Thread stands save money and aggravation! Whether working with fussy decorative and metallic thread, super fine monofilament thread, the large cones of machine quilting threads, or any thread that does not fit easily on the sewing machine, a thread stand is the answer to problem threads and pocketbooks.
Decorative and specialty threads come with their own varieties of idiosyncrasies. Fussy threads can tend to fray, kink, break, and twist themselves right out of the thread guides. When the spool is on the horizontal spool pin and is close to the first thread guide the loopy-ness of the thread as it unwinds can work itself out of the thread guide. If you are not watching it can pop out of the tension disk and suddenly you have a real mess.
Much of the cost of thread is in the winding of thread onto small spools to sell in stores. When purchasing thread on larger spools, the savings can really add up. One of Heirloom Creations most popular threads these days is the MasterPiece thread by Alex Anderson. With its popularity came the demand to stock the larger 3,000 yard spools at $24.95 verses the 600 yard spools for $7.50. Though the initial purchase seems like a lot, it is like getting almost two 600 yd spools for free, and translates into a savings of $12.55! The amount saved is half the price of the larger quantity for the same amount of thread.
The way thread is spun and wound makes a technical difference in the way it should unwind. We are most familiar with the threads wound on spools in parallel rows, or “stack wound” threads. This thread should come off as the spool turns, or horizontal as the spool sits vertical. As long as the spools are not too big the weight of the spool itself does not cause much extra drag on the thread. However, this is not practical for larger quantities of thread. Extra drag can affect the performance of the machine and the tensions.
We now see more thread that looks like it zigzags across the spool. This type of thread is referred to as “cross wound”, and is meant to unwind off of the top as the spool sits vertical. In order for it to do so a thread guide situated above the cone of thread allows the thread to unwind freely with no drag what so ever. This is the purpose for a thread stand that sits near the machine, and is ideal for any size or quantity larger than 300 yards. The horizontal spool pin which is found on all machines now, serves the same purpose; however the space is limited to smaller spools.
Look for a sturdy metal thread stand. Do pass on those inexpensive light-weight plastic base thread stands that can easily tip over or “walk” away from the sewing machine due to the vibration on the table while sewing. If you are a cat lover, he will often want to have his paws into everything you are doing including sewing. A metal stand can hold steady while Fluffy walks around the back of the sewing machine in his quest to “help”.
I use my thread stand all the time at home, and I use a lot of the Isacord embroidery coned thread when sewing. It is so much easier to place the spool on the thread stand instead of messing with (and finding) the proper sized spool cap for the sewing machine.
And, the next time you use a decorative thread and it is misbehaving, put the thread on a thread stand before you throw it out.