How To

How to Wind a Sewing Machine Bobbin

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(121 Ratings)

If you're just starting to learn how to sew on a sowing machine you should know that keeping the bobbin tight is very important. The sewing machine bobbin supplies the bottom thread of your sewing machine and if it's lose you're not going to get the desired results.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  1. Step 1

    Secure thread on sewing machine as if you were threading machine and pass thread end along indicated thread guides. Thread guides will be somewhat different for bobbin winding than for regular threading.

  2. Step 2

    Place empty bobbin on bobbin winding spindle. This spindle will be located on front right, on top right, or on either side of machine. The spindle may have to be repositioned for bobbin winding.

  3. Step 3

    Place thread end through one hole in upper portion of bobbin, and pull a few inches of thread through.

  4. Step 4

    Disengage the sewing machine needle by either pushing in the center portion of the handwheel or rotating center portion of handwheel towards you. The method will depend on the model of your machine.

  5. Step 5

    Take hold of the thread end and pull gently outward so that there is very little slack in the thread. Firmly grasp thread end.

  6. Step 6

    Push on presser foot to begin winding bobbin. Hold onto thread end while bobbin is being wound. Wind bobbin only up to guideline marked around the edge of the bobbin.

  7. Step 7

    Cut excess thread from the top of bobbin and cut thread that attaches bobbin to rest of thread spool.

  8. Step 8

    Insert bobbin into bobbin case, pass thread through indicated slots, and bring thread out a few inches to the right.

  9. Step 9

    Close slide plate over thread.

  10. Step 10

    Continue threading machine.

Tips & Warnings
  • Refer to your sewing machine owner's manual for the bobbin winding procedure specific to your machine. If your bobbin can be wound while remaining under the slide plate, follow winding directions given by manufacturer.
  • Look in your owner's manual for a diagram that indicates where the relevant parts of your machine are located. The manual will also give you any special bobbin-winding instructions specific to your machine.
  • Choose a bobbin that is the correct size for your sewing machine.
  • Replace damaged or cracked bobbins right away. A damaged bobbin can cause sewing problems.
  • If thread breaks away from top of bobbin while winding, this is fine. Continue winding.
  • Keep bobbin-winding speed consistent in order to ensure that bobbin thread is wound evenly, which is needed in order to render consistently taut and even stitches.

Comments  

sokit2me said

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on 6/22/2009 .... Check: 1 Bobbin is TIGHTLY wound 2.You have put the bobbin in the correct way - the thread MUST unwind from the bobbin as per instruction manual for your particular machine. 3. There is a tail of bobbin thread around 2" long 4. Have a tail of about 4" thru the needle when the needle is in its highest position. 5. Securely hold the neeedle thread down at the rear of the needle plate. 6. Turn the handwheel in the direction it turns when sewing until the needle has gone down and backup again. If you pull on the needle thread now, the bobbin thread will come up. If it does not, you most likely have a problem with the bobbin, the bobbin case, needle to hook clearance or timing of the needle to the hook or a burr on the hook.
Good luck!

sokit2me said

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on 6/22/2009 It is absolutely imperative that the thread wound onto the bobbin is TIGHTLY wound. If you can 'indent' the thread in a fully wound bobin with your fingernai, it is TOO LOOSE! Tension problems will result. Likewise, do not wind onto a partly filled spool. I repair machines - my record is 18 different pieces of thread on one bobbin!

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on 8/22/2008 i have read tons and tons of articles on how to "raise the bobbin thread", and when i do so..the second i put my foot down on the pedal, the thread comes out of the needle and im sewing nothing..why?!!!

jersey7 said

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on 1/23/2008 I can't get my thread to come up from the bobbin
when I put the needle down into the opening.
What could I be doing wrong??? Could it be the
actual bobbin size, or could it be the needle???

peppersew said

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on 6/14/2007 I can't get my thread to come up from the bobbin
when I put the needle down into the opening.
What could I be doing wrong??? Could it be the
actual bobbin size, or could it be the needle???

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