How to Thread Bobbin on a Old Singer Sewing Machine
Threading a bobbin on an old Singer sewing machine is a two-part process. Bobbins are metal spools that may or may not have holes in the sides. Many older bobbins are generic and will fit most machines. The first part of the process is to wind thread evenly from your thread spool onto your bobbin. The second part is to install your wound bobbin into your sewing machine so that you can resume sewing.
Instructions
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Lift the pressure foot on the sewing machine. The pressure foot is operated by a simple lever in the head of the sewing machine (behind or alongside the needle).
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Raise the needle by turning the rotary wheel on the right side end of the sewing machine.
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3
Open the bobbin plate that is flush with the surface of the sewing machine. These will slide open or lift up. Reach inside. You will feel a round metal container about the size of a quarter standing upright. This is the bobbin holder. On the side of the holder is a simple metal lever. Lift the end of the lever and pull the bobbin holder sideways to remove it from the sewing machine. Slide out the empty bobbin.
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Unthread your sewing machine needle by simply lifting the thread spool that is already in place on the rod at the top of the machine. Wind the thread back on the spool until 8 inches remain.
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Locate the bobbin winding rod on the right front side of the sewing machine. You will see a small rubber wheel. Attached to that rubber wheel is a small metal rod. This is where you place the bobbin. There is a small notch in the side of the bobbin that aligns with a small nub on the wheel to lock the bobbin into position.
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Feel inside the large rotary wheel that drives the sewing machine for a smaller wheel, which you use to disengage the sewing machine so you can just run the rotary part. Turn this wheel toward you (this prevents the needle from rising and falling while you wind thread on the bobbin).
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Locate an upright rod for your thread spool, usually just below the bobbin winder. Place your thread spool on this rod. To the right of this spool is a small pulley-like wheel. Bring your thread under this pulley and up to the bobbin. Thread the end of the thread through the hole on the left side of the bobbin. Thread from inside the bobbin out. You should see a small thread end to the left of the bobbin.
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Press down on the small chrome lever that is centered over the bobbin. This will press the rubber wheel against the large rotary wheel allowing the bobbin to spin when the rotary spins. Some of these levers lock, some don't. Press with one hand and hold the thread out from the bobbin with your other hand. Start your rotary either by kicking the treadle or pressing the electric foot pedal.
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Guide the thread evenly across the bobbin as the rotary spins. When the bobbin is full, stop the rotary, lift the lever, and slide the bobbin off. Turn the inner wheel on the side clockwise to re-engage the sewing head. Remove and re-thread your sewing machine.
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Hold your empty bobbin container in your left hand. Place your bobbin in the container so that the thread is clockwise. You will see a slot in the top of the bobbin container. That slot should move up and to the right. Bring the end of your bobbin thread into the slot (down and left) to a small circular hole where it moves slightly up. You can feel it catch.
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Open the finger grip on the side. Insert the bobbin and container. If you look you can see a small rod. Slide the bobbin on the rod. Turn the bobbin container 1/4 inch forward and backward until the arm of the container catches. Slide the end of your bobbin thread inside the hole.
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Turn the rotary wheel with your hand to lower the threaded needle into the sewing machine. When you bring the needle back up, it should have picked up the bobbin thread as well. Pull the remainder of the thread through the hole in the chrome plate and close the bobbin access panel. You are now ready to sew.
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Tips & Warnings
While this process has many small steps, modern and elderly sewing machines have many aspects in common and once the threading and unthreading and bobbin loading processes are understood, it becomes easier to remember and figure out any small differences your old machine may use. Because there are many styles of these machines your specific machine may vary slightly from the machine described here. Keep your elderly machine well lubricated for best sewing results.
References
- Photo Credit treadle sewing machine image by DSL from Fotolia.com
