Threading the bobbin is the first step before sewing
The bobbin is the small spool that holds thread underneath your fabric and creates the bottom loop of every stitch. On a Kenmore machine, the bobbin sits in a case under the needle plate, and threading it takes about two minutes once you know the path. The thread goes from your main spool, down through a tension disc, and onto the bobbin winder—a small wheel on the side or top of your machine depending on your model.
Most Kenmore machines use a front-loading or top-loading bobbin system. Front-loading is more common on newer models; the bobbin case sits directly under the presser foot and you access it by lifting the needle plate. Top-loading machines have the bobbin winder on the upper right side of the machine body. Both methods use the same threading path, just in different locations.
Key Takeaways
- The bobbin thread path runs from your main spool, through the bobbin tension disc, and onto the bobbin winder wheel before you wind it full.
- You must disengage the main needle before winding the bobbin, or your machine will try to sew while the bobbin fills and may jam.
- Wind the bobbin slowly and stop as soon as it feels full or the thread breaks; overfilled bobbins cause tension problems and thread bunching.
- Empty bobbins should be rewound before each project, and you can reuse plastic bobbins dozens of times if they are not cracked.
Locate the bobbin winder and disengage the needle
Open your Kenmore machine's manual or look at the right side of the machine body. The bobbin winder is a small wheel, usually silver or black, with a groove around its edge. On some models it sits on top near the thread guides; on others it is on the side panel. You will see a small lever or button near the winder labeled "bobbin winder" or showing an icon of a spool.
Before you thread anything, pull that lever or press that button to disengage the needle. This stops the needle from moving up and down while you wind the bobbin. If you skip this step, the needle will keep sewing while the bobbin fills, which jams the machine and can break the needle. On most Kenmore models, you pull a small lever toward you or to the right; the needle should stop moving when ready when you do.
Raise the presser foot (the metal arm that holds fabric down). This also disengages the tension discs so thread can flow freely onto the bobbin. You should hear or feel a small click.
Thread from the spool to the bobbin winder
Take your thread spool and place it on the spool pin at the top left of your machine, just as you would for normal sewing. The thread should unwind smoothly toward the front of the machine. If it catches or feels tight, reposition the spool.
Guide the thread down through the first thread guide—a small metal loop or hook near the top of the machine. Then bring it to the bobbin tension disc, a small metal or plastic piece that looks like a clip or slot. On Kenmore machines, this is usually located to the right of the main tension dial. Slip the thread between the two metal plates of the tension disc; you should feel slight resistance when you pull.
Now guide the thread to the bobbin winder wheel. Wrap the thread around the groove of the winder wheel two or three times, going clockwise. The thread should sit snugly in the groove so it winds evenly. If the thread is loose or slips, the bobbin will wind unevenly and cause tension problems later.
Place the bobbin and start winding
Take an empty bobbin—a small plastic or metal spool—and push it onto the bobbin winder shaft. The bobbin should slide on smoothly and sit flush against the winder wheel. If it does not fit or feels loose, you may have the wrong bobbin type for your machine. Check your manual for the correct bobbin model number; Kenmore machines use different sizes depending on the year and model.
Hold the thread tail loosely in your hand. Press the foot pedal slowly and steadily, or if your machine has a bobbin-winding button, press it. The bobbin will begin to spin and wind thread onto itself. The thread tail should wrap around the bobbin in neat, even layers. If the thread bunches or winds unevenly, stop, reposition the thread in the tension disc, and start again.
Wind slowly. Fast winding causes uneven tension and can break the thread. Most bobbins fill in 30 to 60 seconds at a steady, moderate pace.
Stop winding when the bobbin is full
As the bobbin fills, you will feel resistance increase under the foot pedal. Stop as soon as the bobbin feels full—the thread should reach near the edge of the bobbin but not overflow. If you wind too much, the bobbin will be too thick to fit in the bobbin case, and excess thread will jam when you try to sew.
Most Kenmore machines have an automatic stop feature: the bobbin winder will disengage or the machine will beep when the bobbin is full. If your machine does not have this, watch the bobbin carefully and release the foot pedal the moment the thread reaches the rim. Trim the thread tail with scissors.
If the thread breaks while winding, rethread from the tension disc and start again. Do not try to tie the broken ends together; the knot will catch in the bobbin case and cause problems.
Re-engage the needle and remove the bobbin
Push the bobbin winder lever back to its original position, or press the button again to re-engage the needle. The needle should resume its normal up-and-down motion. Raise the presser foot again to re-engage the tension discs.
Slide the full bobbin off the winder shaft. It should come off easily; if it is stuck, do not force it—wiggle it gently side to side. Set the bobbin aside on a clean surface.
Insert the bobbin into the bobbin case
On front-loading machines, lift the needle plate (the flat metal piece under the presser foot) by pressing the release lever or button. The bobbin case—a small metal or plastic housing—will be visible underneath. On top-loading machines, the bobbin case is built into the machine and you insert the bobbin directly into the opening on the upper right.
Hold the full bobbin with the thread tail pointing toward you. Insert it into the bobbin case, making sure it sits flat and does not tilt. On front-loading machines, the bobbin case has a small slot; guide the thread tail through this slot so it sits in the tension spring. You should hear a soft click when the bobbin case locks into place.
Pull the thread tail gently to make sure it is seated correctly in the tension spring. The thread should not slip or move freely. If it does, remove the bobbin and reinsert it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the bobbin winds unevenly or the thread breaks?
Uneven winding usually means the thread is not seated properly in the tension disc. Stop, rethread through the tension disc, and make sure the thread is between both metal plates. If the thread keeps breaking, check that your spool is not cracked or damaged, and make sure you are winding at a slow, steady pace rather than very fast.
Can I use a bobbin from a different brand of sewing machine?
No. Kenmore bobbins are sized and shaped specifically for Kenmore machines. Using the wrong bobbin can cause it to jam in the case or wind unevenly. Check your manual for the correct bobbin model number, or bring your machine to a fabric store and ask them to match it.
How many times can I reuse a plastic bobbin?
Plastic bobbins can be rewound and reused dozens of times if they are not cracked or warped. Inspect each bobbin before winding; if you see cracks, discard it. Metal bobbins last even longer and rarely need replacement.
Why does my bobbin wind crooked or lopsided?
The thread is probably not wrapped evenly around the bobbin winder wheel before you start. Remove the bobbin, reposition the thread in the groove of the winder wheel, and make sure it is snug. Then place the bobbin back on and wind again slowly.
Do I need to wind a new bobbin every time I change thread color?
Yes, if you want the bobbin thread to match or coordinate with your top thread. If you are sewing with a color that does not show on the back of your fabric, you can reuse a bobbin with leftover thread of a different color. Always wind a fresh bobbin if the old one is nearly empty, because running out of bobbin thread mid-seam is frustrating to fix.