How to fill the bobbin - Sewing Machines

Okay, this is straightforward and is almost universal for all machines. If you do not have the manual or user guide that came with your sewing machine, try downloading it from the internet from the company website.

If you still cannot find it, try this. (No guarantees)

1. Switch off your machine to avoid an accident.
2. Only use bobbins for your machine. Don't be tempted to buy cheap ones to save some money. Some bobbins are plastic, some metal, some have knurled hubs, others are smooth.
3. Place the spool of thread you wish to use on the spindle to the rear of the machine.
4. Draw some of the thread from the spool. The thread should unwind from the spool close to the machine. See video.
5. Make sure the thread is not crossing over or interfering with another thread. (Some machines have two spool spindles)
6. There is usually a small metal (or plastic) stud roughly above the needle on the top of the machine.
7. On top of this (or around it) there is usually a marking to show you how to wrap the thread. Usually it is clockwise, around the front and then to the rear and finally to the right where there is a small bobbin axle sticking 12mm (1/2 inch) out of the top of the machine.
8. Take your empty bobbin and carefully wrap the thread onto the hub between the discs of the bobbin NOT through the centre hole which sits on the bobbin axle.
9. If you turn the bobbin in your hand, the thread should start to wind onto the bobbin between the upper and lower discs.
10. Place the bobbin on to the bobbin axle and press it firmly into place.
11. The axle and bobbin are on a spring lever that allows you to push it to the right and it will lock into position against a drive mechanism.
12. The 'handwheel' to the right of the machine must be disengaged so that when you are winding the bobbin the needle doesn't move up and down.
13. To disengage the handwheel, either pull it straight out a bit to the right - it will stop after half a centimeter (1/4 inch) or so, or
14. To disengage the handwheel, grasp the smooth outer part of the wheel with your left hand and, while holding it firmly, grip the inner ridged wheel and turn it counterclockwise about a centimetre (3/8 inch) or so until you can turn it no more. Do NOT force the inner wheel. If it doesn't move easily, try turning it clockwise, or
15. There may be a button to press - AGAIN, it only moves a short distance. It will be easy to operate and DOES NOT require tools.
16. Switch on your machine.
17. When the handwheel is disengaged, press the foot pedal lightly and the bobbin should start to turn. If the needle is going up and down, stop what you are doing and check that the handwheel is fully disengaged.
18. If everything is working fine, you can press down on the foot pedal to speed up the winding process.
19. Watch out for the spool which may jump around as the thread is being drawn from it. You should slow down the machine or cup your hand almost over the spool to stop it from jumping around.
20. The bobbin winder usually stops automatically because of a fixed piece of plastic that pushes the bobbin axle way from the drive shaft.
21. It's good practise to keep an eye on the bobbin winding to make sure it is winding evenly. Uneven winding can lead to loops of thread fouling the bobbin mechanism under the needle.
22. It's not always necessary to wind a bobbin completely unless you are doing a lot of sewing in that colour. Sometime you only need a quarter of a bobbin or a third of a bobbin to finish the job.
23. When you are finished, cut the thread between the stud and the bobbin - you need to leave about 10-15cm (4-6 inches) of thread so that the bobbin thread can engage with the needle thread during the initial feed.
24. Switch off your machine.
25. Push the bobbin axle back to the left until it locks.
26. Re-engage the handwheel by turning counterclockwise, pushing it in again or operating the button as before.
27. Remove the spool you used for the bobbin thread completely from the spindle so that it doesn't foul on other threads.
28. When you are ready to continue, switch on your machine.
29. Make sure you are comfortable when you sew and safety glasses are recommended.