Well it's all in the title.

I was sewing this great big long seam with lots of pins in it. I was taking out the pins as I went because my machine doesn't like going over them. And then I get to the end and the thread is just loose.

I had run out of bobbin thread. Is there a way to avoid this?

All I know is to just keep checking :( It's a pain!

Just have to keep checking unless you want to go out and buy one of those nice machines that beeps when the bobbin is about to run out.

Unless your machine has a low bobbin warning.
I have found that my bobbin rattles a little when very low of thread, I have metal bobbins. I suggest if you have done a lot of sewing on that bobbin that you watch your sewing a little more closely. I usually catch my empty bobbin fairly quick, now. I have sewn probably a good 20 feet worth of chain piecing with no bobbin once, it was a different machine and it was 3am.

You can learn to hear the sound of your machine when it runs out of thread. On my commercial machine and the New Home, I can almost always tell when the bobbin thread is out with in just a few stitches. But like most everyone I've sewn many feet without bobbin threed.

Running out is not such a big deal on short seams, but when I'm going to do a LONG seam, I always make sure to have a spare bobbin wound, and drop that in before I start. It's just too disappointing when you have no thread and you've already taken the pins out!

My sewing machine tells me.

Mine sews a little different and I stop immediately.

I notice a difference in the sound of my machine too when the bobbin runs out. Try to get in the habit of checking your bobbin thread more often... I try to check mine in intervals...after so much chain piecing, so many borders, etc... not that it hasn't slipped by me from time to time too :oops:

I find out just like you. At the end of the seam. Sigh. :cry: :cry: :cry:

I too can tell by the sound.

My Bernina beeps at me but my Babylock doesn't. I have to listen to my Babylock because it sounds different when it runs out. And they ALWAYS run out when you don't want them to...that's a given!

Just today adding a border after I got to the END and found out I ran out at the beginning.LOL AND I knew I was low, just didn't realise I was that low. In the other room (living room) I have a brother that beeps and stops sewing.

Just keep checking and listening when you know its getting low. :thumbup:

How do you know when I've run out of bobbin thread? When you hear me cursing across the house.

I usually catch it pretty quickly, because it does make a different stitching sound, but sometimes I'm just not paying attention, and I've sewn like a whole side without any bobbin thread. %#@&*$!@

So can I

I'm taking a mental health break from sewing right now because I had a similar problem tonight...but it was the TOP thread that apparently broke (haven't figured out why). I didn't notice it (by sound or looks) because I'm using one of the paper border patterns and the needle continued to pop through the paper as usual. Arrrrrrrggghhhhhhh.

my machine talks to me when getting to end an it drives me nuts cause I know it's got about ten to twelve inches on it yet.

Get in the habit of checking often, especially before stitching long seams and especially if is metal rather than see thru.
I would get so frustrated when that happened with my old machine. Now I'm lucky enough to have 2 machines that beep and stop sewing to let me know when the bobbin is almost empty.

My Janome has a clear bobbin window so I check every few minutes when it gets low. I agree your machine will start to make a different sound. Even saying all this, it happens to all of us.

My machines beep before it gets to the end.... except on my feather weight and I just keep a check on it... Or if you have a top load bobbin with the clear cover you can keep a good check on it...

I'm definitely going to become a better listener. Thank you all for your posts. It's nice to know that there are answers to my beginner questions.

My bobbin case has a see thru top on it and I am here to say it is handy.

When you sit down to your machine and before you stitch your first stitch, check your bobbin. If you have the slightest idea that it is getting low, either replenish or replace it. I speak from some very painful experiences, especially when I had been showing a non-sewer how skillful I was (NOT!).

Don't you just hate when that happens? I sew mostly with my Pfaff and a low bobbin warning pops up on the monitor. Only time it doesn' t do that is when I'm using prewound bobbins, think the cardboard bobbin isn't heavy enough to register. I have anaold Brother that I usually use at Pillowcase Sew Ins, no warning notice but when I use a metal bobbin I do hear it rattle a little close to the end. Problem is when I use a plastic bobbin it don't seem to do this and also this machine makes a bit more noise and I don't always hear it. May in Jersey

I am lucky enough to have an old machine phaff 7570 that causes a light to activate when the bobbin is nearing empty. Although I have another machine this one is my favorite for piecin, sewing. Anne ( bedkivers in Richmond,Va)

This is an old quilter's trick. As you wind your bobbin, stop after a few turns and mark your thread with a color marker for about 12 to 15". As you sew, you become aware that the bobbin might be getting low and when you see that colored thread, you know it. It has saved me much frustration especially when I'm sewing long SITD or assembly sewing. It's not rocket science but it works.

My Babylock machine starts beeping when the bobbin is still 1/3 full. Annoying but very helpful. When my Brother machine beeps, you better be ready to stop!

I've heard of people who use a bobbin on top too, one of them runs out a bit quicker, don't remember which but it's easier to glance at the top thread. I've been going to try it but never have, just keep cussin' when I sew a mile or two with no thread!

Ditto. My machine sounds different when it's out of thread (or when something's wrong). So most of the time I can catch it in a few stitches

I keep checking, and I can tell by the sound. Most of the time holding your mouth "just right" will not extend the thread in your bobbin!

I have noticed that the sound my machines make is a little bit "lighter" when I have run out of bobbin thread. Like everyone else has said, best thing to do is just to glance up quickly to the stitches coming out. My Bernina will tell me when I am out of thread but my Singer doesn't make a peep. But if you "listen" to your machine as your stitch you might just hear a slight change in tone that the machine is making.

That is an awesome idea. Do you use any particular kind of marker?

The only way I know of is keep opening the door and looking at the thing. I have run out many times. But that does not bother me as much as having to take out one that still has a bit of thread because I know I need more than I have in there to do binding or something. I feel like I am wasting it.

Now you have gone and burst my bubble!!! Good to know others do silly things like that too!!

sometimes i can hear the change it sound but usually if i'm getting low i tend to pick up my quilt and peek under it if i can see -it's kind of dark. but my bobbin cover is clear plastic so that helps.

that sounds so much like me. Sorry to hear it doesn't work. Do you move from one side of the alley to the other when you bowl also?

It is an ongoing joke in our Guild. Who has sewn the longest, without bobbin thread?

In answer to your question, if you are chain sewing, you can tell by looking at the floor behind your machine at all the little loose pieces of fabric on the floor. LOL Sorry, but it's true.

Thanks, I have not heard this one. Sounds like a good idea.

It has happened to me many times, just happened again this morning.