Threading a Janome bobbin takes about two minutes once you know where the parts are
A bobbin is the small spool that holds thread underneath your fabric. On a Janome machine, the bobbin sits in a case below the needle plate. To thread it, you wind thread onto an empty bobbin using the machine's winding mechanism, then place the wound bobbin into its case and pull the thread through a small slot. The whole process — winding and threading — takes less time than it sounds, and the steps are the same across most Janome models.
The confusion usually comes from not knowing which parts do what. Once you can name the bobbin winder, the tension disc, and the bobbin case, the rest follows naturally.
Key Takeaways
- Wind thread onto an empty bobbin using the bobbin winder on the top right of your machine, then slide the bobbin onto the winding spindle and hold the thread tail while the machine winds.
- Stop winding when the bobbin is full — most Janome machines have an automatic shutoff that stops the needle when the bobbin reaches the right thickness.
- Place the wound bobbin into the bobbin case (the small metal or plastic holder), then pull the thread through the tension slot so it sits snug in the case.
- Insert the bobbin case back into the machine underneath the needle plate, making sure the latch clicks into place.
- Pull up on the top thread to bring the bobbin thread to the surface before you start sewing.
Locate the bobbin winder on top of your machine
Look at the top right side of your Janome machine. You will see a small spool-shaped piece called the bobbin winder. It sticks out horizontally from the machine body. Next to it is a tension disc — a flat metal or plastic piece with a small slot in it. This is where you will guide the thread before it winds onto the bobbin.
On most Janome models, the bobbin winder has a small notch or groove on one end. This is where the bobbin sits while it winds. If you have never used your machine, you may have empty bobbins in the accessory box that came with it. If not, Janome bobbins are inexpensive and widely available.
Wind thread onto an empty bobbin
Take an empty bobbin and slide it onto the bobbin winder spindle. It should sit flat and spin freely. Now take your thread — the same color and weight you plan to use on top — and guide it through the tension disc slot. The thread should sit snugly in that slot; you will feel slight resistance when you pull it.
Hold the thread tail loosely in your hand. Press the foot pedal or use the hand wheel to start winding. The bobbin will spin and wrap thread around itself. Keep light tension on the thread tail with your fingers for the first few wraps — this helps the thread wind evenly. After three or four wraps, you can let go.
Most Janome machines have an automatic shutoff. When the bobbin reaches the right fullness, the winding stops on its own and the needle returns to its resting position. If your machine does not have this feature, watch the bobbin and stop when it looks full — roughly the thickness of a stack of three coins. Do not overfill it, or the thread will jam in the case.
Remove the bobbin and place it in the bobbin case
Once the bobbin is wound, slide it off the spindle. You now have a bobbin full of thread. Take the bobbin case — the small metal or plastic holder that sits below your needle plate. On most Janome machines, you remove it by pressing a small latch or lever and pulling it toward you.
Drop the wound bobbin into the case so it sits flat. The bobbin should spin freely inside the case. Now pull the thread through the tension slot on the side of the case. You will see a small notch or opening; guide the thread through it so the thread sits in the tension spring. Pull gently — you should feel the thread grip slightly. This tension keeps the bobbin thread from unwinding too fast while you sew.
Insert the bobbin case back into the machine
Hold the bobbin case by its latch or handle and slide it back into the machine underneath the needle plate. It will slide in at an angle. Push it all the way in until you hear or feel a click — the latch locks into place. If it does not click, the case is not fully seated and may cause thread tension problems or jamming.
Leave about four inches of bobbin thread hanging out of the case. You will use this thread in the next step.
Bring the bobbin thread to the surface
Hold the top thread (the one coming from the needle) gently in one hand. With your other hand, pull up on the bobbin thread tail. Pull steadily — you will feel the bobbin thread loop up through the needle plate. Keep pulling until a loop of bobbin thread comes through the hole in the needle plate.
Use a small hook or the needle threader that came with your machine to catch this loop and pull it all the way up. Now you have both the top thread and the bobbin thread above the needle plate. Trim the excess bobbin thread tail, leaving about two inches. You are now ready to sew.
Troubleshoot if the bobbin thread will not come up
If you pull the bobbin thread and nothing happens, the bobbin case may not be seated correctly. Remove the case, check that the bobbin sits flat inside it, and reinsert it until you hear the click. Then try again.
If the thread still will not come up, the bobbin may be wound too tightly or the tension slot may be blocked. Unwind a few layers of thread from the bobbin by hand, or check that no thread is caught in the tension spring. On some machines, if the bobbin is wound in the wrong direction, the thread will not feed correctly — rewind it and make sure the thread wraps around the bobbin in the same direction the winder spins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a bobbin from a different brand in my Janome machine?
Most universal bobbins work in Janome machines, but Janome bobbins are inexpensive and fit perfectly. If you use a different brand, make sure it is the same size — Janome makes both Class 15 and Class A bobbins, and using the wrong size can cause tension problems or jamming.
How tight should the bobbin thread be in the tension slot?
The thread should sit snugly enough that you feel resistance when you pull it, but not so tight that you have to yank it. If you pull gently and the thread slides through without any grip, it is not seated correctly in the tension spring. Reposition it in the slot and try again.
What if my bobbin keeps unwinding while I am sewing?
This usually means the bobbin thread is not in the tension slot, or the bobbin case is not fully inserted. Remove the case, check that the thread is threaded through the tension spring, and reinsert the case until it clicks. If the problem continues, the tension spring may be bent — contact a Janome service center.
Do I need to rewind the bobbin every time I change thread color?
Yes. If you switch to a different color, wind a fresh bobbin with that color thread. Leaving old thread on the bobbin can cause uneven tension and visible stitches on the back of your fabric.
Why does my machine make a clicking sound when I wind the bobbin?
A clicking sound during winding is normal on most Janome machines — it is the automatic shutoff engaging as the bobbin fills. If the clicking continues after the bobbin is full, or if the machine does not stop winding, the shutoff mechanism may need adjustment. Check your manual or contact a service center.