Does anyone use bobbin winders. I've tried the sidewinder but my bobbins don't fit on it.
I'd like to get a better one. Any suggestions? What kind do you use?

I just use the bobbin winding feature on the sewing machine. While I'm winding the bobbin, I use the little "broom" and clean out the bobbin case and the area around where you put the bobbin in. I even lift the stitch plate and clean the lint out from under it. So I use the bobbin winding time to give my little machine some TLC.

what kind of bobbin u use i use the sidewinder and i love it

I got a Sidewinder for Christmas. I think it is great. No more unthreading my machine when I run out of bobbin thread.

I have a Sidewinder. but the metal bobins won't settle all the way on!!
I broke the little wire!! :?

I bought the sidewinder but it would not work with my bobbins. I have a Designer 1 sewing machinge.

I think they are a waste of money. Every machine will wind a bobbin. I wind five at a time. While winding I can clean my bobbin case, oil the machine, clean up the area around my machine or call a friend. I would rather spend the $25 to 30 on FABRIC! To never run out of wound bobbins; when a sewing session is done just wind any empy bobbins you have before turning off your machine. I have a set in light gray and dark gray. I do all my pieceing and sewing with these two colors. I used to by matching thread for everything I did......was that crazy or what.
Connie

check with shoppersrule.com, they were advertising a bobbin winder for the "rest" of the machines that wouldn't fit on the first one that came out. My GF has a viking and her bobbins wouldn't fit on mine. I use mine alot

I use my sidewinder. I used the one on my machine until I got the sidewinder with a coupon. :? It works for my Janome and my Featherwieght.

I love my sidewinder, and use it all the time. I hated having to thread and unthread my machine.


Ninnie

I don't have to unthread my machine to wind a bobbin. I do like some of the others and wind a whole bunch of bobbins at the same time so I don't have to stop and wind in the middle of a project

i bought a sidewinder. it was fun for a while, but it's been back in the box for months. since i don't need to unthread my machines to wind bobbins, it didn't really save me any time or effort.

but, of course, if i had never bought it, i'd STILL be itching to. sometimes a girl just has to get things out of her system. :lol:

I only got the sidewinder cause it was given to me when I got my machine. I'm the kind that fills 15-20 bobbins before a project. I hate to stop & wind bobbins!! :evil:

I just use my machine, which reminds me. I should wind some more soon.

My one machine has a seperate winder on top, it has it's own motor and everything, plus a different threading spot, so you don't have to unthread the machine to wind bobbins, unless you only have the one spool of thread. My big machine came with it's own independant bobbin winder and it is really fast, i have not tired to do anything but the bobbins for the big machine on it.

I have the pink Sidewinder - it will wind the D1 bobbins (the white ones don't), but they have to be put on upside down (hard for us to get used to, I know!) It does a decent job of winding when I don't feel like fiddling with the winder on the D1. It's the only part of my machine I don't love :lol:

I got a side winder recently and i love it. I need one because my sewing machine is an antique Singer and the winder on it does not work.
So some of us can't do it on the sewing machine. I also like the fact that i do not have to unthread and rethread to wind bobbins. I wind 30 at a time and then I only have to stop to rewind once in awhile.

I love my side winder but it does say that not all machines will work with it.

Thanks Roben, I will look for a pink one. I bought the white one and took it back.

I love my sidewinder. I use it all the time. I got mine on sale 40% off so it wasn't a big investment and I feel it has paid for itself by saving me the time and effort of unthreading my machine to wind a bobbin.

I just wind and stack mine off my machine...and, the only prob I think to using a sidewinder is the thread I would have to wind would prob already be on my machine..thus cutting it off to sidewind:)LOL I know several that have them and like them...I'm personally sticking w/what I know and have:)Skeat

I avoid this problem by buying two spools of thread in the same color, one for my machine and one for my sidewinder.

I have an old Pfaff and didn't have to rethread to wind a bobbin. However, the bobbin winder part quit working recently and I bought a sidewinder rather than have to do without my machine for weeks for the repair. I really like the sidewinder, I can wind many bobbins very fast. My bobbins don't really fit WELL on the thing, I have to force them on there pretty hard. Getting them off is harder. I figure eventually it will wear in. Or I will break the thing, one or the other.

