Typically I use only one white/off white for all of my sewing and quilting....
 

I fill 5 or 6 bobbins up at once. I find this so much easier when the bobbin runs out. I used to fill it only one at a time but find this works for me. Have picked up some more empties, so will fill more next time. I am surprised just how much time it takes one at a time, not to mention disrupting the sewing. Just a random thought for this cold, cold day.

I pretty much do the same thing with the exceptions that I fill
10+ bobbins with white, beige, and black thread for sewing.

However since I use MANY colors also I fill bobbins with the
color I am using/wanting at that time.

Now with my embroidery ANY time I am stitching something
that is fsl (free standing lace) I use the same color thread in
the bobbin that I use for the top. I also keep 20+ bobbins filled
of black & white bobbin thread for all other embroidery projects.

I have about 200 (give or take 25 or so) bobbins mainly for my
embroidery.

I typically piece with white so I was filling lots of bobbins at a time - made the mistake (or was it?) of trying prewound. Now I'm hooked!! I found a supply of them for $10 for 144 bobbins (plus $7 shipping). When you figure the price, that's less than 12 cents per bobbin. They last longer, I haven't had any tension issues, and I am no longer winding bobbins for piecing! I'm totally in love!!

When I start a project whether it is piecing or FMQ, I fill 2 or 3 bobbins ahead. I also have at least 1 bobbin dedicated to each color of thread that I have. The bobbins are attached to each spool using a Bobbin Mate and stored that way.

http://www.joann.com/bobbin-mate-18-pkg/7419534.html and I use Bobbin Wraps http://www.anniescatalog.com/detail.html?prod_id=92274 to keep the bobbin thread from unwinding. I haven't been able to find them locally so I have ordered them on line. They are used for little girls ponytails.

For piecing, I buy one spool for the top and one for the bottom. Fill bobbins with the second spool. I love having a bobbin ready to pop in.

What a great idea! Seriously, I never thought of doing that, but I will now!

I fill mine ahead to.

I'm thinking of using beige for all my piecing on the machine. That way I could fill several bobbins in advance.

Since I now have 2 machines I get 2 bobbins at a time wound up. I bought extra thread the other day and couple extra bobbins and just wound them up. I do this if I have a little time or have to wait on some one stopping by. If I'm sewing on one machine, I may have another winding bobbins.

You can get the mini scrunchies at Walmart much cheaper I believe. I have been using them. But Tartan posted another idea that looks even better - http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...t-t239392.html

i've been using prewounds for years... they have so much thread on them. i usually buy white.

I also use the pony tail holders for my bobbins. They can stretch out easily, but if used gently they're wonderful and the price is right. Can't remember where I got them...Walmart of $ store.

I keep lots of bobbins filled with neutral colours and when I finish for the day I fill up any I have used that day. I use toe separaters that you use for pedicures to secure the bobbins. You can see the colours and it keeps the ends tight.

I wind 2. When the second one runs out I know that I need to really clean my bobbin race.

When I sew on my Featherweight, every week when I oil, clean and change the needle, I fill 8 bobbins with the neutral thread I will use in the coming week. I do this because I am so left handed that threading the needle is not my idea of fun. I don't want to have to stop and wind a bobbin and have to re thread the needle. Once a week of needle threading is enough for me. On m Bernina, if I am doing FMQ, I fill lots of bobbins, otherwise, I just stop and fill the bobbin as I need it.

Those of you that use prewound - what do you do with the empty bobbins?

What size thread do you use in your bobbins

That is what I do also. I buy 2 white spools and wind as many bobbins as I can from one spool.

Are you joking? A person can't always tell on the internet.

I've never thought of anything else because my mom always had a bobbin box pretty much full of bobbins in various colors, ready to go. As I piece, I make sure I have several bobbins in the color that I want--nothing more frustrating than having to stop and wind a bobbin when I'm in a piecing mood! As an experiment once, I decided to use up a 5000 meter cone of white thread--used it up to fill bobbins all in one evening. It took about an hour or hour and a half and filled 99 bobbins.

The good thing about DebraK's trick is that when you are out of top thread, you are out of bobbin thread.....no stitching along for half an hour with no bobbin thread! :D

Jan in VA

When FMQing I fill up all the empty bobbins I have. I don't wind any more until I empty the last one. FMQ uses alot more of thread than straight line stitching. When I piece I don't worry about running out. I notice it real quick. When FMQing I notice after an inch or two.

