Running Out of Bobbin Thread
 

Don't you just hate when you run out of bobbin thread? I was merrily sewing along this afternoon and when I went to remove the piece, I saw that I had run out of bobbin thread a long time ago. I was sewing a double border about 88 inches long. The bobbin thread had run out in about the first quarter of the piece. Ugh. Keep in mind, I sew on vintage or antique sewing machines so no computer to tell me I was getting low and I had replaced the bobbin the last time I used the machine (it may have not been a full bobbin, though). Well, I did get the borders sewn together, now comes the fun part of sewing them on the top. Not really upset or venting, more of a rhetorical question at most and maybe just a random musing.

Shari

I have learned that prewound bobbins have more thread on them. That helps. I still run out if I'm not paying attention, I use to have a machine that had a light come on if bobbin was low but it came on when there was still enough thread to keep sewing for a good distance so I ignored it for the most part. Always a con with a pro isn't it? I read somewhere that if you wind your bobbins using a light color thread then use wash out marker to color the starting thread. When you see that color you know to stop. When I'm using my FW I use a full bobbin as the thread spool along with a full bobbin, When the upper thread bobbin gets low the bobbin is too.

In all the years I have been sewing, I have never thought of using a full bobbin for the upper thread. I like that idea and may try it on my FW. I will be using that machine to make my binding strip and have plenty of empty bobbins.

Shari

Just a thought … I could surely be incorrect …however thinking if you use a bobbin wound from a spool and then sew with both bobbins seems like thread would be working against each other ???
Maybe some one can correct my thinking

judy in Phx, AZ

I read somewhere that using bobbin thread on the upper is that the thread goes in the wrong direction. It is being wound the other way. I don't know how to explain it. I guess try it and see if it works in one's machine. Because we all know "rules" and "traditions" aren't universal!!!

Frustrating when that happens! Especially when one didd not one was out of bobbin thread and had been sewing something tricky!. When one is about 1/2 inch from the end of the seam.

Sigh!

With my machine, my thread is pulled up and away from the spool and the spool itself doesn't turn. I think using a wound bobbin for my top thread would just cause it to bind up.

As for running out of bobbin thread for the bottom thread, when I run out of bobbin thread, with my machine, my top thread will stand out off of my fabric in my line of site, to show me that it is no longer connecting to the bottom thread. I know within an inch or two that I am out of bobbin thread.

On the bright side, you didn't have to tear any stitches out!

One of my quilting themed t-shirts is "It's all fun and games until the bobbin runs out".

As part of my vision issues, I can't really see the stitches as they come out of the back of the machine, and just did one of those long side seams where I got done but had run out of thread after about the first 4 inches. Also, I pin a lot and that also helps hide that the two pieces aren't sewn together.

I do like prewound bobbins, my friend's long arm couldn't wind a decent bobbin and not only did the prewounds work better but they also lasted longer.

I haven't done any of my tests lately, with hand sewing I've done a number of tests about the grain/direction of the threads, particularly with cotton and cotton wrapped threads. For that I've learned that yes, some threads are very fussy on direction and which way you take them off the spool. But we don't always know ultimately which that direction is. I don't know if it is just a perception bias, but I do know I seem to have more problems with black/dark thread and have been told that it is because it is often from redyed stock and has been wound back and forth multiple times. Can't think of a single time I've had major issues with a white/neutral thread. Anyway, I have learned that some times it is the thread's fault and some spools are not worth my time and energy.

Now that I'm using a poly thread (So Fine) I may have different results. Maybe I'll try running some bobbins and using them on the top.