Threading the Bobbin
Knowing how to thread your Singer sewing machine correctly is essential for a successful sewing project. If a bobbin is threaded incorrectly, it can lead to a tangled mess of thread and fabric. It can also cause the machine to jam or not sew properly.
The first thing to do is to identify the bobbin winder. On the Singer machines, it is located either on the front or side of the machine. It is usually a large, spool-shaped piece of plastic or metal, usually located towards the top or side of the machine.
Lift the top of the bobbin winder, then insert the bobbin thread into the pre-threaded slot. The thread should be following the same direction as the arrow located next to the slot. Pull the end of the thread until it has passed through the slot and out the other side.
Wrap the thread around the bobbin until it is evenly filled with thread, then bring the end of the thread back to the pre-threaded slot and pass it through again. Make sure to leave a tail of thread on the outside of the bobbin for the thread tension to grip onto.
Once the bobbin is full, place the bobbin onto the bobbin winder. There will be an arrow shaped indentation on the bobbin to help guide it into place. Place the thread end of the bobbin into the pre-threaded slot, and carefully lower the bobbin winder. Lock the bobbin winder in place so that it doesn’t move during the winding process.
Wind the Bobbin
On the Singer machines, the bobbin is wound by turning the wheel on the right side of the machine. If there is no wheel, you may have to press and hold a bar located either on the side or top of the machine. Refer to your machine’s manual for specific instructions.
Once the wheel is turned or the bar is depressed, the bobbin should immediately start to spin. As the bobbin spins, the thread should be pulled from the spool and wound onto the bobbin in a neat and even fashion. If the bobbin is wound too tightly, the thread may break. If it is wound too loosely, the bobbin may not catch the proper tension.
Once the bobbin is threaded, lock the wheel or release the bar to stop the bobbin from spinning. Remove the bobbin from the winder and cut off any excess thread. The bobbin is now ready to be inserted into the machine.
Inserting the Bobbin into the Machine
On Singer machines, the bobbin is inserted into the bobbin-carrier, which is located on the bottom of the sewing machine. To open the bobbin-carrier, press the lever located on the side of the machine and it should open automatically.
Once the bobbin-carrier is open, insert the bobbin into the slot, making sure to keep the thread tail of the bobbin facing in the same direction as the arrow located on the bobbin-carrier. Push the bobbin up until it clicks into place. Secure the thread of the bobbin by passing it through the tension guide located on the bobbin-carrier.
Close the bobbin-carrier and engage it by pressing the lever down. Check the bobbin to make sure that the thread is still in place and that the thread tail is not caught in the bobbin-carrier. If everything looks okay, the bobbin is now ready to be used.
Pull the Thread Through
Once the bobbin is in place, pull the thread from the spool through the tension arm on the top of the machine and then through the thread guide. Finally, pull a few inches of thread from the bobbin and ensure that both the thread from the spool and the bobbin are secured in the same place.
To check if the bobbin has been incorrectly threaded, the thread should be pulled straight up and away from the needle. If the needle is facing the wrong way, the thread will be pulled out of the bobbin. If this is the case, the bobbin carrier must be opened and the bobbin re-positioned.
Engage the Needle
When engaging the needle, the thread should be pulled straight out of the bobbin, not in an upward direction. To do this, raise the needle to its highest position and then thread it. Make sure the thread is pulled through the needle bar and the needle eye before cutting off the excess thread.
Once the needle is threaded and the thread is pulled through, turn the hand wheel towards you one full revolution. This should pull up the bobbin thread from the needle plate and should form a “loop” of thread between the needle plate and the needle.
Grab one side of the loop and pull it up and away from the needle plate. This should bring the bobbin thread to the top of the needle plate, creating a loop of thread on the bobbin side. Pull the bobbin thread to create a “tension” and your Singer sewing machine is now ready to sew.
Testing
To make sure the bobbin is correctly threaded in the machine before beginning a project, test it by sewing a few stitches. If the bobbin thread is not forming a stitch properly, it may be because the thread tension is too tight or too loose. Refer to the machine manual for instructions on how to adjust the tension.
If the machine is not stitching correctly, it is important to double-check the bobbin to make sure it is threaded correctly. If the thread is tight on the bobbin, it may be necessary to cut the thread and start again. Removing the bobbin often helps to loosen the thread and reset the machine.
Troubleshooting
If the machine is still not stitching correctly, it may be necessary to check the needles to make sure they are properly placed and in the right direction. Make sure the needles are the right size and type for the fabric you are working with. Make sure that the needle has been inserted properly into the pinned holder and that the needle is not bent or damaged.
If any of these components appear to be damaged or not functioning correctly, it may be necessary to replace them with new parts. Always refer to the machine manual for instructions on how to do this. If the problem still persists, it may be necessary to take the machine to a qualified technician for further diagnosis and repair.
Maintenance
Regular maintenance and cleaning of your Singer sewing machine are essential for keeping it in top working condition. After each use, make sure that the bobbin case and area is clean of any dust and lint. Regularly remove the bobbin and bobbin case and clean around the area with a lint brush and compressed air.
It is also important to check the tension of the bobbin regularly. If the tension is too tight or too loose, the thread can break and cause machine malfunctions. Make sure to check the tension by pulling on the thread of the bobbin to ensure that it is evenly tight.
Finally, be sure to regularly oil the machine and lubricate any moving parts. This will help ensure that the sewing process is smooth and that the machine runs as efficiently as possible.
Summary
To successfully thread a Singer sewing machine, the bobbin needs to be inserted into the bobbin-carrier and then wound, using the wheel or bar located either on the side or top of the machine. Once the bobbin is in place, the thread should be pulled from the spool and through the thread tension arm and the bobbin. Finally, engage the needle and make sure the bobbin thread is properly forming a stitch. Cleaning and regular maintenance are also essential for keeping Singer machines in top working condition.
