How to Fill Bobbin on Singer Sewing Machine
A bobbin is an integral part of a Singer sewing machine and it needs to be correctly filled to ensure that your sewing work is successful. Traditionally, the Singer has a bobbin winding mechanism which uses a rod mounted in the machine’s interior. By winding your own bobbins you can maintain control over the thread type and color in your stitches. Filling a bobbin the correct way will save time and simplify your sewing experience.
Steps to Fill the Bobbin on a Singer Sewing Machine
- Attach the thread spool to the spool pin and pass it through the thread guide.
- Turn the hand wheel to align the arrow mark on the left side of the bobbin head with the arrow mark on the machine arm.
- Place an empty bobbin onto the winding spindle, making sure that the arrow mark is facing away from the winding spindle.
- Press the thread spool containing the thread onto the tension holder.
- Hold onto the thread coming off the spool and press the winding lever down gently until it locks into place.
- While gently holding the thread, press down the pressure foot to switch on the bobbin winding mechanism.
- Continue to hold the thread and watch the bobbin spin until it is filled with thread.
- Release the pressure foot, and then the winding lever, to stop the bobbin winding mechanism.
- Pull off the thread from the tension holder and cut the thread from the empty spool.
The bobbin should now be correctly filled with thread. To utilize the new bobbin correctly, you will need to insert it into the bobbin case and install the case into the machine.
How to Install the Bobbin on the Singer Sewing Machine
- To insert and securely hold the bobbin on the Singer sewing machine, you’ll need to use the bobbin case.
- Take the appropriate bobbin case depending on your machine’s model, and insert it on the bottom of the base.
- Open the body of the bobbin case and insert the bobbin making sure an arrow mark on the bobbin’s body is facing the same direction of the arrow mark on the bobbin case.
- Slide the thread through the tension hole of the case and pass it around the front of the tension disc.
- Pull the thread to the left, asking it to go back around the tension disc and carefully, so as to not let the tension disc move.
- Tighten the tension spring and close the body of the case.
- Turn the handwheel should you need to, and your bobbin is now correctly installed and ready for use.
When correctly installed and correctly used with the thread that is coming from the upper spool pin, it can be used for various sewing tasks such as top-stitching, hems and created pleats. If a bobbin is installed incorrectly or of a poor quality, you could experience thread breakage or worse, jamming of the machine.
Signs of Improper Installation or Low Quality Bobbins
- Bobbin is improperly inserted and is twisting around the bobbin case.
- Incorrect thread tensioning leading to invisible stitches.
- Needles breaks or jams.
- The thread jumps up and down, causing a wavy stitch line.
- Stitch stretches despite appropriate tension.
The quality of the bobbin matters to ensure that you get perfectly even and taut stitches. Poor quality bobbins might get deformed and too tight or too loose when they are wound, which can lead to issues while trying to sew. Using the Singer brand of bobbins is usually recommended although there are other brands of quality bobbins as well.
Dispensing Out Thread From the Bobbin
To get thread from the bobbin, you will need to use the bobbin case. The most common way is to manually pull the thread from the bobbin case and then thread it through the needle. This should be done in an orderly fashion, so that the thread passes the tension disks and the needle without any knots. Once the thread is pulled out, the thread should be firmly gripped between the thumb and index finger and slowly pulled through the needle’s eye, coming out from the left side. This will make sure that the thread does not snap as it passes through the needle’s eye.
Tips For Dispensing Bobbin Thread
- Make sure to hold the bobbin case while pulling out the thread.
- Pull off the thread slowly and evenly.
- Gently pull out the thread a few inches before cutting it free.
- Do not use too much force while pulling the thread, or the thread could break.
- Re-tension the bobbin thread every time it gets slack, or the thread could tear.
By following these simple steps and tips, you can ensure that you correctly fill and install bobbins into your Singer sewing machine. With the correct thread tension, you can get quality and even stitches no matter your sewing project.
Maintenance and Cleaning of the Singer Sewing Machine
Unfortunatley, dust and lint tends to accumulate on the interior and exterior of sewing machines. This can lead to small problems such as skipped stitches, breakage of the thread, and inaccurate discrepancies in the tension. To avoid this, the machine should be cleaned and oiled periodically. To clean the machine, you should use a damp cloth to wipe down all the surfaces and then air dry the machine. Too much moisture can damage the machine, so be careful not to use too much.
Tips to Keep Your Singer Sewing Machine Working Properly
- Never leave the machine unattended while it is running.
- Do not overload the machine with too many layers of fabric.
- Always hold onto the thread as it passes through the needle.
- Unplug the machine when changing the needle, bobbin, and thread.
- Clean and oil the machine every 6-12 months depending on usage.
Finally, keeping your Singer sewing machine in good working condition includes monitoring and adjusting the tensions. Depending on the type of thread and fabric you are using, you will need to adjust the tensions accordingly. It is important to refer to your Singer manual for instructions to correctly adjust the tension.
Tips to Adjust the Tension on Singer Sewing Machine
- Start the adjustment with the upper thread. Make sure the thread spool holds the upper thread firmly by the tension holder or the spool pinbase.
- Confirm that the upper thread comes through the thread guide in a neat and taut manner.
- Hold the bobbin case and turn the tension screw in a clockwise direction until it is tight.
- Test the tension by stitching a sample fabric. If the upper thread is visible on the bottom layer of fabric, loosen the tension by turning the tension screw counter-clockwise.
- If the bobbin thread is visible on the top layer of fabric, the bobbin thread tension needs to be adjusted by turning the tension screw on the bobbin case in a counter-clockwise direction.
- Pull and tension the bobbin thread from the needle plate and tuck it behind the presser foot before you start to stitch.
By following these steps, you should be able to adjust the tension and achieve the desired result of quality stitches. Taking the time to learn how to adjust the tension on your Singer sewing machine can save you time, money and reduce the amount of thread breakage.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting for Singer Sewing Machines
Singer sewing machines are reliable but, like all machines, need to be maintained and cared for. Some common problems that may arise when using a Singer sewing machine include thread breakage, skipped stitches, fabric bunching, and inaccurate tension.
Tips to Troubleshoot Common Issues on Singer Sewing Machines
- Check to make sure the presser foot is in the right position.
- Make sure the upper and lower thread tensions are correctly adjusted.
- Check that the upper thread is wound correctly in the spool.
- Change the needle and thread if they are of poor quality or the wrong size.
- Replace the bobbin and inspect the bobbin holder for defects.
- Clean and oil the machine as recommended in the manual for your specific machine.
While it does take some experience and practice to troubleshoot common issues on Singer sewing machines, following the tips mentioned above should help solve many of the issues you may experience.
