How to fill a bobbin

Winding or filling a bobbin is actually a very easy task, but be sure to do it before threading your machine and needle! This guide is designed to help you wind / fill a bobbin on your domestic machine.

A full bobbin is required to begin sewing on a machine, and this must be done before attempting to thread the machine and needle. The bobbin provides the lower thread required for the machine to create a stitch. While some machines differ slightly, the overall process for winding your bobbin will be the same.

You will need:

A Sewing Machine
An Empty Bobbin
Your Choice of Thread
Scissors

Step-by-step guidelines:

Begin by placing an empty bobbin onto the winder shaft, pressing down so it snaps into place. Slide the bobbin and winder across to the right, until it again snaps into place.
Remove the spool cap from your spool pin, and place on your chosen thread. Replace the spool cap.
Guide your thread around any thread guides, shown on your machine, specifically for winding the bobbin. These will look different than other machine threading markings. If you are stuck, look in your instruction manual for specific threading instructions, if it is not obvious on your machine.
Pass the thread around the pre-tension disk. Most machines will have some variation of this disk for filling your bobbin.
Whilst holding the thread in your left hand, wind the end of the thread clockwise around the bobbin 5 or 6 times using your right hand. This will prevent it from becoming unwound or from winding around the winder shaft.
Slide the sewing speed controller across to the right, or to full speed.
Turn on your machine and apply pressure to the presser foot to begin winding the bobbin. Continue until the bobbin begins to rotate more slowly. Some machines will snap the bobbin across to the left when it is full or may just stop winding.
Use scissors to snip the end of the thread wound around the bobbin. Slide the bobbin winder to the left and remove the bobbin from the shaft. Remove the bobbin thread from the spool and set any settings back to normal.
Your bobbin is now full, and your machine is ready to thread!

Sometimes it can be a good idea to have several bobbins filled with basic colours at one time, such as black and white. Meaning that every time you start a new project, you don’t need to complete this process.

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