Last night I had to take in a top, so I filmed a quick little demo on winding a bobbin with a sewing machine. There are also written instructions as well.

I’ve been sewing for so long, that when I sit down in front of my machine, I feel at home. I don’t have to think about how to wind the bobbin or thread the machine. I could do it with my eyes closed. But this is not the case for someone sitting down in front of a sewing machine for the first time!

Probably much like the first time I sat down at an embroidery machine and tried to figure out how to do embroidery designs. You have to start with the basics.

And judging from channel my stats (Almost 40k views for the two-minute-long tutorial on serging without a serger vs. 120 views for the over five minute more involved project about sewing a pouch) a LOT of people have simple questions!

How to Wind a Bobbin Video:

5 Steps to Winding a Bobbin

If you prefer to read the directions, here are a few simple steps. I recommend watching the video to see it in action. Bobbins do wind differently on different machines, so this only works if you have the same kind of bobbin winder and machine as the video.

1. Place the thread on the spool pin and ensure the spool cap holds it in place.
2. Guide the thread through the bobbin winder tension disc and then to the bobbin.
3. Insert the bobbin onto the bobbin winder spindle and push it to the right to engage the winding mechanism.
4. Hold the end of the thread and start the sewing machine in a slow to medium speed, allowing the bobbin to wind evenly.
5. If it looks like it is winding unevenly, you can tap the thread to adjust where it’s winding.
6. Once the bobbin is adequately filled, stop the machine and cut the thread still attached to the spool.

What Exactly is a Bobbin?

In simple terms, a bobbin is a small reel that holds the lower thread in a sewing machine. While your top thread is visible and fed through the needle, the bobbin supplies the bottom thread. Together, these two threads interlock to create a secure and even stitch.

Bobbin threads come up from underneath the fabric. When the needle pulls the top thread down, it loops around the bobbin thread. A mechanism inside the machine (called the hook) grabs this loop and locks the stitch. It’s like a well-rehearsed dance—one that happens in milliseconds with every push of the pedal.

Where to Find the Bobbin and How It Works

The bobbin sits in a small case under the needle plate, either horizontally (top-loading bobbin) or vertically (front-loading bobbin). Each type has its pros and quirks. Top-loading bobbins are easier to monitor since you can see how much thread is left. Front-loading bobbins, on the other hand, are common in older or heavy-duty machines and often require a little more finesse.

Winding a bobbin correctly is key. You fill it with thread from your spool before sewing, using a separate winding mechanism on the machine. If it’s not wound evenly—or inserted the wrong way—it can cause uneven tension, skipped stitches, or a lot of frustrating re-threading.

Why You Should Care About Your Bobbin

Here’s the deal: without a bobbin, your sewing machine wouldn’t sew at all. Every seam, every hem, every patch is the result of teamwork between the top thread and the bobbin thread. Problems with your bobbin can lead to messy stitches, tangled thread, or even a jammed machine.

A few bobbin tips to keep your stitches smooth:

• Always use the bobbin size and type recommended for your machine.
• Keep extra bobbins pre-wound with common colors for quick projects.
• Clean your bobbin area regularly to remove lint and thread buildup.

The Unsung Hero of Sewing

So next time you’re threading your machine, take a moment to appreciate the bobbin—a behind-the-scenes player that literally holds everything together. And before you know it, winding a bobbin becomes second nature.