Low bobbin: What do you do?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2020
Posts: 705

Whether you have a sensor on your DSM or are just eyeballing your bobbin, what do you do when the bobbin looks low? I just put in a bobbin in a new color that was obviously running low before doing some FMQ. I thought about throwing the remaining thread out so I could start fresh. But I couldn’t bring myself to do so. And, of course, I ran out and needed a new bobbin partway through. What do you do?
#2
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,257

I have a lot of bobbins - so if I am starting a new project, I wind a fresh bobbin.
I will try to use up small amounts of thread on bobbins on things that thread color does not really matterl
I hate to waste/throw away bobbin thread. The only time I do that is if the thread has become tangled or I broke a plastic bobbin.
I will try to use up small amounts of thread on bobbins on things that thread color does not really matterl
I hate to waste/throw away bobbin thread. The only time I do that is if the thread has become tangled or I broke a plastic bobbin.
#4
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: northern minnesota
Posts: 2,169

depends on what I am doing. If I am piecing, I usually just look for the next bobbin that does not have much thread on it and plug it in. I do try and keep the same brand...but I usually mostly piece with Aurifil or mettler so fine. If I an working on something were the bobbin thread is going to show, then I make sure I use a matching bobbin.
#6
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 130

As I start a new project I'm usually chain piecing a lot of short seams so I'll put in a partially full bobbin to do these. My machine sets reminders until the bobbin is down to 8% which is actually still quite a bit of sewing left to go. I like to keep track of how many seams I'll get from that last 8%. Kind of a game really. I keep my thread stored with its corresponding bobbin attached. Bobbins are filled for the project, but the partial bobbin attached to the thread spool is the first to go in the machine. Another thing you can do is load the bobbin up top for the top thread where you can see it, and use it up that way.
#8
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 15,522

I bought a nifty gadget called the Bobbiinator. My friend laughed at me and said it wasn't needed. I use it all the time for partially filled bobbins. I'm glad I bought it. It works like a spool of thread on the machine.
#9
Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 15

I do as others have mentioned and use up bobbins with small amounts on them for piecing.
As for the Bobbinator I saw one when at a retreat. I couldn’t see the point as I just put the bobbin where the spool would go when I want to use up thread from a bobbin in the needle. The Bobbinator owner was thrilled with it, tho so I didn’t say anything.
chacon à son goût
As for the Bobbinator I saw one when at a retreat. I couldn’t see the point as I just put the bobbin where the spool would go when I want to use up thread from a bobbin in the needle. The Bobbinator owner was thrilled with it, tho so I didn’t say anything.
chacon à son goût
#10
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 278

When the bobbin low indicator comes on, I will turn it off, and then continue to sew. However I will check frequently to make sure the bobbin is still feeding thread. I hate having bobbins that are not very full in my bobbin case, so I just run them out all the way.