How do you keep your embroidery thread from becoming a tangled mass when you are done with a color and want to store it for later?

Thanks for all the responses----I need to think outside the box, like y'all do! I have bought some Handi-Bobs to hold the bobbin, and if the hole on the spool is the right size, it has a plastic piece that fits in the spindle hole on the spool. But the mini king spools have holes in the spindle that don't fit Handi-Bobs.

While at the hospital I discovered a blue stretchy tape.I cut long skinny strips to hold up peppers in the garden and little strips work great to hold my thread ends.

I use a variety of things. For some spools I just take a razor blade and cut a slit at an angle at the edge at the top of the spool being careful not to cut the thread. Then I just catch the thread in the slit. Other times I use Magic Tape.

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by joann13100 21 Jun 2012

Ohhh---I'd accidently cut the thread....

If I have a spool that does not have the snap bottom, I uses strips of very thin clear vinyl. It sticks to itself and keeps the thread neat.

MJDG

I use hairbands that I buy from our local store, Osman,s and they work very well on large cones as well as medium cones. I find that the most small spools have their own threadcatchers already. Just make sure that you catch the end of your cotton underneath the actual hairband ( like a covered elastic).

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by joann13100 21 Jun 2012

Something to look for at the Dollar Store!

I use Sulky thread and all of the spools from the smallest to the largest have snap bottom spools. ;)

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by jrob 21 Jun 2012

When I'm doing a specific project, I use large pill bottles (from the pharmacy) to drop in a small to med. spool and the bobbin.

by joann13100 21 Jun 2012

I have some Sulky, but I've noticed it is so expensive compared to other threads.

My machine uses plastic bobbins, so I break the bottom and top off the stem of the bobbin. One will probably break. The one that isn't broken will rest on the inside of your spool of thread. Wrap your loose thread around this piece of bobbin. TADA! you've solved your thread problem and recycled a used bobbin.

R-A and Metro have snap-bottom spools. I use thread nets on everything anyway. Also, I had a buddy build me a huge thread rack, and make the spindles long enough that I can put the matching bobbin right on top of the thread spool, even the longer ones like Isacord. I have seen things that hold the spool & bobbin together, I think at Connecting Threads, but of course like anything specialized they're expensive. Hugs, Marji

Sticky Tack - that goey stuff that looks like bubble gum. Just the tiniest piece will stick the end of the thread to the spool - and it can be used over and over again! I also use STicky Tack to hold my thread in place on my machine - instead of using the spool cap. My thread never gets wound up any more. I just looks a little weird. I wish it came in happy colors :-)
I need to try Hugo's Amazing Tape - thanks for the question - and answers
Hugs, Jan

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by joann13100 21 Jun 2012

I think that must be the same as Keene Tack---for keeping small items from moving around on a table.

I, too, use Hugo's Amazing Tape - works great.

I use Avery small round labels. They come on sheets of about 100 and I just peel one off and attach it to the end of the thread and stick it onto the plastic base of the reel. I sometimes reuse the labels. It is so easy to just peel one off the sheet (which is placed just next to my machine when I am sewing) No need for picking up scissors and cutting off a piece of sticky tape. I do not put anything sticky on the actual thread reel itself.

I just love the thread nets, they work terrific and keep the dust off also.

Pony tail holders from the dollar store work the best. Bigger ones for larger cones. I did the vinyl wrap around thing,but they loose their clinginess after a certain point.

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by sewfrenzie 21 Jun 2012

I also use these, they work great!
Diane

I use the plastic they use for tables as it sticks to itself. you can often get off cut and i cut it into strips it is cheaper then the tape.

I also use Magic Tape, to tape the tail down. The magic tape doesn't get sticky so it comes off easily :)

i have tried all methods nothing works for me. I still get in a tangle. Hugs Joyce

I use normal scotch tape, scotch brand, and place it length wise to help keep the spool from unraveling when picking up. I can't figure out how a rubberband will hold the thread.... Hugs

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by jrob 21 Jun 2012

just tuck then end of the thread under the rubber band and make the band (by doubling it, when necessary) tight enough to stay.

I use rubber bands on mine, although someone once said not to as it bruises the thread. But I have not found it a problem.

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by hightechgrammy 21 Jun 2012

Oh No! Now I have to worry about "bruised" thread - LOL

by pennyhal 21 Jun 2012

What on earth is a bruised thread? Is there such a thing?

I used to use the Hugo's Amazing Tape that cfidl spoke of, however I have since learned how to loop the thread in a knot that you can simply pull the end of when you want to use it again. It saves time and nothing else is needed. No loose ends to get tangled in a mass.

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by bevintex 21 Jun 2012

I also do this. No tape,rubber bands and it is free and it works

by cfidl 21 Jun 2012

I do this for ones I use frequently.

by crousse 21 Jun 2012

How do you loop the thread into a knot? Sounds like a great idea tho-heaven knows I don't need to start worrying about bruising thread LOL (of all things to worry about). Thanks :-) Charlotte

Hugo's Amazing Tape, which sticks to itself. I have found it quite useful for handling large thread cones. Live Laugh Download Stitch!

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by 1sewnsew 21 Jun 2012

I have used that before and it works great.

by joann13100 21 Jun 2012

Thanks for the link! Think I'll order some.

I buy the big bag of assorted elasict bands at the dollar stores. Inside are thes 1/2" wide elastics that are just the right size to slip over all my spools of thread. They work great. I use the big ones in the office and the real long ones to keep projects together.

I got friendly with the girl in the floral dept of my supermarket, and she saved me almost a thousand nets. I was shocked when she handed over the package. I use them for all my threads and I have some longer ones for the Madeira 5000 ft tall cones.
Hugs, Rachel

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by gjemptynester 21 Jun 2012

Me, too. They were free and the supermarket was glad to recycle them. I just cut them to whatever size I need.

I use the plastic tape as well ,or buy plastic at spotlight, and cut it into 1" wide strips and long enough to wrap around the spool, works a treat.

The spools that have a snap on bottom take care of them selves and the ones that don't I use Hugo's amazing tape which goes around the spool and secures loose threads. I have been using this product for 3 or 4 yrs now and highly recommend it. I do not remember if I get if from All stitch or Shopper's Rule.

I use the thread nets too.

I have a plastic tray about 6x4in. I collect the threads for a design I want to stich and keep them all together till I have done with them for the project. I use a small rubber band for the ones that dont have a self closing ring at the bottom of the spool.
hugs Helen

I use thread nets, they work good and my Hubby made me a huge spool rack for my bobbins.

The mini king spools I've been using don't have a way to catch the thread like spools of Sulky do. I'm also having trouble keeping the spool with the matching bobbin thread......

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by marjialexa 21 Jun 2012

Think I saw at Connecting Threads a thingy that holds spool & bobbin together, gotta spend money, though, boo.