Just when you are steadily sewing on your machine, you suddenly notice that the bobbin has stopped. The bobbin is a small spool of thread placed just beneath the stitching place in a compartment created especially for it.
A stitching process can not be completed without a bobbin or with a bobbin that is stuck and doesn’t turn. During the sewing process, the thread from the top spool interlocks the thread from the bobbin to create a full stitch.
Elna Sewing Machine Bobbin Not Turning: Causes and Solutions
Your bobbin is essential to a complete sewing cycle. There are situations where the bobbin of your Elna sewing machine fails to wind. And for every time your bobbin fails to wind, there is a reason or cause behind it. First, you have to know the cause before you give the remedy or fix the problem. The most common reasons why your bobbin is not turning are:
1. Not Holding the end of your thread at the beginning
While some bobbins come with a small slit for securing your thread, some do not have such a design. When you’re using a bobbin that doesn’t have the slit, you must hold the thread tail before you start winding and can let go after a few rotations.
Leaving a long starting thread tail will most likely snag into the bobbin case and lead to a whole new issue.
2. When the thread wind around the bobbin pin
Sometimes, the thread can get wrapped around the bobbin pin without your notice. It causes the bobbin to get stuck or sometimes wind unevenly. Always check the bobbin winding pin for any possible thread that may have wrapped itself around it.
If there are any, remove them with sewing tweezers. If you must, cut the stuck part and your bobbin is up for a better wind.
3. When your thread is not secured around the tension disc
The tension disc helps guide the thread to wind evenly. Failure to pull the thread through the tension disk can cause unwinding. To encourage a more even bobbin, I’ve tried wrapping my thread around the tension disc twice and it worked just fine.
You can try wrapping it twice but always remember that sewing machines have different designs. Always check the user manual before trying new tips and tricks to be sure it would work. If it wouldn’t work, there will be no need to stress about it.
4. Failure to guide your thread when it winds up and down
Although the design of the sewing machine guides your thread up and down the bobbin so you don’t have to. You can however use your finger or a guide to direct your thread as it winds. When guiding with your fingers, be careful and keep your fingers away from the gears.
5. When you fail to engage your Bobbin winder
If your bobbin winder is not well engaged, your bobbin will not turn fast and smooth when you press the foot pedal.
Ensure you push the bobbin pin in. You may also loosen the bobbin wheel entirely to engage the bobbin wind properly because the moment it gets off even a bit, you will have an issue.
6. Using the wrong bobbin
All bobbins look similar but there are some variations in sizes with different brands. Use bobbins that size your sewing machine. Using the wrong bobbin size will cause uneven stitches and sometimes the bobbin will not turn at all.
7. A worn-out rubber ring or bobbin winder
The rubber band at the bottom of your bobbin wind pin can get worn out over time. When working with an old sewing machine and the wind fails to turn, consider changing to a new rubber band.
You can either do it yourself using the manual or better still get the service of a sewing machine technician.
8. A bobbin defect
Although rare, bit once in a while you may come across a defective metal bobbin. A burr that wasn’t sanded completely during manufacturing can snag your thread and hook the bobbin. Discard any defective bobbin because there is no way to fix it especially if it is a metal bobbin.
A good plastic bobbin can also become defective after getting in contact with heat or breaking from falling. Bobbins are not expensive, you can throw out the defective ones and replace them with brand-new bobbins for better sewing.
9. Broken bobbin winder gears
The gears in the bobbin winder mechanism can break if you fail to handle your machine with care. When purchasing a sewing machine, it is worth investing in a durable product even if it’s on the pricey side. It is better to buy quality than to spend more on repairs.
Guide on How to Unstuck a Bobbin Case
Do not get discouraged when your bobbin case gets stuck. It is one of the few cruces of sewing. With the steps I’ll be giving you now, you can easily Unstuck it.
- The first step is to turn off the sewing machine
- You don’t want to prick your hand with the needle to add to the already existing obstacle. Raise your needle to a high position and remove it.
- Remove bother the presser foot and the holder
- Unscrew the screws on the needle plate with an enclosed disc-shaped screwdriver.
- Remove the bobbin and the bobbin case
- Straighten any stuck thread if it was what caused it to stuck. Other than that address the cause.
- Put the bobbin back into the bobbin case and re-insert it.
Are All Bobbins The Same?
Do you have the right machine, thread, and tension in place and fail to get the right stitching? The problem could be under the needle plates close to your reach. A bobbin deserves more accolades for good stitching than it gets. Bobbins are not of the same type and size although they may look the same.
Different brands have different diameters, depths, sizes, and heights. Using a bobbin with a small diameter will make your thread tangle when sewing and a tall bobbin can cause jamming.
This will hinder you from getting a quality stitch in your project. For perfect and professional-looking stitches, always use the right height, diameter, and size of bobbin in your sewing machine.
What Are The Best Bobbin Thread For Sewing, Embroidery, and Quilting?
Bobbin threads are only visible at the backside of your projects. There is no need to have a matching color with the thread showing in front.
Majorly a white or black colored thread is used for bobbins. Threads are of different types and qualities. I’ve created a list of the best bobbin threads you can use.
1. Sulky Bobbin Thread
A suitable thread for both sewing and embroidery is the sulky bobbin thread. It is a polyester thread that comes in a 1,100-yard spool. It has a consistent strength that works well with heavy decorative threads.
2. Superior Thread Bottom Line Polyester
The superior thread bottom line polyester thread is a lint-free, smooth thread that comes on a large yard spool (3000). You will not have to worry about a bobbin thread for a while until you’ve exhausted the 3000 yards which will take some time.
It is the best thread for embroidery, appliques, binding, and quilting. It is lightweight and can easily glide into many fabric layers.
3. Auriful White Cotton Bobbin Thread
The auriful white cotton bobbin thread is designed especially for bobbins. It is made from staple cotton and comes in a 1,500-yard spool.
It is durable and gives your stitches a high-quality finish. It can be paired with almost any thread.
4. New Brothread Pre-Wound Bobbin Thread
The new bro thread pre-wound bobbin thread is the best bobbin thread when it comes to colors. They offer a variety of 25 exquisite colors to choose from. It is the ideal thread for embroidery and sewing free from friction.
Conclusion
Bobbins are essential for sewing. There are different types of bobbins for different machine designs. The Swedish brand, Elna sewing machines are among the trendy machines today. They are made with plastic to fit the modern trend and have technological advancement.
When sewing with your Elna sewing machine, you may experience problems with your bobbin getting stuck and not turning. This could be a result of a thread winding around the pin, using the wrong bobbin fit, or a bobbin defect right from the manufacturers. A broken bobbin winder and gear will also keep your Elna sewing machine bobbin in a fixed position without turning.