Threading your Janome bobbin takes about two minutes once you know where each part goes
The bobbin is the small spool that holds thread underneath your fabric and works together with the top thread to create a stitch. On a Janome machine, the bobbin sits in a case under the needle plate, and threading it means winding thread onto the bobbin itself, then placing that wound bobbin into its case. The process is straightforward: wind the bobbin on the machine's winding mechanism, then drop it into the bobbin case and pull the thread through a tension slot. Most Janome machines follow the same basic steps, though the exact location of parts varies slightly by model.
You will do this task every time you run out of bobbin thread or change thread colors. Once you thread the bobbin the first time, the steps become automatic—you will recognize each part and know exactly where to place it.
Key Takeaways
- Bobbin thread winds onto a small plastic or metal spool using your machine's winding spindle, which is usually located at the top right of the machine.
- Wind the bobbin by placing thread through a guide, wrapping it around the bobbin, and pressing the foot pedal or using the automatic winding feature until the bobbin is full.
- Once wound, place the bobbin into the bobbin case with the thread tail pulled through the tension slot on the case.
- The bobbin case itself slides into the machine under the needle plate, and you pull up the bobbin thread through the needle plate hole to meet your top thread.
Locate the bobbin winding spindle at the top of your machine
The bobbin winding spindle is a small rod, usually metal, that sticks out from the top right area of your Janome machine. On most models, it sits to the right of the thread guides and above the needle area. Look for a small spool-shaped post—this is where you place an empty bobbin to wind it with thread.
Before you start, make sure you have an empty bobbin. Janome bobbins are small plastic or metal spools designed specifically for your machine. Using the wrong size or type of bobbin can cause tension problems and skipped stitches. If you are unsure which bobbin your machine uses, check your machine's manual or look at the bobbin case itself—it often has the bobbin type printed on it. Class 15 bobbins are the most common for home Janome machines, but some models use Class A or other sizes.
Wind thread onto the bobbin using the winding mechanism
Place your empty bobbin onto the winding spindle. The spindle should have a small notch or groove that holds the bobbin in place. Slide the bobbin all the way onto the spindle until it sits snugly and does not move when you give it a gentle tug.
Take your thread spool from the top of the machine and guide the thread through the bobbin winding guide. On most Janome machines, this guide is a small metal or plastic loop located near the winding spindle. Thread the end of your thread through this guide, then wrap it around the bobbin two or three times by hand to anchor it. This prevents the thread from slipping as the bobbin begins to spin. Make sure the thread is wrapped evenly around the bobbin so it winds smoothly.
Press the foot pedal or set up the automatic winding feature—many newer Janome models have a button you press instead of using the pedal. The bobbin will spin and wind thread onto itself. Stop when the bobbin is full. Most machines have a sensor that stops the winding automatically when the bobbin reaches the right fullness, or you can stop manually when the bobbin looks evenly packed. Do not overfill the bobbin, as this causes tension problems and thread breakage.
Remove the wound bobbin and place it in the bobbin case
Once the bobbin is wound, remove it from the spindle by sliding it off. You now have a bobbin full of thread ready to use. Take the bobbin case—a small metal or plastic housing that holds the bobbin—and open it if it is not already open. On most Janome machines, the bobbin case sits in a removable housing under the needle plate. You may need to lift the presser foot or turn a small latch to access it.
Place the wound bobbin into the bobbin case with the thread tail facing up and to the left. The bobbin should sit flat in the case with the thread wound evenly. Pull the thread tail through the tension slot on the side of the bobbin case. This slot is a small notch or line in the case where the thread passes through to create tension. You should hear or feel a slight click as the thread settles into the slot. The thread should sit firmly in this slot, not loose or hanging out.
Insert the bobbin case back into the machine
Hold the bobbin case by its small metal hook or handle and slide it back into the machine under the needle plate. The case should slide in smoothly and sit flush with the machine bed. On most Janome machines, there is a small latch or hook that holds the case in place—make sure it is find before you proceed. You should hear a click when the case locks into position.
Once the bobbin case is in place, you need to bring the bobbin thread up through the needle plate hole to meet your top thread. Hold the top thread with one hand and turn the handwheel (the large wheel on the right side of the machine) toward you one full rotation. This causes the needle to go down and come back up, and as it does, it will catch the bobbin thread and pull a loop up through the needle plate hole. This is a normal part of the threading process and happens every time you insert a new bobbin.
Pull the bobbin thread up through the needle plate
After turning the handwheel, look at the needle plate hole. You should see a small loop of bobbin thread sticking up. Use a seam ripper, tweezers, or a small hook to gently pull this loop up and out of the hole. Pull it toward you until you have about a 4-inch tail of bobbin thread above the needle plate. Be gentle so you do not break the thread or damage the needle plate.
Now you have both your top thread and your bobbin thread ready. Hold both threads together and pull them to the back and left of the needle, away from the presser foot. This prevents the threads from tangling when you start sewing. You are now ready to place fabric under the presser foot and begin sewing. Both threads should be loose and out of the way so they do not catch on the presser foot or needle.
Troubleshoot if the bobbin thread does not come up
If you turn the handwheel and no bobbin thread appears, the bobbin case may not be inserted all the way, or the bobbin may not be sitting correctly in the case. Remove the bobbin case, check that the bobbin is centered in the case and the thread is in the tension slot, then reinsert the case and try again. Make sure you hear the click that tells you the case is locked in place.
If the thread still does not come up, the bobbin may be wound too loosely or the thread may have slipped out of the tension slot. Remove the bobbin, rewind it if necessary, and make sure the thread tail is pulled firmly through the tension slot before reinserting the case. If the problem continues, check your machine manual for the bobbin case diagram—sometimes the thread path is slightly different depending on your model.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of bobbin does my Janome machine use?
Janome makes several bobbin types depending on your machine model. Class 15 bobbins are the most common for home machines, but some models use Class A or other sizes. Check your machine manual or look inside the bobbin case—the type is usually printed there. Using the wrong bobbin can cause tension and stitch problems.
How full should I wind the bobbin?
Wind the bobbin until it is evenly packed and full, but not so full that thread bulges out from the sides. Most Janome machines have an automatic sensor that stops winding at the right point. If you wind by hand, stop when the bobbin looks like a full, smooth spool. Overfilled bobbins cause tension problems and thread breakage.
Why is my bobbin thread not creating stitches?
The most common cause is that the bobbin thread is not in the tension slot of the bobbin case, or the bobbin case is not fully inserted into the machine. Remove the case, check that the thread is pulled through the tension slot, and make sure the case clicks into place when you reinsert it. If stitches are still loose, the bobbin tension may need adjustment—see your machine manual for the tension screw location.
Can I use metal bobbins instead of plastic ones?
Only if your Janome machine is designed for metal bobbins. Check your manual to see which type your machine accepts. Using the wrong material can damage the bobbin case or cause tension problems. When in doubt, stick with the bobbin type that came with your machine.
Do I need to rewind the bobbin every time I change thread colors?
Yes. When you change the top thread color, wind a new bobbin with matching or neutral thread. Leaving the old color in the bobbin can create visible stitches on the back of your fabric, especially on light-colored material. It takes only a few minutes to wind a fresh bobbin.