Thread the Bobbin:
Working with a Singer Simple sewing machine is a great choice for beginner and experienced seamstresses alike. Whether you’re repairing a hem, creating a costume, or crafting a quilt, you’ll need to know how to correctly thread the bobbin in your machine. Fortunately, mastering the delicate process of threading a bobbin is easy and straightforward.
Prepare the Bobbin:
Before you thread the bobbin, you need to first fill it with thread. Fortunately, the Singer Simple series of machines come with a prewound plastic bobbin that makes this part of the process very straightforward. That said, if your bobbin is empty, start by securing a spool of thread to your machine and then thread it through the tension discs. Next, twist that thread around your bobbin a few times so that it’s secure and then slip the bobbin on to your machine.
Thread the Bobbin:
Once the bobbin is secured in the Singer Simple, it’s time to start threading it. First, you’ll need to disengage the stitch plate by raising it. Now it’s time to guide your thread through the machine. There is a small slot called a “bobbin threader” located on the front of the machine near the needle. Insert the bobbin threader here. You’ll also see a small groove next to the slot. You’ll want to insert the tail of your thread here and pull it under the slot.
Now your machine should have caught the thread and will automatically guide it around the bobbin. This can take anywhere between 10-15 seconds, so be patient. Once the bobbin has captured two or three rotations of thread you know your bobbin is correctly threaded.
Engage the Stitch Plate:
With the bobbin threaded, it’s time to move onto the final step: engaging the stitch plate. To do this, first return the stitch plate lever to its original position. Now, take hold of the bobbin thread in your right hand and the needle thread in on the left. Slowly and gently pull the two threads to the back of the machine (away from the needle). As the threads begin to move together, the bobbin thread should automatically start winding around the bobbin.
At this point, you can stop and cut the threads, or you can keep pulling until there is a loop of thread from the bobbin. You could then use this thread to secure the bobbin before you cut the threads.
Make Tension Adjustments:
If you notice that the bobbin thread is too loose or too tight, you may need to make tension adjustments. This is actually quite simple and it all comes down to tightening or loosening the lower tension discs. Simply rotate the tension discs, and you will be able to adjust the tension to your liking.
However, it’s important to note that the Singer Simple sewing machine is a very precise and delicate machine, which means that you’ll need to be careful not to overtighten the tension discs. Too much tension can cause damage to the motor and may void any warranty that comes with the machine.
Test the Machine:
Now, it’s time to test the machine and make sure that your bobbin is correctly threaded. This can be done by simply pushing the pedal to see if the needle is moving. If the needle moves, then your bobbin is correctly threaded. However, if the needle does not move, then you may have an issue with the bobbin.
To further test the machine, try sewing a few seams. This will give you a more concrete understanding of how the machine is running. If the thread is breaking, then your tension is too tight. On the other hand, if the stitches look loose and messy, then your tension is too low.
Troubleshooting:
If you’re having difficulty getting your bobbin to thread correctly, don’t worry, there are a few tricks that you can try. First, be sure to use the exact type of bobbin that was provided with your machine. If this doesn’t help, try experimenting with different types of thread. Lastly, be careful not to overtighten the tension discs and make sure that the thread is correctly inserted in the groove and bobbin threader.
Additional Tips:
Threading your Singer Simple sewing machine can be a challenging and time consuming process, but with practice and patience, it quickly becomes second nature. Additionally, it’s important to remember to wipe and clean your machine after every few uses. This will ensure that your sewing is precise and accurate and that the machine runs smoothly.
Tweaking Tensions:
It’s also important to periodically check the tensions of your machine and make sure they are properly adjusted. This can be done by adjusting the tension discs, as mentioned above. A good rule of thumb is to ensure that the upper tension is slightly higher than the lower tension, usually two notches higher. Again, be careful not to overtighten the discs.
Choose the Right Needle:
Lastly, make sure to use the correct needle for the type of fabric and thread that you are using. Your Singer Simple sewing machine comes with various needle sizes, so make sure to read the instructions and choose the best one for your project.
Safely Remove the Bobbin:
Before you start your sewing project, it’s also important to know how to correctly remove the bobbin from the machine. To do this, make sure to disengage the stitch plate. Now, find the bobbin winder towards the upper right side of the machine. Hold the spindle with one hand and then press the small button located above the spindle. This will release the bobbin and you can safely remove it.
Put the Bobbin Back:
One of the most important parts of threading your machine correctly is knowing how to safely put the bobbin back in place. To do this, make sure to engage the stitch plate and then lift it up slightly. Now you should see the bobbin casing, or shuttle, which is the circular disk that holds the bobbin in the machine.
Carefully bring the bobbin up to the casing. It should be oriented with the overlocker’s thread pointing down and the two pins on the top and bottom of the bobbin should be correctly aligned with the slots in the bobbin casing. Now, push the bobbin against the casing until you hear a clicking sound, this means it’s in place.
Conclusion:
Threading the bobbin in your Singer Simple sewing machine is a delicate and precise process, but with practice and patience, you’ll be able to master it. Ensure that you have the correct bobbin, needle, and thread for your project and make sure to regularly test and adjust the tension. With these simple tips, you’ll soon have a Singer Simple sewing machine that is working at its best and you’ll be ready to sew your next beautiful masterpiece.
