Just easier to use the sidewinder when you run out
of bobbin thread. Yes, all sewing machines will rewind
your bobbins, but you have to stop the project your
working on to rewind the bobbin. Its what ever works
for you. I have a Bernina-230/Patchwork Edition
sewing machine and use the sidewiner all the time. Works for me. Betty Lee

I would rather spend the money on fabric. I have Viking machines and all use the same bobbin, so when I am embroidering and run out (usually wind several at a time) I use the machine next to it to wind more bobbins. Just seems a waste to buy a sidewinder and then need batteries (I believe) to keep it running, and another item to find a place to store it.

I have one, I use it to fill bobbins for my 6-needle embroidery machine. It does not fill bobbins and it is in a different room than my sewing machine...call me lazy...
Michelle G. in El Paso

I have a Bernina and I use the sidewinder with no problem. I like it because I don't have to undo my thread from my machine.

lol... I only bought one, cause I found the 'breast cancer awareness' model on clearance at Walmart... for $6. So I bought it. Now I find that I use it alot when I sew.

1. Some folks machines... the bobbin threading process uses some of the same guides as the sewing process does. Why I don't know. Inefficient. If you have a machine like that... even if you had a 2nd spool pin and a 2nd spool of the exact same thread you're using... you would STILL have to unthread the machine to wind a bobbin.

2. Either wind all your bobbins before you start the project, or you'll still have to have the 2nd spool of the exact same thread to wind new bobbins if you run out - whether you use your machine or a gizmo to wind the bobbin.

3. The bobbin winder gizmo seems to work faster, with less chance of wild nests than my machine. If I attempt to wind a bobbin on my Janome really fast, the thread pops up from the guides and winds all around the spool pin, itself, the machine and my fingers... wild nests and wasted thread.

4. Sometimes the bobbin winder gizmo is just one more thing in the way. So if I know I'm doing a ton of piecing or something, I'll wind up like 12 or so bobbins of my cotton neutral thread before I start, then put the gizmo in a drawer out of the way.

Also I guess... at $6, the gizmo is way less expensive than a trip to the sew store with your machine to take it in for service/fixing if your bobbin winder is broken.

Note #24... lol... bobbin winders on different machines wind differently, with less/more amounts of tension on the thread. If you start a project using one type of winder... try to finish that section of sewing using bobbins wound by the same method. If not, you'll likely not get a tight lockstitch.

I have one and I love it. My machine seems to make the bobbins really loose so I end up with issues when i use it. So I started using the sidewinder. I was given one and now I love it.

I wind up about 30 bobins or more at a time and than I don't have to keep stopping to wind.

There is a reason for bobbin winders. It saves your sewing machine motor. One reason why many machine manufacturers put bobbin winding motors separate on our sewinf machines. I prefer not using my expensive machine to wind bobbins. Have a commercial bobbin winder...got the idea from my Long Arm Lady.
D in TX

I have one--never used it. Found out after I had it a while that I have the 2 brands of machines they will now work with the bobbins--Husqvarna Viking and Singer

I have 2 of them, in New Hampshire and here in Florida in our winter home. I love them, so much quicker than having to fool around with the thread spools.
Good luck, Kutnso

I bought mine at Hancocks at half price. It is convient for filling a bobbin without unthreading my machine.

I didn't think I would use mine because I like the way my machine fills bobbins, but when I am in the midst of quilting something there is no way I am going to thread a bobbin on that machine and have used my sidewinder... it does come in handy...

I have a Bernina and a sidewinder and use it all of the time. When I am piecing I buy two spools of the same thread, one goes on my machine and one goes on the sidewinder. I always get as many bobbins as what is on the spool on my machine and everything comes out even.

I do have one, love it, it is handy, especially to bring when my
quilt friends get together, we can just stick a spool of thread on
it and continue to fill it up. I too, hate to undo my machine to
fill a bobbin. I have been trying to always have an extra spool
of thread to use just for winding.

At first I didn't think I needed one - I had to take the thread off my machine and put it on the winder and then put it back on the machine. Pooh...
Then I realized I almost always sew in one of three neutral color threads so I have multiple spools of those colors so a sidewinder would be a great idea. Cool...
Then I figured it was just a whole lot easier to wind multiple bobbins before I start sewing. Sigh...
But, then again, I got my sidewinder at Wally World for $5.00.

Well, I don't have one but after reading this thread - I'm gonna get one.

