Today, some tidbits about bobbins, or a “Bobbin Blitz.” And a giveaway!
Tidbit #1: In a conversation with quilt friends recently, I discovered that not everyone approaches rewinding bobbins in just the same way. Of the 10 quilters there, about half said they rewind bobbins one at a time, whenever they run out of bobbin thread. The other half said they wind a lot of bobbins at once.
I always used to wind one bobbin at a time and rarely had any extras filled. But since that conversation I have started to wind (all at once) six or eight bobbins with neutral thread, and I like this system a lot better. It just feels more efficient.
Tidbit #2: I recently bought a vintage Bernina Record 830 on Craigslist. I was looking at the bobbins and I noticed I could see more than one color of thread on some of them. When I really started looking, almost all of the bobbins had been “overwound.”
In other words, you need a bobbin with a particular color of thread, but you don’t have an empty bobbin to wind. So you wind the color you need on top of a partially-filled bobbin you have lying around. Now you have a bobbin that’s “overwound.”
This was a new concept to me, so I was curious to see what was beneath the second layer of thread that I found. I kept unwinding…and kept unwinding…until, to my astonishment, I’d unwound all 10 layers of thread on this single bobbin!
You can see in the photo that they were all different colors and weights—there was even a section of pearl cotton! All of the 830′s bobbins had several layers of thread. I’m thinking that it’s asking for machine hiccups to use an overwound bobbin, especially if we’re talking about multiple layers of different threads.
Tidbit #3: Did you know you can buy extra bobbins for your machine? It’s easy, it’s inexpensive and it’s a time saver. Go ahead: get some extra bobbins! Do it!
Tidbit #4: There are cute little storage dealies for your bobbins. Check with your sewing machine dealer to see what’s available to fit your bobbins or try a generic version like these:
Tidbit #4: Have you ever caught the thread-end from a bobbin in the vacuum cleaner? I seem to do this regularly and I’m always amused by the happy little dance the bobbin does as the vacuum sucks up all of the thread. Unfortunately it means I have wasted that thread!
Tidbit#5: If you have extra bobbins, you can always make them into earrings!
Now I’m dying to know: do you overwind your bobbins, and do they cause your machine to hiccup? Leave a comment with your answer by midnight Wednesday, March 28 and I’ll pick a winner for some fun quilty goodness to include fabric, thread and quilt books! The winners have been chosen. Lindsay who left comment #23 and Patty who left comment #155 have been notified. Thanks for all the interesting bobbin thoughts you left. Great reading!
I fully admit to having overwound my bobbins. Thankfully, I’ve never had a problem with the machine using an overwound bobbin. I’ve since gotten much better and generally don’t overwind any more. Also, I bought extra bobbins last year. That made a huge difference! I now have bobbins for clothing and bobbins for quilting. It’s terrific!
I don’t “overwind” my bobbins, more in the group that rewinds a bobbin when I run out of thread. However, I inherited hundreds of bobbins from my grandmother and most of those were several layers of thread deep. I used them all, and the only time I can think of that I had a thread mess was if the thickness of thread was signficantly heavier than what I was using on the top thread.
I am a beginning sewer. I have 4 bobbins and they are all overwound. I am going to put bobbins on my “stocking stuffers” list for next year.
I LOVE the bobbin earrings!
Long time ago I overwound bobbins. Luckily I learned early for a change!
I never thought of ‘overwinding’ a bobbin. I’m a one at a time gal; but mulitples of a neutral seems like a good idea.
I used to overwind my bobbins when I only did garment sewing and had only a few bobbins, but I haven’t done it in years.
When I was a kid my mom did, and I have in the past. With that machine it wasn’t a problem. I wouldn’t do it with my Bernina…Nina is very picky about thread & lint. She gets tense, shall we say?
I usually wind one bobbin at a time, especially on my Huskvarna/Viking…Vic’s bobbin holds a lot of thread. If I’m piecing a double/full size quilt or larger I’ll wind two.
