Are you struggling with thread nests, skipped stitches, or weird noises from your sewing machine? The culprit might just be your bobbin.

Winding and installing a bobbin properly is one of the most overlooked, yet crucial, skills in sewing.

If your bobbin isn’t wound with the correct tension or installed correctly, it can cause all sorts of frustration.

 

Finally… How to Wind a Bobbin the Right Way!

 

Why Does Bobbin Tension Matter?

A bobbin that’s wound too loosely or too tightly can cause problems like:

- Thread nests (tangled thread under your fabric)

- Skipped stitches (because the top thread can't loop properly)

- Unusual noises from your sewing machine (a sign something’s off)

Many beginners focus on troubleshooting the top thread, needle, or tension dial but completely overlook the bobbin. Yet, the bobbin tension is a make-or-break factor in smooth sewing.

 

How to Use the Bobbin Winding Diagram on Your Sewing Machine

Most sewing machines have a diagram, usually on the top right or left side, showing how to thread your spool for winding the bobbin. This is super important because this threading controls the tension for winding your bobbin.

Look for a dashed line in the diagram that guides you to pass your thread through the bobbin winding tension disc. This disc regulates how tight the thread wraps around the bobbin.

If you skip this step or don’t thread it correctly, your bobbin will be wound with incorrect tension, leading to the issues mentioned above.

 

Step-by-Step Bobbin Winding Tutorial

 

1- Thread the Top Spool: Follow your machine’s bobbin winding diagram, passing the thread through the tension disc.

2- Attach the Thread to the Bobbin: Take an empty bobbin and pass the thread through one of the holes from the inside out. If it’s tricky, use tweezers to help.

3- Place the Bobbin on the Winder: Push the bobbin onto the bobbin winder spindle and push it all the way down.

4- Engage the Bobbin Winder: Push the bobbin winder to the right to engage it.

5- Start Winding: Hold the thread tail up, press the foot pedal or start your machine to wind a few rounds to secure the thread. Then cut off the excess thread close to the bobbin.

6- Finish Winding: Increase the machine speed to wind the rest of the bobbin until it’s full. Your machine might stop automatically or signal when the bobbin is fully wound.

7- Remove the Bobbin: Push the winder back to the left and take the bobbin off.

 

How to Check if Your Bobbin is Wound Correctly

After winding, look at your bobbin closely. The thread should be tight, smooth, and evenly wound without any fluffy or loose bits.

Uneven winding means the tension was off and can cause stitching problems.

 

How to Install a Top-Loading Bobbin Properly

1- Remove the Bobbin Cover: Slide the release button to pop open the bobbin case.

2- Follow the Diagram: Most bobbin cases have a diagram showing how to place the bobbin and which way the thread should go.

3- Insert the Bobbin: Place your bobbin with the thread coming off in the correct direction (usually following the diagram).

4- Thread the Bobbin: Hold the bobbin so it doesn’t spin. Pull the thread into the notch and under the guide.

5- Replace the Cover: Clip the bobbin cover back in place.

6- Bring Up the Bobbin Thread: Turn the handwheel toward you to catch the bobbin thread with the top thread, then pull both threads toward the back.

 

Final Thoughts

 

If this helped you wind and install your bobbin properly, you’ll notice smoother stitching and fewer headaches while sewing. A correctly wound and installed bobbin can save you a lot of time and frustration.

 

Thanks for reading and happy sewing!
Bye for now, B! xx