Threading a bobbin is the first step before you sew
A bobbin is the small spool that holds thread underneath your fabric. It works with the top thread to create a stitch. Before you can sew anything, you need to wind thread onto an empty bobbin and then insert it into the bobbin case — the small metal or plastic holder under your needle plate.
The exact steps depend on your machine model, but the basic process is the same: wind the bobbin on your machine's winding mechanism, then drop it into the case and close the cover. Most machines take three to five minutes once you know where each part is.
Key Takeaways
- Wind thread onto the bobbin using your machine's bobbin winder, which is usually located on top of the machine near the thread spools.
- Stop winding when the bobbin is full but not overstuffed — thread should reach near the edge without bulging.
- Insert the wound bobbin into the bobbin case with the thread end pulled through the tension spring, following your manual's diagram.
- Leave a short tail of thread (about 4 inches) hanging out before closing the bobbin cover, so you can pull it up to meet the top thread.
Locate your bobbin winder and empty bobbin
The bobbin winder is mounted on top of your machine, usually to the right of the thread spools. It looks like a small spindle or post. Your machine came with several empty bobbins — plastic or metal spools designed to fit your specific machine model. If you have lost them, you can buy replacements at any fabric store, but they must match your machine brand and model.
Check your manual to confirm which bobbin type your machine uses. Bobbins are not universal — a bobbin for a Brother machine will not fit a Singer, and using the wrong one can jam your machine or break the bobbin case.
Wind thread onto the bobbin
Place an empty bobbin onto the bobbin winder post. Slide it all the way down until it clicks or seats firmly. Take the thread from one of your top spools and wrap it around the bobbin winder tension disc — a small metal or plastic ring near the post. This creates tension so the thread winds evenly.
Guide the thread end onto the bobbin by hand, wrapping it around the bobbin two or three times to anchor it. Press the foot pedal or press the start button (depending on your machine type) and let the winder run. The bobbin will spin and pull thread from the spool automatically.
Watch the bobbin as it fills. Stop when the thread reaches near the edge of the bobbin — it should look full but not bulging or uneven. Most machines have an automatic shutoff that stops the winder when the bobbin is full, but if yours does not, stop manually. Trim the thread tail with scissors.
Remove the bobbin and prepare to insert it
Slide the full bobbin off the winder post. You now have a wound bobbin ready to go into the bobbin case. Before you insert it, locate the bobbin case — the small metal or plastic housing under your needle plate. On most machines, you access it by raising the presser foot, which also raises the tension discs and allows you to remove the bobbin case.
If your machine has a drop-in bobbin (the bobbin sits directly in a case under the needle plate with no removable housing), you can skip the removal step and insert the bobbin directly. Check your manual to see which type you have.
Insert the bobbin into the case
If your machine has a removable bobbin case, take it out by pressing the small latch or lever on the side. Hold the case in one hand. Place the wound bobbin into the case with the thread end pointing toward you. Pull the thread through the tension spring — a small metal clip inside the case — until you hear or feel it catch. The thread should sit in the groove of the spring.
For a drop-in bobbin, straightforward place the wound bobbin into the opening under the needle plate with the thread end pointing toward you. Pull the thread through the tension spring in the same way.
Leave about 4 inches of thread hanging out from the bobbin. This tail will be pulled up to meet your top thread when you finish threading the machine.
Close the bobbin case and check the fit
If you removed the bobbin case, slide it back into the machine until it clicks into place. Make sure it is seated fully — a loose case will cause skipped stitches or thread breaks. If your machine has a drop-in bobbin, straightforward close the needle plate cover.
Raise the presser foot to release the tension discs. Hold the top thread in one hand and turn the hand wheel (the large wheel on the right side of the machine) toward you one full rotation. This will bring the bobbin thread up through the needle plate. You should see a loop of bobbin thread come up.
Pull gently on the top thread and the bobbin thread loop should come up with it. Grab both threads and pull them toward the back of the machine, away from the needle. You are now ready to insert your fabric and begin sewing.
Troubleshoot if the bobbin thread does not come up
If you turn the hand wheel and no bobbin thread appears, the bobbin may not be inserted correctly. Raise the presser foot, remove the bobbin case (if removable), and check that the thread is actually threaded through the tension spring. The spring should grip the thread firmly.
If the bobbin is empty or nearly empty, wind a new one. If the thread is tangled or knotted inside the case, remove the bobbin and unwind the tangle by hand. Reinsert it and try again.
If the bobbin case itself is cracked or the spring is bent, it may need to be replaced. Contact your machine's manufacturer or visit a sewing machine repair shop — a new case usually costs between ten and thirty dollars.
Frequently Asked Questions
How full should the bobbin be before I stop winding?
Wind until the thread reaches near the edge of the bobbin but does not bulge outward. An overstuffed bobbin can jam in the case or cause uneven stitches. An underfilled bobbin means you will run out of thread mid-project. Most bobbins hold enough thread for several seams before needing to be rewound.
Can I use a bobbin from a different sewing machine?
No. Bobbins are machine-specific and come in different sizes and styles. Using the wrong bobbin can damage your machine or bobbin case. Always check your manual or the original packaging to confirm the correct bobbin type for your model.
What if the bobbin thread keeps breaking while I sew?
A breaking bobbin thread usually means the tension is too tight or the bobbin is wound unevenly. Rewind a new bobbin, making sure the thread feeds smoothly and evenly. If the problem continues, check that the bobbin case is not cracked and that the tension spring is not bent or damaged.
Do I need to rewind the bobbin every time I change thread colors?
Yes. If you want a different color in the bobbin, you need to wind a new one with that thread. You can keep several wound bobbins on hand in different colors so you do not have to rewind every time you switch projects.
Why is my bobbin case so hard to remove?
Bobbin cases can stick if lint or thread scraps have built up inside. Raise the presser foot to release tension, then gently wiggle the case side to side as you pull it out. If it is still stuck, use a small flathead screwdriver to gently pry the latch. Clean out any lint with a small brush before reinserting.