Today, I invite you to talk about an essential item in the sewing box: the bobbin!
Indeed, to sew with a machine, you absolutely need at least 2 threads: the spool thread and the bobbin thread. In most cases, the spool thread is the one you will see on the front of your fabric (the visible stitch on the garment) while the bobbin thread is the one visible on the back of the fabric.

Let's see how it works together, the yellow thread represents the spool thread and the green one the bobbin thread. Hypnotic, isn’t it?

What is a bobbin?

The bobbin is a very small spool about 20mm in diameter, designed to hold thread. This thread is wound around this small spool which fits into your sewing machine under the needle. The space that holds the bobbin is called the bobbin case.
The bobbin placed in its case will unwind the bottom thread as you sew.

Choosing your bobbin

There are bobbin models made of metal or plastic; flat or domed. It has one or more small holes on its surface.

To get beautiful stitches and to avoid damaging your bobbin case (and consequently your machine), it is important to use the type of bobbin recommended for your machine. For this, refer to your machine’s user manual or check the type of bobbins you likely received with your machine when you bought it.

Choosing your bobbin thread

With a few exceptions, the thread used to fill your bobbin will be the same as the spool thread. Having the same spool and bobbin thread allows for:

• even stitches
• well-defined stitches
• easier tension adjustment

Little tip: The threads used for the spool and the bobbin can be different colors. For example, when you line an accessory (like a pouch) and topstitch, you can match the spool thread to the outer fabric (of your pouch) and choose the bobbin thread color to match the lining.

Key points for making and inserting a bobbin into your sewing machine

A well-wound bobbin placed correctly in its case is a key step to making beautiful stitches.

1. Each bobbin has one or more small holes on its top. When winding your bobbin, position it so that the small hole is on top. After placing your spool of thread and setting up to reach your bobbin, slip the end of your spool thread through the hole in the bobbin (from bottom to top). The thread then comes out above your bobbin. Hold the thread and gently press the pedal to start winding. Be very careful that the thread winds properly around the bobbin and not underneath. If it does, stop immediately, remove the thread, and start the whole process again.

2. Once the bobbin is wound, check it. The thread should be wound tightly without any loose ends sticking out; the thread must be snug around the core.

3. Place your bobbin in the correct thread unwinding direction recommended by your machine. If placed upside down, your stitch will be completely unsuitable and you might get frustrated...

4. Don’t forget to deactivate the "bobbin winding" function to switch back to "sewing" mode. Some machines do this automatically but not all. If you feel your machine is stitching in the air or not moving forward, check this... it will save you from getting annoyed 😊.

Special bobbin tips for sewing with peace of mind

Remember that some long seams or specific stitches (like buttonholes or gathering threads) require a lot of thread or are difficult to pick up "midway." Don’t forget to check that you have enough bobbin thread before you start.

Storing your bobbins

I recommend storing your bobbins well because it quickly becomes a mess if you don’t take the time to find a storage method that suits you. For my part, I use plastic boxes specially designed for bobbin storage, which have the advantage of being see-through so you can quickly find the bobbin you need. There are also very nice bobbin storage rings to use. You can find them in the shop.

There you go, I hope you know a bit more about bobbins with this article. Let me know in the comments if you would like more articles about sewing essentials.