Someone gave me several spools of thread...........the thred that comes on a cone like u use on a Serger. I cant fit it on my thread spool on the sewing machine....its way too big. Does anyone have any ideas on how i can transfer the thread to a regular size spool? TIA

get you a spool holder that sits off to the side of your sewing machine. It doesn't really have to be on your sewing machine, just make sure it goes thru all the tensions.

Thanks Iza............but what is a spool holder and where do i get it?

this is the one I have. It's pretty lightweight but it's cheap.

http://www.thecalicocottagequiltshop...ead-holder.jpg

I read a horror story on a gal's blog a while ago where she used serger thread for her piecing. Didn't realize that it was Nylon thread and melted it when she pressed the top. All of her piecing had to be redone. Make sure to test yours under the hot iron first.

JoAnn's has thread holders, usually on the notions wall. I have cones of thread that look like serger cones but are cotton. Is there a label inside the cone so you can figure out what the thread is made out of?

Thanks everyone. And yes, its cotton.

depending on your machine...you could even take a quart jar and stand it behind your machine...drop the thread into it and thread up the machine. I works just fine for me with one of my machines that can't handle the larger spools...

Ran out of white spool thread Sat. wasn"t able to go to the FS, so I took my cone of serger thread and filled bobbins, used the bobbin for top and bottom thread .

Very good ideas. Now why didnt i think of that. LOL

Thanks all.

The serger thread I buy at Jo Ann's the cheap stuff is polyester not nylon. I have never has it melt under normal circumstances. I did have it melt when my Rowents iron when haywire and just kept heating and heating but it also scorced the heck out of my fabric.

I often use bobbins wound from cones if just doing a smaller project. But one machine does NOT like it if I use a cone --holder or jar etc. so I use bobbins--wound and used 16 one day!

i looked into buying a thread holder,but they were to costly or too cheap looking (fall over), when i was at the thift store i saw a votle candle holder that was tall and curved it is metal and works perfect for a $1.00

I had a spool holder and gave it way - too flimsy
I use a tall c.4" wide cookie can, have also used a coffee can.Find a way to have it go around your spool holder - it needs that extra tension spot to work optimally.
Someone on the Board awhile back told how to use the lower part of a large safety pin (the round loop at the base) Can't remember how she affixed the pin to the machine.

I have 2 of the cone holders for my sewing machines. One is plastic, light-weight, not my fav. The other has a metal base, very heavy and sturdy...doesn't tip over and allows me to use the cones which end up costing less per inch then the smaller spools.

I have one of the flimsy thread holders, too...I fixed it so that it doesn't tip over and not flimsy anymore.
I went into my hubby's work bench and found some metal washers...I put a few on the spindle and they fit inside the plastic thread spool. It stabilized everything...

I use a coffee mug sitting behind my machine. A very long nail driven into a piece of plywood would work also. Not as pretty as my coffee mug, though!

bend a large paperclip and tape it to the back of your machine and thread thru it. Works fine and no $$ invested

great advice, which I will take.
Thank you

They also make a small plastic clip. I have it glued to all of my machines for a thread guide. They work awesome. I glue them on with "E 6000" glue and they stay forever.

I think someone asked how to use the large safety pin...I stick it into a spool of thread that I don't use (weird color). I then place it on the sideways spool pin and use the cone thread with it threaded thru my guide.

'twas I; thanks

i have seen this done and it does work