Put the cup on the floor

I think someone said to thread it also through a packaging peanut to stop the thread from curling. I have not tried it myself yet. Let us know if you figured it out and what worked.

have you tried running your thread through a packing peanut or piece of styrofoam. Check youtube for Deborah Jones techniques for using metallic thread, she has a short video

Some people run it through a drinking straw. Distance is the thing that works for me. I run my thread on a spool stand set pretty far from the machine. Sometimes I use my left and right hands to make "eyelets" to run the thread through (between the machine and the thread stand). Then if I notice it is starting to twist, I stop, cut, back up 10 stitches, untwist the twisting in the thread, rethread and restart. This is only maybe every 5 or 7 minutes, so not a terrible pain. To have the ultimate experience with metallic thread, use the grossly expensive Floriani which is encased in mylar or something and stitches like normal threads. The price is the trade-off.

I set mine on the floor beside me as it sews on slow that works for me lol

You can sew with the spool horizontal, I just take my hand sewing needle, thread the metallic thread through it, then stick it through a packing peanut. I then pull the loose end of the metallic thread through the peanut and start threading my machine with it. When I have completed threading my machine, I pull the packing peanut up to the machine, where the thread FIRST begins into the sewing machine. That stops the Phone cord twisting and breaking of the metallic thread. Sewers aid is a liquid silicone that I use on the thread to make it slicker. It doesn't stain or remain anywhere I have ever found it. It comes in a bottle like fray check and can be purchased where notions for sewing are bought. This is a post I made in 2008. I'm still doing it the same way and it's still working for me.

I haven't stitched with it in a while, but sounds as if you are doing all the recommended things to do. Try another spool and see if the results are better. I had a rayon spool which kept breaking on me and I finally took a sharpie pen and wrote "bad spool " on the bottom. I use it only for quick 1 or 2 minute thread changes. Kay

It depends upon the spool or cone...the thread needs to pull from the spool or cone straight off the cone...not from the top...like a roll of toilet paper comes off the spool...think of the spool sitting on the floor in a horizontal plane...pull the thread straight so the spool rolls on the floor...the thread is coming off the spool or cone in a straight pull...not from the top...if you have a 1000m cone and if you can't configure like this, turn the spool upside down so it spools from the bottom to the top....large end of the 1000m cone to the top...this will untwist the natural wind of the thread and help it from knotting...

I've only used Robison Anton Metallic and have had very little problems. Sometimes it jumps off the spool in several loops at a time, but when I use a thread net, that seems to fix that problem. Hope some of these techniques that others have suggested work for you.

You have some fantastic answers. I hate sewing with metallic but when I do the further the thread is away from the machine the better. As it sews I let it run through my thumb and first finger - just as a guide. It works for me. Wish you luck

some metallic Threads contain to much Metal it makes the Thread knot break or shred .So it is a matter of try and discard .Here in Australia I use Mettler Brand .The tread is soft and runs easy through a metallic Needle .I hope this Information helps Hugs URSULA

Get a paper cup.make two holes at the top , opposite each other, put a small paint brush or pencil across, with the metallic
thread on it , so the thread is not twisting as it comes off .

I will add to all the helpful comments below..instead of 'sewer's aid;, I have an old eye dropper bottle that I fill with mineral oil. I squeeze a couple or 3 lines down the thread spool/cone and it works for me. Also no residue on my fabric and a large bottle of mineral oil is cheaper/used for many other needs.

I see you have lots of good hints and helps to try. I have found with metallic thread for me that I use a thread stand so the thread is standing upright rather than horizontal and there is about 12 inches of space between the spool and the start of the threading sequence on the machine and I have not have a problem. I have not needed thread netting or any other aids. I do use a good quality of thread. I hope that you find the trick(s) that work for you. I enjoy the results of metallic thread and would love to see you enjoy it also.

Sewmom, here is the link I was looking for and could not find when I answered below...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dmQeOC1Zaw

Apart from all the usual things - as far from the machine as possible, packing peanut, the horizontal rotating option if you can - I turn the cone upside down after a while so it untwist, then after a while turn it again.

Answered my own question with a Google search. Low temperature iron is ok. I have a fusible interfacing on this piece and I used Floriani's Stitch N Wash (which I've never tried before) so I need to wash it out and iron it.

I conquered the metallic thread! Not one thread break. I turned my thread stand on its side so the thread could unroll sideways.

I would still use a pressing cloth. I use parchment paper for these types of things. Hugs. Nan W

Hi,
If you plan to do a lot of metallic thread, have someone build you a "U" shaped box that hold whatever size spool you use. Notch both sides of the "U" so that you can lay a dowel across the "U" to hold your spool. In the side position your metallic thread will unwind and not twist off the spool. I hope this makes sense.
Good luck,
Jane