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Paige Handmade

You are here: Home / Sewing Machine Basics / How to Wind a Bobbin

How to Wind a Bobbin

in Sewing Machine Basics on 02/03/20

Winding a bobbin is the first step when getting started sewing.

Before you begin:

You will always want to begin by taking a look at your user manual. The manual will show you the exact path the thread should go through in order to get a smoothly wound bobbin.

It will also tell you what size bobbin you need to be using. A new machine will come with a few in the box, but if you decide to purchase extra (and I recommend you do eventually), make sure you purchase the right size. For example, my computerized Brother sewing machine uses SA156 bobbins. If I search Amazon for “SA156 bobbins” I get plenty of results.

Once you have checked the manual and gotten the right bobbin it is time to begin.

Winding a Bobbin:

  1. Put the spool of thread onto the spool pin. Place the spool cap onto the pin to secure the spool. Make sure to use a spool cap that is larger than the spool itself, so the thread doesn’t get caught in the cut on the spool end. I usually remove the sticker on the spool, so it doesn’t gum up the spool pin.
  2. Pass the thread through the thread guide(s), if applicable.
  3. Bring the thread under the hook of the bobbin-winding thread guide and pull the thread between the pre-tensioner disks.
  4. Put the end of the thread through the hole on the empty bobbin and place the bobbin onto the bobbin winder shaft. Turn the bobbin until the spring on the shaft clicks into the notch of the bobbin. Push the bobbin winder to the right, turn on your machine, and, as you hold the thread tail, gently press your foot down on the pedal to wind a bit on thread onto the bobbin. Pause to clip the thread tail close to the bobbin.
  5. Continue winding the bobbin until it is full. It will slow down or stop when it is full.
  6. Push the bobbin winder back to the left. Remove the bobbin and cut the thread to free the bobbin.

Final Thoughts:

Tip 1: Before a big project I wind an extra bobbin or two. It is frustrating to run out of bobbin thread in the middle of a seam, but it’s nice knowing that I won’t have to re-thread my machine if (and when) I run out.

Tip 2: Find a way to store your bobbins that works for you. There are bobbin boxes and flexible rings that hold them and I’ve put some examples in my Amazon Storefront that you can check out. Alternatively, you can use a simple jewelry gift box like I do. I made dividers with zipper instruction cards. That’s Mrs. Frugal speaking.

Bonus: Let me know in the comments if you have just wound your first bobbin. That is an exciting first step and I am celebrating with you! {virtual cheers with our bobbins}

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*The products linked are all products I personally have used, enjoy, or are on my wishlist! Some links may be affiliate links. The affiliate links do not affect the price you pay, but they do provide a small compensation to me. I am a participant in the Amazon Associates Program.

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  1. Thread Tension & Troubleshooting | Sewing Machine Basics says:
    February 11, 2020 at 3:12 pm

    […] is turning the right direction and wound correctly. I have two videos to help you with this step: bobbin & […]

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Hi! I'm Paige... Paige

...an elf who has achieved Master Tinker status. Give me a tool and I’ll make something! I am married to the coolest nerd and Mama to two girly girls.

My mission is to take the overwhelm out of projects, so you can go get creative and make something you love! a little more backstory…

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Also, the style board was made with magazines that I bought from @halfpricebooks. The magazines were $1 each and I grabbed about 8-10. Then I glued my clippings to a poster board that I cut in half. I can use this when online shopping and I have these pictures in my phone for when I am out and about. 

The time between the style board and finished room could be a whole year (who knows), but I feel so much more prepared already and it is so much fun. #interiordesign #styleboard #moodboard
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paigehandmade

A first look at the future Paige Handmade sewing s A first look at the future Paige Handmade sewing studio! 😍👏 No longer will I have my desk in the corner of our living room. I will have a whole ROOM! This space needs a little makeover. I'm taking the dark wallpaper down, refinishing the worn wood floor, and refreshing the space with paint. Then I'll set it up for sewing, creativity, learning, filming, etc. It will be a wonderful place. So very exciting!
My @masterclass homework assignment: make a mood b My @masterclass homework assignment: make a mood board. 💕🫧🌷🗽👛💎

I'm working through @coreydamenjenkins Masterclass on Interior Design. I like the class so much and you know a digital class is good when you actually follow through with the assignments. Corey gives practical lists, thorough explanations and examples. I love the pattern mixing section. The class is about 2 hours long and every minute is useful. 

We haven't gotten a house yet, but I'm using this waiting period to get started on my design. I can define my style, order fabric samples, and narrow my resource list. I've found that many companies offer free/cheap swatches and samples. Examples: 1) @homedepot has free wood flooring and countertop samples. 2) @flooranddecor has 50¢ samples that you can return. 3) @interiordefine sends up to 10 free fabric swatches. 4) I used my style boards to pick out swatches from @fabricdotcom, which cost $3.00 each. You can order several different fabrics to choose between without taking a big risk. 

Also, the style board was made with magazines that I bought from @halfpricebooks. The magazines were $1 each and I grabbed about 8-10. Then I glued my clippings to a poster board that I cut in half. I can use this when online shopping and I have these pictures in my phone for when I am out and about. 

The time between the style board and finished room could be a whole year (who knows), but I feel so much more prepared already and it is so much fun. #interiordesign #styleboard #moodboard
The Cable Car Beanie knitting pattern is now live The Cable Car Beanie knitting pattern is now live and available! 🥳 It is super squishy and warm. It is ribbed and cabled, so it is an entertaining project. 

I have included 5 sizes (from baby to XL adult). The beanie is worked with DK yarn and predominantly a 4.0 mm [US6] 16-inch/40 cm circular needle. I used a small bent needle for my cables. 

You can find the pattern in my Etsy shop (linked in profile). I am so excited to see your #cablecarbeanie. 💕
.
.
.
#paigehandmade #beanieknitting #knittingpattern #knittinginspiration #knittinghat #hatknitting #knitbeanie #winterknitting #knittinginstagram
Happy birthday, Cowgirl! 🤠🐎👢 We are so bl Happy birthday, Cowgirl! 🤠🐎👢 We are so blessed having Ezra in this world. She is so fun. She is a friend to anyone she meets. She thinks about others before herself. She loves a good joke. She is a voracious reader and crafter. She loves a goal and plan. She is a superstar big sister. She is 10 out of 10, five stars, one-of-a-kind, sugar, spice, and everything nice. God's little girl! 💕 Yee haw to being 9!
Two sweaters in 26 days. 💝 I love giving my dau Two sweaters in 26 days. 💝 I love giving my daughters handmade gifts. Anything that I have knit for them has been worn so many times. I'm so excited for the girls to receive these sweaters. They picked the yarn and have watched them grow, but they haven't gotten to try them on. They will on Christmas! 🌠

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