There is a device called a Thread Pro which allows a spool to sit on a heavy metal bottom, a rod which allows the thread to feed off the spool and then it feeds into the thread holder on your machine. ( Clotilde or Nancy's notions?_) Also, if your machine faces the wall, hang a lamp near your machine and feed the thread over the lamp and into your machine thread holder.

That is exactly what the picture shows that my husband made for me. It is above this in the posts.

Go to my web sight at www.quilttilyouwilt.net and I think my thread holder is there. I have a man who makes all of my wood items and he does a great job. I will check later and see if it is there if not I will post one by tomorrow night. Pat

I got mine at Hancocks for $5.99 and it's plastic but it works great, just sits behind my machine. There big cones of threadare always on sale also.

I did not read all the posts (so someone may have mentioned this already) but I saw someone use a big jar to put their spool in. The jar sat behind their machine.

I bought a thread Cone holder from the local quilt shoppe, but thank you for more ideas! I will now be able to set up for two cones. I know JoAnn's has them too.

I use a wooden paper towel holder that set on my cabinet and was hateful for getting paper towels. It is heavy enough to hold the largest cones. Attach a pipe cleaner around the top(where knob screws on) to make the thread go up the cone. I like it better than my bought flimsy plastic one. Quilters make do with what they have.

I discovered yesterday when I was working with a big spool that
I could take my paper towels off the chrome holder and use it
for my big spool sitting behind my sewing machine. It worked
great today.

Try putting the spool in a canning jar and using a straw, I have done this to use the big spool to wind the bobbins. Works fine for that, haven't used it for sewing.

if you have a surger use the ones that hold them they are rubbery and fit in a cone then sets on a spindel like on top of your machine