Bobbins are the little spools that store the thread that winds around the sewing machine’s threads to make them go around and around.
Most sewing machines have two bobbins, one for each color of thread. Each thread has its own bobbin, and the bobbins are usually color-coded to tell you which color thread it is.
Bobbin holders are a huge pain to deal with and can be frustrating at times. They come loose, you end up with piles of thread on the floor, and you have to pick up the loose bobbins and assemble them with the loose bobbins.
That’s why Bobbin Keeper is the most important tool you could own. It keeps your bobbins secure in their bobbin compartment so they won’t fall out when you put the thread through the spool.
It also keeps them secure in the bobbin case, so they won’t fall out when you’re winding on the thread.
What is a bobbin?
If you own a sewing machine, then you probably know what a bobbin is. These little plastic discs are used in your machine to feed the fabric through the needle and to hold the thread in place afterward. Bobbins are basically a way of storing thread.
They have a hole in the middle that allows you to thread the machine and make wrapping the thread around the bobbin’s spool easier. The bobbin itself is usually a small plastic disc, which is often detachable from the shaft and has a hole in the middle, to thread the machine.
A bobbin is a small spool of thread that is used to wind thread on a sewing machine. A spool of thread in itself is referred to as a bobbin. But, what is the difference between a spool of thread and a bobbin?
The main difference between the two is that spools of thread do not spin on sewing machines but bobbins do. Each thread has its own bobbin, and the bobbins are usually color-coded to tell you which color thread it is.
Common sewing machine bobbin problems
Bobbins are a staple in every sewing machine, and there are many of them. They’re pretty simple to replace when they wear out, but it’s a good idea to get your machine’s manual and learn how to do this yourself.
We’ve all had them, those bobbin problems where the thread won’t feed, or your machine won’t stitch, or the needle breaks, or your thread just won’t stick.
Here are the top bobbin problems that we encounter and how to troubleshoot them.
1. The bobbin is loaded too loosely, causing the thread to break every few stitches.
If the bobbin thread breaks as you are sewing, the bobbin is loaded too loosely. Make sure that the bobbin is tightly wound with the thread.
- To fix this, check the tension of the thread spool. Ensure the tension dial is properly set.
2. The bobbin isn’t loaded correctly.
If the thread is wound tightly around the bobbin, it could produce a knot.
- To fix this, loosen the thread spinning around the bobbin and rewind the thread in the opposite direction.
- To fix this, check if the thread is on the bobbin correctly. If it isn’t, load the bobbin properly and thread it around the thread guides.
3. The bobbin case is damaged.
A bobbin case is a small container in a sewing machine that holds the bobbin and thread. When the bobbin thread breaks, the cause is usually the bobbin case.
The thread tension is too tight or the bobbin is not set correctly and the needle thread is damaged.
- If the bobbin case is damaged, you will need to replace it.
4. A bent timing spool
A spool that holds the thread from the bobbin to the machine, keeps the thread from being moved to the bobbin.
A bent timing spool can be corrected by removing the spool, placing it on a flat surface, and turning the flat surface until the spool is flat again. If your timing spool is bent or warped, your machine will not sew proper stitches.
- To fix a bent spool, you can replace it with a new one.
5. Noise from the bobbin case
Sounds from the bobbin case are usually experienced when a stitch is being made. If the machine can produce only one stitch, there is no way of knowing whether the noise is from the machine or from the fabric.
- If you hear a strange noise from your sewing machine, check the bobbin case to make sure that the bobbin is properly threaded.
6. Bobbin thread looping
Bobbin thread looping can occur in any sewing machine, but a few issues can cause it to happen more frequently. The stitch length and speed can cause the thread to loop.
If the bobbin thread keeps looping, try the following steps:
- Clean the bobbin case and take it apart if it is old.
- Run thread through the bobbin correctly, and make sure it is wound evenly.
- Make sure the threading is correct.
- Make sure the hook is in the right position.
How to clean the bobbin holder?
A sewing machine bobbin holder is cleaned to remove excess lint created by the sewing machine as the bobbin turns. Lint can build up on the bobbin and cause it to break, or jam in the machine.
A bobbin holder should be cleaned after each sewing session. This can be done by placing the bobbin holder in a container of soapy water and then rinsing in clean water.
A common way to fix bobbin problems is to clean the bobbin holder. You can clean the bobbin holder with the help of a cotton swab.
It is important to maintain the sewing machine according to the manufacturer’s manual instructions. Annual cleaning and lubrication are recommended for long-lasting sewing machine performance.
To do so, follow these steps:
Step 1: Unplug the machine.
Step 2: Remove the bobbin cover.
Step 3: Take out the bobbin and discard the remaining thread.
Step 4: Clean the bobbin holder with a cotton swab.
Step 5: Check the tension and see if it needs adjustment.
Step 6: Run the machine without any thread for at least one minute to check if the bobbin is working properly.
Step 7: Make sure the presser foot is down and the needle is up.
Step 8: Slide the needle thread through the thread guide.
Step 9: Put a few stitches on the fabric, adjust the stitch length if the stitches are too long or too short.
Step 10: Select the stitch you want.
Step 11: Sew on a stretch or heavily interfaced fabric. Press the Sew button.
Step 12: Sew on a standard fabric. Press the Sew button.