Hi,

I have a Sidewinder, but don't use it much as my bobbins wind fuller on my machine.
Also one of my machines has a separate winding deal so I can actually wind a bobbin while I continue sewing or embroidering....unless I need the color I am sewing with, that is! LOL

Bev

I had a repair man tell me that these were the way to go. He said that a $30 machine made to wind bobbins was cheaper than having to repair a bobbin winder on the newer machines. He said it was like a vcr, that is the first part to go :wink:

I love the Side Winder that I bought when it first came out. I take it with me to class and it gets used and used by everyone at class or group. My bobbin winder on my machine quit working so I took it in to have it fixed ...almost $100 later I had a new bobbin winder that filled 7 bobbins then never worked again! For me, the Side Winder was a lifesaver and I will never be without one.

If your machine is a Viking or Pfaff you need the PINK Sidewinder. It works on those bobbins, if you turn the bobbin upside-down.

I used to have another machine sitting next to me to wind bobbins while I was sewing on another...silly huh? Then I discovered prewound bobbins. WOW, 144 of them at a time. Awesome! Be sure to select the correct one that fits your machine. Be aware that there are 2 sizes.
My Janome states that it is almost out of bobbin thread when I use a prewound but after checking you can see that it is not.
Ladies and gentlemen it is worth the money!

I bought one of the white sidewinders. I knew my Viking (Quilt Designer - green ones) bobbins wouldn't work on it but I have 3 other machines that I can use it for. I didn't realize the pink one would do Viking bobbins until reading this. I won't buy another one tho. I just buy 2 spools of thread and wind a bunch of bobbins before I start a project so I don't have to stop and rewind. Machine is easy to thread but I get frustrated having to stop when I'm on a roll during a project.

I love my Sidewinder, of course it's partly because it allows me to use my Grandmother's 1963 Singer to do my piecing! The bobbin winder on that machine no longer works and parts are not available to fix it. Wish it had an adapter for those large spools of machine quilting thread, though!

I have a designer I and a sidewinder bobbin winder and I got it to work but had to really force my bobbin on it. First ones I wound on it I wound backwards. It is easier to just use the machine.

I also have a Janome and the sidewinder works great on these bobbins. However when I tried to wind the Featherweight bobbins they got stuck and I was afraid I would break the winder. Tell me how you did yours.

I forced the bobbin on it was very tight. That is when I decided it was easier using my sewing machine to wind my bobbins. I have a designer I by Husqvarna. Sorry don't have a good solution

PatriceJ, thanks for the comment on "getting things out of your system". I needed that today. It's amazing how many small comments are made on this forum that really "hit the spot". Yours was it for me today.

I love my sidewinder especially when I have a big project going. I got mine on using the 50% discount coupon at Joann Fabrics just before they priceed them up. It takes both types of bobbin: Bernina and Pfaff.

I have a Viking SE and use the bobbin winder on my machne. I also have a Sidewinder, and my bobbins don't fit on it. I save the empty plastic prewound bobbins and use them with the Sidewinder. They work well.

I have a sidewinder as well. It is okay. I am disappointed that the thread does not wind even. It will fill more on top then even out at the bottom. But however my machine does the same thing just not as bad. :roll:

I bought one and it's my DGD favorite thing in my whole sewing room. She winds bobbins while I sew. She feels good knowing she is really helping do something. I buy the plastic bobbins at WalMart, buy the $1 spool thread and she has a blast filling them. We use the filled bobbins at guild for basting quilt tops, whatever. I use it to wind extra bobbins for my machine to keep in my sewing tote for workshops and classes. It has been worth the cost just to have DGD enjoy it. I have a plastic bin full of filled bobbins though. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

What is the name/make of the sidewinders everyone is using and where did you purchase it?
BTW, You're lucky to have your granddaugher so close to you. What FUN!

look at JoAnns and use the 50% coupon :)

Ditto!