One of the aspiring embroiderers’ first questions is how to insert a bobbin in a sewing machine. This is something that plays a vital part in sewing correctly. When placed wrongly, your bobbin can cause the sewing machine to malfunction or even cause issues while sewing. This article has gathered all the possible ways for one to install a bobbin in a sewing machine. Learning how to place a bobbin properly is as important as knowing how to thread a sewing machine.
What is a bobbin?
Before we begin to learn how to insert a bobbin in a sewing machine, we first need to know what a bobbin is and why it is essential.
A bobbin is similar to a spool on which a thread is spun. This holds the thread used for stitching on the bottom side of the fabric. The needle threaded on a sewing machine punches the fabric from the top side and locks into the thread at the bottom. Once pulled up, the thread from the bottom locks into place to form a stitch.
The bobbin is considered to be the heart of a sewing machine which is why you should know how to insert a bobbin in a sewing machine properly. You cannot sew properly if the bobbin has issues or at all if the bobbin is missing.
Note for the reader: Bobbins are not one-size-fits-all items. They are not all-encompassing. This implies that each sewing machine needs a unique type of bobbin. You must ensure that the bobbin you use is designed for your machine. Otherwise, your stitches will be crooked, and the stitching will be a chore.
Where is the bobbin located?
Before learning how to put a bobbin in a sewing machine, you need to know where the bobbin is found. It is in a compartment at the front end of the sewing machine. This is called a bobbin case which is located under the needle. Once the case is closed with the bobbin in place, there is a tiny hole from which the thread from the bobbin can lock with the thread from the needle.
Three stages of inserting a bobbin
- Thread the bobbin and insert it into the sewing machine.
- Ensure the thread from the bobbin can interlock with the thread from the needle.
- Pull the bobbin thread up.
How to install a bobbin case in a sewing machine that loads from the front?
Start by putting your sewing machine into the off position. It is recommended by several manufacturers that you switch off your sewing machine before threading it. This protects your fingers if you accidentally activate the machine manually or automatically. This will lead you to hurt your fingers by accidentally stitching them. It’s a smart safety practice to get into the habit of doing as it is for your protection.
Now, let us learn how to insert a bobbin in a sewing machine. The bobbin compartment is tucked away out of sight on front-loading machines. To access the bobbin compartment, you must first take off the front extension table and lift the front cover.
- Check that your thread unravels in the direction indicated by the arrow on the bobbin or in the compartment.
- Pull the thread through the notches in the casing to thread the bobbin case
- Keep the thread length around four inches (ten centimeters) out of the casing.
- Check that the free end of the thread is hanging to the right of the metal extension that protrudes from the bobbin casing. The component of the bobbin casing that protrudes in a straight line and is made of metal is called the metal extension.
- Place your machine’s bobbin casing into the machine.
- The position of the metal extension ought to be at twelve o’clock (pointing upwards).
- To insert the bobbin case completely into the machine, continue to push it in until you hear a click. It should be held firmly in place. It shouldn’t be loose, and it shouldn’t be leaning to one side.
If you are having trouble inserting it, try spinning the handwheel in your direction so that it faces you. This will rotate the bobbin area until it is in the correct position to take the bobbin case.
Please take note that it is important to ensure that the handwheel is always facing you (in a counterclockwise direction). According to Singer, your sewing machine may become unusable after you begin stitching if you turn the dial incorrectly. Additionally, it can potentially throw off the sewing machine’s time. This is also something you need to keep in mind when learning how to thread a sewing machine.
Instructions for using a bobbin system with top loading
- Put your device into safe mode or switch it off completely.
- It is recommended by several manufacturers that you switch off your sewing machine before threading it. This is to protect your fingers if you accidentally stitch them. It’s a smart safety practice to get into the habit of doing.
- Modern machines have a “Safety Mode,” which Brother advises you to activate before beginning. This is how you learn how to install bobbin case in sewing machine.
How to do it:
Bring the needle up to the greatest possible reading. To do this, spin the handwheel in your direction so that it faces the machine mark, and then check to see that the mark on the handwheel aligns with the mark on the machine.
- Utilizing the lever, bring the foot pedal to a lower position.
- You should activate the foot pedal safety button on your machine.
- Your sewing machine is now secured, meaning it will not mistakenly stitch any of your fingers together.
- Take off the lid of the bobbin.
- Utilising the lever, raise the foot pedal on the machine. Doing this will move the foot out of the way, allowing us to remove the cover from the bobbin.
- There is a latch located just next to the see-through bobbin cover. To “unlock” your bobbin cover, slide it to the right, where it is positioned. It can rise somewhat.
