Not catching to wind the bobbin

The thread needs to be hand wound on the bobbin first. Then hold the thread tail while activating the bobbin winder. There are machines that automatically wind bobbins but they are specialty machines and have no external bobbin winder mechanism.

...

If you are unable to wind bobbins on your machine, for ~$25 you can purchase a stand-alone bobbin winder at the local fabric store (JoAnns or Hancocks) or online (Amazon.com).

...

Just off the top of my so-called head, it sounds like something in the bobbin area is not seated correctly. However, I would recommend that you do a search on FB and Yahoo interest groups (also on PSW software); it's members are MOST helpful, and will be glad to work with you to resolve this problem.

Which Singer machine do you have? I know how to wind and insert a full bobbin for some models.

Some wind the bobbin with it in the case. This is the case with my Touch & Sew. Inserting a full bobbin is simple. Open the slide plate and drop in the bobbin with the rings up. Make sure that to hold the bobbin thread so that it comes off at the left. Then close the slide plate and make sure that the end of the bobbin thread is coming through the notch. Hold onto the threads and turn the handwheel until the top and bottom thread come back up with a twist. To wind a bobbin for this machine, open the slide plate (some models have a little mark to line up the slide plate). Put in the empty bobbin and thread the top normally. Set the machine to straight stitch and push the bobbin wind button in. (This has a bulls-eye symbol on it.) Wrap the end of the top thread around the presser foot screw several times and hold onto the end. Step on the foot control to start winding. Keep winding until the bobbin is full. The thread wound onto the screw should break. Pull some extra thread and cut it to separate the top and bottom threads. Close the slide plate and set your desired stitch.

Other models are wound at the top of the machine. For some of with a drop-in bobbin, you need to bring the thread down to a catch and then off to the left to another catch. Some have a vertical bobbin. I don't remember if they all have a removable case. Those that do need the thread to come through a notch on the case that pulls the thread under a spring that keeps the bobbin tension. However you should check your manual. If you do not have a manual, check if one is available online. (http://www.singerco.com/accessories/instruction-manuals has many of the Singer manuals for sale or download.)

If you post a comment with the model of your machine, I'll give you a description of threading the bobbin or winding one.

Cindy Wells

If your machine has been stored for 5 years, you should give it a good clean and oil according to the manual before you do anything else. Then put in a new needle and wind a fresh bobbin, checking that the bobbin has been wound smoothly as a badly wound bobbin can cause poor tension and stitching from the bottom thread.

You want the thread to go from the spool through a tension disc or eyelet to the bobbin and keep some gentle tension onto the thread spool using your scissors handle or similar so that the thread winds off it smoothly and the spool doesn't bounce around. Also give the thread a nudge with your finger tip as it winds onto the bobbin so it fills evenly, top, middle and bottom, not all in the middle.

Are you wanting a straight stitch to sew around the hemline? If so, your stitch length is right, but stitch width should be zero. You don't say what knob is set to 4, if its your top tension then that should be close, usually between 4 and 6 if dial goes from zero to 10.

Which thread is too tight? top or bottom. Firstly check the threading path to ensure that the top thread isn't catching on anything, is through the take up lever properly and coming from the thread spool without catching there. Some thread spools have a little knick in the top where you can catch the thread to store it, but you dont' want the thread to catch here when seaming, so turn it around the other way on the spool so it can't.

Try test stitching a medium zig zag stitch on scrap fabric, and you'll be able to see if the bottom thread is pulling in or the top one, then adjust the tension dial a little to lessen this.

Hope these pointers help, if you can't get a good neat stitch after trying these things, then consider taking it for a clean and service, the technician can get inside and clean the machine thoroughly and also check for any other issues that might be there.

Pass the bitter end of the thread from the inside of the bobbin and up through the hole or slot in the bobbin to the top. Hold on to the thread as it turns to get it going.

thread the same way as for sewing. put empty bobbin case in bottom. close slide plate only to red button, not all the way. wrap thread from needle around bolt that holds on the presser foot (or just hold it tight). press pedal to sew. bobbin should wind. when done, shut slide plate all the way and sew.

if this doesn't work, try using a pin to push down the center of the bobbin when the slide plate is in winding position - the little catch on the bottom of the plate breaks easily and then the bobbin won't wind without a little help.

I just figured out why my bobbine was winding on shaft instead of on the bobbin. first of all make sure the bobbin is setting up high enough, top of bobbin needs to be a fraction higher then the bobbin shuttle, next check to make sure there are no burrs on the bobbin, then make sure that the thear is catching in the groove (**** in top) of the bobbin. In order to get mine to wind i had to lett the tread go down and then slip the thread in the groove. also remember to leave the pressure foot up do not put it down. let me know if this helps.

Threading the bobbin - winding thread onto the bobbin.

Position the new empty bobbin onto the vertical bobbin rod next to the end wheel. Click the rod to the right to engage drive. Hold the outer end wheel with left hand, and rotate the inner wheel anticlockwise by about a 1/2 turn (it stops) this removes drive from the foot and needle mechanism.

From a spool of thread on the top, thread to a loop/post on the left on the top. Then back to the bobbin you want to wind. Thread through a hole from the inside-out. Hold the thread vertically above the bobbin while you depress the footswitch to start winding. Let go when it's turned a few times.

Move bobbin shaft left, and tighten end wheel after winding enough.

Fitting bobbin-

Move footplate towards you, insert bobbin in hole so that bobbin rotates anticlockwise when thread is pulled, then pull thread into the fine notch towards you. After this position thread away from you, and slide the footplate closed.

To start / load thread. Hold the end 3" of the thread through the needle behind the sewing foot. hand crank towards you to sew first stitch in air. This should retrieve the lower thread - which you can catch with a handy pair of scissors. Then pull both threads rearwards - ready to sew.