Direction of thread from spool in SM

So I'm sitting at the sewing machine (Pfaff Creative 7570) and changing my spool of thread and wondered if it made a difference if the thread came off the spool from the bottom (turning the spool counter-clockwise) or from the top (turning the spool clockwise). I don't even know if this is a stupid question or not, I've been up since 3 am today for no reason at all so my brain may be taking a nap. I am not using scissors or rotary cutters right now so I figure I'm pretty safe sewing straight seams to make strip sets. [Yes, fingers are out of the way of the needle.]

AliceW in NJ

Reply to
AliceW
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The instruction book for my Elna doesn't say, but the illustrations shows the thread coming off the bottom and that is what the dealer told me too. I usually do it that way, but have been known to put it on the other way when I'm using something like Dual Duty that has a notch in the spool; then I put the notch away from the end the thread comes off.

Julia in MN

Reply to
Julia in MN

On my machine with a vertical spool holder, the thread feeds off to spin the spool clockwise, keeping the spindle tight, otherwise the little spool holder tends to come unscrewed. Not a fun thing to have happend as you are whizzing along! Aske me how I know this ;))

G> AliceW wrote:

Reply to
Ginger in CA
*Sometimes* I like to stitch with 2 or even 3 spools of thread. Which way they spin is important but it's one of those 'it depends' things. You just have to test and see which way works best depending on the threads and the moon. Polly

G> AliceW wrote:

Reply to
Polly Esther

Reply to
jennellh

It should not matter which way the thread comes off the spool. Good quality thread will work whichever way. Just as long as the thread doesn't catch on the edges of the spool you are fine. (Check out the Superior Threads website for answers to lots of questions like this. "Dr. Bob" has lots of great information.... and I could go look it up in the stuff we got at the thread seminar....but it is somewhere in the other room.

Pati, > So I'm sitting at the sewing machine (Pfaff Creative 7570) and changing my

Reply to
Pati C.

We had this discussion on a quilt retreat not long ago, some people had Pfaffs, there were also Berninas, Jukis, Brother and Babylock.

One person said she had been told that the thread should come off the spool (a horizontal one) like a waterfall. But I looked at my machine and I had it the opposite and I was fairly confident that I had it how the instructions said, so I tried it the opposite way and it jammed completely.

I've found that depending on the brand, that for cone shaped spools sometimes this feels like putting them on upside down and other times it isn't, so I guess there must be variety!

One thing I do know is you need to have the thread coming of the spool the way it was intended, it isn't usually possible to unwind from the wrong end anyway, but very occasionally it is and the twist will be wrong and it will likely muck up the tension.

Cross wound spools are supposed to be horizontal and the ones that are wound straight should be vertical, as my machine has horizontal built in and the vertical is an extra attachment I've found that almost everything is ok horizontal, but invisible needs to be on the vertical one and I think I found one thick thread that was cross wound that worked better on the vertical too. When it's on the vertical I haven't managed to figure out if one way is consistently better than the other and if it isn't smooth it's usually changing something else that helps, like if I've got the wrong size spool cap on, or something.

Cheers Anne

Reply to
Anne Rogers

I'd suggest you post your question on

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There are some real Pfaff experts there (including a few dealers) who will answer you with an authority that I can't.

I can say that on my 7570 (and my 2030) -- I run the spool counter-clockwise -- FWIW!

Reply to
Kate G.

Reply to
Roberta

Alice: Well, I've had Pfilomina Pfaff, 7570, in residence for about 8 years now, so I should know! I just hope I am sending the right information. Using the horizontal spindle, I always place the spool so the thread unwinds Up and AWAY from me, towards the back. Using the vertical spindle, I also place the spool so the thread unwinds AWAY from me. I just looked in the manual so I could cite a page, and I cannot find this in the book! I think I just learned this at the dealership. The photo looks as if I am correct. Anyhow, it works for me and Pfilomina! PAT

Reply to
Pat in Virginia

I'm new to this site. It looks like it is a great resource.

I've had several Pfaffs and have a Creative Vision right now. I think you should try it both ways to see if it makes a difference. I've decided that it does. It may just be my aging eyes, but I think satin stitches/embroidery look smoother when it is on the 'right' way.

I was told to put the spool on, right-side up, which made no sense until I realized that the brand label would be on top or the writing on the edges would be readable. (A bit of a 'duh' moment.) Since I have had spools that were wound the other way or don't have a label any more, it is easier just to make sure the thread is winding onto the spool clockwise, looks like a 6 from above, the same direction the thread needs to be when putting a bobbin in the bobbin case.

If the thread doesn't feed smoothly and gets tangled, even with a large thread-cap, flipping the spool over over fixes it.

If it is METALLIC thread, it does make a difference (which made me realize that it might make a difference with other threads.) If metallic thread is sitting the wrong way, it will twist and make kinks in the thread, causing all kinds of problems. Sliver has the same problem. The 'right' way may be the wrong way for metallics. Test it to make sure.

My dealer found that putting Jenny Haskin's new metallic mini-cones upside down on cone holders keeps it peeling off smoothly. It twisted and kinked terribly and broke a lot the other way.

Kathleen in Portland, Oregon

Reply to
Katpaints

You're not recommending I read the manual, are you? Oh, no, don't make me do it!

Reply to
AliceW

Thanks everyone! Lots of good input.

AliceW in NJ

"The End" as said by my 2.5 year old sweet Grand daughter when she decides the conversation is over.

: > > AliceW in NJ : >

: > The instruction book for my Elna doesn't say, but the illustrations : > shows the thread coming off the bottom and that is what the dealer told : > me too. I usually do it that way, but have been known to put it on the : > other way when I'm using something like Dual Duty that has a notch in : > the spool; then I put the notch away from the end the thread comes off. : >

: > Julia in MN : >

: > -- : > ----------- : > This message has been scanned for viruses by Norton Anti-Virus : > : > ----------- : :

Reply to
AliceW

Reply to
Roberta

And I did! ....uh, take your word for it, I mean

Reply to
AliceW

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