Bobbin winder stopped working

Check to make sure the thread is passing through the thread tensioner on the way to the bobbin winder. It may not be threaded correctly. Or, it may be broken...

FWIW, for ~$30, you can pick up a standalone bobbin winder (Sidewinder) avlb a lot of places, ie JoAnn's Amazon... Handy accessory to have.

Bobbin winder spindle will not spin - YouTube

? 1:24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fh52_ndkSKs
Jun 12, 2013 - Uploaded by djc472
Thread caught between spindle shaft shoulder and bearing. ... Sewing machine won't pick up bobbin thread ...

Why won't the bobbin winder work on my Kenmore sewing ...

www.shopyourway.com > Manage My Life > Questions

The bobbin winder doesn't spin and I can't wind the bobbin. ... What will release thebobbin winder that is stuck to the right on my Kenmore sewing machine model 385.17826690? Why won't my bobbin holder thread to the top on my Sears Kenmore sewing machine model 385.17928?

Sewing machine bobbin winder won't turn ' ShopYourWay

This video may help:
Winding an Elna bobbin

Perhaps the bobbin winding mechanism has not been released. (She unsnaps the bobbin when finished winding.)

...

BRAND new Janome 1420qdc. New needle, doesn’t need oil. Will NOT wind a bobbin. Used almost an entire spook of thread doing this. At my wits end. HELP!

If the fly wheel is going around then the clutch isn't disengaged to wind the bobbin, you need to pull out the flywheel on your model to disengage the clutch for bobbin winding.


Take thread from thread spool across to bobbin winder thread guide, then back to bobbin and thread the tail through the hole on top of the bobbin. Place bobbin onto spindle on top of machine and then push it against the stop to engage the bobbin winding motor. HOld the thread tail up and start winding slowly until the bobbin core has been covered including the starting point. Stop and trim off the thread tail with scissors. COntinue winding bobbin and give the thread a nudge if needed to wind evening top middle and bottom of the bobbin. A good smooth wind is important. Also don't wind at full speed and keep an eye on the thread reel that the thread is coming off, you don't want it bouncing around as this will **** the thread and stretch then relax it affecting your bobbin wind.

Obviously if you know this and the bobbin winding mechanisim is just not working, then it will need a service/replacement by an Elna repair person.

Elna bobbins have holes on the top, so wind the bobbin with the holes on the top too. The Lotus bobbin winder doesn't have a tension device, thread just goes through an eyelet. So, place your scissors curved handle on top of your thread spool as it unwinds the thread to ensure the thread then winds onto your bobbin evenly. Also watch the bobbin fill and give the thread a nudge with your finger tip to fill top and bottom as well as the middle part, you want it to wind evenly across the full width of the bobbin. When full, pop bobbin winder back to left, cut thread and pull off the bobbin.

Then place the bobbin into the bobbin holder with the holes on top, and pull the loose thread tail around anti clockwise into the tension device and gently "click" it into the tension spring with the tip of your finger while holding the bobbin still with your other index finger.

You will be able to tell if it is in tension if you then pull the thread and it doesn't come out of the tension spring. It should feel firm with resistance but still release thread to a gentle pull. Now thread the top down to the needle and holding the end of the needle thread, hand wind the fly wheel towards you to lower the needle and pull up the bobbin thread. Close the bobbin cover.

Always hold the two thread tails at the back of the sewing area as you start stitching a seam until you have stitched at least 4 or 5 stitches to avoid thread jams.

Lotus is a lovely vintage machine - there is a user group on Yahoo Elna heirlooms where you can find lots of info and pictures shared by members.

A link to a supermatic manual is here
http://www.arizonaexpressionz.com/elna_instruction_manuals/Supermatic.pdf - I suggest you download this and print it out as this machine is over 50 years old now and manuals are scarce.

Disengage the clutch by holding the outside of the fly wheel and turning the inner knob of the wheel towards you.
You need to take the thread from the spool across to an eyelet on top left, then back to the bobbin winder, up through a hole in the top of the bobbin and hold the thread tail. Flick the bobbin across against the stopper. Now press the presser foot or knee control to start the motor. Hold the thread tail until youve got coverage across the bobbin enough to hold the start, then stop winding and cut the thread tail with scissors. Now continue winding but put the handle of your scissors on top of the thread spool to stop it bouncing and ensure your thread winds smoothly and under tension.

Watch the bobbin fill and give the thread a nudge to fill top and bottom as well as the middle evenly, you want a nice even wind. Fill to 3/4 and stop, flick bobbin back off the stopper, then cut the thread. Remember to re-engage the clutch by reversing the first step.



This is a lovely heirloom Elna machine - you need to thread the bobbin as the manual describes and get the thread into the tension spring. Please read the manual information on oiling too, this machine needs to be oiled on the red spot locations every time you use it according to the manual, use good quality clear sewing machine oil for this purpose.

your bob winder unit has run dry and needs oil to be worked into it

Wind the Bobbin
For the usual jobs, it is the best to use a medium sized thread.
2. Disengage the flywheel by unscrewing the coupling knob as far as it will go.

3. Place the bobbin on the bobbin winder, and push the bobbin winder to the right.

4. Pull out one of the spool pins and place the spool of thread on it.

5. Pass the thread through the bobbin winder tension discs, as indicated.

6. Wind the end of the thread around the bobbin by hand, in the direction indicated.

7. Wind the bobbin, at a medium speed by pressing lightly with a finger on the spool so as to stretch the thread better and thus fill the bobbin to a maximum. The full bobbin stops automatically.

8. Re-engage the flywheel by tightening the coupling knob.

9. Cut the thread and remove the bobbin from the bobbin winder by pushing the latter to the left.

Can't get a manual for you but here's how to wind a bobbin.
Guide your thread from the spool holder to the bobbin thread tension device on the top left side of the machine.(That's the round assembly that is about 1/2 inch in diameter with a screw in the center of it.) Pull the thread in the front and wrap it to the back and continue towards the bobbin winder on the right side top. Wrap thread around the bobbin, place the bobbin on the spindle sticking up. Release the handwheel(either by pulling out on the center of the wheel or twisting on the center of the wheel). Press on the foot control. It should stop winding when it is full.
To thread the machine
all machines thread the same. TTN tension, take up, needle.
Beginning with the spool, guide the thread through the thread guides to the tension assembly. Pull the thread through the tension assembly and test it to make sure the tension is working correctly.
(To do this test, adjust your tension setting to normal or medium or 5 or something in the middle. Raise the presser foot and pull the thread through the tension. It should pull easily!! Lower the presser foot and pull the thread. It should pull noticeably harder.) If it passes this test, continue up through the take up lever,then down through the thread guides to the needle. Make sure your needle is fully inserted and turned the correct way. Flat side to the back and it threads front to back

Sewman7