Winding the Bobbin
 

I wish I could help you but I'm not familiar with that machine. Does it wind in place? Mine does not, but I can tell you when I start out I hold the thread for a minute until I'm sure it's winding then clip the thread & let go.

Go to onlinesewing.com. There is a great tutorial on how to properly wind a bobbin.

That's the way I wind on my Singer also. After it has caught hold, you no longer need to hold a thread. I don't understand what the problem is.

Thanks for the input Maggiemay

Thanks so much Toverly! I really appreciate all the input.

After the thread breaks, it doesn't wind anymore and it isn't like there is a lot of thread on the bobbin after it breaks. It is justa little bit

Is your thread old ? Maybe that is the reason it is breaking. Just a thought. Hope you get it straightened out.

Mayme: I am starting to think that my thread is old. I asked a friend from work about it and she claimed that each machine has a certain size bobbin to it and that if the thread is old it will continuously break and leave a lot of lint in the machine. Also, the thread tension will need to be adjusted, I think she said looser than normal? When I go home tonight after work, I plan on cleaning out my machine and taking the old thread off. I will buy some new thread this weekend at Joann Fabrics. I will ask them about it and maybe get some answers. I want to thank everyone who responded to my thread. Lots of good ideas. Many, many Thanks again. Sincerely, Frugalsewer.

Agree thread might be old, also once the bobbin has a wind on it holding that first thread in place I usually stop the winder and clip the thread as it's no longer needed.

Wondering though why you are talking about adjusting the tension while winding the bobbin. You don't want to run the thread the thread through the tension discs while winding bobbins (at least not on any machine I've used, but I don't know which Singer model you have).

Put thread reel on normal place as if sewing, take thread around first anchor point, thread into bobbin, place on winder, loosen wheel then slowly wind thread on for a few rounds and then cut off the piece you are holding, then finish winding bobbin. Tension has nothing at all to do with winding a bobbin as your thread never gets to that part of the process of threading your machine. Hope this is as clear as mud lol

If you have a manual with your machine look at it to see if it has directions for how to wind the bobbin. If not, find a friend with a Singer machine and ask for help. I hope you are not running the thread through the tension disks as that is not going to work, nor is changing the tension. That is for sewing only. Sounds like you need a real person with some sewing experience to take a look at it and see what is wrong.

Sometimes the thread from the spool winds under my bobbin rather than on the bobbin even though it began on the bobbin...could this be happening? I hope you find the problem.

My mother's Singer 603E T&S winds the bobbin in place. So, it is necessary to run the thread thru the tension discs. Which Singer machine do you have, Frugalsewer?

I agree with other post about tension settings, when you wind the bobbin, your thread should be just going through a hook and then to the bobbin. What model is your Singer?

Adjusting the tension has no effect on winding a bobbin and may cause you problems later sewing. What make or model of Singer do you have? You don't want to put the thread up through the center of the bobbin because yes it will break. You run it through the hole in the flange of the bobbin then hold the thread and yes it may break but when it does your bobbin will be mostly full. Hope this helps and enjoy sewing!

Dear Dog:

It was a suggestion from a friend at work because I am a beginner sewer. I am trying to teach myself to sew on a singer sewing machine. I always refer to my manual, Youtube is a big help also and online websites. But sometimes the questions I have, the answers aren't easily found. I have had good luck with this site because I get a lot of input from the members. For example, I didn't realize that "old thread" would cause me problems and I also didn't realize that only a certain size bobbin could be wound on my machine. So, I am learning something new every day.

I rent a long arm machine sometimes and use a bobbin winder while there. I had a really hard time the last time I was using the bobbin winder because of the angle at which I was holding the thread. To start the wind I found that starting the winder slowly and holding the thread straight out from the bobbin help. And folks are right, once you get a couple of winds on it that will hold the beginning, you can let the thread break and wind away.

