Wind the bobbin before you thread the needle
A bobbin is the small spool that holds thread underneath your fabric. It works together with the top thread to create a stitch. Before you can sew anything, you need to wind thread onto an empty bobbin and insert it into the bobbin case below the needle plate.
Most Singer machines come with plastic bobbins in the box. If yours is missing or damaged, you can buy replacement bobbins at any fabric store or online — they cost a few dollars. Use bobbins made for your specific Singer model; the size and shape matter for the tension to work correctly.
The winding process takes about two minutes and happens on top of the machine, before you thread the needle. If you skip this step or use an empty bobbin, your stitches will look loose and uneven on the underside of your fabric.
Key Takeaways
- Place an empty bobbin on the bobbin winder spindle at the top right of your machine, then guide thread through the tension disc and onto the bobbin.
- Press the foot pedal or hold the start button until the bobbin is full and the machine stops automatically — do not overfill it.
- Remove the full bobbin and insert it into the bobbin case with the thread end tucked under the tension spring, then close the case.
- The bobbin case slides into the machine below the needle plate; make sure it clicks into place so it does not fall out while you sew.
- If your stitches look loose underneath the fabric, the bobbin thread may not be threaded correctly through the tension spring.
Locate the bobbin winder at the top of the machine
Open the top cover of your Singer machine or look at the top right side, depending on your model. You will see a small metal or plastic spindle sticking up — this is the bobbin winder spindle. It is usually located near the thread guides and the presser foot lever.
Slide an empty bobbin onto this spindle. The bobbin should sit flat and snug; if it wobbles, it is not seated correctly. Some Singer models have a small clip or guide that holds the bobbin in place — make sure it is engaged before you move forward.
Thread the bobbin winder and start winding
Pull thread from your spool (the one on top of the machine) and guide it through the bobbin winder tension disc. This is a small metal or plastic piece near the spindle that looks like a slot or a spring clip. The thread should pass through it with a little resistance — you will feel it catch slightly.
Wrap the thread around the bobbin two or three times by hand, going clockwise. This anchors the thread so it winds evenly. Then press the foot pedal down slowly or press the start button on your machine (depending on your model). The bobbin will begin to spin and wind thread onto itself.
Keep your hand near the thread as it winds — do not pull or guide it, just watch to make sure it is winding smoothly and not bunching up. If the thread twists or piles on one side, stop and rewind by hand to straighten it out.
Stop when the bobbin is full
Most Singer machines have an automatic stop feature: when the bobbin reaches the right fullness, the winder disengages and the machine stops. You will hear a click or feel the spindle release. Do not overfill the bobbin — if thread is piled higher than the rim, it will not fit into the bobbin case and your machine may jam.
If your machine does not have an automatic stop, watch the bobbin as it fills. Stop when the thread reaches the edge of the bobbin but does not go over it. This usually takes 30 seconds to two minutes, depending on how much thread you need.
Cut the thread between the spool and the bobbin with scissors. Remove the full bobbin from the spindle by sliding it straight off.
Insert the bobbin into the bobbin case
Locate the bobbin case — a small metal or plastic compartment that sits below the needle plate. On most Singer machines, you access it by raising the presser foot, removing the needle plate (usually held by one or two screws), and looking underneath. Some models have a drop-in bobbin case that you can reach without removing the plate.
Hold the full bobbin with the thread end pointing up and to the left. Insert it into the bobbin case so it sits flat in the bottom. The thread should unwind counterclockwise as you pull it.
Guide the thread end under the tension spring — a small metal clip inside the bobbin case. This spring holds the thread and controls how tight it is. The thread should sit snugly under the spring, not loose or twisted. If the thread is not under the spring, your stitches will be too loose.
Close the bobbin case and check the fit
Slide the bobbin case back into the machine until you hear or feel it click into place. It should sit flush with the machine body — if it sticks out, it is not fully inserted and may fall out while you sew. Give it a gentle tug to make sure it is find.
Replace the needle plate if you removed it, and lower the presser foot. You are now ready to thread the top of the machine and begin sewing.
If you are unsure whether the bobbin case is inserted correctly, open it again and look: the bobbin should not move when you gently tug the case. If it shifts or rattles, remove it, reseat the bobbin, and try again.
Troubleshoot loose or uneven stitches
If the underside of your fabric looks loose or has long loops of thread, the bobbin thread is usually not threaded correctly through the tension spring. Open the bobbin case, remove the bobbin, and rethread the end under the spring. Make sure the thread sits in the groove of the spring, not on top of it.
If the bobbin was wound too tightly or too loosely, the tension will be off. Rewind a new bobbin, making sure the thread passes through the tension disc at the top of the machine and winds evenly without bunching.
If the bobbin case does not click into place, check that the bobbin itself is sitting flat and centered in the case. A bobbin that is tilted or off-center will prevent the case from closing properly. Remove it, reseat it, and try again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a bobbin from a different sewing machine brand?
No. Bobbins are sized and shaped for specific machines, and using the wrong one will cause tension problems and may damage your machine. Singer bobbins come in a few standard sizes, so check your machine's manual or the bobbin package to find the right one for your model.
How full should the bobbin be?
Fill it until the thread reaches the edge of the bobbin but does not go over the rim. An overfull bobbin will not fit into the case, and an underfull one will run out of thread in the middle of a seam. Most machines have a line or mark showing the correct fill level.
What if the thread keeps breaking while I wind the bobbin?
The thread may be caught on something or the tension disc may be too tight. Check that the thread is not snagged on the spool or a guide, and make sure it is passing smoothly through the tension disc. If the thread still breaks, try winding more slowly by pressing the foot pedal gently instead of all the way down.
Do I need to rewind the bobbin before every project?
Only if it runs out of thread. A full bobbin holds enough thread for several small projects. When you notice the bobbin is getting low — usually when you see less than a quarter of the bobbin left — wind a fresh one so you do not run out mid-seam.
Why is my bobbin case loose inside the machine?
The case may not be fully inserted. Slide it in until you hear a click and it sits flush with the machine body. If it still feels loose after that, the case itself may be damaged or worn. Check your manual to see if the case is removable and can be replaced.