maryb119

great idea!

Grandma Bonnie

Very good idea!

Jan in VA

And we call it the "mother' of invention!
Good for him!

Fotoula

Very clever of him!!!!

#1piecemaker

Way to go Jim!!! That's using the old noggin! I used an old thread spool in mine. Found one just the right size!

twinkie

Great idea. He is a keeper.

Texas_Sue

How cool is that!

feline fanatic

While this appears to be a good idea it really is not allowing the thread to feed off the cone the way it should. Cones are cross wound. Most smaller spools of thread intended for that vertical pin on a sewing machine are stack wound. Jim's solution may work well for a while but you could develop tension problems, especially when attempting FMQ on the machine or high speed stitching.

Here are two excellent articles explaining how the thread feeds off the spool when stacked wound or cross wound and why cones should be in a thread stand or an apparatus that allows the thread to feed off the top of the spool/cone. Here are the pertinent excerpts

Thread stands are a wonderful addition to anyones sewing room. These stands allows users to use the larger cones of thread. Most larger thread cones are cross-wound. When placing this cone on a thread stand, the thread will travel upward to the guide at the top of the stand and over to the first guide on the sewing machine. Though this looks like it is on a vertical spool pin, the thread is actually still unwinding in the same way as it would on a horizontal spool pin. The thread is still being pulled off the spool releasing each of the cross-wound x’sť very smoothly..:

http://www.heirloomcreations.net/sew...tacked-thread/

1. Cross-wound thread on a vertical pin herks and jerks about as it pulls thread off the spool. This is a LOT of motion that sometimes changes from sideways movement to an up/down movement.
2. Polyester thread especially has a tiny bit of stretch to it. Think of it as “elasticity”.
3. The short distance between the tension and the spool pin seems to magnify all thread behavior because there’s less distance to spread the energy out over.

As you sew, you’re grabbing and letting go of the thread. It’s bouncing up and down and experiencing the “snap” of the elastic thread at the same time. Eventually, it just jumps off the pin and stalks away.
That really messes up your tension!

http://www.archaicarcane.com/standin...s-stack-wound/

I encourage you to visit these sites as they have great pictures to illustrate the difference between cross wound and stack wound and detailed explanation as to how it all works with our machines.

maviskw

Thanks, Feline Fanatic,
I have a friend who puts her cone on its side behind the machine. I always cringe when I see this, but have never said anything. Now I have printed out your instructions, but can't think of a kind way to show it to her. Any ideas?

Bubbie

Love that, you do have a keeper!!!!