I use the empty bobbin as a break to do a quick cleaning in that area of the machine. Keeps things moving smoother. If I have an extra bobbin wound I skip the cleaning. Not a good thing.
Like those earrings, and I have bobbins from a machine I no longer have! Hmmmmm. Thanks!
No overwinding for me. I think that’s asking for trouble. As for how many bobbins I wind at a time, it depends on what I’m sewing. If I’m making a quilt, I wind several of my neutral color I use. If it’s other sewing, I’ll wind another one if I have a partial that’s low.
For my bobbins, I’ve started using the little thingies you stick in the end of the spool of thread and pop the bobbin in (for colors other than my neutral). That way I have a bobbin of the same color (it’s a lot better than having a spool of one color blue and a bobbin of a different one!).
I, myself, have never overwound bobbins. However, as I was digging through several drawers of the old sewing table that my mother used with her machine, I came across several overwound bobbins in there. Apparently, it didn’t cause her old Singer any problems. I keep extra bobbins for my machine to use, if I need a different thread in the bobbin for a seperate sewing project.
I overwind, underwind, rewind, wish I had, wound too much, wound too little…
My greatest hurdle …. my cats…. they seem to think bobbins are the purrrrrrfect toy.
I don’t overwind bobbins. Usually I use prewound bobbins on my vikings, I buy a box at a time, and it lasts a year or so. When I need a special color thread, I wind one at a time. I have several bobbins for each of my sewing machines, but don’t use them much any more I’ll have to think about making earrings : ^)
I’m usually of the ‘refill the bobbin as needed’ camp, but have been known to wind two of the same color if I think I’m going to be needing a second one. Occassionally, I’ll misplace a bobbin and end up finding it after I wound a second one – naturally.
I a firm believer that you can never have too many bobbins. I have at least 30 for one machine and 20+ for another. I wind mutliples of neutrals and threads for specific projects and keep a bobbin saver of full bobbins. Haven’t ever thought of overwinding.
Never have I done that…course I’m so anal about my machine and after finally getting the machine I’ve dremt about for years, there is no way I would do that. Bobbins are cheap…
I have never overwound bobbins myself. I do sometimes just wind a little bit of thread on an empty bobbin if I have to use a color that I don’t normally use. Then I just unwind what I don’t use. I always have bought extra bobbins for my machines. I usually wind a lot of bobbins at once for when I piecing or sewing.
I have purchased extra bobbins so that I can have a bobbin dedicated to each thread spoon. I also wind several bobbins of neutral colors (black, white, grey) so that when I empty one bobbin I can just pop another one in and continue sewing. I’m not a fan of overwinding. Since I keep extra bobbins on hand there’s no reason to overwind a bobbin.
I have not ever overwound a bobbin. It is handy to have extra bobbins and they are not too expensive.
I make it a point to never overwind the thread on a bobbin. My mom used to do this and when you had to unwind a bobbin so that you could fill it completely, it was sometimes nearly impossible to unwind. Cutting the tread off a bobbin because it is hopelessly tangled or just plain won’t unwind is not an easy task. I have quite a few bobbins for my machine and am craving more!
I don’t overwind bobbins. I purchase extra bobbins from my dealer and wind one color on each. I always have spare bobbins on hand. I feel the machine is too expensive to take risks with it.
Year ago I used to overwind my bobbins but now I find that with the newer machines it is not as easy to do. I also can remember putting more than 1 color of thread on a bobbin. The best thing I ever did was invest in the bobbin saver. I currently have 3 of them, one for garment sewing, one for quilting and one for my embroidery. This has been such a lifesaver. I also replace my bobbins when I see small little hairline cracks in them as I know that they will eventually explode and I have to throw it away as well as all the thread.
Do I over wind bobbins? Well, yes in some instances I do. If all my bobbins are full I will over wind especially if I need just a small amount of thread.
