How To Thread a Bobbin? A Learning Guide For Beginners

Sewing fascinates me since childhood! I still remember, it took me almost half an hour to thread a bobbin for the first time! I was 10 at that time. After so many attempts, I finally succeeded. If you are also taking time like me, IT’S TOTALLY OKAY!

And, it happens a lot with manual machines, especially if you are a beginner. Most automatic machines come with visual paths to thread these tiny parts.

If you are also wondering how to thread a bobbin in a sewing machine, I can help you! I have the easiest and perfect way to do this. 

Ready to learn this foundation skill? Here is how you do it:

6 Tools You Need To Thread a Bobbin:

1. Bobbin: 

A compatible bobbin is the most essential part of this process! Modern sewing machines need Class 15 bobbins. My grandma used to put the class L and M bobbins for her older machine. 

Plastic or Metal Bobbin? Which Bobbin Should You Choose?

Bobbins can be made of plastic or metal materials. Using a specific bobbin depends on your machine and sewing requirements.

Metal Bobbin:

These bobbins are used for heavy-duty sewing, such as denim and leather. They work best on old traditional machines from Brother, Singer, etc. I liked their larger weight to get optimal tension. It allows harmonious feeding when using dense threads. 

Plastic Bobbin:

Plastic bobbins are perfect for delicate seaming work on silk, wool, or linen fabrics. These bobbins are suitable for embroidery floss, macrame work, and cross-stitching.

Plastic bobbins are too lightweight and transparent. Their transparent nature allows us to monitor directly at the thread level.

Here’s a Tip:

Choose the bobbin type/ style that is recommended by your sewing machine maker.

Don’t make this mistake: NEVER swap your plastic bobbin with metal one or vice versa. Because, they have different weights. Your machine is set for specific weight of the bobbin. A slight change can lead to lowering the stitch quality.

2. Bobbin Case: 

As the name says, this a bobbin case firmly holds the bobbin.

It provides the required tension to the bottom of the thread. Due to that firm tension, we can get well-aligned, tight stitches.

It’s important to note that we need to fit the bobbin case in the shuttle of the front-load sewing machines for proper stitching.

However, these cases stay put in top-loading machines.

3. Compatible Sewing Machine: 

Your machine should have a spool pin, tension disc, and winding spindle to fill the bobbin. A right-sized bobbin in a compatible machine prevents thread tangling, jamming, and breakages.

4. Scissors:

Of course! This is the mandatory thing! Keep scissors handy to cut the excess threads. 

5. Screwdrivers:

To adjust tension in the bobbin cases. Sewing screwdrivers are smaller than regular ones. Practice on small screws before actually doing it on sewing machines. It will develop muscle memory for your fingers to handle these tiny parts with care.

6. Thread spool: 

The thread spool and bobbin spool are the main keys to balanced seams. To avoid bulky seams, use bobbin thread with a similar or smaller weight than the top thread spool. It helps to give smoother seams without any blockages.

How To Thread A Bobbin? A Step-by-Step Guide

In my learning days, my grandma always told me to remember this technique. This avoids the confusion about when to wind, insert, or pull up the thread for perfect stitches.

I have explained the steps to thread a bobbin on a sewing machine below:

1. Wind The Bobbin:

Step 1:

Take an empty bobbin and place it on your machine’s winder. Each machine has its winding mechanism. If you are facing difficulties, refer to the user’s manual of your machine.  

Step 2:

Place your thread spool on the spool pin. Fix this setup using a spool cap.

Step 3: 

Each machine has thread guides. Pass the thread through the first guide. Pull this thread through the top thread guide on your machine.

Fold it around the tension disc. These discs have  ‘E’ or ‘S’  written in cursive on them.  Wrap the thread tightly and evenly.

Step 4: 

Pass the thread through the hole in the center of your empty bobbin in an inside-out direction. 

Step 5: 

Keep the bobbin on the bobbin-winding spindle at the right side of the machine.

Move it to the right side and engage the bobbin winder. To add needed tension, pull the thread’s end. 

Step 6:

Take the thread tail in your hands. If you have a manual machine, push the foot pedal.

Press the start button for the automatic machine. Let the thread wind evenly until full.

2. Insert The Bobbin Into a Top-Loading Sewing Machine:

Sewing machine bobbins can be front-loading or top-loading. 

A top-loading machine has a drop-in bobbin. And, this is how you insert the bobbin in it:

Step 1:

It’s EASY PEASY! Remove the needle plate cover to see the bobbin case area.

Step 2:

Put the wound bobbin into this case. Now, the thread can unwind anti-clockwise. 

