My machine makes a terrible squeaking sound at the handwheel?when I wind the bobbin. What is squeaking and can I fix it myself?

It just needs cleaning and servicing (terrible sounds = lubrication). Parts seldom need replacing, it just needs tightening up. Service centres can usually get parts.

You normally have to slacken off the knob in the centre of the handwheel which disconnects the drive to the needle. There is also some type of catch where you put the bobbin to connect it to the drive.

Google

make model manual

or

make model winding bobbin

Okay, this is straightforward and is almost universal for all machines. If you do not have the manual or user guide that came with your sewing machine, try downloading it from the internet from the company website.

If you still cannot find it, try this. (No guarantees)

1. Switch off your machine to avoid an accident.
2. Only use bobbins for your machine. Don't be tempted to buy cheap ones to save some money. Some bobbins are plastic, some metal, some have knurled hubs, others are smooth.
3. Place the spool of thread you wish to use on the spindle to the rear of the machine.
4. Draw some of the thread from the spool. The thread should unwind from the spool close to the machine. See video.
5. Make sure the thread is not crossing over or interfering with another thread. (Some machines have two spool spindles)
6. There is usually a small metal (or plastic) stud roughly above the needle on the top of the machine.
7. On top of this (or around it) there is usually a marking to show you how to wrap the thread. Usually it is clockwise, around the front and then to the rear and finally to the right where there is a small bobbin axle sticking 12mm (1/2 inch) out of the top of the machine.
8. Take your empty bobbin and carefully wrap the thread onto the hub between the discs of the bobbin NOT through the centre hole which sits on the bobbin axle.
9. If you turn the bobbin in your hand, the thread should start to wind onto the bobbin between the upper and lower discs.
10. Place the bobbin on to the bobbin axle and press it firmly into place.
11. The axle and bobbin are on a spring lever that allows you to push it to the right and it will lock into position against a drive mechanism.
12. The 'handwheel' to the right of the machine must be disengaged so that when you are winding the bobbin the needle doesn't move up and down.
13. To disengage the handwheel, either pull it straight out a bit to the right - it will stop after half a centimeter (1/4 inch) or so, or
14. To disengage the handwheel, grasp the smooth outer part of the wheel with your left hand and, while holding it firmly, grip the inner ridged wheel and turn it counterclockwise about a centimetre (3/8 inch) or so until you can turn it no more. Do NOT force the inner wheel. If it doesn't move easily, try turning it clockwise, or
15. There may be a button to press - AGAIN, it only moves a short distance. It will be easy to operate and DOES NOT require tools.
16. Switch on your machine.
17. When the handwheel is disengaged, press the foot pedal lightly and the bobbin should start to turn. If the needle is going up and down, stop what you are doing and check that the handwheel is fully disengaged.
18. If everything is working fine, you can press down on the foot pedal to speed up the winding process.
19. Watch out for the spool which may jump around as the thread is being drawn from it. You should slow down the machine or cup your hand almost over the spool to stop it from jumping around.
20. The bobbin winder usually stops automatically because of a fixed piece of plastic that pushes the bobbin axle way from the drive shaft.
21. It's good practise to keep an eye on the bobbin winding to make sure it is winding evenly. Uneven winding can lead to loops of thread fouling the bobbin mechanism under the needle.
22. It's not always necessary to wind a bobbin completely unless you are doing a lot of sewing in that colour. Sometime you only need a quarter of a bobbin or a third of a bobbin to finish the job.
23. When you are finished, cut the thread between the stud and the bobbin - you need to leave about 10-15cm (4-6 inches) of thread so that the bobbin thread can engage with the needle thread during the initial feed.
24. Switch off your machine.
25. Push the bobbin axle back to the left until it locks.
26. Re-engage the handwheel by turning counterclockwise, pushing it in again or operating the button as before.
27. Remove the spool you used for the bobbin thread completely from the spindle so that it doesn't foul on other threads.
28. When you are ready to continue, switch on your machine.
29. Make sure you are comfortable when you sew and safety glasses are recommended.

