Maybe you all knew this already...but I just learned something new! The little post that you push your bobbin into to get it into the wind mode? It is an elliptical shape, and if you loosen the screw and turn the ellipse so the narrowest part is next to the bobbin, you can get a LOT more thread on each bobbin! This has been great for fewer stops and starts with my embroidery machine and with FMQ-ing!! Now why isn't THAT in my owners manual?

Forgot to say to tighten screw after you turn the elliptical thingy!

Needed this just yesterday. Had ONE seam left on a quilt top, ONE seam.... Had to stop and reload the bobbin... Almost got so aggravated I wanted to put it up, but didn't...

I'll check this out on my machines. Thanks.

My Babylock Serenade really fills a bobbin to capacity. Sometimes I stop it early as it seems like it is getting too full. We can't win for losing can we?! :lol:

My brother has a easily ( no screws to adjust) adjustable bobbin filler....... just a twist and it is set to fill alot of fill a little... TADA!!!!

I love it and use it all the time!

I cheat - I have 2 Juki's so I just wind bobbin on whichever one I'm not using.

I use sidewinder or another bobbin winder and will several bobbins at a time so I can just replace them and don't have to unthread the machine

Thank you! I have been thinking of turning the ellipse, but feared I might throw off something on my machine. After turning the ellipse I have almost twice as much thread on the bobbin! Yea! Fewer stops on my next quilting project.

i have a sidewinder so i have bobbins at all times.

As the kids say, true dat. I've already got a screw loose... LOL!

I have a Viking and thank goodness you don't have to unthread to wind a new bobbin. Great time saving feature.

What a great tip! Thanks.

Another way is to add a bit of tension to the thread as it winds onto the bobbin. I don't like "squishy" bobbins. As the thread is coming off the spool, before it goes through the path to the bobbin, just let the thread run between two fingers. The extra tension makes a huge difference in how much thread goes on a bobbin.

When is someone going to invent a machine that uses a second spool of thread that magically runs from the top of the machine, through the bottom of the machine where a bobbin would have once been inserted..
Ahhh..one can dream.

Carole

[QUOTE=Chester the bunny;5336889]When is someone going to invent a machine that uses a second spool of thread that magically runs from the top of the machine, through the bottom of the machine where a bobbin would have once been inserted
Almost. they did make one that you put a spool into the bobbin case. National Two Spool

can someone post a pic of the...elliptical thingy!
thanks

I don't see the elliptical on any of my machines: Kenmore, Pfaff, Viking. And they all seem to wind bobbins really full. What am I missing.

I recently bought an old Frister Rossman machine and I could not believe how much thread the bobbin holds. One of my pupils has been sewing a lap size quilt on it and the bobbin is still about 2/3rds full so I am not going to mess about with it, but thanks for the tip.

can someone post a pic of the...elliptical thingy!
thanks

I tried your method and it really works. Thanks for the tip.

Here is a picture of mine, a Brother LB6800.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]362494[/ATTACH]

I take and wind several bobbins at one time then all I have to do is switch them out. I think I have almost 20 spares that I fill at one time. Takes a lot of thread at once, but I use the same neutral color for all my quilting.

Thanks for the picture. Now I see. My Pfaff, Viking, and Kenmore are not set up that way.

Thanks! That is what makes this site so amazing!!

The first electronic Singer in the early 70's had the bobbin that you threaded while it was still in the machine and the machine remained threaded. It was wonderful.

My new Singer Quartet has a separate motor for winding bobbins. I can be winding a bobbin and sewing at the same time!

I wondered what you were talking about. I have 5 machines and not one has the elliptical thingy.

If you put more thread on the bobbin, does it work OK? I think it might be like when you put too much line on a fishing rod, you could wind up with a bird's nest of line. I wouldn't want to mess things up on my machine. (He just came back from the doctor's today, after his cleaning and checkup. LQS owner said that my "hook" was damaged, he had to replace my bobbin case, and something about the stitch regulator.) Now he runs like a charm! Yay!

I love my sidewinder. It's the greatest.

my janome doesnt have the elliptical thingy but does have a screw place more room between the fill lever and the bobbin in order to get more thread on each...i also when winding bobbins, use 2 fingers from my other hand to actually move the winding thread up & down in order to distribute the thread more evenly...it keeps it from filling the center only which sets off the fill gauge which shuts down the process...1 more thing is i have a clear large pill bottle that i have put a hole in the bottom and keep 5 filled bobbins always ready on my extra spool spindle...when i run down those 5, its time to clean out the bobbin area & put a drop of oil on the wick...just a little schedule to help clean out the dust & lint which builds up...some fabrics and threads are worse than others at leaving deposits behind....monica in texas...

I also have a sidewinder and always have a spare bobbin loaded and ready to go. Nothing more frustrating than on the last seam when you run out of bobbin thread.

I use my side winder too.....great little invention.......why didn't I think of it!!!!

I stopped winding my own when I found Superior Threads pre-wounds.
They're wonderful and last forever. I pieced a twin top on one bobbin of Bottom Line.