Abstract: A spool of thread, such as dental floss, is housed in a two-part shell or holder, preferably made of plastic. The floor on the bottom one of the shell parts includes a platform to provide a bearing surface for enabling rotation of the spool with a minimum of friction. The top of the upper shell part includes at least one finger which depends far enough to drag, with predetermined friction, against the top of the spool. This friction is sufficient to prevent a random unwinding of the spool and yet small enough to preclude any substantial impedance to the withdrawal of a desired amount of thread from the spool.