Sewing Tip - Cone Thread Stand

making do with a mason jar and a safety pin

Yes, I know my thread holder looks a bit odd, but it works in a pinch. I have a traditional cone thread holder (see below), but I don't like unhooking it from the machine in my sewing room.

Okay, I'm lazy, but why go to the trouble when a tall cup or a mason jar can easily keep the cone upright, and a large safety pin, slipped over the vertical spool holder, with the thread through the coiled portion of the pin to provide a bit of tension work just as well. As you can see, I used it when I sewed the binding on Brenda's quilt. (see Monday's post)

I like this technique for my traveling machine so well, that I purchased a plastic mason jar (shown above) at a thrift shop and keep it in my sewing machine case. The large safety pin is always in my accessories bag. Thus, I'm never caught with a cone of thread that I can't use because I forgot to pack my thread stand.

traditional cone thread stand
the loop at the top of the bar keeps
tension on the thread similar to the
safety pin that I use with the mason jar

Note: I only use the "stand" with cone thread, never spools. The machine has holders for spools, but not cones.