Sure, I overwind, but only when I can find no empty or close to empty bobbins. My bobbins always seem to get filled up with all kinds of thread. My bobbins with medium gray get used until empty and time to rewind.
I never overwind my bobbins … and I hate to wind them as much as I hate drying dishes, so when I wind … I WIND! I will take a whole spool of thread and wind bobbins til it’s gone, or take a partial spool and do it til it’s gone. Of course, that means I HAVE to have a bunch of bobbins on hand … which I do. I buy them about 50 at a time. But it saves on money, and I don’t have the frustration of not having bobbins! Also… I LOVE the bobbin holders … I have a few different, but my favorite is definitely the BOBBIN SAVER! You can drop them and they don’t spill the bobbins… and to save on space, I put the 3M command hooks on the door of my sewing cabinets and hang them on there! No taking up precious drawer space or top of the cabinet room !!! Thanks for the chance for a great giveaway!!!
NO I don’t overwind my bobbins. I usually wind as I need them. If I run out of empty bobbins I find one that is nearly empty and wind over the thread that is on it.
Thanks for the giveaway.
I don’t overwind my bobbins. I try to wind five or six neutrals at one time and use those for a variety of projects. If I’m doing a project that calls for a matching thread in the bobbin, I do one at a time. Keep my bobbins in the machine tray and a plastic storage container. If I’ve wound a matching bobbin, I’ll store that and the matching spool in a tiny zip lock bag.
I have over-wound many years ago when I only sewed clothing. Nowadays, I will try and find one with not too much thread on it and pull it all off. All my bobbins are the less expensive plastic now though so I usually buy a bunch when JoAnn’s is having a sale or with a coupon.
I have never over wound a bobbin! I have never even heard of that. I have always wound one bobbin for a project and when it runs out I run another. But I recently was given a new machine and you have to remove the bobbin and place it on another spindle to wind it, so I may wind a few at a time in the future if I am working on a big project.
I am guilty of doing this as well. However, I only add as much thread as I think I will need so I usually use most of the overwound thread.
I only have about 15 bobbins, most of them are wound in tans or creams, my neutrals. If I’m doing a color sensitive project I’ll wind 3-4 bobbins and use them, then do back to my neutrals. Especially when I’m FMQ I’ll wind 8-10 bobbins,use them all and then wind all again. I have over wound but I only do it in extreme cases now. I always wind at least 2 of the same color so I always have a backup when at that critical point you run out and just don’t have time to wind.
I have, on occasion, overwound my bobbins. I’ve done it when I need a specific color for a small bit of sewing and all my other bobbins are at least half full of a color that won’t work for this small bit of sewing. Rather than waste that half a bobbin of thread, I wind more than enough of the new color over the old, sew, then remove the extra new color. It wastes less thread in the end. But maybe some extra bobbins would be a good purchase.
I did at first because I was not aware that you could over wind the bobbins that easily. I couldn’t figure out why my machine would jump and the very first time I thought that I had broken the machine. It was not funny at the time but now looking back the panic that must have been on my face when my husband walked into the room trying to figure out what all the noise was about!!!! LOL
Learned a long time ago to never overwind a bobbin. However, I am usually a one at a time bobbin winder. Trying really hard to fill several at a time as I begin new quilt projects.
Oh my gosh, I never even thought about overwinding bobbins. I usually just “waste” the thread on the least-full bobbin if I didn’t have an empty one to wind. Have to admit that filling up six to seven bobbins of a neutral thread makes sense. Done it in the past and loved having a full bobbin just to plop into the machine, but I’ve gotten away from that habit.
I have a bobbin necklace I bought at the International Quilt Show in Cincinnati last year. Love wearing it.
I have never “overwound” my bobbins, but I have lots of bobbins and I always have 4 or 5 wound bobbins of the threads I piece with, and when I’m quilting a quilt I always wind extra for. Enjoyed the information, I have never heard of overwound bobbins before.
