How to Thread the Bobbin on a Kenmore Sewing Machine: To begin, a good understanding of what a bobbin is and how it functions is essential. A bobbin is a small, spool-shaped piece of metal or plastic that holds a coil of thread. It is inserted into a bobbin case, which is then placed into the sewing machine, and is used to provide a stable and consistent supply of thread while sewing. Threading the bobbin on a Kenmore sewing machine is essential to ensure your projects look their best and can take extra time and patience when making sure everything is in its right place.
The first step is to locate and become familiar with the bobbin area of your sewing machine, paying particular attention to the bobbin winder and bobbin thread guides. Make sure your bobbin is empty and free from any old thread before inserting it into the bobbin case. Once the bobbin is placed in the bobbin case, align the thread guidance mark with the mark on the bobbin case and gently tighten the screw on the side of the case.
Next, you’ll need to attach the spool of thread to the top of the machine, as well as thread the machine as you would regularly before sewing. After this is done, turn your sewing machine’s hand wheel (located on the lower right-hand side) until the bobbin area is at its highest point. Take care not to push the wheel too hard or too quickly, as that may cause the machine to jam or the thread to become loose.
Now the winding process can begin. Attach the spool of thread to the bobbin winder located near the bobbin area, and hold the thread taught so it can wind correctly. To begin winding, press the Bobbin Winder Button, located next to the bobbin winder, and simultaneously press the foot pedal to turn on the sewing machine. The spool of thread should start winding around the bobbin.
When the bobbin is full, the machine will stop rotating and make a popping sound as the spool of thread locks into place – this is your cue to release the foot pedal. Once the foot pedal is released, the bobbin winder should no longer rotate and the machine will be ready to move onto the next step. Now, the bobbin needs to be removed from the bobbin winder. Before doing this, pull the thread towards the back of the machine and cut the excess off to ensure the thread remains in place.
Once the bobbin is removed from the winder, insert it into the correct side of the bobbin case, so the arrows on the bobbin and bobbin case are pointing in the same direction. Finally, pull the thread from the bobbin up through the small hole located in the top of the bobbin case and loop it two to three times around the peg. Make sure the thread is in line with the other thread guides on the case to prevent them from becoming tangled. The bobbin should now be in its correct position and should rotate counterclockwise when the hand wheel is rotated.
Correct Thread Tension
The tension on a bobbin plays an important role in creating a successful and neat finish in your sewing projects. The tension on a bobbin should never be too tight or too loose – finding the right tension is a matter of trial and error but the rule of thumb is to turn the tension knob, located on the bobbin case, until the thread can be pulled without the thread coming out of the bobbin.
If the bobbin thread is too tight then it will not flow correctly throughout the sewing machine and create unnecessary pleats and puckers in the fabric. Too loose and the threads will become tangled and the bobbin will run out of thread more quickly than expected. Make sure to test the bobbin tension before starting a large project to ensure the tension is correct, and regularly check the tension throughout the sewing process to get the best results.
Checking the Stitch Quality
Now that the bobbin is threaded correctly in the sewing machine, a stitch test can be done to make sure everything is working as it should. A stitch test is a simple process and allows you to check the quality of the stitch and make sure the thread tension is even throughout. To do this, attach a regular presser foot to the sewing machine and sew a few straight lines on a piece of fabric – ensure to keep a tight hold on the fabric while sewing. Once the lines are done, pay attention to look at the chain of stitches that has been created. If the chain of stitches is even and there are no pleats or puckers, then the bobbin tension is perfect.
Caring for a Bobbin
To ensure that you get the best and longest life out of your bobbin, proper care and maintenance is required. Sewing machines vary depending on the make and model, but most bobbins require regular cleaning and lubrication to ensure they are running correctly. This can be done by cleaning the bobbin case, ensuring it is free from dust, lint and old thread. In addition to this, regular lubrication of the bobbin case is recommended to make sure it continues to run smoothly and efficiently.
Another way to get the most out of your bobbins is to purchase high-quality thread. By using high-quality thread, you can reduce the amount of machine jamming and bobbin tension issues. Pay particular attention to the type of thread specified as suitable for your make and model of sewing machine, as incorrect thread can be too thick and cause problems when winding or sewing.
Threading on a Different Sewing Machine
Each sewing machine is unique and may have a different procedure when it comes to threading the bobbin or getting the correct tension. The best way to familiarise yourself with your particular machine is by consulting your user manual and thoroughly following the steps given. If you do not have the user manual, many user manuals can be found online. Alternatively, you may be able to find tutorials or YouTube videos that demonstrate the procedure for threading a bobbin for your particular type of sewing machine.
Practice and Patience
Threading the bobbin on a Kenmore sewing machine can take extra time and practice. The most important thing to remember is to not rush or overcomplicate the process. The trick is to go slow and double check every step as you go to ensure everything is in its correct place. With patience and practice, threading the bobbin on a Kenmore sewing machine should become much easier.
Removing the Bobbin
Removing a bobbin from the bobbin case requires its own procedure, depending on the make and model of your sewing machine. Generally, it involves releasing the bobbin case from the upper threads and then lifting the bobbin case off the sewing machine. It is important to note that when removing the bobbin from the bobbin case, the thread should be held in place to ensure it does not become tangled or caught in the bobbin case or any other part of the machine.
Unjamming the Bobbin
In spite of the best care taken, bobbin jams can still occur due to various reasons. But don’t worry – they are not difficult or impossible to fix. The first step is to ensure that the hand wheel is at its highest point and pull the excess thread away from the bobbin winder, if any. If a tangled coil of thread has formed, it may be necessary to take apart the bobbin area and remove the excess thread.
In some cases, the bobbin winder might become stuck and require disassembling. To do this, turn the hand wheel before unplugging the machine from the power source. This will reveal the screw that holds the bobbin winder in place. Make sure to put all components back in the correct place when reassembling the machine.
Additional Tips and Advice
It is important to periodically check for any loose screws and make sure the bobbin area is kept clean and free from dust and lint. When winding a new bobbin, it is always best to leave a few inches at the end of the spool of thread so that it remains secure while in use. Also, make sure to choose the right size of bobbin case for your make and model of sewing machine to avoid any damage that may be caused by an incorrectly sized bobbin.
Finally, if you are having difficulty threading the bobbin, or are unsure of the correct procedure, it is always best to consult your user manual or seek professional help from an experienced seamstress or sewing machine mechanic. With regular practice, threading the bobbin on a Kenmore sewing machine should become much easier and allow you to produce beautiful, consistent and professional sewing projects.
