A simple question for regular sewers yet tricky and complicated for beginners is how to put a bobbin in a sewing machine. Almost all sewing machines follow the same procedure of putting a loaded bobbin or an empty one in a sewing machine.
But the only difference lies in the type of sewing machine you are using. As there are different procedures for computerized and basic machines. For instance; some sewing machines have a top-loading bobbin system and others have a front-loading bobbin system.
On the other hand, the manuals that manufacturers of these sewing machines provide also share the same procedure that we are going to suggest here. So, it’s foolproof and accurate. And you can excel at this with a little practice.
Basically, there are two ways of inserting a bobbin and two ways to pull the thread up from the bobbin. Anyhow, let’s discuss the detailed procedure.
Inserting a bobbin in a sewing machine
The two procedures for computerized and manual sewing machines are going to be discussed here from three renowned manufacturers Singer, Janome, and Brothers. To make the tidbits of information more relevant and absolute.
How to put a bobbin in a top-loading bobbin system?
The majority of computerized sewing machines offer a top-loading bobbin system. This system is assumed to add worth to a sewing machine with its see-through benefit. The piece of plastic over your bobbin provides you with the convenience to check the remaining thread. Most of the sewers love this feature. Also, it makes the bobbin insertion quite easier and simpler.
The top-loading bobbin system is supposed to be jam-proof. And one can wind the bobbin from the needle as well. It’s worth the extra money spent on purchasing a top-loading bobbin system offering sewing machines rather than a front-loading bobbin system offering sewing machines.
Here are the steps to put a bobbin in a top-loading bobbin system of a sewing machine.
Removing a bobbin in a top-loading bobbin system:
- Step 1: Turn off your sewing machine. This is a safety measure suggested by all sewing machine manufacturing brands. Before making any changes near the needle area, it’s good to turn off the machine in order to avoid any harm to your hands.
- Step 2: if you have a singer’s computerized sewing machine then you should put your machine into safe mode. As recommended by the singer. And here’s how.
○ Turn the hand wheel counterclockwise which means directly towards you. Raise the needle to its highest position and be sure to check that the mark on the handwheel lines up with the machine mark.
○ Now, by using the lever instantly, lower the presser foot.
○ Then you have a safety button in your tab with an image of a presser foot. Press that.
○ And your sewing machine is entirely locked now. And now you won’t get your fingers sewed accidentally.
- Step 3: Remove the bobbin cover. To un-case the bobbin, you have to remove the bobbin cover by lifting the lever. This will raise the presser’s foot instantly. The lever actually controls the presser foot. ( and by raising it, we get easy access to the bobbin area).
- Step 4: While proceeding further, there’s a latch over the bobbin area. That latch is the plastic see-through covering that makes a top-loading bobbin system convenient. Remove that latch by sliding it to the right to unlock it. And it should be dealt with care as it might jump out which can break the latch too.
Inserting a bobbin in a top-loading bobbin system
- Step 5: Place your bobbin inside the bobbin area. Make sure that the thread comes out to the left in a counterclockwise way. There you have a needle plate cover. You need to direct your thread through the slit in that cover. ( it’s an important step as it brings tension Applied to the thread on the bobbin while sewing).
- Step 6: There’s a cutter at the end of the needle slit. Now cut the extended thread on approaching this cutter. It’s important as suggested by my brother. Avoiding this step can cause bad tension in the bobbin thread which will ultimately affect your sewing. ( the only exceptional case that needs no cutting or bobbin thread is while working on a quilt that needs an extra length of thread at the end).
- Note: Some sewing machines do not come with a cutter on the right. This means that these machine makers do not recommend cutting bobbin thread.
- Step 7: Now place the bobbin cover back in its place by hanging the thread tail outside. Pull the thread towards the back of the machine to at least 6 to 8 inches.
- Step 8: Now put your bobbin cover back in its place. Put the latch back by pressing its rectangular piece down to snap it in place.
- And you are done!
How to put a bobbin in a front-loading bobbin system?
The front-loading bobbin system can be usually found in Manual sewing machines. Some people prefer such systems even these days. As a front-loading bobbin system has its own advantages that make it stand out for what you look for in a sewing machine. For instance, it’s observed that most front-loading sewing machines have faster-performing capacity than top-loading bobbin systems. This refers to stitches per minute. While it’s fast, the procedure of removing and inserting a bobbin is also easier than the other one.
Removing a bobbin in a front-loading bobbin system:
- Step 1: Just to be safe, major sewing brands suggest powering off the machine prior to making any changes in the needle area or nearby. This precautionary measure saves you from any accidental harm to your hand.
- Step 2: The front-loading bobbin system is mostly covered and hidden in sewing machines. One needs to uncover the extension table and remove the front cover to reach the bobbin area.
- Step 3: Remove the previous bobbin by lifting that out.
Inserting a bobbin in a front-loading bobbin system
- Step 4: Place your bobbin in its case and make sure that the thread comes out in the right direction.
- Step 5: look for the notches over your bobbin case and pass the thread through these notches leaving an extended thread of appropriately 4″.
- Step 6: Now, extend that hanging thread to the right of the metal extension of the bobbin case. The metal extension is that part of the bobbin case that is straight and is sticking out.
- Step 7: Put the bobbin case back in its place by setting the metal extension straight at 12’o o’clock.
- Step 8: Gradually, push the bobbin case slowly inside the machine as far as it can reach easily and this will end with a click sound. Note that, it should not be loose enough to fall on any side.
- Step 9: If you want more convenience, then turn the handwheel towards you to fix the position of the bobbin area to accuracy. This will easily accept the bobbin case.
Singer suggests rotating your handwheel counterclockwise (towards you) to avoid the sewing machine from jamming. If the handwheel is in the wrong direction, it will cause two disruptions. One is sewing machine jamming and the other is timing distortion alongside.
End Note
That’s all for the part of putting a bobbin in a sewing machine in both top-loading and front-loading bobbin systems. And you are free to pick one according to your experience.