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cones are too wide for serger (Moderated by Sharon1952)
Posted on: 1/20/11 10:33 PM ET
I've searched this topic a bit here at PR and I guess not many here use the 99cent thread from JA. Even so, maybe one of you has a 'fix' for this problem? I was at the JA sale and just bought 4 cones of white thread for a new project. After unwrapping them all, I found out the plastic cone is much wider at the base than maxi lock cones and the cones shifts about on the stand. I think this would mess with the tension, and I used a beige thread instead, but now I want to figure out a way to use these cones. Any idea what I could stuff into the base to hold the cone firmly in place, yet still allow for the thread to spin off?
All ideas much appreciated.
All ideas much appreciated.
Posted on: 1/20/11 10:36 PM ET
I just saw those threads a couple of days ago, although I didn't buy any. Please let me know how well they are - big price difference!
Meanwhile, I saw a contraption made especially to insert into the larger serger threads so they don't bounce around. Maybe in the Clotilde catalog? I know that doesn't help at the moment, but maybe they sell them at Joann's too?
Meanwhile, I saw a contraption made especially to insert into the larger serger threads so they don't bounce around. Maybe in the Clotilde catalog? I know that doesn't help at the moment, but maybe they sell them at Joann's too?
Posted on: 1/21/11 1:21 AM ET
Do you have plastic things that comes with your serger that fit on the thread spindle? They look like a little cone with slits in it and have a hole in them to fit on the spindle. Mine can be turned upside down and put back on the spindle and the larger side is up and accomodates a thread cone with a bigger hole. I saw someone do this once and said OMG, I would never have thought of turning those little things upside down. Works like a charm.
Posted on: 1/21/11 7:12 AM ET
I also turn my cone holder things upside down. Doing so allows the cones to remain still.
As for the thread, I would advise against buying any more of the unnamed brand. My experience has not been that great with this thread. It produces a lot of lint/fuzz and the plastic has begun to crumble.
I can break the cone in half with very little pressure. I've had this thread for about five years but I've had Maxi-Lock thread just as long and have not had these problems.
As for the thread, I would advise against buying any more of the unnamed brand. My experience has not been that great with this thread. It produces a lot of lint/fuzz and the plastic has begun to crumble.
I can break the cone in half with very little pressure. I've had this thread for about five years but I've had Maxi-Lock thread just as long and have not had these problems.
Posted on: 1/21/11 8:09 AM ET
I'll only buy Maxi-lock and Mettler. I have nothing but trouble with the cheaper serger thread. I had an old cone (as in: I don't remember when I even used it) of Talon, probably bought at WalMart or JoAnn, and it broke every few inches. My Maxi-lock, which was older, performed beautifully.
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iPad's auto-correct is my enema.
Posted on: 1/21/11 8:37 AM ET
I have some zipperstop huge industrial cones that are too wide to all fit on the serger -I think this is what you are saying is also the problem for your spools. When doing a 3 thread stitch I put one cone on a thread stand behind the serger so I can have space between them. The factory cones that are really big work fine just are too wide to all sit together in line. If you are sewing under a cabinet or shelf you can put a tiny screw eye there to run the thread through before threading the serger as usual if you don't have a thread stand. You could first put the thread on a sewing machine spindle before running through the screw eye. I used to do this years ago when I didn't have a serger or a thread stand so I could use factory cones which were plentiful in our area at the time with all the garment factories. I have also seen people rig coat hangers that didn't have a stand but don't remember much about how they did it.
Posted on: 1/21/11 8:46 AM ET
I just reread what you posted and now understand what you were asking. I don't see why you couldn't wrap something around the thread insert things to make them larger to stop the wobbling. I have not seen these particular spools but have never had one that either flipping the little insert didn't resolve that issue as someone mentioned. Sorry I misunderstood what you asked.
Posted on: 1/21/11 11:00 AM ET
Did you try using them as-is? Maybe the wobbling won't be a problem for the machine, although it could drive you nuts!
Posted on: 1/21/11 11:05 AM ET
SewTrue.com has the real thread (Mettzler?) on sale for 2.00 a cone. I use it for all sewing on my reg. machine, too. I have a special stand that allows the thread to unroll from the top of the cone, rather than having the machine struggle to turn the dumb cone to unwind the thread.
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JanieV
Posted on: 1/21/11 12:50 PM ET
I use any thread I can get my hands on and have never had trouble on my Pfaff machines. I would try it before I limit myself to only a certain brand. I clean my machines every time I open the door to the innards. That little "blush" brush works great. I have sewn professionally for 20 plus years and only stay away from threads that break when I try to snap them.
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