Use of Empty Plastic Thead Spools???
01-05-2012, 05:02 AM
#21
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 124
I buy cones of thread and wind them with a drill onto my empty spools to save money on thread.
Originally Posted by Caroline S
I am sure that there is a good use for empty plastic thead spools other than tossing them in the trash. Need some good ideas.
01-05-2012, 05:30 AM
#23
Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Lakewood, CO
Posts: 37
I cut the ends off (use a hobby/craft saw or have even used a kitchen bread knife-the one with the jagged blade)
then use the 'center' part of the plastic spool as an insert into the center hole of the larger spools. This 'insert' fills up the hole in the larger spool and centers it on the spool pin of the sewing machine. After the end pieces are cut off, if there are rough edges on the ends, these can be smoothed down using a fingernail file.
then use the 'center' part of the plastic spool as an insert into the center hole of the larger spools. This 'insert' fills up the hole in the larger spool and centers it on the spool pin of the sewing machine. After the end pieces are cut off, if there are rough edges on the ends, these can be smoothed down using a fingernail file.
01-05-2012, 05:35 AM
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Portage, Michigan
Posts: 7,398
Many have said something about donating them to schools. As a former elementary school teacher and preschool director, those little bits of "junk" are gems. Preschool children use them as counters, additions to blocks for creating new structures (like the little boys and the forts) and for developing fine motor skills by stinging, stacking and learning how spools move. All in a days work for a child and an innovative teacher. At the very least as one message said, they make great additions to art projects for children of all ages.
If you have donated and wonder what the kiddos do with them, ask. Most teachers are happy to show off what their children can do. You may become a very special friend to that group children and can them how it happened that you got so many spools. Our quilts are another whole lesson in color, shapes, traditions and geometry for children.
If you have donated and wonder what the kiddos do with them, ask. Most teachers are happy to show off what their children can do. You may become a very special friend to that group children and can them how it happened that you got so many spools. Our quilts are another whole lesson in color, shapes, traditions and geometry for children.
Last edited by WMUTeach; 01-05-2012 at 05:38 AM.
01-05-2012, 05:43 AM
#26
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: NJ
Posts: 2,521
At my Guild's bi-annual quilt shows there is a huge clear plastic jar filled with empty thread spools of all sizes, shapes and colors and whoever guesses the correct number of spools (or nearest number to it) wins a nice prize. I've been saving mine in a large empty pretzel container and will be handing them in soon as our show is in May. The DH of the gal in charge of the thread spool contest is the only one who counts the spools and knows the correct number. May in Jersey
01-05-2012, 06:44 AM
#29
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Sierra Vista, AZ
Posts: 3,992
Originally Posted by Ellageo
They used wooded spools here, but I made 26 ornaments this year with plastic spools....
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