I have one and used it a lot until I got the new Berninia. On my old machine you had to unthread the machine to wind the bobbin. It worked well for me then. However, I have friends that have vikings and they say they do not work on the viking bobbins.

LOVE mine ... Worth every penny.

You are a lucky person!! Like most here I have to unthread machine thread through bobbin winder stuff then rethread machine and try to hit that little bity hole in the needle just one more time lol Just easier for me-Also I doint like to have too many partial bobbins of thread laying around and this way if one does it great-otherwise I have option of how full I make bobbin also- I have limited number of bobbins too lol

They are fun to use. My DGD about wore one out filling bobbins. It was worth buying for her to be so happy 'helping' me. I took literally scores of of filled bobbins to guild for members to use and bring back the empty bobbins so DGD could have them to fill again. The first thing she asked when she came over was did the guild need more bobbins for her to fill? She is older now but still remembers the good time she had using the Sidewinder in my sewing room.

I only use mine for my longarm because the bobbins don't fit on any of my sewing machine bobbin winders.

I bought one when they first came out because my machine would not fill bobbins anymore-it was more of a necessity than a luxruy at that time. I made do with it but was not happy with it-bobbins did not wind good and thread was loose and messy which cause more issues when trying to sew. I got better at it, but now fill bobbins on an old Singer 301-perfect everytime!

it's just another item ,uneccesary,, at that to clutter a sewing room. I got mine as a gift and think I will regift it! Lorraine

I have one bc the bobbin winder on my machine broke. I forgot to get it fixed when I took the machine in for it's yearly cleaning. I have used it for my LA bobbins, but it does not wind tight enough for them. Now I have a new machine and haven't used the SideWinder in a while.

I had bought one, but didn't like it and took it back!

My piecing machine, a 1963 Singer, cannot wind bobbins, part no longer available. My sidewinder lets me continue using this wonderful machine. (Grandmother's machine which I learned to sew on). Sidewinders are a blessing!!

It personal preference. I rarely use the same thread in the bobbin as on top so when I wind, I just put the bobbin thread spool on my extra holder and wind away, usually 2 at a time.

OMG, I can imagine my 2 1/2 yr old grandson trying to use it. He would fill up every bobbin in the house and then the thread would end up on the floor - He is at the "Me do" stage and everything is "Mine," with a look of don't even try to get it away from me. My reply to MINE is, no that is Grandma's, but you can borrow it if you want.

Same here. I don't like how my bobbin filler on my quilting machine works. Mine only cost $19.95 & then had a coupon from somewhere I think. I can fill bobbins on embroidery machine when it is running but I like sidewinder. :thumbup:

Hancock sometimes has them on sale for $20. I like mine.

There is a different Sidewinder that winds all bobbins and even has thread stands to do the cones. This one runs about $99.00. Don't have one but I've been looking

I, too, have pondered the reason for the Sidewinder. Both my machines don't have to be rethreaded.

Perhaps it was just tired and needed a rest like the rest of us.

my old commodore i'm gonna get going again doesn't wind bobbins so i may consider getting one. i read something somewhere where a lady put a heavy weight in the bottom of the case to make it more stable and less vibraty.

I love my sidewinder. I use it to wind different kinds of thread for the serger. I have the EZ winder that has spools and they fit the sidewinder and does a good job.

I have one and I love it. I have an older machine and I just hate unthreading it to wind a bobbin.

Well, my MC8000 sometimes is seriously handicapped when I need to wind bobbins. Just screeches at me. I don't have a SideWinder, but I do have a $90 WalMart Brother that I use for winding bobbins and for sewing with my guild when we're making charity quilts. I don't want to lug my computerized machines back and forth and the bobbin winder on that cheapo machine has never faltered.

I actually won one at a quilt show. I try to keep bobbins full of the most used colors but if I don't have to unthread my machine, it's worth it.

I love my sidewinder when I am using my Pfaff as its built in winder is a pain to use...very erratic with thread loose and messy. My Bernina, however, has a GREAT bobbin winder. I tried winding my Pfaff bobbins on my Bernina and that doesn't work, hence the sidewinder when it was on a huge sale. I love it!

Just a thought that has helped me. On my Pfaff 2040, my bobbins were not winding properly or tight enough so I put my finger on top of the bobbin as it turns. It must slow it some and keep it from wobbling. No more problems for me. Hope this helps you.