Using cones of thread
 

Can you use cones of thread with a regular old sewing machine? If so is there a stand or something that you get to put the cone on?

My janome has a the upright and horizontal thread spoil but they are way too short to use a cone on. But for economical purposes if I can figure out how to use a cone of thread with my machine that would be awesome.

While I'm at it. Another question.

Using glue for basting. Do you just use it for binding or for full on basting a quilt sammich? I'm definitely going to try the glue stick for binding I need all the help I can get there. Lol.

LOL... I just stick my cone into a canning jar set next to my machine and it feeds out ok. I know there are special stands you can get but I haven't spent the money for one.

I just stick the cone in a box or coffee cup, and run it through the first hole as if it were on the spool holder on the machine.

Just make sure when you use something to put coned thread in that the thread won't get caught up in moving part on the machine. For the glue, yes you can baste the entire sandwich using washable glue. I hold the glue bottle (full strength) upside down with the tip wide open, moving the bottle back and forth across the batting to make a grid of lines about 3-4" apart. Then I smooth down the top/backing, patting well to make sure of contact. I air dry mine (takes about an hour) but some will iron dry. Then you can flip and do the other side. By spreading the glue onto the batting, you can know that there are no wrinkles when you spread out the fabric. The sandwich will not shift at all and you can fmq wherever on the quilt ...don't have to work from the middle out. The quilt does have to be washed after completion....warm water and detergent. So easy and cheap!

This is how I use cone thread on my old treadle. Don't mind the dust she's been sitting for a while. :D I drilled all the way through an old empty cone so the the upright spool pin can go through it. I then put a sticky Velcro pad on the empty cone and shove the second full cone onto it.

My husband made me a cone stand using scraps we had around the garage.

The best thread holder I've used is this one: http://www.superiorthreads.com/produ...-thread-stand/

You can use it horizontal or vertical for any cone or spool of thread. The thread feeds evenly from the holder.

Be sure of the quality of the thread you are going to use. If you look at the thread and there are bits of stuff along the thread, you really don't want your machine to gunk up.

I use the Superior Threads heavy duty stand. You can actually get it cheaper at Connecting Threads - http://www.connectingthreads.com/Too...d__D81905.HTML

I too love the stand that BellaBoo posted. I have a spool of Aurifil 50wt 2-ply in it right now (because it feeds better than if I use the spool in the machine's spool holder).

I agree with maniacquilter2 - many big cones are made for sergers and are only two ply threads - not as strong as regular sewing thread and more linty.

My opinion is if a quilter doesn't know the difference between cone serger thread and cone sewing thread, a thread stand isn't going to be their biggest problem.

Thankfully I know the difference in threads lol. My grandmother in law has a serger so I've done some thread shopping for her.

I was more looking at it from an economical standpoint of buying larger quantities of thread and cones seemed the most logical.

http://www.connectingthreads.com/too...r__D71253.html

I've seen this one and it's very pretty.... if you want to spend the money for it. I don't use cone thread, but if I did I'd get one of these.

I was in Houston last weekend for market and noticed someone selling machines had the cone spools in a tall glass container, like a vase for flowers. The height of the vase brings the thread up high so it doesn't drag on the machine anywhere. I'm going to dig a vase out from under the kitchen sink and take it the sewing room. :)

I use the Superoir Thread stand and love it.:)

[QUOTE=moonwork42029;6382545]LOL... I just stick my cone into a canning jar set next to my machine and it feeds out ok.
I do this, too, and it works great for me!

I also like cindyw's idea.

This made me laugh! :D

The canning jar is a super idea!

I just use a tall jar, but this is soooo cute! And I love how you can keep matching bobbins on the same holder! Very clever and cute! Yeah, it's a bit pricey, but then it is a functional piece of artwork.:)

My DH made me ( he has a wood shop) made me the most wonderful cone thread holder. I use it with all my different machines. He made a round wooden base and made it extendable (so I can adjust it to what height I need for each machine) He also made a loop on top to hold and guide the thread. I would love to put a pic, but I still haven't figured out how on here! Will try again this afternoon!

