Which way does the spool go?
 

If the thread is cross-wound on the spool, do I put ot on the machine vertically or horizontally?
Thanks

I've always been told that cross-wound spools go horizontally and even wound spools are vertical.

Yup, that's how I do it anyway. :)

Yeah but you know ... I don't know the last time I had a vertical pin on a machine that was convenient to use. LOL

I didn't even know there was a rule!

I found an article on this subject that might help you. The fifth paragraph down (under the pictures of the spools of thread) should be of particular interest to you. :)

Why/how does it make a difference?

If a machine has one holder, is the machine that fussy about it?

I do know that it matters which way the thread comes off a bobbin.

When I read the initial post I thought...I haven't used the horizontal pin since I got my Babylock. Or on any machine I currently own. No matter which spool I use, the thread just glides off when I use my thread stands. I store extra wound bobbins for whatever I am working on on the horizontal pin. And honestly, I don't remember if I ever took out the vertical pin from the bag it came in when I bought any of the machines.
I may have simply kept up the habit after using older machines that did not have the horizontal pin.

Hold the thread spool in your left hand.
Pull a 12-14" or so length of thread off the spool with your right hand.
Continue holding the thread end in your right hand as you place the thread against the side of the spool.
It will wrap around itself if the spool's wrong end is UP.
Just reverse the spool and put it on the spindle. :)

Jan in VA

Was there a link? I didn't see one and I would be very interested in the answer to this. I only have a vertical peg.

This video explains it all: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnO5K6AA2sY

This is info I didn't know. Thanks for the information.

Oh Jan you are so awesome!!

The instructions for my Brother SQ9000 tell me to have the thread come off the spool clock-wise. The manual has a picture, so I figure I'd better do it the way they say. When I put on a spool that has the little base I worry because I cannot put it upside down.

Been sewing for more than 30 years and never knew there was a difference. Thanks for the thread and a special thanks to Jan. "Visual Aides" always help me!

Thanks so much everyone!

Here are some tips on metallic threads that might be helpful

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYY6vLpW4i4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84FehYcslAk

None of my machines have a horizontal spool holder, they are all vertical. I do pay attention to which way it winds off the spool but if it needs to be horizontal I'm out of luck. Never had any problems so I guess I'm good to go with my older machines that still work like a charm.

[QUOTE=Piper;6601645]I found an article on this subject that might help you. The fifth paragraph down (under the pictures of the spools of thread) should be of particular interest to you. :)[/QUOTE

I have 2 Whites with vertical pegs and two Singers with horizontal. I don't think it makes any difference. I have caps that go on the horizontal pegs that holds the spools in place whether they are the wound or cross wound spools. I have never had a problem with either of them going on either machine. Just something I would say would cost more to put on a horizontal peg machine. Makes no difference to me! Edie

Jan, you are so smart. I can always count on your visuals for better understanding. Keep em coming.

very interesting, thanks for the link.

I haven't heard this about positioning the thread on the sewing machine, however, it's a moot point for me as my spindle is horizontal, unless I'm using cone thread where it's vertical on my thread stand. Didn't know it mattered.

I've been sewing for years and never knew this.

Now I know why my needle comes unthreaded after using the cutter - the thread is twisted so tight that when I engage the cutting mechanism, it releases the tension, right back up out of the needle!

I only use cones - so ALL of my thread should be used VERTICAL. (I use the cone spool.) Why, then are do all the machines COME WITH HORIZONTAL SPOOL HOLDERS???? (I've never seen a cross wound small spool of thread!)

Thanks, Jan. I learn something new every time I open up my forum here--and you, Girlfriend, for showing me why my automatic cutters don't always work properly when I use them.

This is what I do. Then I mark the spool so I don't have to check every time.

Onebyone - thanks for the video link. That really helps!

Jan in VA - your visuals always help - thanks for them! I have printed it out to post by my sewing machine.

Great information Jan...thank you :)

Judy in Phx, AZ

Only one of my machines has a horizontal spool pin, all of the others have a vertical spool pin. I sew mostly with older/antique machines.
Sharon

The spool doesn't strictly need to be horizontal, it's the way a lot of people think about it though because of the way machines have been built for the last few decades.

Generally speaking, and this is what the Superior thread therapy links will teach you too:

Cross wound thread is meant to come off the top of the spool or cone, like serger thread comes off. If the spool pin is horizontal, this just naturally happens. If this spool turns with the thread, it introduces an extra twist to the thread which can cause some tension issues.

Stack wound thread is meant to turn off the spool with the spool turning. It CAN come off the top, but often will misbehave as well.

Older thread usually came all stack wound, slowly most thread manufacturers have switched to crosswound but few people have said anything about what the change means.

On older machines, drop a cross wound spool or cone into a tea or coffee cup behind your machine then thread around the spool pin and normally from there.

Gutermann and Mettler thread is all cross wound even the 100m (110ish yard?) spools. So is Aurifil, Robison Anton, and Glide. Those are just the ones I have here to check. Bob from Superior threads will say in the video that the reason machines come with horizontal spool holders is because the machine manufacturers don't talk with the thread manufacturers and vice versa. ;)

I was thinking about this the other day (no not your machines ;) My own) The spool pin that some machines have at the base of the machine for winding bobbins would be OK for holding some of the smaller CW spools, like the aurifil, gutermann, Mettler, and possible the RA and Glide threads too. Just thread up and around the back of the regular spool pin and continue threading normally.

I use a thread stand, similar to the one that Superior sells which works for horizontal and vertical seating positions and can manage all the thread types and has good weight to it so it doesn't hop around.

Thanks for the information and the link. It is very helpful!

Thanks Jan in VA, that is good information. I have heard this before but had forgotten.

I don't worrry about it. The owner of the shop I go to says one spool lays down the other stands up, my teacher says she doesn't see a difference. If I"m having a problem, which is rare, then I take the spool off and put it either in a cup or on the table and it'll do fine. I have booth spool holders and they work fine but its not an issue for me. I usually use the stand up one to hold the bobbins that are for the on-going project.

Thread is like a water hose or extension cord, it has a natural lay and will twist and curl up if the lay is out of whack.

What a great suggestion! I have been sewing for almost 50 years and beside working in a fabric store and working with many experienced quilters, I have never heard of that but it is great.

Thanks Jan, that was a handy piece of information I had never known about until now.........

Thanks for the link, very good information.