How do I find machines that have an "endless bobbin"?
 

I'm new to long arm machines, are there any older machines out there that use an endless bobbin? I don't know how to find them? I've tried a few searches but not having any luck. I'd sure appreciate hearing from some of you veterans out there! :~)

I don't mean the kind of machine that rewinds the bobbin automatically for you when it runs out. I'm looking for a machine that has no bobbin at all, but uses a cone of thread for the lower thread instead of a bobbin.

I have a longarm but never heard of an endless bobbin.

I will be interested in finding out too. I get so tired if changing bobbins when I use my machines. Guess thats why I prefer hand sewing.

Don't think it's possible to have a longarm with an endless bobbin. Would be the most fantastic invention for us quilters though...

never heard of it on any machine. It would be cool.

I have heard of only one model of machine that utilized and endless bobbin, and it is a very vintage sewing machine (not a longarm). It was designed so that a spool of thread was fed in from underneath, eliminating the need to wind bobbins. Apparently the design was no very successful, because it never caught on.

These days I think the most you can look for is a larger bobbin -- I forgot the name of it (L or M?). They hold more thread, thus need to be changed less frequently.

Are you talking about a Vintage dual spool machine?

That would be awesome on any type of sewing machine.

Never heard of that before, I think that is every quilters dream

I think I have heard of that recently also. Can't remember where though. I think it's in the works. I think I remember something about it coming out this summer on a new long arm... I think.

i think if there was a machine that worked well without bobbins, we'd all have one!!!

Years ago when I worked in a shoe plant sewing those stripes on those old black and white track shoes, my machine had an endless bobbin like that for all six seams. So, I had 12 spools of thread to deal with. It was great! I could sew and sew and sew. When I ran out of a spool, I'd just tie on another spool and pull it through and go again. Maybe they will come up with one if they haven't already. I'm sure going to find out when I buy mine.

I know it would be my dream...I get tired of having to go back a few feet to pick up where the thread ended.

A few years ago I was told by a technician at a sewing machine manufacturer that it can't be done due to the way the underside has to be constructed in order to grab the lower thread. He said it can't be done. However, in this technoligical age, can't is not a word.

Serger type machine don't have bobbins so it can done but. Put a serger on a frame?

There are some sewing/embroidery machines with endless bobbin such as the Singer XL6000 and others but I've never heard of a long arm that does it.

endless bobbin ???
 

It is not a long arm machine but my Bernina 820 has a bobbin that holds 1 1/2 times the amount of thread that an ordinary machine bobbin holds. It also has a large harp area & will count down the amount of thread that is left on my bobbin & I love that feature + many others.

Actually, it's 3 times the amount of a regular bobbin....or at least that's what I've been told.

There are other models that can wind a bobbin as this machine does. That's not an endless bobbin in the sense of what the OP is talking about. Google vintage dual spool sewing machine.

My husband has been trying to figure one out for years and hasn't. I think the big problem is going back and forth on the frame more than anything but then I don't know much.lol The M bobbin is the big long arm bobbin. I think if they ever figure one out it will be the big sale of the century!

what you do is lay your head on a pillow and close your eyes and in a few moments "there it is, the long-arm that uses 2 cones of thread and the tension on each is computer generated....sigh.......and sometimes on the wall behind you there is a glass screen where you can touch, design and arrange quilt squares and send specifications to the laser cutting machine in the annex."

I was told there's no such thing due to the way the bobbin has to work. It's just wishful thinking on our part but we can still hope for a miracle, can't we?

To dream it is to do it. All we need to do is find the right person to engineer this.
By the way, there were treadles made to use two spools of thread. Someone alluded earlier in the thread to the National and Eldridge Two-Spools machines. The second spool fits in a can below the machine head where a bobbin would be placed. The reason I have heard for not continuing this after the machines were wired is the vibration that occurred at the higher speeds.

I agree an endless bobbin would be a quilters dream. When I am quilting on my sewing machine I wind up at least 12 bobbins before I start. I do find that when it is time to put in a new bobbin, it is also a good time to brush out the lint and take a 5 minute break. All my FMQ is done on my regular sewing machine and sometimes I do a very small stippling which uses up bobbins like crazy.

I have wonder for years why someone doesn't invent a machine that could use a whole spool in the bobbin area. It seems I am always having to stop to wind bobbins.

I have never heard of this either but what a good idea. Good luck on that. My longarm uses the L or M can't remember right now but you have to change - I like the sounds of the one you are talking about.

Any machine that does not use a bobbin makes a chain stitch that can be pulled out by pulling on the thread. Don't think you want that. It is mostly used on large bags like bird feed, flour, etc.
I had a boss in a factory that spent 10 yr trying to make a machine that did not use a bobbin with no luck.

It is not an endless bobbin, but I use Superior Threads Bottom line and it is so fine it goes on twice as long as a regular thread. I use what ever I want in the top and Bottom line in the bottom. When using it on quilting the thread virtually becomes one with the quilt. A rather inexpensive solution...no need to buy a new machine, of course unless you want to.

Hmmm - interesting discussion. I will have to check out that "bottom line" thread. Also I think there is a Japanese sewing machine (Nancy Zieman has demonstrated it) - only its for sewing and no bobbin thread - - -but I think it may operate on the chain stitch idea and as pointed out already that of course wouldn't work with the abuse quilts get. At least it sounds like manufacturers are thinking along that line - - maybe if we flood the market about the wonders and desires of having such a thing, a vendor will see the possible "niche" in the market and work more directly on coming up with one. We can always hope. :-)

The men who are designing our sewing machines are not listening to us ladies. I have been telling my DH for years that we should be able to attach a spool of thread in place of the bobbin. But, do you know what, no one is listening to me. I even have spoken to the owner of our LQS, who sells machines, to now avail.

I think if it can be done with a surger, it should be able to be done with a regular or quilting machine. I have talked with a friend about this many times. Guess us ladies will have to put our thinking caps on & figure it out.

I have heard of it , but only on an embroidery machine...here's a link..
http://www.jonessv.com/index.php?mod...isting&page=13

maybe this will be coming down the pike for other machines someday! I would love a bobbin that held a spool of thread, or even a cone!

Someone invents that machine they would make a fortune!:o

http://genforum.genealogy.com/eldrid...ages/2349.html

of all places, a genealogy forum! The link above is to someone who was looking for information on her/his Eldridge dual spool sewing machine.
Marge

I never thought about winding multiple bobbins when starting. Thanks for that great tip!

Gosh, an endless bobbin.......I would pay good money for that option!!!

I didn't know there was a machine like that. I wish regular sewing machines were like that.

never heard of this before

I know that on our LQS web site http://www.bellafabricsva.com/gently...w-machines.htm they show this Viking machine and say you'll never run out of bobbin thread. I'm not sure what part of NC you are from but Bella's is in Carrolton right by the James River Bridge.

In the past year I have mentioned the need for the bottom thread to run off a spool to:
Bob at Superior Threads...
Richard at HandiQuilter...
Scott at SewingMachine Werehouse...
Person at Gamhill booth at Road to California and at Long Beach International
and several BERNINA dealers
when you go on shop hops or to Quilt Shows ask at each machine booth and especially the Long-arm booths