In this age and day, sewing and stitching clothes are almost impossible without the use of a sewing machine.
A bobbin winder can be found on almost all modern sewing machines. The winder’s job is to load thread from the big roll of thread into the small that’ll fit inside the bobbin case.
But what happens when your bobbin winder starts developing problems. This guide will show you what problems can affect your bobbin winder and how to fix it.
4 Of The Common Bobbin Winder Problems and Solutions
Bobbin winder problems can occur for a variety of reasons. The most common cause is the arm or bobbin thread becoming tangled in the winding gear, which then prevents the bobbin from being wound properly and results in lost yarn.
Other causes include faulty wiring, worn gears or bearings, incorrect tensions on the spring-loaded arms, blocked mechanisms, and dirty brushes.
There are a few common causes of bobbin winder problems.
i. Incorrect bobbin threading
Knowing how to thread your sewing machine properly is the first step to success in its functions.
When you need to utilize your bobbin winder, it is the same as always. To be prepared to wind the ideal bobbin for you, you will need to grasp how to thread the machine.
Using the bobbin incorrectly can cause the bobbin winder to develop problems.
ii. Winding too fast
We frequently find ourselves rushing to wind our bobbins. It can be annoying to have to put everything on hold to wind a bobbin while we are in the middle of stitching something and our current bobbin runs out of thread.
It could seem like a natural response to rush through it. Even if that’s the case, it’s still important to take your time winding the bobbins.
The thread will spin too quickly if you fully depress the foot pedal for the greatest results. Stretching of the thread might result when winding at top speed. This can lead to issues with your bobbin winder.
iii. Thread slipping out of place
On the other hand, going too slowly can also get you into difficulty in different ways. You can experience problems with the thread slipping out of position if you wind excessively slowly to make up for winding too quickly.
As you are winding, the thread could escape its thread path if there is insufficient stress on it.
iv. The winder wheel isn’t spinning
Even if everything is set up correctly, nothing may happen when you step on the pedal and snap the bobbin into position.
Your bobbin winder wheel might have worn out if this is the case. You’ll probably need a replacement bobbin winder wheel if yours has completely stopped spinning.
Typically, the interior of the panel at the machine’s top is where the winder wheel is mounted.
iv. Using the wrong-sized bobbin
Although all bobbins might initially seem to be relatively identical, even the smallest size or design variance can have a significant impact on your machine.
It may be a problem with their size if you recently bought a package of bobbins and are having problems using them.
Even if you purchase universal bobbins, there is no guarantee that they will work with your machine. Some machines only work well with bobbins produced by the company that made the machine.
Why Is My Bobbin Not Winding Evenly?
Bobbin winding unevenly is a common problem that plagues many seamstresses. The causes of this issue can be different from each other depending on your sewing machine’s brand.
Here are some of the reasons why your bobbin is not winding evenly:
i. Your bobbin winder gears are broken
Sewing machines differ from one another, some are more durable than others. The inside mechanism gears can be broken if the machine is not carried or used with care, and this can cause your bobbin not to wind evenly.
ii. The rubber ring is worn on the bobbin winder
Your bobbin winding pin has a rubber ring at the bottom of it. Over time, it may become worn, which could result in your bobbin winding unevenly or not at all.
The rubber ring on an antique sewing machine might need to be replaced in order for the bobbin winder to function properly. An expert professional can perform this for you if you don’t know how to.
iii. The bobbin has a defect
Metal bobbin defects are uncommon, although they do occur. Sometimes the metal has a burr from incomplete sanding during manufacture.
This can catch your thread or wind your bobbin unevenly. Throw away any damaged bobbins you find and wind new ones in their place.
Due to its tendency to deform shape when heated and its greater susceptibility to damage than metal, plastic bobbins are far more likely to arrive malfunctioning. Replace your plastic bobbin with a new one if the old one does not quite fit on your bobbin winding pin.
iv. The correct bobbin is not being used
Although all sewing machine bobbins have a similar appearance, there are modest differences in size across brands.
Use only bobbins made expressly for your sewing machine, please. If you choose the incorrect size, your bobbin may not wind evenly, which can cause uneven stitches while you sew.
v. The bobbin winder is not fully engaged
When you press your foot pedal, if your bobbin does not wind swiftly and smoothly, your bobbin winder may not be fully engaged.
The uneven winding may result from this. Make sure to fully engage your bobbin winding mechanism by pushing your bobbin pin over or loosening your bobbin wheel. You will encounter issues if it is even slightly incorrect.
vi. The thread is not being guided up and down as it winds
Modern sewing machines are built to help you move your thread up and down the bobbin.
However, you can direct your thread as it winds with a pencil or your finger. Just be cautious not to let your fingers get caught in the gears.
vii. The thread is not wrapped around the tension disc
You must pass your thread through the tension discs and thread guides before winding your bobbin. Your bobbin will wind more uniformly as a result.
To promote more consistent bobbin winding, some users choose to wrap their thread twice around the tension discs. You can attempt it. Every sewing machine differs somewhat from the next.
For further instructions on how to configure your machine to wind your bobbin, consult your user manual.
iix. There is thread wrapped around your bobbin winding pin
Your bobbin winding pin can become entangled in thread occasionally. Your bobbin may wound unevenly as a result without your knowledge.
Examine the area inside your sewing machine near the bobbin winding pin with a flashlight. If you see any thread, carefully remove it with some sewing tweezers.
Try to avoid cutting the thread unless absolutely necessary to prevent it from falling inside your machine. Your bobbins should wind more smoothly once the thread has been taken out.
Are Bobbin Winders Good?
Bobbin winders are a great tool for those of us who don’t have time to spend winding bobbins by hand. If you’re the kind of person who’s always on the go, or just not very good at winding bobbins by hand, a bobbin winder can certainly help cut down your bobbin winding time.
The reason they’re so efficient is that they use spinning rods and gears to do all the work for you, instead of relying on manual cranking power like most other types of machines (like spoolers). That being said, if you already own a spooler then maybe it makes more sense for you to just buy new ones instead of buying an additional piece of equipment that does exactly what yours does already.
If there’s one thing about bobbin winders that will probably make them popular with crafters everywhere though – it’s their capacity. You may think that using this machine would lead to having less control over how tightly wound each individual bobbin gets but actually turns out that isn’t true at all; instead what happens is each bobbin gets automatically set up based on its size/weight ratio so no matter what kind of yarn was wound onto its hooks beforehand.
Can I Wind a Bobbin By Hand?
Do you want to wind a bobbin by hand? If so, we recommend that you don’t. It’s much easier and faster to use a machine. Plus, it saves time and money and makes for more consistent results.
All in all, it’s safer than winding by hand as well: no more sore arms from holding the spindle; no risk of getting your fingers caught in the machine as you’re operating it; fewer moving parts that could break or malfunction. Bobbin winders are often used for years without any issues.
Conclusion
Following this guide, you should be able to identify what causes your bobbin winder problems and how to fix them.