Welcome to Learning with the Girlfriends, where we provide tutorials on learning how to sew and teach you all the basics of sewing for beginners, including winding the bobbin. In this blog post, you will learn how to correctly wind the bobbin on your sewing machine with a step-by-step guide.

HOW TO WIND THE BOBBIN

1. Locate the spool pin, which is a cylindrical piece that holds the thread while you wind the bobbin and is commonly located on the top or side of the sewing machine. 
2. Begin loosening your thread to prepare to transfer your thread from the spool once it's secured to the spool pin.
3. Slide your spool of thread on the spool pin.
   
   
   
   
4. Insert the end of your thread through the thread guide. Most machines have a piece with a small hole near the spool to guide the thread but skip this step if your sewing machine does not have a thread guide. Most machines will also have numbers/arrows printed to help guide you.
   
   
   
   
5. Identify your sewing machine's tension disk, a small metal knob piece that will move the thread as it's wound around the bobbin.
   
   
   
   
6. Without letting go of the thread, wrap the thread around the tension disk, only going around halfway.
   
   
   
   
7. Locate your bobbin winder, a cylindrical metal piece about the size of the hole in the center of your bobbin, and should be near a round plastic piece.
   
   
   
   
8. Take your thread (already on the machine and in the tension disk) and thread the end of it through the hole in the top of the bobbin, going from the inside to the outside.
   
   
   
   
9. Pull enough thread through that you can hold it and click the bobbin in place on the metal bobbin pin with the thread up towards the top.
   
   
   
   
10. Lock your bobbin winder by pushing the bobbin winder toward the plastic disk until you hear a click.
    
    
    
    
11. Hold the end of the thread you looped around the bobbin to ensure it doesn’t get caught.
    
    
    
    
12. Push the foot pedal at a speed that is comfortable to you as your bobbin fills with thread.
13. Fill up your bobbin with thread until you reach the edges of the bobbin sides, with your thread flush with the outside edge.
    
    
    
    
14. Cut the thread between your bobbin and the spool.
15. Push the bobbin winder back into place until you hear a click. (*Some machines may automatically do this once the bobbin is full.)
16. Remove the bobbin from the winder as your bobbin is now full of thread and ready to use.

Watch our video below to see all these steps in action!

Now that you've got your bobbin threaded, it's now time to insert the bobbin into the sewing machine! You can find our blog post all about how to insert the bobbin here. 

Stock Up on Thread at My Girlfriend's Quilt Shoppe

Let's get you something to wind onto your bobbin! We carry a carefully selected range of threads for quilting, embroidery, and general sewing — browse our thread kits and find the perfect thread for your next project!

Shop Thread Kits →

Have questions? Reach out to our team anytime.

📧 info@mygirlfriendsquiltshoppe.com
📞 435-213-3229

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you wind a bobbin on a sewing machine?
Place the thread spool on the spool pin, guide the thread through the thread guide and around the tension disk, thread the end through the bobbin hole, snap the bobbin onto the winder pin, and press the foot pedal until the bobbin is full. Cut the thread and remove the bobbin when done.

How full should a bobbin be when winding?
Wind the bobbin until the thread is flush with the outer edges of the bobbin sides. Do not overfill! Too much thread can cause tension problems and prevent the bobbin from fitting correctly in the machine.

Why does my bobbin thread keep tangling when I wind it?
The most common cause is skipping the tension disk during winding. Make sure the thread is properly routed through the thread guide and around the tension disk before winding. This keeps the thread winding evenly and at the right tension.

Do I need to hold the thread while winding the bobbin?
Yes — hold the loose end of the thread when you first start winding to keep it from getting caught. Once a few wraps are in place you can let go and allow the machine to fill the rest of the bobbin on its own.

Can I use any bobbin in my sewing machine?
No — bobbins are machine-specific. Using the wrong bobbin size can cause tension issues and potentially damage your machine. Always use the bobbin type recommended in your machine's manual.

What do I do after winding the bobbin?
Once your bobbin is wound, the next step is inserting it into the bobbin case in your machine. The process varies slightly depending on whether your machine has a top-load or front-load bobbin system.

P.S. Not sure which thread to use in your bobbin? A good rule of thumb is to match your bobbin thread to your top thread weight — or go a little finer for embroidery. Browse our thread kits and find the right thread for your next project.