- Take off the lid of the bobbin.
- Insert the bobbin in the anticlockwise direction.
- Put your bobbin inside the slot. Check if the thread is unraveling to the left (counterclockwise).
- Pull the thread through using the slit in the needle plate cover as a guide.
This is significant because it allows the thread to reach the “tension spring” of the bobbin casing, which is necessary for proper operation. During the stitching process, the tension on the bobbin thread will be adjusted.
On the other hand, there is an exception when learning how to insert a bobbin in a sewing machine.
Do not cut the bobbin thread if you are gathering or doing free motion quilting. Because you will pull it up at a later stage, the additional length will come in handy. if you are gathering or doing free motion quilting. Because you will pull it up at a later stage, the additional length will come in handy.
It is important to note that certain top-loading bobbin machines do not have a thread cutter adjacent to the bobbin. This indicates that you should refrain from cutting the thread.
It should be pulled out by a distance of 6 inches (15 cm) towards the back of the machine.
- Then replace the bobbin cover, being sure to leave the tail of the thread hanging out.
- You need to replace the cover on your bobbin.
- To begin, slide the ‘tab’ on the bobbin cover (it is a rectangular piece that protrudes) into the notch on the machine.
- After that, put some pressure on the bobbin cover so it may snap into position.
When the foot pedal is elevated, the tension discs are free to receive thread since they are in an open position. You should know about the uses for the foot pedal when learning how to insert a bobbin in a sewing machine.
Lower the foot pedal, and the tension discs will be closer together. Because of this, it will be impossible for you to get the thread inside the tension disk. As a result, the stitching that you create will not appear beautiful because your sewing machine will not be able to regulate the top thread.
In addition to that, you will need to move the needle to the top. To accomplish this, rotate the handwheel so that it faces you. This will cause the secret “take-up lever” to become exposed so it may be threaded.
Put the thread on the pin of the spool.
If you are using the same thread for the bobbin as you are for the main project, you may leave it on.
As mentioned before, if the pin on your spool is horizontal (running from side to side), you must ensure that the thread unwinds to the front from the back.
Put on the spool cap that corresponds to your size. It ought to be wider than the thread that you are using. The thread should be threaded through the spool cap with the flat side facing outward. And it should be pressed up to the thread as much as possible.
- Keep the thread guidelines in mind.
- Move the thread so that it is underneath the thread guides that are present on the very top of your machine.
- Move the thread such that it passes through the front channel.
- Move the thread such that it is passing via the front thread channel.
- Position the thread such that it is underneath the “lower thread guide bar.”
- This feature is not present on all machines. There is a bar located just above the needle.
- Move your thread such that it is underneath the lowest guide bar for the thread. There is typically an opening on either the left or the right side for you to thread your needle through.
- The thread should be right under the needle bar.
- There is typically an opening on either the left or the right side for you to thread your needle through.
Prepare to thread the needle.
- Put the thread through the needle’s eye, often known as the “eye of the needle.” It is the tiny opening located at the very tip of the needle.
- You might try cutting the end of the thread at an angle if you’re having trouble getting it through the hole. Because of this, sliding through is made much simpler.
- Draw the thread through the space under the foot pedal.
- Utilizing the lever, raise the foot pedal on the machine.
- The thread must be pulled out from under the foot pedal and around two inches (five centimeters) towards the back of the machine. Singer recommends drawing the thread out by 6-8 inches.
- Bring the bobbin thread to the surface.
- This step is different for those with a bobbin that loads from the top as opposed to those with one that loads from the front.
The bobbin thread can be pulled up in the following manner:
- You mustn’t cut the bobbin thread at the end while you are installing the bobbin in the machine. Also, hold off on replacing the cover for the bobbin just yet.
- Turning the handwheel in the direction of you will lower the needle, and then raising it will require you to keep one hand on the top thread. This will create a loop that connects the upper and bobbin threads.
- Lift the top thread by gently pulling it up. This will result in the bobbin thread releasing.
- Utilising the lever, raise the foot pedal on the machine.
- Both threads should be pulled out by approximately 4 inches (10 cm) to 6 inches (15cm).
- Replace the bobbin cover once over.
Conclusion
The above mentioned ways can help you learn how to insert a bobbin in a sewing machine. This is a vital key piece of information when it comes to sewing. Knowing how to place a bobbin correctly will ensure hassle free sewing. Keep in mind that every machine is different with a different bobbin so the best practice is to use the manual provided with your machine when trying to replace or change your bobbin.