- which will also work for holding cones.