I thread the bobbin and place it on the pin, start the motor and hold the thread that comes out the top or side while it winds. The thread breaks off after a short bit but that is okay you don't need that short thread for anything but getting the bobbin started. As long as the thread winding on the bobbin does not break you are good to go.

You are not doing anything wrong. Your thread tension will not affect the bobbin winder as far as I know but I may not be knowledgeable about your machine. In general I have never heard of a machine that uses the thread tensioner for the bobbin. Anyone?

I think you need not worry about that little thread, in my humble opinion.
peace

EDIT: I read that the winder stops after this top thread breaks. That is unusual. Can you just restart the winding? If your machine has a small lever that you push towards the bobbin right next to the winder and it engages the winder. It may be popping back to its' original position which stops the winding. Bernina has this lever.
It is a guide that stops the bobbin when it is full. If you have one one your machine just re engage it and the winder will start again when you push the foot peddle. Hope this helps you a little.:D
peace

Frugal, if you put the thread thru the hole from the inside part of the bobbin, pull that thread out 6 or so inches. Then when the bobbin starts to wind it is supposed to break the thread. It would help if you had a picture on here. Before you start [if you have an old Singer] loosen the little wheel on the big wheel on right side of machine.[by holding the big wheel, and turning the small wheel]. When you are finished, tighten the little wheel back up. When you loosen it that is supposed to stop the needle from working up and down. Stay on here until we can help you.

I use plastic bobbins, I put the thread up through a hole on the top of the bobbin and hold that. push the bobbin onto the spinner and spin it a few times while holding the thread end. just enough for the thread to wind on the bobbin a couple of times and lock in the thread so I can then cut off the piece coming out that hole on the top. Then I finish filling the bobbin fully.

I think the thread is supposed to break off when you get to a certain point.

Frugal, please tell us what model Singer you are using. There are a few models that wind the bobbin "in place" which means the bobbin stays inside the machine under the needle. Is that the type you have? If not, you shouldn't be going through the tension disks to wind the bobbin.

Please help us so we can help you.

Tate

oh, my Singer had metal bobbins that wound in place.

Frugalsewer - I'm wondering if you are trying to fill the bobbin with thread after feeding the thread through your machine and the needle. Don't do this. Check out this photo- if it posts- [ my reel of thread is behind the machine] I often hold the thread with my fingers for tension, not sure which tension you're talking about. Where did you buy your machine. Do they not give you a couple of free lessons? I think that's lousy service . Ok, posting photos won't work, not sure if it's QB or this new windows 7. I can attach to emails etc just not here. Can anyone assist? please pm me Good luck Fs

I don't have a Singer, but I don't see much point in those fiddly holes either. I hold the end of the thread against the inner wall of my bobbins, then make several manual wraps before I put the whole thing on the winder. Works for me.

If your bobbins don't wind well, either get it adjusted or buy a Sidewinder.

I have a Singer 301 that I use. I'm pretty new too, but decent at using google to search for my answers. I found a PDF manual online for MY machine. Hopefully it helps you out, at least a little bit, on what your problem is. If this PDF doesn't load to the correct page, it's 12/13 in the manual, but 15(ish) according to the PDF.

Hope this helps (lots of pictures in the manual): http://static.onecreativeblog.com/fi...301-manual.pdf

I have a BabyLock Quilters Choice, have had it for over seven years. I have learnt so much about it and how to use it and continue surprisingly to do so. The bobbin winding was a problem for me too, I could not get it. And when I did get the bobbin wound it was just a little loose. All I do know is wind the thread a few times around the bobbin, put it in the winder, cut the tail and pop it in place. Something I have learnt which is major is to have a tight bobbin, to get this, I hold the thread between two fingers in the area that comes off the spool of thread and let it wind. Naturally it stops when it is full. A very tight bobbin, do not have trouble with sewing, whereas before I did this, there was always some issue. The dealer where I bought this machine showed me this little tip and it works like a charm. I have to look but I think there is a little hole where I could put the thread through, but I ignore it and just wrap, also if I feel there is going to be a problem I start winding for a split second and cut the tail end. It really is a learning experience with any machine.

