I have one and use it for every bobbin for my older machines. Love it. I'm surprised to read people don't like them. :)

My newer Pfaff QE4 has special bobbins so the machine can tell you it's almost out of thread and I can't use the sidewinder for them.

Loretta,
If you have a Pfaff or Viking that uses the blue/green bobbins, the Sidewinder won't work for you. I've got several different brands of machines and I find that winding them on the machine gives me a more even, tighter wound bobbin. I wasn't very impressed with the Sidewinder.
Sharon W.

I have a Viking & you (quiltingcandy) are correct. The bobbins are too big to fit on the sidewinder. I did use it quite a bit with my other machine.

Save your gift card for something else. I have used it many times and it's better to me to wind the bobbins on my machine.

Yes for me. Make sure your bobbin fits first.

I love mine. it winds the bobbin tighter than my sewing machine so it gets more thread on the bobbin, for example to make a bowl it usally will take 1 bobbin but for the same bowl with a bobbin off my sewing machine took 2 and a half for the same size. my sewing machine doesn't wind tight at all so the side winder is great. thanks for the tip about the straw will try that for sure since i just hold my finger over the hole on the spool to keep it on and on the side so it stays up.. it hurts when it gets you in the head hahahahaha. but i love the job it does.

I love mine, and I also love the fact that it can be used with electricity or batteries, such a great tool to use at home or take at a quilt retreat .........needless to say I would not give my up

It is a wonderful aid. I wind bobbins with thread for applique and other hand sewing, and it does a really fine job on old bobbins I have bought at various yard sales, etc., as well as the bobbins for all of my machines. Go for it!

I personally like the Sidewinder as I wind several bobbins at at time and keep them handy when I'm on a roll

I vote nay! Most of us have more than one machine. If I'm using my embroidery machine, I wind bobbins on another machine. I'd rather wind mine that way because the tension is better and more consistent. I'd also rather use my gift card for fabric or quilt patterns!