The bobbin goes in the bobbin case under the needle plate

The bobbin is the small spool that holds the lower thread in your Singer machine. To load it, you wind thread onto an empty bobbin using the bobbin winder on the top of your machine, then place the wound bobbin into the bobbin case — a metal or plastic housing that sits directly under the needle plate. The bobbin case has a small hook that catches the thread and creates the lower stitch.

Most Singer machines use one of two bobbin case styles: a drop-in case that sits in a round opening under the needle plate, or a removable case that you pull out with a small lever. Knowing which type you have matters because the loading steps differ slightly. Check your machine's manual or look under the needle plate to see whether your case stays permanently in place or pulls out.

Key Takeaways

  • Wind the bobbin first by threading it onto the bobbin winder at the top of the machine, then pressing the foot pedal or turning the handwheel until the thread fills the bobbin evenly.
  • Place the wound bobbin into the bobbin case with the thread running through the tension spring, following the path marked on your machine's case or manual.
  • Leave a 4- to 6-inch tail of thread hanging from the bobbin so you can pull it up through the needle plate when you thread the machine.
  • If your bobbin case is removable, insert it back into the machine by sliding it in at an angle until it clicks into place.
  • Test the bobbin by turning the handwheel by hand once before sewing to make sure the thread feeds smoothly without catching.

Wind the bobbin on the bobbin winder

The bobbin winder sits on top of your Singer machine, usually toward the right side. It is a small spool with a grooved wheel. To wind a bobbin, place an empty bobbin onto the winder shaft — it will slide on like a spool of thread. Thread the end of your upper thread through the small guide hole on the bobbin winder, then wrap it around the bobbin two or three times by hand to anchor it.

Push the bobbin winder wheel toward the right (or toward the machine body, depending on your model) until you hear or feel it engage. This disengages the needle so the machine will not sew while you wind. Press the foot pedal or turn the handwheel to wind the bobbin. The thread will wrap around the bobbin evenly. Stop when the bobbin is full — most machines have a sensor that stops the winder automatically, or the bobbin will feel firm and packed.

Remove the full bobbin by pushing the winder wheel back to its original position, then slide the bobbin off the shaft. Trim the thread tail close to the bobbin. Do not wind the bobbin too tightly or it may jam in the bobbin case; do not wind it too loosely or the thread will slip during sewing.

Insert the bobbin into a drop-in case

If your Singer has a drop-in bobbin case, you will see a round opening directly under the needle plate. Raise the presser foot — this opens the tension discs on the bobbin case. Hold the wound bobbin so the thread unwinds from the top, then lower it into the round opening. The bobbin will sit flat in the case with the thread tail pointing toward you.

Pull the thread tail through the small slot or notch on the left side of the bobbin case. This slot is the tension spring. The thread must run through this spring for the machine to create even stitches. You should feel slight resistance as the thread passes through — this is the tension at work. Leave 4 to 6 inches of thread hanging out of the case.

Lower the presser foot to close the tension discs around the thread. The bobbin is now loaded and ready to thread the upper part of the machine.

Insert the bobbin into a removable case

Some Singer models have a removable bobbin case that you pull out with a small lever or latch on the left side of the machine. To remove it, lift the presser foot, then pull the lever toward you or press the latch button. The case will slide out at an angle. Set it on your work surface with the open side facing up.

Place the wound bobbin into the case so the thread unwinds from the top. Pull the thread tail through the tension spring — a small metal finger inside the case. The thread should sit snugly in the spring with 4 to 6 inches hanging out. Some removable cases have a small hook or slot; check your manual to see the exact path the thread should follow.

Slide the case back into the machine at a 45-degree angle, then press it down and forward until you hear it click into place. The latch or lever will lock automatically. Lower the presser foot to engage the tension discs.

Pull up the bobbin thread through the needle plate

After the bobbin is loaded, you need to bring the bobbin thread up through the needle plate so it can loop with the upper thread and form a stitch. Raise the presser foot and the needle to its highest point by turning the handwheel toward you. Hold the upper thread tail loosely in your left hand.

Turn the handwheel one full rotation toward you. As the needle goes down and comes back up, it will catch the bobbin thread and pull a loop up through the needle plate hole. You will see a loop of thread appear on top of the plate. Gently pull this loop upward with a needle threader or tweezers until you have 4 to 6 inches of bobbin thread on top of the plate.

Now you have both the upper thread and the bobbin thread ready. Thread the upper thread through the needle as usual, then pull both threads toward the back of the machine and under the presser foot before you start sewing. This prevents thread jams and tangled stitches on your first few stitches.

Troubleshoot bobbin problems

If the bobbin thread does not come up through the needle plate, the bobbin may not be seated correctly in the case. Remove the bobbin, check that it is wound evenly and not too tightly, and reinsert it, making sure the thread runs through the tension spring. If the thread still will not come up, the tension spring may be bent or the bobbin case may be damaged — compare it to a new bobbin case if you have one available.

If the bobbin thread breaks during sewing, the bobbin may be wound too tightly, the case may have a rough spot catching the thread, or the tension may be set too high. Try winding a new bobbin at a slower speed, or lower the bobbin tension screw (a small screw on the outside of the bobbin case) by a quarter turn. Test on scrap fabric before sewing your project.

If the bobbin thread loops on the underside of your fabric, the upper thread tension is too loose. If the upper thread loops on the underside, the bobbin tension is too loose. Adjust the upper tension dial on the front of the machine first — most tension problems start there — before adjusting the bobbin case screw.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a plastic bobbin instead of a metal one?

Yes, most Singer machines accept both metal and plastic bobbins. Plastic bobbins are lighter and less likely to rust, but they wear out faster. Metal bobbins last longer and hold tension more consistently. Check your manual to see which type your machine was designed for, because some older models work better with metal only.

How tight should the bobbin be wound?

The bobbin should be full and firm but not rock-hard. If you can dent it with your fingernail, it is too loose. If it feels like a solid pebble, it is too tight and may jam or break the thread. Aim for a smooth, even surface with no gaps or lumps. Most machines stop automatically when the bobbin reaches the right fullness.

What if my bobbin case has two tension springs?

Some Singer models have a bobbin case with two small metal fingers instead of one. Thread the bobbin thread between both fingers so it sits in the middle. This creates a balanced tension and prevents the thread from slipping to one side. Your manual will show the exact path — follow it closely.

Do I need to rewind the bobbin every time I change thread color?

Yes, if you want the bobbin thread to match the upper thread. If you are sewing a project where the underside will not show, you can leave the old bobbin in place. But for visible seams or quilting, wind a new bobbin with the matching thread color to avoid color mismatch on the back of your fabric.

Why does my bobbin thread keep tangling?

Tangling usually means the bobbin is not seated properly in the case or the thread is not running through the tension spring. Remove the bobbin, reinsert it carefully, and make sure the thread sits snugly in the tension slot. Also check that the needle is at its highest point before you insert the bobbin — if the needle is down, it can catch and tangle the thread.