Regardless of how long you’ve been sewing, you probably already know that everything from tiny bits to finished projects depends on sewing. For instance, the thread can easily become twisted, therefore you need to be extremely careful not to puncture yourself with the needle.
Sewing machines have so many small elements that it might be challenging to keep track of them. Your sewing experience can be greatly impacted by the bobbin, a tiny piece of equipment that you keep at the base of your sewing machine.
Can you therefore sew without a bobbin? Sadly, you cannot sew if you do not have a bobbin. A sewing machine requires two spools in order to function properly. This implies that in addition to the needle threat, you will also need to add a bobbin thread. Although bobbins are necessary for sewing, there are alternative fastening methods for fabric.
What Can I Use If I Don’t Have a Bobbin?
If you realize you’ve misplaced your sewing machine’s bobbin, you have a few choices. Regretfully, utilizing your sewing machine will not be an option. Since you cannot sew without a bobbin, you will need to look into your other possibilities.
First of all, you can stitch by hand. Without a bobbin, the needle thread wouldn’t have anything to cling to in order to stay its position when sewing. This implies that you will simply end up squandering time and not making any progress with your stitching.
Although hand stitching takes a lot more time and patience than sewing with a machine, it’s a very useful skill. For instance, you might have to sew on snaps or buttons. It is also useful for fabrics that are prone to tearing in a sewing machine, such lace. It is also useful in situations like these when a bobbin is not close at reach.
Using fabric glue is the next short-term solution. This is also a fantastic choice for items on which you wish to hide seams. The nicest thing about fabric glue is that it dries rapidly, making it ideal for last-minute repairs.
What Is the Purpose of a Bobbin?
The circular, wheel-shaped item around which the thread is spun is called a bobbin. It is in charge of creating the stitches on the fabric’s underside. Because you cannot stitch without the bobbin, it is sometimes referred to as the heart of the sewing machine.
The type of bobbins you need will vary based on the sewing machine. You should consult your sewing machine’s handbook to ascertain the precise size—or sizes—that you should buy if you need to replace your bobbin.
What does the bobbin accomplish specifically, and why is it so important? In order for a stitch to form on the bottom side of the cloth, the bobbin is what feeds the thread on the bottom of the machine. The primary function is to keep the thread beneath the needle, so your stitch originates from the thread that comes from the bobbin.
Also Read: Why Does My Sewing Needle Keep Breaking?
Can You Thread a Bobbin by Hand?
A bobbin winder can wind a bobbin up most of the time, but if you don’t have one, you can find yourself in a tight spot. Don’t worry, with the aid of one or two basic tools, you can thread a bobbin by hand.
All you need is a double-pointed knitting needle (or wooden pencil), thread, bobbin, and an electric drill. As a crafter, it is highly advised that you have a drill if you don’t already. It might be useful for more than one project down the road!
You must first take out any drill bits from your drill in order to temporarily turn it into a bobbin winder. In order to accomplish this, loosen the drill’s front and separate the teeth holding it in place. After the drill bit is released, you can store it safely.
Once the drill bit is free, take out a wooden pencil or a double-pointed knitting needle. All you have to do is insert the needle’s tip one inch or so into the drill bit that you just took out. Tighten the drill’s front to firmly hold it in place. To ensure that it stays in place, make sure it is secure.
You can put a piece of thick yarn into the bobbin’s hole to ensure that it fits snugly on the needle if your pencil or needle is too thin to handle the bobbin. If needed, you can additionally encircle the needle with a rubber band.
The bobbin must fit snugly on the needle in order for it to thread; otherwise, it will move.Hold your drill such that it is convenient and comfortable to press the button with one hand. To secure the bobbin, use your other hand to remove a small amount of thread from the spool and wrap it around it many times by hand.
It’s crucial to start the drill carefully. By doing this, you can ensure that the bobbin is securely positioned on the needle and that the thread is securing itself to the bobbin. Once you are certain that everything is running smoothly, you can increase the drill’s speed while maintaining a tight hold on the thread.
To ensure that the thread winds around the entire bobbin, maintain tension and move the thread spool back and forth.
Does the Bobbin Color Matter?
Only the underside of the object you are sewing shows the bobbin thread. You don’t really need to be concerned about the bobbin’s color in this situation. Most individuals will continue to use basic hues like gray, white, or black.
The bobbin color won’t matter while sewing items like jeans or garments made of dark fabric because you won’t be able to see it. The thread color in this instance would be entirely customizable based on your available supplies.
Using bobbin thread that matches your needle thread will make your stitching seem much nicer if you are sewing something that will reveal both sides of the fabric. There won’t be much contrast between the two threads if you use the same color or one that is very similar.
Final Thoughts
You may be wondering if you can continue sewing without a bobbin if you are just starting off. Sadly, the bobbin is a crucial component of the sewing machine; without it, you cannot stitch, so you will need to find a substitute.
If you find yourself in a tight spot and need to get something fixed quickly, you can either hand sew the item or use fabric glue to temporarily mend it until you can get a new bobbin. An electric drill and a knitting needle can be used as a makeshift bobbin winder if you do have one and you need to thread it.