I do something similar or at least I fill two at a time. I love the bobbin winder on my Janome 6600, it has a separate motor to wind bobbins so you don't have to remove your sewing or the thread you are using to sew with, I fill one bobbin to replace the one I was sewing with and fill another to leave filled on the top of my machine for the next time I need a full one.

I have boxes that hold 25 bobbins and as all my machines are Janomes they will fit any of my machines. I have over 100 bobbins. I keep one box for bobbin thread for my machine embroidery, one box for my main piecing colour Gutermann 919. The others have a mixture which I try to keep with the spool from which it came. After reading Tartans tip about plastic tubing I thought of wrapping a paper around the bobbin first with the colour written on it then the tubing.

I, too, prewind white and black bobbins. Much easier and takes almost no time at all to do.

Re: mini scrunchies to secure the bobbins, the dollar stores sell bags of 100 for $1.00. These are either in the hair doo-dads section or in the baby section.

Anita

Okay, I am cheap! I found that if I cut a soda straw in about 3 inches, they fit perfectly in a regular spool of thread and then after I fill two or three bobbins with the thread I am using, I just stack them up on to of the spool of thread and when I finish a project, if there is any thread left on each, I stack the bobbin on the spool and then I am ready to start again when I need that particular color of thread. Keeps bobbin with it's matching thread color.

I have a Baby Lock that will wind one bobbin while you sew with another and that is a useful feature.

It saves me time when sewing to have the prewound bobbins that I have done, never tried the ones you can buy. I remember the lady that taught quilting, loving them and the guy who runs the quilt store saying they were no good, not sure why he felt that.

I have found that a light gray is the best for the bobbin. Beige is good but the the gray is better for me. I use Bottom Line and can hardly see the bobbin thread.

I found the little girl ponytail thingies at local dollar store.......cheaper than buying "bobbin wraps"......

I piece with either white or gray..........I don't quilt on DM so don't need colors...if I do sew anything of color I will fill or half fill a bobbin to match....then if any left will use that for piecing.......no one sees the color thread used in piecing except me as I am doing it.......for emb..I use prewound....

I buy the prewound without sides to piece so that all that is left is the little core which I throw away. I wouldn't have thought of getting the sideless ones that but someone gave me some to try and they worked as well as the regular bobbins with sides. I do use the neb bobbins for my embroidery machine and they have sides. I don't use nearly as many of those and so far have thrown away them away when empty.

I do the same only multiplied by a bunch. I have a small covered tray that holds....30 or so bobbins. From time to time I strap on that cone of thread I picked up on sale somewhere and start to fill bobbins. It is such a time saver when I am in the middle of a project to not have to stop to fill a bobbin. Just dip into my little box of filled bobbins and away I go. A small investment in extra bobbins is sooooo worth it! Yes, it is a good idea for a very cold day.

I fill at least 6 bobbins when I start a project. When they are all done, it is also time to clean my machine. So out comes the bobbin, and I use my brush etc. clean the machine, fill my bobbins again. Saves time and also reminds me to clean my machine.

I wind several bobbins of white, lt. gray, and beige. Then, I don't have to stop so often to rewind. I store my bobbins in a sectioned fishing box where they stay clean and visible.

For bobbin wraps, I go to the dollar store and get a bag o the tiniest pony tail holders. Much cheaper. My newest storage method is using the separators made for pedicures. Each one holds 4 bobbins so I have one with white, one with beige, one with blues etc. they stand up in a Rubbermaid box in my drawer so I can see the colors. I get them at a beauty supply and they are usually 50 cents or less. I use a light grey for piecing and usually have several bobbins wound with it.

My favorite bobbin box is the Dritz blue base/clear lid, they hold
32 bobbins per box.

As I stated in an earlier post I do a lot of FSL embroidery so my
bobbin thread will always match the top thread.

Below are photos of my box "collection" this of course is NOT all
the boxes I have just the ones that I have in use.



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Can anyone tell me if I can buy pre wound bobbins for PFAFF EXPRESSION 4 machine. I have never heard of these. Thank you

my fave threads for bobbins is Superior Threads Bobbin fill, thin, lasts a long time on the bobbin ... for piecing I really like a very light yellow/cream that almost disappears even in whites, blends well with neutrals and I have a light green too with same results, they seem to be my faves, tho I also use a tan. I have a navy and black on hand for dark piecing but rarely need to use it.

I totally agree with the prewound bobbins... There is probably at least 3 times the thread on the bobbin more than you can wind onto a bobbin.

I love your bobbin boxes. I too use the pony tail holders. Where did you get the boxes? I have never seen these. Thanks.

Where do you buy them? Would love to try them