To purchase or not to purchase?
 

Has anyone ever purchased or used the Sidewinder bobbin threader? Nancy's Notions has one in her recent catalog on sale. I have been thinking about getting one. Would like to know the pro's and con's. I don't want to spend the money and then find out that it doesn't work as advertised. I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks in advance. BrendaK

I bought one a long time ago. It is sitting in the box on a shelf. Have rarely used it.

I love mine and use it all the time.

Yes, yes, and yes! I love it.

I purchased mine about 7 years ago. I use it only to wind my bobbins when I long-arm. The one that came with the machine was hard to wind....so someone suggested using the side winder. I love it for that purpose and it's still winding after 7 years. Find it on sale and you'll be happy. I think I paid about $20.00 for it back then.

I bought mine about five years ago and then bought one for my sister. I love it. I can sit in front of the TV and fill bobbins and I don't have to fiddle with my machine if I need a bobbin in the middle of something.

I have one and liked using it. But I remember someone saying it is not for all machines. I have used it for my Singer 15-91 and my Janome MC6600P. I have not tried it for my Viking or my FW. I am sure it would work for the FW, I just haven't tried it.

I love mine. I bought with a 50% off coupon at Joann's. Pro - convenient to use. Con - doesn't fill my bobbins all the way.

I had one gifted to me but, I didn't like it at all. Went to the thrift shop.

Like mine a lot I took the top off and put a heavy weight inside on the bottom. Lots of room in there. It isn't top heavy and top over like it use to. There is a tension control knob on it.

I had one and although a good idea, the bobbins were a mess (uneven, loose, etc). I sold it on eBay after it sat in my closet for a few years. I wouldn't waste your money.

Thank you all. It's on sale for $19.99. think I'll go for it. I have no problem returning something if it doesn't work. Appreciate all your help. Hugs BrendaK

My first few bobbins were that way too until I figured out the tension knob. Bobbins now wind even and full. I use a thread stand to fill from a cone.

I bought one years ago and it worked for the machine I had at the time, but the Pfaff I have now does not fit the pin. Maybe they've upgraded it.

I've had one for years-got it when they first came out. Love it! Batteries last a long time, too. It comes with a cord but i only use batteries because I am short on outlets where I sew.

I have one, and I used it for awhile. Then I decided it was just as easy to stick with my machine. I have a Pfaff and the instructions for it didn't wind the bobbin correctly. Somehow I remember that it did the bobbin backwards. Once If figured that out, I was able to turn my bobbin over and it worked fine. Just more trouble than using my machine.

My sister uses one all the time to wind her long arm bobbins. That's sort of why I bought one. I was new to quilting and she was very pleased with hers. So I thought I should have one.

Dina

I bought one when they first came out. It did not wind the bobbins evenly, so I just put it away. Maybe I should try it again, as I see some of you like it.

I've had one for many years, comes in handy once in a while. Bought one for my mom too, she used to have to come to my house and wind bobbins- not always convenient- so she was happy to have one. I don't use it all the time but it has served me well when I needed it

I like it. I will fill about 20 bobbins at a time when doing a quilt while watching tv. I don't use it when I need a single color of thread for a small project, but for a quilt it really comes in handy for me.

I have had one since the day they came out and I love it. I use it quite often, especially if I'm using one of my older machines. A friend bought one too but her Singer bobbins would not wind. Check first to see if yours fit.

When I was still using my mid-arm, I used it all the time to wind my bobbins, and it did a good job.

I wore mine out. I am definitely going to get another one.

I have one. I don't use it a lot, but it really helps when I need a bobbin done, even for my long arm machine. So I think it was worth it to buy.

It does not work with the Touch and Sew bobbins, as they do not have a hole in the middle.

bkay

Our guild has a permanent work room for our charity quilt assembly sessions. There are about 6 sewing machines in the room, and the bobbins are filled on a Sidewinder. What that means is that people who are new to a particular machine don't have to stop their work and figure out how to wind a bobbin on that machine. We use a beige thread for almost all of the sewing, which means that the bobbins can all be done alike.

I love mine for all the reasons already mentioned, but I can't use it for one of my machines, a viking that uses the green bobbins. Otherwise it is great:sew:

I love mine.

I have tried a variety of bobbin winders to wind Viking bobbins and its just not possible. Someone up in WA (I think) was offering bobbin winders and they made me a special spool pin just for the Viking bobbins. I've upgraded from the D1 to the EPIC and still have the problem but at least the bobbin winder on the machine has a separate motor so I can wind while its sewing. Also I find the Janome pre-wound bobbins will fit the EPIC too. The NEB pre-wounds are too short though they worked on the D1 just fine. I still have the other bobbin winder and am thinking of selling it. Its heavy and I know I paid a good price for it. much more than the Sidewinder cost.

i almost didnt get one because i thought really will i ever use that and oh my gosh i use it all the i even rigged up a way to use the large cone thread on it with one of those strong straws from an old sip cup i had around the house we also have one at our quilt house where our quilting group sews and i use that one all the time too its so much faster than using my
machine.
carla

I don't buy many 'toys' for myself, but one day this was on a 60% sale, so I bought it. I absolutely love it! It sits under my thread wall and so quick and easy to fill bobbins. I fill a couple before a project and they sit on the extra spool. I usually sew with the basic neutrals, so when I run out (usually on that last stretch!), I just spin my chair around, load another one and slip it in the case. I don't think I would spend the regular price for it, but if it is on sale, I would buy it. It would also be a great gift for a quilting friend.

I have one and love it. It doesn't wind the bobbins completely full but all you have to do is hold the button down and it will continue to wind until you release the button. I haven't used my machine to wind a bobbin in several years.

That's a clever idea to use a straw when winding a bobbin from a cone. I'll have to try that.

Just filled a few bobbins the other day and thought about getting one. That thought is becoming a lot more closer to an action.

When the Sidewinder first came out I bought one, only to discover it wouldn't wind the bobbins for my new Viking Sapphire. So it sits in the drawer.
Sharon

I have one and like it however I don't use it that often.

Love and use it when I need to wind bobbins.

I have one, but found out it doesn't fit all bobbins. Check yours out on the winding post before buying.

I didn't know there was a tension knob. Can you describe where it is and how you use it? I have a Sidewinder, and think that it winds too loosely.

That is a good idea. Is it difficult to take the top off without breaking anything around the case? I thought, too, that is was too lightweight.

I work in a sewing room at our church and for some reason the fly wheel on some of our machines tightens up making it very hard to wind bobbins. We us a Bobbin winder all the time. I don't have one at home but for our purposes at church it is indispensable.