Doug vanderHoof

Hi All,
A complete beginner question. I'm using Gutermann upholstery thread on 325yd spools (like this picture I tried to attach, though I don't see that it's showing up.)
They all have a dark plastic insert in the bottom, removable.
All the inserts have a little accidental looking tab of plastic inside the cylinder, partially blocking the cylinder, that keeps it from sitting on the machine's vertical spindle.
I've been prying out the insert and letting the spool spin kind of loosely. The alternative is to drill out the tab.
How are these supposed to work?
Thanks in advance.
Doug

quiltingshorttimer

what kind of machine? I sometimes us a cone of thread on my domestic by setting it in a mug behind the machine and then threading normally. works fine.

Quiltah Mama

I may be way off here, but I know smaller rolls of Gutermann thread have an insert at the bottom of the spool of thread. You pull in down a bit and wrap the thread around it. That way it doesn't tangle, make a mess, and get wrapped up with your other threads. If your insert that you are referencing in on the bottom, it should have a hole in it though to sit down on the spindle. Not sure without a picture what is is you are referring to, the tab..
​​​​​​There is a step by step guide in the help topic thread that is easy to read and understand. It is what taught this ol' girl how to upload photos, and I consider myself to be very technology challenged.🤪

OurWorkbench

Frequently, the reason pictures don't post is because they are too large. It does say that the max is 5MB. however, it has been found that the file size needs to be smaller than 2MB.

My usual response about pictures:
We like pictures. In order to post pictures on Quilting Board, you will probably need to reduce or compress the picture to a file size that is smaller than 2MB. How to post images can be found at https://www.quiltingboard.com/attach...020-01-17-.pdf
Don't forget to scroll over to the far right to find and click on the "Upload" button.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

juliasb

I am not sure how the larger spools work but I have a number of the smaller ones here as I have on occasion had to take them apart in an attempt to make them fit my spool pin. I usually ended up using a piece of felt to get the right depth and dimension. On many of my larger spools I will put them sitting at the back of my machine. I discovered that Brother's makes a part for some of their 1500 model machines that manages to fit into larger spool and inserts into to the bottom and will allow a larger spool to sit on to a regular spool pin.

Jingle

Welcome to this board. I don't use that thread.

Onebyone

Are you using upholstery thread for piecing or quilting? That may not be the best choice.

donna13350

Above posters are correct..upholstery thread is way too heavy for a quilt, unless you're going for a certain look, maybe. As for letting the spool spin around on the vertical thread holder, that's a bad idea, too..you will find that you get uneven stitches and (with a quilting cotton or poly), broken thread..with upholstery thread, you might break your needles, or get bobbin problems as the thread spins around suddenly catches. You need it to flow smoothly.
If you can't post a pic, then take it back to the store and ask them what it's for, and while you're there get a spool adapter to fit your cone, or some new thread!
Don't get discouraged..we all made a million mistakes when we started out..(and many of us even now!)..but you've come to the right place, people on this board can walk you through just about anything!

OurWorkbench

From my understanding, the insert is so that it will sit on a spool pin and not spin loosely. It actually should be on a holder and not directly on the vertical spool pin on the machine. I measured some of the machines, including a White 43, and none are over 2 inches. The cone thread holder like https://www.sewingpartsonline.com/do...r-hemline.aspx or https://www.amazon.com/Dritz-921-Thr.../dp/B0019KDYL2 would have a pin that is 4 inches tall. I'm wondering if the insert is soft enough that it would fit on the taller spool pin and hold it sturdy. There are several DIY ways to make a cone thread holder.

For the type of thread that you are using (cross wound), it should not sit on the top of your White 77. It should be sitting behind or beside the machine and have some type of guide at the top of the holder to get the thread to the top of the machine. Preferably the thread would go through a guide on the machine so that it follows the same path as if you were using stack wound thread.

With that size of thread, one should use a larger needle, probably size 16 or 18. They also make machine needles (top stitching) that have a larger eye so that the thread goes through smoothly. I see from your profile and one of the other posts that you are wanting to sew heavier fabric and leather. I don't know what size leather needles come in. I would suggest that if you are using the larger needle and especially a leather needle, to turn the hand wheel by hand to make sure that the needle clears the needle hole. I would also suggest that you sew a little slower than if you were sewing some of the thinner fabrics.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
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Doug vanderHoof

Thanks for the suggestion.
I'll try the mug and then run the thread around one of the spool posts so that it goes to the guide from the same angle as a top mounted spool. Not all the way around the pin in a loop, just making a ninety degree turn.