Threading the bobbin area is simpler than the top, but the order matters
The bobbin is the small spool that holds thread underneath your needle. Threading it means putting thread on the bobbin itself, then placing that bobbin in the bobbin case (the metal or plastic holder that sits under the needle plate). Most machines have a bobbin winder on top of the machine — that's where you wind thread onto an empty bobbin. Once wound, you thread that bobbin into the case below, and the machine pulls thread from both the top and bottom to make a stitch.
The exact steps depend on your machine model, but the principle is the same across most home machines: wind the bobbin first, then insert it into the case, then pull up the bobbin thread so it catches under the presser foot. If you skip a step or reverse the order, your machine will either jam or drop stitches.
Key Takeaways
- Wind thread onto an empty bobbin using the winder on top of your machine, then cut the thread and remove the full bobbin.
- Open the bobbin case (usually under the needle plate) and insert the wound bobbin so the thread unwinds in the direction your machine manual specifies.
- Pull the bobbin thread up through the case opening so it sits under the presser foot alongside the top thread before you sew.
- If your machine jams or skips stitches, rethread both the top and bottom — one wrong thread path breaks the whole stitch.
How to wind thread onto the bobbin
Start with an empty bobbin (a small plastic or metal spool). Place it on the bobbin winder, which is usually a spindle or post on top of your machine, toward the right side. The winder may have a small clip or collar that holds the bobbin in place — push the bobbin all the way on until it clicks or sits snug.
Take thread from one of your top spools and wrap it around the bobbin winder tension disc (a small metal or plastic piece near the winder). This disc controls how tight the thread winds. Then guide the thread onto the bobbin itself, starting at the edge and wrapping it around a few times by hand to anchor it.
Press the foot pedal or press a start button (depending on your machine type) to begin winding. The bobbin will spin and pull thread from your spool. Stop when the bobbin is full — most machines have an automatic shutoff that stops the winder when the bobbin reaches the right thickness. If yours doesn't, stop when the bobbin looks evenly packed and about three-quarters full. Cut the thread and remove the bobbin.
Opening the bobbin case and inserting the bobbin
Raise your presser foot and needle to their highest position. This is important: the presser foot lever controls a small tension spring inside the bobbin case, and raising the foot opens that spring so you can insert the bobbin without fighting resistance.
Locate the bobbin case cover. On most machines, it's a small hinged or removable plate directly under the needle. Some machines have a drop-in bobbin system (the bobbin sits in a case that drops straight down), while others have a front-loading case (you open a small door on the front of the machine). Check your manual to see which type you have — the insertion direction is different for each.
For a front-loading case: open the small door or latch. For a drop-in system: raise the needle plate or open the cover plate. Insert the wound bobbin into the case so the thread unwinds in the direction your manual shows — usually counterclockwise when you look at the bobbin from above. The thread should sit in the tension spring (a small metal slot or clip inside the case). Close the case or door.
Pulling up the bobbin thread
Hold the top thread (the one coming from your needle) gently in one hand. Turn the hand wheel (the large wheel on the right side of your machine) toward you one full rotation. This lowers the needle into the bobbin case and back up, which catches the bobbin thread and brings a loop of it to the surface.
Use a seam ripper or small hook to pull that loop up through the needle plate opening. You should now see two threads — one from the top and one from the bottom — lying together under the presser foot. Both threads should pass under the presser foot before you begin sewing. If you see only one thread, the bobbin thread didn't catch; rethread the bobbin case and try again.
What to do if the bobbin thread won't come up
If you turn the hand wheel and no thread appears, the bobbin is either empty, inserted backward, or not seated properly in the case. Remove the bobbin case, check that the bobbin still has thread on it, and reinsert it. Make sure the thread is sitting in the tension spring — you should feel a slight resistance when you pull it.
If the thread is there but still won't come up, the bobbin case itself may be threaded wrong. Remove the bobbin, look at the case, and find the small slot or spring where the thread should sit. Rethread the bobbin thread through that slot, making sure it goes in the direction your manual specifies. Then try turning the hand wheel again.
Common mistakes that cause bobbin problems
The most common error is inserting the bobbin backward so the thread unwinds the wrong way. This creates tension problems and can jam the machine. Always check your manual for the correct direction — it's usually printed on the bobbin case itself or in a diagram inside the case cover.
Another mistake is not raising the presser foot before inserting the bobbin. The tension spring stays closed if the foot is down, so the thread won't sit in the slot properly. Always raise the foot first.
Forgetting to pull up the bobbin thread before sewing is also common. If you start sewing with only the top thread threaded, the machine will jam or skip stitches. Always turn the hand wheel once to bring up the bobbin thread, then check that both threads are under the presser foot.
Frequently Asked Questions
How full should the bobbin be before I use it?
Wind it until it looks evenly packed and about three-quarters full. An overfull bobbin can jam; an underfull one runs out of thread mid-seam. Most machines have an automatic shutoff when the bobbin reaches the right thickness, so you don't have to guess.
Can I use a bobbin from a different machine?
No. Bobbins come in different sizes and styles — some are plastic, some metal, some drop-in, some front-load. Using the wrong bobbin can jam your machine or cause the thread to unwind incorrectly. Always use the bobbin type your manual specifies.
What if the bobbin thread keeps breaking?
Check that the bobbin is wound evenly and not too tight. If it is, rewind it at a slower speed. Also check that the thread is sitting in the tension spring inside the bobbin case — if it's not, the case will pinch the thread and break it.
Do I need to rethread the bobbin every time I change thread color?
Yes. If you want a different color on the bottom, you need to wind a new bobbin with that color thread and insert it into the case. You can't just change the top thread and expect the bottom to match.
Why does my machine skip stitches after I rethread the bobbin?
Skipped stitches usually mean the bobbin thread isn't caught properly in the tension spring, or the bobbin is inserted backward. Remove the bobbin case, reinsert the bobbin, and make sure the thread sits in the tension slot. Then pull up the bobbin thread again before sewing.