Bobbin Threading Hack

I worked as an instructor at a nearby sewing store teaching people how to use their machines. Before I get into teaching you the bobbin threading hack, let me tell you a very embarrassing story.

Story Time!

In 2003 I purchased my first computerized, high-end machine. Where I purchased it did offer a class, but it was bare bones and I was so excited to get home with my new prize that I immediately forgot everything she told me. Over the course of the first YEAR of using this machine, the stitches were highly inconsistent. At least, it seemed that way to me. One time I sewed something, everything looked amazing. Next time? Bird-nest after bird-nest. Disappointed does not begin to cover how I was feeling about the single biggest non-car purchase I’d ever made.

One day I went into a different store and was talking to the sales person about my troubles. She offered to show me how to thread the machine. At first I was like “I’ve been sewing for 30 years, I think I can thread the stupid machine…” but then my rational brain kicked in and advocated that I shut up and listen because clearly, I was missing something. Glad that I listened to that rational voice! Within the first 2 moves she made, I saw my problem. I wasn’t threading the bobbin correctly. Once I figured this fundamental out, that machine purred like a kitten on everything from sheers to leathers.

Down to Bobbin Threading Business

So yeah, highly embarrassing I know but there you have it. It happens to EVERYONE at some point. The positive outcome is that because of my experience, I can usually pretty quickly diagnose when others are having this problem. I also developed a real quick hack for being able to instantly tell whether or not the bobbin of a standard drop-in bobbin sewing machine was threaded correctly.

Below is a close-up of the area I’m talking about. I’ve circled the thread opening in RED and the target tension spring which must catch the thread in ORANGE.

Now some machines like to hide this business end. Why, I don’t know. Maybe they think seeing too many mechanical parts overwhelms our little brains? (By that way, this is a snarky comment.)

Regardless of whether the mechanism is clearly visible or hidden, whether it’s labeled with arrows or not, every manually threaded drop-in bobbin follows the exact same procedure. Illustrated below, they are as follows:

1. after dropping the full bobbin into the reservoir properly, bobbin thread into the opening
2. drag bobbin thread across until it snaps into place under the tension spring — this is where the stitch magic happens
3. use the top thread to bring the bobbin thread to the top of the machine into “sewing position”

So what’s the hack? See that thread in the below image which runs diagonally across the top of the bobbin from the spring to the stitch plate opening? That’s what you’re looking for. If you do NOT see that, the bobbin is incorrectly threaded and the stitching will be problematic.

For comparison, here’s what the incorrectly threaded bobbin looks like. I circled the missing piece that confirms correct threading.

So there you go. An instant hack to tell whether or not the bobbin is threaded correctly. This is really a life saver once mastered! It’s doubly a life-saver if you’re teaching a room full of students and you need to help everyone without taking time away from the main topic

Until next time, Happy Sewing!

– Dravon

PS — I DID MY VERY FIRST EVER VIDEO! Ok. *breath*breath* Check it out here on YouTube. Be sure to Like it while you’re there! And Share this post with your fellow sewing enthusiasts.

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