Back in the old days, we always layered thread colors on bobbins. Now I use my machine almost exclusively for quilting and would never think of using less than a full bobbin of the same color – the bobbin thread is used up way too fast! But I still am a “one at a time” sewer. Have to give your method some thought.
I have overwound in the past, but not for years now. I don’t remember having problems with the machine, except it sometimes got tangled and I had to cut all that thread off…not an easy task. I usually wind one bobbin at a time, as needed.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Sorry, I meant to add that I have 3 of the bobbin savers… best thing ever… love them!!
I don’t overwind. Never thought about it, either. I must be dense. HAHAHA!
I don’t overwind my bobbins. I usually have enough extras that I don’t need to worry. If I don’t have any empty one, I’ll pull the thread off an almost empty bobbin. Thanks for the giveaway!
Oh I do it all the time, I never have a spare one so I pick the one with the least on and wind more on that. I keep saying I am going to buy more but just never get around to it. Thanks for the giveaway.
I didn’t even know you could overwind bobbins. I just found the one with less thread and took it off so I could use it. What a waste of thread sometimes. I usually wind three bobbins for the project I’m working on and most of the time it is enough.
LOL, sort of out of the loop here, I have never heard of doing this before reading it here. With that said, how many I wind depends on the size project I am doing. I have many extra bobbins (I think I ordered 75?). However, I do have a tidbit to add. I have a Longarm (sit down version) and a domestic machine, given that I am super new to the longarm, I have would full bobbins, leaving me with a lot of extra thread…so I popped the M bobbin on my regular machine and let it be the top thread! Worked like a charm!
I have never heard of over wound bobbins before. I’m still not sure what it means. When I start on a project I usually wind a couple of bobbins. Sometimes when sewing or mending I use a bobbin that already has some thread on it and when it runs out I will rewind it. I do have extra bobbins, but I can always use more.
I have never done that, I have LOTS of bobbins with all different threads on them. I usually have 3-4 wound neutral (Lt grey) bobbins ready to use when doing quilting projects.
I don’t overwind, but I inherited my Mother’s Singer 401 slant needle, and like your 830, every single bobbin had more than one color on it! None had 10 colors, though. I have 10 bobbins for my Juki and wind all 10 in a neutral color in one major winding-session.
Guilty on all accounts. I am not sure which one is the top defender. Over wound bobins I suspose.
I admit that to cause me out of the picture from doing all these things to the poor bibin I have resorted to buying prewound bobins. For the most part I have always got the color I need and usually have no problem with sewing with pre wound bibins. I did find that not all machines like them all the time;
Julie
I used to overwind my bobbins on my old Elna, but really, I had enough that I didn’t need to do that. My Juki is more finicky and now I don’t do that. I agree some bobbins are cheap, but I’m not finding that for my Juki, or my Singer Featherweight, and I only have a few for each machine.
I always seem to run out of thread on the bobbins even though I wind at least 2 each time and more depending on the project. It is always a pain to have to stop and wind a bobbin when you are in the middle of a seam.
I have never overwound a bobbin, but I remember my mom doing that when I was young. Before her quilting days (or perhaps very early into them), she sewed dresses for me and I remember seeing bobbins with many different threads wound onto them. Thanks for a chance to win quilty goodies!
I have never overwound my bobbins and I usually wind 2 or 3 bobbins of the color I am using. Thanks for the giveaway.
I don’t overwind bobbins — at least not any more. Back in the day, when machines were pretty “basic”, I think I used to, but now with today’s machines I wouln’t take a chance on annoying them!!! Usually I wind as needed unless I’m starting a big projct and don’t want to be interrupted. Then I wind multiple bobbins at the beginning. I’ve got lots of extras.
