Bobbin Basics

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11-05-2016, 09:05 AM

#31

Tudey

Senior Member

Join Date: Jul 2010

Location: Chehalis, WA

Posts: 806

I use up partial bobbins when I am piecing, since, if done right, the stitching won't show!

11-05-2016, 10:27 AM

#32

FroggyinTexas

Super Member

Join Date: Mar 2007

Location: Here and there

Posts: 1,669

I tried winding over existing thread---once. That one time was enough. Thread tangled and I lost all the thread on the bottom. Now I just run them out when I'm piecing or I use them as a thread source for handwork. froggyintexas

11-05-2016, 11:16 AM

#33

Innov8R

Super Member

Join Date: Jun 2016

Location: Belen, NM

Posts: 1,353

Buy enough bobbins that you always have one available. It is one of the best luxuries you can have.

11-05-2016, 11:54 AM

#34

Clmay

Senior Member

Join Date: Oct 2012

Location: Moira, NY

Posts: 520

I would try to use up the thread on the bobbin. Especially if the thread won't show. Then put the color on that you want.
clmay

11-05-2016, 01:05 PM

#35

kay carlson

Senior Member

Join Date: Jan 2007

Location: Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Posts: 857

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaperPrincess

Don't know if modern computerized machines are more finicky, but in prehistoric times, when I was growing up, we only had like 3 bobbins. We always were winding on top of existing thread and it worked just fine. Also, we had 1 needle size & type and only changed it if it broke. You can always just put it on the thread spindle & use it for the top thread for piecing if you want to run it out.

Paper Princess, we must have grown up during the same era. Needles were purchased in wooden cylinder containers from the parts dept. at Monkey Wards. Bent or broken signified replacement. Bobbins were not plentiful so we kept winding different colors on the long cylindrical bobbins. I keep one of those empty bobbins in my change purse to remind me that I have many blessings. Sew on!

11-05-2016, 03:14 PM

#36

QuiltnLady1

Super Member

Join Date: May 2011

Posts: 4,688

I have always wound a new color on top of a bobbin of a different color if I don't have an empty bobbin. The other thing we used to do is hand wind the old color back on the spool. I too grew up having only a few needles, a few bobbins and thread was precious.

11-05-2016, 06:15 PM

#37

Bjbaxter

Senior Member

Join Date: Feb 2011

Location: Philomath,Ore

Posts: 499

I used to do this all the time when I was a whole lot younger and sewing clothes. I have a gazillion bobbins now and haven't done that since I started quilting 18 years ago. I think it's a great idea to use the partial bobbins for piecing, I had not thought of that.

11-05-2016, 07:33 PM

#38

maviskw

Super Member

Join Date: May 2012

Location: Central Wisconsin

Posts: 4,391

Quote:

Originally Posted by bearisgray

I have used bobbin thread as a top thread. For me, when it runs out, it is the same as when it runs out off a spool.

That is exactly right. When a spool runs out it makes a huge thread nest, etc. That's why I try to take off the spool when it is almost empty and put that small amount onto a bobbin and use it up there.

11-05-2016, 09:55 PM

#39

Bluelady

Super Member

Join Date: Jun 2010

Location: Kaneohe, HI

Posts: 2,041

I have wound over threads on a bobbin in the past and with my older machines, it didnt seem to matter. My mother always did that on our old Singer. I tried it once on my newer machine and .. nope.. not gonna do it again. Tension problems galore. I then used a different bobbin, full with just the one thread and it worked fine. So no over the old winding fore me