I got the peanut trick idea from a machine embroidery board. Metallic threads are notorious for twisting and some threads just seem to twist for some unknown reason. You thread a needle with your thread, push it through the peanut, and then thread the machine so that the peanut is just before the first thread guide. Just go to any place that sells them, like Office Depot or the UPS place, and tell them that you need one peanut for your sewing and they just give you one.

I'm not sure that I fancy threading packing peanuts, it sound a bit awkward to me....

rehak wrote:

Don't forget to drink all the coffee first

I understand that Margo but the problem was my spool holder only standing one way but I'm going to try the coffee mug first

According to Dr. Bob Purcell, threads that are "stacked" on a spool should unwind from the side of the spool to avoid twisting.

Think of a roll of toilet tissue paper. When you pull it off the cardboard tube from the side, like when it's mounted on a tissue holder, the paper comes off straight and flat.
If you pull it off the side of the toll, like when it's just sitting on the counter or vanity top, the paper will be severely twisted. Same thing with the thread.

Threads that are "cross-wound" (like most large cones for long-arm machines) should unwind from the top of the cone, and work well with a weighted cone holder with a thread guide directly over the cone.

You might find more helpful info on his troubleshooting chart: http://www.superiorthreads.com/media/docs/Troubleshooting_Guide.pdf

Well I never I've got a few things to try. Thanks folks

My niece calls them ghost poop.

Hi Wendy -

Packing peanuts are those styrofoam blobs that are used to cushion things in the mail. (We like to call them robot poop in my circles....)

I've never heard of doing this, but it sounds like a good idea. I'll have to save some peanuts if I ever get them again. Seems like companies are getting more eco-aware and are using paper and other packing materials more often.

Nancy

What on earth is a packing peanut? I want one

Thank you for the replies I shall read them after tea again and absorb

I find that threading the thread through a packing peanut before it goes though the thread guides solves a lot of twist problems, especially with metallics.

not laughing at all. I was taught that too, but when I mentioned it to someone (I don't remember who) I was told that this is not the case nowadays. Maybe we should direct this to Dr. Bob?

Is the reel of thread the right way up? (stop laughing) I recall being told at college that the reel/spool works better if it is on the machine so that the printing is the right way up to read.

Wendy if you can find my posts ....on page 4 right down to the bottom there is a post headed Janome 6600. There are a lot of good ideas from TQS members.
Hope you can find it.
Anne