I went to a yard sale this weekend and made a great haul, a small box full of sewing goodies. One of the baggies was full of pre-filled paper bobbins. Does anyone know what these are used for? There were also 12 cones of serger thread and new pkgs of Kenmore embroidery machine needles.

I'm not sure and I wouldn't want to try them in my machine. I'd probably put them in a glass bowl as a novelty and never use them. For one thing, they're obviously old and the thread may have dry rotted. PM Billy, he's the resident vintage machine expert and he should know. Lostin51 is his online name I think.

I agree, these look like they have a case of dry rot. But they would look terrific in a crystal vase.

my longarm bobbins look like that

They look like Class 15 bobbins. You said the lot had things for a Kenmore and the vase majority of Kenmores used class 15 bobbins.

Billy

Didn't they used to use bobbins like that in commercial sewing machines in sewing factories?

Some pre-wound bobbins come with a paper side and when you put them in a machine you take off one of the sides. If you have never used them try them on a project. I love PW and hardly use regular one.
They have a finer thread so more on the bobbin so more sewing less bobbin winding. I have started at a 3 day retreat with a PW b and have use it the hole weekend. and made 6 tops

Looks like prewound bobbins. If the thread doesn't break easily then it's fine. I would use it as applique or for small hand sewing projects. It's a big seller to have bobbins of assorted colors: http://www.superiorthreads.com/shop/...onut/products/

They are cute with all the different colors, I plan to put them in an antique canning jar and make a lamp. I've done several of these lamps using collectibles.

I use the pre-wounds all the time. They fit in my Pfaff. Once you use them, it's really hard to go back. If this thread still seems strong, just take the paper off both sides and use it for your bobbin.