I do not over wind my bobbins. I have lots of bobbins and use the bobbin savers. I also have three of them and they are usually full. I wind one at a time when I am piecing or doing other sewing, but for the machine on the frame which is downstairs, I wind the bobbins on a machine upstairs. I always try to guess and wind as many as I will need. Last quilt I was about a quarter of a bobbin short.
I don’t overwind…bobbins are too inexpensive to take the chance of having a stitch-snafu! I do have a couple dozen bobbins so I can wind one with the same thread I’m sewing with. Usually, I’m a one-at-a-time bobbin girl, but if I’m free-motion quilting, I like to have several extra pre-wound and ready to switch out
Nope, can’t say I’ve ever done overwinding. My only wish is they held more thread! The new threads do get more on the bobbins which is great. When I’m machine quilting I like to have them lined up ready to go! Thanks for the chance to win.
Mary
I have never overwound bobbins as I learned from my mom that it was a “bad habit” -lol! I do wind several at a time, using that bobbin-winder as it saves stress on my sewing machine’s built-in winder. I have two different machines, so, depending on the project, there could be anywhere from three to twelve bobbins being wound. Thanks so much for the opportunity to win!
I do overwind my bobbins. I have a very old machine and it does not seem to mind at all!!
I did that a long lime ago. I, too, discovered that buying extra bobbins was a smart investment. I use a lot of prewound bobbins. My Pfaff is awkward at winding and they don’t hold a lot.
Even the bobbins are pretty in there containers! I place all my Aurifil bobbins in one +all my other threads in another. I try to wind a dozen white and a dozen cream at a time. It seems to save some time when you don’t have to stop mid-project to do more bobbin winding. THANKS FOR A CHANCE TO WIN QUILTIES!
I recently bought a bobbin winder and I love it. I wind several bobbins at a time and have them ready at hand when I have big sewing projects. Then instead of buying the expensive bobbin clips to keep the thread from unwinding, I use the very small hair
“scrunchies’ to slip over the thread area. No unwound thread, and if you are lucky, you can color coordinate the scrunchie to the thread. Very inexpensive trick. You get 200 of the bands in a pkg for a dollar.
I had an old ‘clunker’ machine that I got for DD to play with when she was young~ all the bobbins were over wound too. We would do it with that machine if she needed just a bit of another color, but 2 colors was the limit. LOL That ol’ machine worked like a horse and never hiccuped. I would not over wind bobbins for my good machines~ just buy more bobbins.
Interesting tidbits! Thanks for the fun!
I’m new to quilt making and sewing, so I don’t have many projects (yet) and not much in the way of stash. I like to wind just two bobbins at a time, and no overwinding for me. I also liked the comment about doing a quick lint cleaning at each bobbin change!
Enjoyed this blog post. Especially the ending Tidbit #5…of course the color was perfect for me
! I have heard of overwinding, but wouldn’t do it. I wind at least two at one time because I’m always to anxious to continue where the bobin left off! At the beginning of a project I’ll usually wind somewhere between 6 and 8. Sandi
I have overwound a bobbin or two but only a second layer–never 10! And I wind lots of bobbins of my neutral when I’m piecing.
Great post! Yes I overwind but only a couple of layers – never 10!!
I guess I’m very lucky. I have a Janome that has two spool holders. I can wind a bobbin w/out unthreading the machine. I try to plan ahead and wind more than one color bobbin if I think I’ll need it for a project. Another thing, my Janome dealer lets me have as many bobbins as I would like! No kidding – I have more bobbins that I will ever need – what a luxury that is! I will also try to use up partial bobbins – don’t like overwinding unless its the same color.
Not when it costs $125 to fix that “hiccough” lol.
Forgot to mention – I keep a stock of neutrals on hand, a stock of blacks, and then wind my colors one by one.
I have never overwound a bobbin. I don’t see the point. You still waste the thread underneath if you can’t remember what’s under there. If you do remember what’s under there you have to get rid of the top thread to get to it!
