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Watch the video: “How to Wind a Bobbin | Sewing for Beginners” by Make to Sew
A smooth stitch starts with a well-wound bobbin. If your bobbin is loose, lumpy, or the wrong type for your machine, your seam will tell on you. This beginner-friendly guide walks you through two proven methods from the video—so you can wind clean, even bobbins and get on with the fun part: sewing.
What you’ll learn
- How to choose the correct bobbin for your specific sewing machine
- The right thread path and tension disc setup for bobbin winding
- Two secure starts: wrapping the bobbin and threading through a bobbin hole
- When and how to engage the bobbin winder—and disengage the needle if needed
- Smart checks to avoid messy bobbins and mid-project thread shortages
Pro tip: Keep your manual handy. Machines vary, and the manual is your quickest route to model-specific diagrams and settings.
Watch out: Using a bobbin not designed for your machine can cause poor stitch quality or jams. If you’re unsure, confirm the exact bobbin type before winding.
Quick check: After you seat the thread in the tension disc, give it a gentle tug. It should feel snug—this is your insurance against a messy, uneven wind. embroidery frame
Understanding Your Bobbin
Why Bobbins Matter for Sewing Your sewing machine forms stitches by pairing the top thread with bobbin thread. If the bobbin is the wrong type, it may sit poorly in the case, throw off tension, or even damage the machine. The video emphasizes that bobbins come in different shapes and sizes depending on make and model—so the right match matters.
From the comments: Several viewers chimed in to say the instruction was clear and confidence-building. One viewer noted they watched even though they already knew how—because there’s always more to learn.
Choosing the Right Bobbin for Your Machine
- If you bought your machine secondhand or aren’t sure what bobbin you have, check the manual for the exact type.
- When in doubt, bring an original bobbin to a sewing machine store for identification.
- Avoid mixing bobbins across brands and models; a near match can still be wrong.
Quick check: Place the bobbin in your hand and compare it to your manual’s diagram or part number. Look for differences in height, rim shape, and material (metal vs. plastic).
Preparing Your Sewing Machine for Winding
Setting Up the Spool Pin and Thread Path Place your thread spool on the spool pin. On the first machine shown in the video, the thread travels behind a small hook at the back of the machine before moving toward the bobbin tension disc. On other machines, the thread may go directly to the tension disc without that rear hook. If your machine differs, follow the manual’s diagram for the bobbin-winding path. sewing and embroidery machine
Engaging the Bobbin Tension Discs Correctly Wrap the thread around the bobbin tension disc in the direction indicated on your machine (the demonstrator follows a clockwise arrow). Seat the thread firmly—this is key to even winding. Give the thread a small pull from both sides so it sits tightly between the discs; loose thread here is the classic culprit behind a messy bobbin. magnetic embroidery hoop
A note on variations: The video shows two machines. One routes behind a rear hook; the other goes straight to the tension disc. If yours has different guides, trust your manual’s diagram.
Quick check: After wrapping the tension disc, glance for an arrow or diagram on the machine’s body. If present, confirm your thread path matches it.
Watch out: If the thread isn’t snug in the tension disc, the bobbin will wind loose at first, then suddenly tight—creating ridges or tangles that can throw off stitches later. best embroidery machine for beginners
Method 1: Simple Wrapping for Bobbin Winding (Bernina B 350)
Securing the Thread by Wrapping Slip an empty bobbin onto the bobbin winder spindle. On the first machine, start by wrapping the thread around the bobbin several times in the indicated direction (clockwise in the demo). Four to five wraps are enough to anchor the thread. Use the built-in cutter, if available, to trim the tail close to the bobbin.
Pro tip: If the wraps slide or feel loose, unwind and try again with firmer tension as you wrap. A secure start prevents snagging in the first few turns. embroidery machine hoops
Automatic Bobbin Winding Process Turn on the machine. On the Bernina shown, engage the bobbin winder by moving the device across; the needle does not move when the winder runs. Let the machine wind until the bobbin is full—the winder will stop automatically when it reaches capacity.
Watch out: If the wind looks uneven (e.g., building up on one side), stop and recheck your thread in the tension disc and your initial wraps. Re-seat and restart.
Method 2: Threading Through a Bobbin Hole (Husqvarna Viking Emerald 118)
Threading for a Secure Start On the second machine, the thread travels straight from the spool to the tension discs (no rear hook). Feed the thread through a small hole in the bobbin from the inside to the outside. Hold the free end vertically and snug while you start. Place the bobbin on the winder and push it to the right to engage.
