Metallic Thread Feeding on Sewing Machines
In order to feed metallic or difficult threads from tubes and spools into the machine, I often use a horizontal thread holder for sergers on a vertical spindle. I will demonstrate using my Pfaff 7570, but similar setups can be devised with most sewing machines. Ask your dealer whether a vertical thread spindle is available for your machine. I know the Pfaffs have them. The horizontal thread holder for the serger can be obtained at most sewing machine stores. I was recently informed that the horizontal thread holders purchased by a customer had the following address on them.
M B Sewing Enterprises
4711 N Falcon Dr, Suite 161
Mesa AZ 85215 (602-985-6653)
If you can’t find them locally, you might contact that company to see where you could obtain them. There were two to a package.
The dark gray device lying on top of my machine is the horizontal thread holder for the serger. You will note that there is a hole in the bottom of it. Next to it in lighter gray is the vertical thread spindle for the Pfaff. It has a round bottom, and it fits into the round hole on top of the machine which you can see below these two spindles. Place the horizontal thread holder for the serger onto the vertical thread spindle, and then put the vertical thread spindle into the round hole on the top of the machine next to the well where you place your thread spools ordinarily.
If you turn the horizontal thread holder so that it points to you, you will see from my photo above that the thread then feeds off the side of the spool. This avoids the excess twisting you get when the thread feeds over the end of a spool. This works especially well for metallics which are ruined by excessive twisting, but it also works for tubes of embroidery thread or spools.
I don’t use the machine thread disks on the horizontal thread holder as they don’t fit, and I seldom have any problem with a spool wanting to come off anyway; the angle of the position of this jury-rigged dispenser seems to keep the thread in place. As long as you keep the thread holder positioned correctly, you shouldn’t need a thread disk.
I’ve been using this system for years, and I find it works on all of my machines equally well. By the way, if you have a 1400 series Pfaff, your Pfaff dealer also has a thread spindle to work on your machine. I hope that helps some of you.