Thread the bobbin into the case before you insert it
A bobbin is the small spool that holds the thread underneath your fabric. On a Brother machine, you wind thread onto an empty bobbin using the machine's winding mechanism, then insert the wound bobbin into a plastic case. The bobbin case sits inside the machine's hook assembly, which is the part that catches the top thread and locks it with the bobbin thread to form a stitch.
Before you insert the bobbin case into the machine, you need to thread the bobbin itself. Place your wound bobbin into the bobbin case so the thread comes off the bobbin in the direction the case is designed to hold it. Most Brother machines use a front-loading bobbin case, which means you'll see a small slot or notch on the case where the thread should sit.
Pull the bobbin thread through the slot in the bobbin case. You'll feel a slight resistance as the thread catches in the tension spring inside the case. Pull until you hear a small click or feel the thread seat properly. Leave about 4 to 6 inches of thread hanging out from the case—you'll use this to catch the top thread later.
Key Takeaways
- Wind your thread onto an empty bobbin using the bobbin winder on top of your machine, then place the wound bobbin into the bobbin case.
- Thread the bobbin thread through the slot in the bobbin case until it catches in the tension spring and seats with a click.
- Insert the bobbin case into the hook assembly by aligning the case's tab with the slot in the machine and pushing it straight in until it clicks.
- Bring up the bobbin thread by turning the handwheel toward you while holding the top thread, then pull both threads to the back and under the presser foot.
Locate the hook assembly and bobbin case slot
Open the needle plate cover on your Brother machine. On most models, this is a hinged or removable plate directly under the needle. Once you open it, you'll see the hook assembly—a metal piece with a circular or oval opening. Just below or to the side of the hook, you'll see a small slot or opening where the bobbin case slides in.
Look for a small tab or notch on the bobbin case itself. This tab aligns with a matching slot on the machine. The tab is your guide for inserting the case in the correct direction and depth. If you insert the case backward or at an angle, it won't seat properly and your stitches will be loose or uneven.
Insert the bobbin case into the hook assembly
Hold the bobbin case so the tab faces the slot on the machine. Slide the case straight into the opening until you feel it click or seat fully. The case should sit flush with the hook assembly—there should be no gap or wobbling. If it doesn't click, remove it and try again; forcing it can damage the case or the machine.
Once the case is seated, close the needle plate cover. On most Brother machines, the cover straightforward hinges closed or slides back into place. Make sure it's fully closed before you start sewing, because the needle plate protects the bobbin case and helps hold it in position.
Bring up the bobbin thread to the top
Hold the top thread loosely in your left hand. With your right hand, turn the handwheel (the large wheel on the right side of the machine) toward you one full rotation. As you turn it, the needle will go down and then come back up, and the hook will catch the bobbin thread and pull it up through the needle plate.
When the needle comes back up, you should see a loop of bobbin thread at the needle plate. Use a seam ripper or small hook to pull this loop up and out. Pull gently until you have about 4 to 6 inches of bobbin thread above the needle plate.
Now you have both the top thread and the bobbin thread at the top of the machine. Pull both threads toward the back of the machine and slide them under the presser foot (the metal piece that holds the fabric down). This positions both threads so they can work together to form stitches.
Check your bobbin before you start sewing
Before you sew your first seam, run a test on scrap fabric. Sew a few inches and then stop. Look at the underside of the fabric. If the stitches are even and the thread is not bunching or looping, your bobbin is threaded correctly. If the underside looks loose or has loops, the bobbin thread may not be seated properly in the tension spring of the case.
If the stitches are wrong, remove the bobbin case, check that the bobbin thread is pulled all the way through the slot in the case, and reinsert it. Sometimes the thread slips out of the tension spring during insertion, and reseating it fixes the problem.
Wind a new bobbin when the thread runs low
As you sew, the bobbin thread will gradually run out. When the bobbin is nearly empty, you'll notice the thread getting thinner or the stitches becoming uneven. At that point, wind a new bobbin using the bobbin winder on top of your machine. Place an empty bobbin on the winder spindle, thread the top thread through the bobbin winding guide, and press the foot pedal until the bobbin is full.
Once the new bobbin is wound, remove it from the winder and insert it into the bobbin case using the same steps you used for the first bobbin. You don't need to remove the bobbin case from the machine to change bobbins on most Brother models—you can straightforward pop out the old bobbin and drop in the new one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I insert the bobbin case backward?
The case won't seat properly, and you'll feel resistance when you try to push it in. The machine won't sew correctly if the case is backward. Remove it, flip it around, and reinsert it. The tab on the case should align with the slot on the machine.
Why is my bobbin thread not coming up?
The bobbin thread may not be threaded through the tension spring in the bobbin case. Remove the case, pull the thread through the slot again until you hear a click, and reinsert the case. Also check that you turned the handwheel toward you (not away) to bring up the bobbin thread.
Can I use a bobbin from a different brand in my Brother machine?
Brother bobbins are designed specifically for Brother machines. Using a different brand's bobbin can cause tension problems or prevent the case from seating properly. Stick with Brother bobbins or universal bobbins marked as compatible with your specific Brother model.
How tight should the bobbin thread be in the case?
The thread should slide through the tension spring with slight resistance—you should feel it catch, but it shouldn't require force to pull through. If it's too loose, the stitches will be loose. If it's too tight, the thread may break or the bobbin won't turn smoothly.