If you are still having problems, buy prewound bobbins until you can find someone that can show you hands on. I started buying Sew Fine and Masterpiece prewound bobbins from Superior Threads or Fil Tec prewound bobbins and rarely wind my own bobbins. I take the paper off the sides or at least one side.

Bobbin Winding tips from a repairman
 

When winding the bobbin with new thread, just let the bobbin turn about 5 times and stop and snip off the thread that comes out of the top hole; then continue winding it. I wind it at a medium speed.

Also, don't fill your bobbin out to the edge of the bobbin. Stop when your thread is more than 1/8th of an inch from the edge of the bobbin.

Hope this helps,
Annette in Fl.

The thread you hold should break after a good layer or two (1/8 of the bobbin is wound..or close)...that's normal.
Breaking or stopping winding..is the thread breaking, or is the winding just stopping? If it just stops winding...does the bobbin pop back, or just sit there?

If the bobbin just stops winding...check that it's down all the way (holding the thread can cause the bobbin to rise a bit from the stress on the thread tail you are holding), and that the little white post that stops the bobbin when it's full is not turned to far...it can limit bobbin fills as much as half. I turn mine to where the top of the post is turned to almost the thinnest part. This let's me get the bobbin almost 3/4 full.

You don't want to fill plastic bobbins more than 3/4 full...it may cause them to crack and break (too much pressure).
Also, when winding invisible thread...I only fill half way...that poly or nylon thread can really cause a lot of issues on plastic bobbins.

I also have Singer machines...and it took a bit to learn how to use the plastic bobbins. I also have commercial machines (upholstery, 12 needle embroidery & Longarm)...and they all have their quirks for winding their bobbins.

Keep at it...and stay with this group...they are really helpful!
Marge

I was wondering too why you were adjusting the tension to wind the bobbin. I have never heard of that.

You might consider taking your machine to JoAnns and ask them for help learning to wind the bobbin. Most of the employees have been sewers for years. If they can't help, try contacting your local quilt guild. Sewing education is usually written into their by-laws, so ask them for help. If you still need help, I will try to help by PM. Let me know. -Kelly

You know the place where I bought my machine discouraged the prewound bobbins, they sold them, but did not like them. If you can manage to get a tightly wound bobbin you can sew much better.

I'm confused...what does the tension have to do with winding the bobbin? I don't have a Singer. I have a Janome, but tension should not be the reason for the problem you are having. Hmmmmmmmm.

Agree with Dog House Mom: Are you putting the thread through the tension disks? My threads goes through a separate hook on the opposite side of my machine so that it comes off the spool and down to the bobbin "hook" and then up to wind on the bobbin. Good luck.

Just be sure to hang on to the pesky thread so it doesn't slip away, for just a few seconds, then I trim it just a bit, or trim after the bobbin is wound. Don't feel bad, I sometimes have to thread the needle 5-6 times before I get it right. Merry Christmas.

All my machines have the thread go through tension as it is being wound onto the bobbin. But it is not the same as the tension disks for sewing. The thread goes through special tension disks for winding bobbins, and it is not adjustable on any of my machines.

Bobbin
 

You are doing the same thing that I do with the metal bobbins for my Singers. Once the tread breaks when I hold it, I just let it continue to wind. The one thing that I have found with new bobbins is that they maybe too big for the bobbin case.

Another problem is that you may be winding the bobbin too tight. I have started using a separate bobbin winder and that problem is gone.

Good luck.

Another thought came to me there are a couple of different sizes of bobbins, although by mistake I have bought them, filled them up put them in my bobbin case, the machine sewed but not well. If it were a matter of thread and I thought my thread was old and it would have to be fairly old I would get rid of it. Now one thing I do stay away from is the cheap thread, do not trust it. Good luck, what a pain for you, I know little things sure make a difference with machines.