I have an all metal stand that I got from Amazon, which feeds fine during sewing (after a little modification), but it does not love to wind bobbins. Can you easily wind bobbins off the superior stand?

I use this little tool. http://www.quiltersparadiseesc.com/O...Directions.pdf

I don't bother with a jar or coffee cup since the cones stand up all by themselves. I buy Prescencia on the large cones. They're not cheap to buy but it still cuts the actual price of the thread way down.

My husband made me an insert for the larger spool/cone that goes inside from a dowel rod. He just drilled a hole up the center of the dowel rod so it fits onto the spool holder on the machine. It works great.

Thank you quilters for all the wonderful replies! I've been trying to figure out how to do this myself and now I have a pretty good idea.

Me too, I agree!!

Now that's my kind of do it your self spoil holder, beats the light weight one I bought. Didn't use my engineering brain and think of making one. Good job thanks for sharing.

Try a straight sided pint canning jar, or a paper towel holder. Look around your house for things that might work. There is no magic in purchased thread holders that I can see and I own one, but use a canning jar most of the time.

I have had success with just placing the cone over the normal big spool of sewing thread. That way the cone is stable and does not fall off when I sew. Hope you know what I mean.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/images/misc/quote_icon.png Originally Posted by Skittl1321 My husband made me a cone stand using scraps we had around the garage.


This one is THE BEST. Wow!
The most important thing is to be sure the thread comes off the top of the cone, that is straight up, without any resistance as it is coming off the back of the cone. That's what purchased thread guides do. If there is resistance at any point, that will compromise your tension at that point.

I had been setting my cone on the floor next to the machine with just a little tilt. Worked perfectly. The thread came off the top and went over the edge of the table to the first thread guide.
Then we got cats!
They never got into the thread, because I moved it immediately. Then I put the cone into a plastic container and hung that just below the edge of the table. That works perfectly, too, and I don't have to move it to clean the floor.

I use it all the time and yes there is a cone stand, you can order from Connecting Threads . Don't order the plastic ones, they work but are not that sturdy.

My DH also made me a stand and I make sure to place away from the fly wheel.

I have the thread stand that Dunster recommends from Connecting Threads, I like the fact that the heavier base keeps it from being knocked over. I've also used it to lift the cord from my iron out of the way, just by hooking the cord at the top.

I have the decorative metal one from Connecting Threads too. DH bought it for me some years ago as a gift. There use to be several designs to choose from. It works great and is heavy it won't wobble or fall over. I wanted one that could be used horizontal and the Superior thread stand does it both ways. A guild member makes nice wooden base dowel thread holders and brings them to guild for door prizes. The one I won, I painted it red and she got miffed I painted it. LOL

If you will PM me or email at [email protected] I have a spare I can send you-free!

I took a regular thread spool and cut off one end. Put it in the cone and used like regular thread spool on up right peg. Works great.

I use the large cones of thread all the time, mine are in a heavy glass mug, also use the glue for piecing,binding and sandwich

I always use the superior stand to wind bobbins for my Voyager 17. It feeds the thread evenly to the bobbin winder. Have also used it on my domestic Bernina 1230 to feed the thread. What I like about it is that I can adjust it so the thread feeds through the stand loop very close to the machine's thread spool. I just allow the thread to feed from the stand to this thread spool; everything else is the same.

Edit: I should add that I used to use a canning jar and an "outrigger" (bar with a hold to slip over the machine's thread stand and another hole through which to feed the thread) but had occasional problems with that setup, and it didn't work at all with one type of rayon thread cone. The Superior stand has worked with every thread I've tried, plus it adjusts for my Voyager's bobbin winder. Very versatile, although I hate the fact that I have to store its spare parts and directions independently of the winder. In a few years, when I finally need to use it differently, I'll never be able to find them!

I have an adapter that makes my spool holder on the machine accommodate the cones. Just received it recently as a gift, so don't have an honest opinion as to how efficient it is.