I give safety talks to school pupils from ages 11 through 18 on how to use a sewing machine safely. In the 4 years I have been giving these talks, no pupil has ever been injured who received the safety talk. Previously there were up to 10 accidents per school year regarding sewing machines.

Good luck.


Winding Bobbin

To disengage the needle while winding a bobbin do the following: the handwheel on the right end of the machine has an inner knob. hold the outer rim of the handwheel stationary as you rotate the inner knob counterclockwise. Also make sure the bobbin winding peg is pushed over to the right and the bobbin is seated on the peg.

What model Bernina is it? Most operate on a simple system where a rubber wheel on the bobbin winder comes into contact with the handwheel (under the cover) ... the handwheel is disengaged so the needle has no drive.......

When the needle moves down, is it striking the edge of the needle plate? If so, adjustment is needed. Take the various parts of the bobbin assembly out of the machine and use the handwheel to move the needle in the downward direction (turn the handwheel counterclockwise). Is the needle striking the "hook" in its downward most position? If so, this is most likely what's making the noise and it needs adjustment.

Which make and model sewing machine do you have?

None of my sewing machines need the wheel to be loosened for bobbin winding. The Singer Touch & Sew bobbins are filled in place. Use the handwheel to get the needle into the highest position (just turn the wheel). Wrap the top thread around the screw that holds the presser foot; open the slide plate part way and press the bobbin wind button. Hold the top thread and then begin winding by stepping on the foot pedal.. The thread should break after a few winds.

The Kenmore and the Husqvarna Vikings both get wound at the top. Place bobbin on winding pin. With the needle up and metal presser foot in place thread the top thread up to the bobbin (through the guides) and up through the hole in the bobbin. Slide the bobbin winding switch over towards the bobbin. Hold the thread tightly and begin winding (step on the foot control). After a few winds are on the bobbin, cut the thread that you were holding flush with the top of the bobbin. Continue winding the bobbin. (The newest Viking in the group has a computer screen; on that one, do not press OK until done winding the bobbin.)

However, if the handwheel is not turning and the needle is down, first find out why it isn't turning properly. This could indicate a tangle of thread somewhere in the system. (The older Husqvarna sewing machine in my home has a non-functional handwheel. The machine will still sew but you have to use the needle up/down switch that forces the needle to stop in the up position before you run out of bobbin.)

Please add a comment with the specifics of your sewing machine and I'll be glad to add additional information.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells

Make sure the bobbin winding settings are "in-active" - this could be the position of the pin for the bobbin or the center knob on the handwheel, depending on the model you have.

Open the throat plate and bobbin case to be sure there aren't any threads tangled there. This can stop the handwheel from turning.

Hi! The first thing I'd do is look for thread caught on the bobbin winding spindle, but below the little platform where the bobbin sits. It's really hard to get at, but if you shine a light from the side, you should be able to bend your head (or tilt the machine back) so that you can see the underside of that platform. When I've gotten thread caught on that spindle, I take my scaple or a craft knife and carefully cut the thread free, then use a set of tweezers to pull it out. You're working in a very cramped area, so be patient and go slowly.

Make sure the lid that uncovers the bobbin winding mechanism is as far back as it will go; the same goes for the spool that holds the thread.

Sometimes I get a a high-pitched squeaking noise (but it's not loud) just sewing. It comes from the handwheel and I don't know why my machine does it. It stops if I push the handwheel in (although the handwheel doesn't seem to be out.)

See if these suggestions help--if not, let me know, and we can try something else.

Happy Sewing!

I'm not sure about this particular machine but bump the bobbinwinder over, it should move one way or the other. Also there is a knob on the side on the inside of the handwheel. This is probably loose and you need to hand tighten it a bit. When this is loose it disengages the handwheel from the shaft so your needlebar won't go up and down while you wind a bobbin.
Hope thats it. Good luck.