bobbin winder. Is it worth it?
 

Do you use a sidewinder for refilling your bobbins? I want to get one if it does the job. Read reviews about not winding tightly, not filling whole bobbin, jumping off the table, etc. What was your experience? Thanks.

I have one, I like it,but, it only winds one size bobbin. Maybe the new larger one is better.

I have two. I love them. My mega quilter seems to sew better with these bobbins. I just like to be able to fill the bobbin and continue on sewing without having to rethread the machine all the time.

I have one and it fits 3 different bobbins that I have. It saves time for me. I love it!:)

I love mine so I don't have to rethread the machine all the time.

I like my a lot, one of my machines does not like to wind bobbins & I also like the fact that I do not need to unthread my machine to wind a bobbin. I usually wind a few of them at a time. Word of caution, do not go fast as that is where the problem of not winding properly comes in, I know from experience. I have one of the original ones so this may not be an issue with the newer one.

Thanks all. I think I will give it a try!

Good question. I was wondering the same thing. I might get me one too. Never fails to run out of bobbin thread in the middle of something. Thanks

I don't have to unthread my viking to fill the bobbin. The sidewinders I've seen didn't work with Vikings anyway. Maybe they were the original.

I love mine so much that I have one upstairs with my bernina and one downstairs for my bailey. In my world it's definitely worth it.

if you want the absolute best bobbin winder (and made in the USA) check out http://theeasywinder.com/
I have the Sidewinder deluxe and the standard result is uneven, not tightly wound, and unusable. My quilting machine came with a professional winder but bobbins for regular sewing machines don't fit. The Easy Winder gives the same result as the professional winder. It does require a thread stand or you can buy the Universal Stand with the Easy Winder. Check out the videos on the site. The gentleman who handcrafts the winder has a great sense of humor. He shipped the day I ordered and the winder arrived in 2 days (from FL to WA)
Marilyn

My husband bought me one but I dont like it. Make sure you can use it with your bobbins.

My machine fell out of it case and broke the winder off so now I need to get one. I am glad to get the replies that I can also read.

I had read someplace that my Husqvarna green bobbins won't work on it & I wondered if it has something to do with the fact my machine has the sensor to let you know when the bobbin is close to empty? I should check back into this because the machine really does not wind a bobbin nicely. Just watched the little video posted above on the Easy Winder.... and of course.... my bobbins don't work on it either :(

I really like mine. The tension is adjustable so you get the bobbin wound properly..they don't adjust automatically!! The less expensive model that's been available for several years doesn't fit all bobbins, I know the Pfaff vision ones don't work with it, but I thought the new "improved" (more expensive!!) version was revised to accept the bobbins the old model wouldn't. Don't know for sure though. Since I take my machine with me to classes or mystery get togethers, I like to take many prewound bobbins with me so I don't waste time I've paid for to wind bobbins!! When I think of all the gadgets I've wasted money on..well at least this is something I still use:)

I like mine. At first I didnt', but it took me a little bit to firgue it out, what I expected out of it and what it will do, now I use it all the time. Mine works for my old vintage bobbins as well as my janome's. So yes I do like it!

I have the one from JoAnn Fabrics that I bought with one of my 50% off coupons. It was not the most expensive ones but it does the job well. I use it for 3 types of vintage Singer bobbins plus my newer Elna and Singer. Yes, it doesn't fill completely on its own but I just push the button and hold it in till it fills each well. I love it because I can fill several bobbins as I start a project and it takes just seconds to refill rather than fill up bobbins on "whoops, it is empty" and have to refill then. I believe my winder was like $20.00 with the coupon. Just make sure your bobbins will fit on it.

Love it, love it, love it!! And mine is the original cheapie model. It has idiosyncrasies but I just work around them and bless the job it does for me.

Wouldn't it be nice if all the machine manufacturers could agree to make just one style/size of bobbin! "Huge" would be good!

I like mine.

bought one and love it....alas, it doesn't work for ALL sewing machine bobbins!

I finally broke down and bought one for myself after giving several as gifts. Now I could not imagine being without it. I have had absolutely no problem with it and I use it to fill my regular sewing machine, my quilting machine and my embroidery machine! Go for it. If you don't like it for any reason you can always return it.

I have one and like it but now it doesn't work with my new machine.

I have heard that also.I am glad we do not have to un thread to wind a bobbin.I usually have plenty ready anyway.

I love mine. It was one of the early models and I love it. I don't have to rethread my machine and I can wind a ton of bobbins and pop them in during a project. It is so frustrating to have to stop in the middle to wind a bobbin. I usually use the same thread--a neutral color--for all my piecing, so it's handy to fill several bobbins at a time. The only thing I don't like is the machine is so light and the cord is so heavy. I wish they would put weights in the machine.
Sue

I'm glad you asked this question and got some good answers. I have been thinking about buying a bobwinder and now I am going shopping.

I have one and it's okay -- I'm not all that thrilled about it but it does an okay job.

If you have a Viking (like me) I was told not to use it. It does not work with the Viking machines. I PIF'd it to someone who could use it. Good Luck.

I do not have one nor do I want one. I just do not see any benefit. I generally wind two, or three, bobbins before I begin a project. I have also heard they do not work well with Viking machines and that is what I have. And, on my machine I do not have to unthread to wind a bobbin, anyway.

I love mine it works well have never had a problem with it and I also hate taking the thread apart on the machine all the time. Good luck. Sue

NO! I usually just prewind a bunch of bobbins before I start on a project.

I do, however, have a bobbin winder with a foot pedal to regulate the speed ... it is for my LA but will work on my regular sewing machine bobbins also. I prefer it much more than I'd ever like a Sidewinder. Got it from a LA dealer/LQS.

Though ... I tend to be overly frugal. [OK ... cheap.]

ali

I guess I'm just too cheap to buy one. Before I start a project I just wind 8-10 bobbins ahead of time and when they start getting low I wind more. Just takes a few minutes and gives me break from sewing.

Goog point. I don't have to unthread my janome to fill the bobbin either....so it probably wouldn't work with janome bobbins either.

I have 2 winders from K craft and I love them.

I didnt like mine until I discovered that it worked best with the weight of batteries whether you use the batteries or not. They are too lightweight without the batteries

I recently gave a sewing machine to a friend, and the bobbin winder on it did not work, so I also gave her one of the bobbin winders to go with it. I think it is working okay for her. At least she hasn't said it wasn't working.

I like mine. Even better is I convince my (retired) husband to wind me a bunch of bobbins when I get them empty.

My machine winds the bobbin independently from the sewing mechanism, so I don't need one.

Mine sits in its box...

Thumbs up.

Sue in OH

I have one that works great. I've used it probably 8 times. If you pay for shipping, I'll gladly send it to you for free. My new machine has it's own great bobbin winding system.