Pro tip: Keep the free end taut for the first few revolutions to seat the wind, then trim it closely at the top of the bobbin.
Quick check: Did you insert the thread from inside to outside through the bobbin hole? If reversed, the tail may not pull away cleanly.
Disengaging the Needle for Bobbin Winding On this Husqvarna Viking model, the needle will sew unless you disengage it. Pull the handwheel on the right side of the machine out to stop needle movement. Then use the foot pedal to wind the bobbin. After a couple of passes, trim the tail close and continue winding until full or to your desired amount. When done, push the handwheel back in to re-engage the needle for normal sewing.
Watch out: Forgetting to re-engage the handwheel is common. Before you return to sewing, confirm the handwheel is pushed back in and any levers are set to normal. magnetic hoops
Best Practices for a Perfectly Wound Bobbin
Ensuring Proper Thread Tension
- Snug in the disc: If the thread isn’t firmly seated in the bobbin tension disc, you’ll get loose coils and an uneven wind.
- Even distribution: While winding, the thread should build evenly across the bobbin—not cone up on one side.
- Direction matters: Follow the machine’s arrow for both the tension disc and the initial wraps; in the video, the wrap is clockwise.
Quick check: Pause mid-wind. Does the bobbin look smooth and level? If not, stop, re-seat the thread in the tension disc, and restart. embroidery sewing machine
Winding Sufficient Thread for Your Project It’s tempting to wind “just enough,” but you will often need more than you think. The presenter recommends filling the bobbin full or almost full—especially for first projects—so you don’t have to stop halfway through a seam to rewind.
From the comments: One viewer asked about winding from large cones onto smaller spools. The creator suggested placing the cone on the table behind the machine, guiding the thread by hand through the normal winding path, and supporting it lightly. They also offered to make a short social video demo—proof that questions are welcome and solutions are flexible. magnetic embroidery hoops
Finishing Up and What’s Next
Removing Your Wound Bobbin Safely Disengage the winder (push the bobbin position back to the left if you pushed it right to engage). Lift the bobbin off the spindle and snip the thread connecting it to the main spool. Handle the bobbin gently so you don’t dislodge the outermost wind.
Pro tip: If you started with a tail through the bobbin hole, be sure it was trimmed flush during winding. A lingering tail can snag when you insert the bobbin later. magnetic hoops for embroidery machines
Resetting Your Machine for Sewing Undo any temporary winding settings: push the handwheel back in if you pulled it out, return any levers or switches to normal, and switch your focus to threading the top path (covered in the previous video). You’re now ready to load the bobbin into the machine—front-loading or drop-in—depending on your model.
From the comments: A viewer asked about learning to sew men’s trousers. The creator shared that men’s tutorials are planned—so stay tuned if garment making is your goal.
Troubleshooting at a Glance
- Bobbin winds lopsided: Re-seat thread in the bobbin tension disc; confirm wrap direction; restart.
- Needle moves during winding: Check your manual for how to disengage the needle (e.g., pull out the handwheel on some models).
- Thread breaks while winding: Confirm thread is not overly tight in the tension disc; check for burrs on the bobbin or spindle.
- Machine won’t wind: Ensure the winder is fully engaged (lever shifted or bobbin pushed right, depending on model), and the machine is powered on.
Watch out: Never force a bobbin type your machine wasn’t designed to use—this can lead to uneven winding and poor stitch quality. magnetic hoop
Your Two-Method Mini-Checklist
- Confirm correct bobbin type for your machine
- Place thread on the spool pin and follow your model’s thread path
- Seat thread firmly in the bobbin tension disc (check arrow/direction)
- Method 1: Wrap 4–5 times clockwise, trim
- Method 2: Thread hole from inside to out, hold tail vertically, wind a few turns, trim
- Engage the bobbin winder (lever or push-right)
- If needed, disengage the needle (e.g., pull out handwheel)
- Wind until full or almost full; watch for even layering
- Disengage winder, cut thread, remove bobbin, reset machine
From the comments: A steady chorus of thanks suggests this process works. Beginners especially appreciated the clarity, and even experienced sewists picked up new nuances. When in doubt, pause and re-check the tension disc—small adjustments there prevent big headaches later.
Where to next? The video’s next step is inserting your bobbin. Front-loading and drop-in methods each have a few quirks, but once your bobbin is neatly wound, you’ve already done the hardest part. If you’re building toward decorative work later, a solid winding habit will keep your stitches balanced when you branch into specialty techniques. sewing machine embroidery hoop