No overwound bobbins for me. I wind 2 or 3 at a time. The ones for my machine are a bit pricey, so I don’t have more than will fit into my Bobbin Keeper, which I like A LOT!
Yes I have overwound bobbins. I never thought anything about and I never had any problem. That was when I was dressmaking and used many different colors of thread. Now that I am quilting I very seldom overwind because you use so much thread. I usually start with a few wound bobbins of the main color I will be using.
Never occured to me to overwind a bobbin. So I dont. Have plenty for each machine. I also got a bobbin winder so I dont put the wear on my very old Bernina, trying to make the parts last as long as possible. Good bobbins are worth the money, cheap ones bend and if the bobbin is warped a tiny bit it will throw off the timing in the machine. One thing to check if you are having problems and the normal fixes dont fix it. A new bobbin of quality.
I do not overwind…..afraid of the problems that could create. I do multiple neutral bobbins…….but otherwise one at a time for colors on my domestic. I wind several at a time for the longarm.
I used to overwind in a pinch – but now I have lots of extra bobbins
I typically wind one bobbin at a time because I never know which project I’ll feel working on!
I don’t overwind bobbins. I don’t need the extra trouble that it might cause. And as for the number of bobbins I have–I enrolled in a thread painting class and misinterpreted the instructions and thought I needed a bobbin for each color of fabric we were going to use in the class and bought 24 of them! I won’t need to buy bobbins for a long time!!
I used to overwind the bobbins, too. It was common practice years ago. Now, however, I wind the bobbin with a neutral thread and just sew – especially when I’m quilting. I wind a bobbin as I need it. I usually have a second spool of thread to use for that purpose so I don’t have to rethread the machine. The few seconds it takes to wind the bobbin is a nice, short break from sewing.
I’ve overwound bobbins many times and never had any problems. Now I buy prewound bobbins in neutral colors and rarely wind a bobbin.
PS the prewound bobbins have a lot more thread on them so you have to change your bobbin less frequently, worth every penny!
I wind a lot at a time – to me I like the quickness of just replacing the bobbin when I am in the middle of a strip set. I also never overwind – figure I have enough problems that I cause without adding to it.
I really don’t have the habit of overwinding my bobbins, but if I’m working on a large project I try to wind several bobbins at a time and put them aside so I don’t have to stop and reweind every time I run out! I also have the habit of using a neutral color for the bottom thread when it’s feasible. My choice lately has been a medium gray.
i don’t overwind. I have plenty of bobbins on hand. I started out machine embroidering with many colors with black and white bobbinfill thread. When I started quilting, I make a bobbin for each thread. If I know I am going to need multiple bobbins, I will fill more than one. If not, I just fill one or use up the bobbin I had started from another project.
I love to have bobbins around in case needed for my projects. I have two round bobbin savers, one for quilting and one for embroidery thread. I also have the new stackable bobbin storage container. I bought it for myself at Christmas time. I would enjoy a winning opportunity today. Happy sewing, quilting or embroidering!
I never overwind my bobbins but I’ve been known to use whatever was leftover on a bobbin rather than wind one the right color.
I never overwind my bobbins. I would rather spend the .50 on another bobbin than take a chance on tension issues.
Nope, I do not overwind my bobbins! I’ve come across some bobbins that I have gotten from others that were overwound, but I immediately cleared them of their burdens. I think, as you mentioned, that this is asking for trouble, however some of the older, more durable machines, seem to be able to handle these things better than the new, more sensitive models. I also order extra bobbins for all of my machines.
I have never overwound my bobbins, but I have found some older bobbins on older machines that had had that done to them. Seems like it would be asking for trouble! At the price of a few extra bobbins, it is so much easier to have several on hand with the thread I want. As for winding them, I tend to load about 8 at a time with neutral thread and then go on to piece away. So much more efficient than having to stop after each bobbin is done. Thanks for the giveaway offer!
