How to Wind a Bobbin

You'll need:

A sewing machine or bobbin winder

An empty bobbin (compatible with your machine or tool)

A spool of thread

Your sewing machine or bobbin winder manual (optional, but helpful, especially for first-timers!)

Place the bobbin onto the bobbin winder pin.

Place the spool of thread onto the spool pin.

Secure the spool with a cap if your machine uses one.

Guide the thread through the thread path and tension discs, following your machine's manual.

Attach the thread to the bobbin:

If the bobbin has a hole, thread the end through it from the inside out.

If the bobbin doesn't have a hole, wrap the thread around the bobbin manually a few times in the direction it will spin.

Turn on the machine if it's not already on.

Engage the bobbin winder by pushing the bobbin pin to the right or pressing a knob, depending on your machine.

Hold the thread tail for the first few seconds, then let go once it’s secure.

The bobbin will spin and fill with thread.

Cut the thread and remove the bobbin.

Uniform distribution: The thread should be wound in smooth, uniform layers across the entire bobbin. There are no peaks, dips, or bunching in the middle or at the edges.

Firm tension: The thread should be tight and compact. Each layer lies flat and smooth without loops or tangles.

Proper fill level: When full, the thread shouldn't extend past the rim of the bobbin.

Loosely wound: A messy bobbin leads to messy sewing. The bobbin must be wound tightly and with consistent tension to function properly—this applies whether you're using a sewing machine or an Expedition Sewing Awl. Unwind the bobbin, re-thread the machine, and try again. Make sure the thread passes through all tension guides.

Not winding: Make sure the machine is in bobbin mode. This may involve flipping a switch or pressing a knob. On some machines, the foot pedal must be pressed to activate the winder.