Core skills

Putting the Bobbin into the Machine

How to load a wound bobbin in either a drop-in (top-loading) or front-loading machine so the thread unwinds in the right direction.

Beginner10 minMachine

What you will learn

Identifying your bobbin system
Loading the bobbin correctly
Setting the thread in the tension slot

Materials and tools

Wound bobbin
Sewing machine and manual

Before you start

Switch off and unplug the machine. Raise the needle to its highest point with the handwheel. Raise the presser foot.

Step by step

Find your bobbin system. A drop-in machine has a clear cover on the needle plate and the bobbin lies flat. A front-loading machine has a metal bobbin case you pull out from the front of the free arm.
1. Spool pin
2. Thread guides
3. Tension dial
4. Take-up lever
5. Needle clamp and needle
6. Presser foot
7. Feed dogs
8. Needle plate
9. Bobbin and bobbin case
10. Presser-foot lifter
11. Stitch selector
12. Stitch length control
13. Reverse lever or button
14. Handwheel
15. Foot pedal
Drop-in: slide off the bobbin cover. Place the bobbin into the well so the thread unwinds in the direction shown on the machine. A common pattern is counter-clockwise, but check your manual.
Drop-in: pull the thread into the slot or guide marked on the plate, leave a tail about 4 in (10 cm) long, and snap the cover closed if the manual says to.
Front-loading: take out the bobbin case. Place the bobbin in it so the thread unwinds in the direction the manual shows, then pull the thread into the slot and under the tension spring.
Front-loading: leave about 4 in (10 cm) of thread, hold the case by its latch, and push it into the machine until it clicks. Close the cover.
Check that the thread comes out freely when you pull it. If it jams or drops free with no resistance, the thread is not in the tension spring or slot.
Leave the tail free for now. You will draw the bobbin thread up after you thread the upper thread.

Tips for a neat result

Look for the arrow or sketch on the plate or inside the bobbin well. It shows how to place the thread.
Check whether your bobbin case needs to be set a particular way, and look at the manual for a front-loader.

Common mistakes and fixes

The thread bunches under the fabric.

This usually comes from the upper threading. Rethread the upper thread with the presser foot up first. If it continues, the bobbin was put in backwards or out of the tension slot. Reload following the manual.

The bobbin case will not click in.

The latch was not held or the case is upside down. Remove it and try again slowly without force.

Loud rattling or jamming.

The bobbin type is wrong or it is not seated. Check the manual for the correct bobbin.

Safety and fabric care

Switch off and unplug before opening the bobbin area.

Check your result

The bobbin turns smoothly when you pull the thread, with light resistance.
The cover or case is closed and secure.