Wind bobbin into the case so the thread unwinds in a clockwise direction (to the right).

Step 3:

Gently pull the thread through the given slot or guide (often marked with an arrow) on the bobbin case/cover to create tension

Step 4: 

Once you have created the loop, pull it to stretch it to the top. Now, drag both threads to the backside of the machine.

3. Insert The Bobbin Into a Front-Loading Sewing Machine:

Step 1:

Open the hinged front cover of your machine. In some machines, you also need to remove the extension table. Now, you can see the bobbin area.

Step 2:

Pull up the latch on the bobbin case. And now, pull it out of that compartment. 

Step 3:

Now, put the wound bobbin into this case. The thread unwinds in a clockwise direction to the right side. Note, this is opposite to the top-loading machine.

Step 4:

Locate the small slit in this area. Put your finger on the thread to create the needed tension. Some machines have springs to create this tension. Keep the tension gentle.

When I was a beginner, I used to press the thread more than required. I eventually ended up breaking it. So, please don’t do this mistake.

Now, pull the thread through this channel until it clicks. 

Step 5:

Finally, we need to insert the bobbin case into the machine.

Keep the latch lifted. Gently slide the case into the machine. Align the machine’s notch and the case’s ear in the same line. Now, release the latch so it clicks.

4. Bring Up The Bobbin Thread:

Step 1: 

Pick the top thread in your fingers. We have to create a loop for the thread. So, rotate the handwheel towards you in a counterclockwise direction. The needle will move up and down consecutively.

This action will catch the bobbin thread and bring it upwards.

Step 2:

Pull both tails of the top and bobbin thread about 6 inches. Now, guide them to the backside of the machine. Finally, close the cover. 

This is how you successfully thread the bobbin! 

You can watch this video on Bobbin threading for more help:

The ‘Jolt Test’ For Bobbins:

It is also called the ‘yo-yo test or ‘drop test.’ I find this test a standard parameter to check my bobbin threading skills. 

It is performed to check the tension on bobbins. Here is how to do it:

1. Put the wound bobbin in the bobbin case.
2. Locate the tension spring. Now, thread the bobbin through the slit (a hollow slot) and the tension spring.
3. Flick the bobbin case gently upwards. We call this motion the ‘jolt’.
4. If the bobbin drops a few inches and then stops, it means that it is threaded correctly.
5. A too-tight bobbin will not drop even an inch. It will just move slightly in the same place.
6. A too-loose bobbin will drop so much. It can slide on the floor.

How To Adjust The Thread Tension in the Bobbin?

This is when the essential tools that we listed will come in handy! 

1. See the area where the thread exists in the bobbin case. It is usually on the side. There will be a small screw.
2. We will fix the tightness levels of this screw. 
3. Rotate the screw gently a quarter turn each time while adjusting the tension.

4. When the tension is high, rotate the screwdriver towards the left, in a anticlockwise direction, to decrease the tension
5. When the tension is low, rotate the screwdriver clockwise (to the right) to increase the tension.
6. Now, re-try the Jolt test until you get the appropriate amount of tension. 

I want to show what too-tight or too-loose thread tension inside the bobbin looks like. Here it is:

3 Essential Tips To Thread The Bobbin:

Here are some important tips that I learnt from my grandmom.

I have been following them since then, and my machine has never been damaged while threading the bobbin.

Key Takeaways:

Threading the bobbin is easy. You need a little practice and patience. 

Keep all the sewing accessories handy. Slowly, you will get an idea of the tension in the thread. Whether it is front or top-loading, the bobbin will be threaded perfectly if you follow the aforementioned steps.

I am into sewing for the past 30 years! I created this blog to help sewing enthusiasts like you. so, if you need more help, you can mail me with your sewing related queries! 

Trust me, once you learn this skill, you are already halfway to getting perfect stitches.

FAQs:

1. Are Plastic Bobbins Easy To Use For Beginners?

Beginners must use metal bobbins for threading the sewing machine. They are easy to handle and have specific weight. Plus, they are traditionally used in sewing. Plastic bobbins are optional. I don’t recommend them more often as they lightweight and can break on little extra pressure. 

2. How To Tell If A Bobbin Is Threaded Correctly?

For correctly threaded bobbins, the thread winds smoothly from top to bottom. The rows are evenly placed. The unwinding is buttery smooth. Of course, it has little tension. But there is no free spinning of the thread. Also, the thread comes off in a clean path without any tangles. 

3. How To Tell If A Bobbin Is Threaded Incorrectly?

When a bobbin is threaded incorrectly, observe trouble with stitches, loose seams, etc. Sometimes the needle doesn’t catch the bottom thread for seams when using such bobbins.