Spools vs Cones on a Longarm

This is true on a domestic machine as well, but on a longarm, where the stitching is speedy, it's really important that the thread doesn't catch on it's way to the needle. That can cause the tread to break. A lot.

It started when I ran out of my cone of thread with just 15 square inches left to quilt. Ugh, but it happens. I ordered a small spool to get my project finished.

The small spool was wound straight (vs. cross-wound) and the spool itself needed to turn as the thread came off the spool. My longarm brand does have a horizontal spool pin, but this is is the first time I've ever used the straight-wound spool with it. Not a high priority to purchase that attachment.

So, the hack. I taped a hex wrench, something that was for putting the frame together, to the top of my machine, horizontal to the machine's vertical spool pin. Love the tape? I also taped a stopper (from my domestic machine) to keep the spool from falling off. It wasn't quite as horizontal as the real spool pin!

I slowed the stitching down a bit and watched. Not a hiccup! It worked beautifully!

(Yes, it's supposed to look like chaotic stitching.)