I do not overwind my bobbins. If I have an extra bobbin that is nearly to the end, I pull off the thread and wind with the color of choice. I also wind one, sometimes two, at a time. I don’t have that many bobbins for my Bernina.
I don’t overwind my bobbins …never have , I keep extras on hand . My Janny is picky about the threads I use ..so I don’t want to have problems….
Generally, I use all the thread on the bobbin then wind a new one (or two) in a neutral color. I try not to overwind bobbins as the new machine I’m using has plastic bobbins which can have warping issues. I miss my old Singer metal bobbins, as those could be overwound (and I did) and lasted forever. I’ve also been known to (sneak in and) use my mother’s machine if it is already setup with the right kind of thread and I only need to sew a little. Must say that it’s easier to wind bobbins on my new machine because it’s engineered to wind through the needle so don’t have to unthread it to wind from the same spool.
I seem to be in the minority – yes I overwind if need be. But then, I always try to get rid of that unwanted color somehow before overwinding. It seems that 90% of my bobbins are in some neutral color anyways!
I used to overwind bobbins when I was garment sewing….always needed a different colour than I had wound! But now that I use almost all neutral colours (oxymoron??) and I have a sewing machine that’s worth way more than I used to use!, I just use one colour per bobbin.
Nope, I’ve never rewound a bobbin. I generally wind about a half dozen at a time with my piecing thread that I buy on huge spools. When I use special threads, I wind one bobbin.
Linda in Southern Illinois
I do NOT over-wind my bobbins. I have numerous extras. The thing that gets me is when you upgrade your machine, (get the next version out there and trade your old one in) not all manufacturers use the same bobbin for their other machines. Therefore all my collection of bobbins just went to waste. . . I had to start ALL OVER with buying new bobbins. That really frosted me. Tell me manufacturers who use the same feet and bobbins in all their machines. I may just change over to them. (but that would mean I start ALL OVER again with collecting empty bobbins. grrr)
~
I have .ever over wound my bobbins. I also fill all mine at the same time.
I never over wind one color over another. I wind as many as my Bobbin Saver circle will hold, all in white. I normally go through that circle in about six or seven weeks. I have a second Bobbin Saver circle for colors and I only wind those about half way, unless I am making a full quilt with that color, then I fill two bobbins. And I find the bobbin earrings a bit tacky, LOL!
I’ve never heard of overwinding a bobbin! I need a system to keep track of exactly what type of thread is on a bobbin, and which spool it’s from. For instance – if I have 2 bobbins of black thread – one cotton, one poly-cotton, I get mixed up. I need to figure something out…
Nope, never done this. I really need to buy more bobbins for my machine to be able to prewind. Since I only have five bobbins and I usually have multiple projects on the go – I’m always short. Thanks for the informative post.
I don’t over-wind my bobbins (which is why I have about a million of them). I use the remains on nearly empty bobbins for basting threads to clear out those little lengths without wasting them.
I have never overwound a bobbin. Sounds like a really bad idea. I have lots of bobbins because they’re inexpensive and it’s more convenient to have a bunch. Your vacuum cleaner story made me laugh out loud. Amazingly, I’ve never done that!
Yes, I have overwound bobbins. No I don’t usually. Also, everyone needs to be aware of the type of bobbin their machine uses. I have a Janome, a Viking and a Brother embroidery. Al. Three use different bobbins. I have bought extra for each kind and keep them separate so I don’t get confused.( anymore than I already am! Haha)
Thanks for the in formation you put out there!! Happy Sewing, Shari
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I don’t over wind bobbins. I do admit when I first got my machine I did not have enough bobbins and wound a second color on that bobbin. I bought more bobbins finally
My Berninia decides when my bobbin is full, and I go with that. I do wind several neutral bobbins at one time.
Never overwind bobbins and do fill several at one time.
Growing up we only had about 5 bobbins for my mother’s sewing maching and we overwound the bobbins all the time. Now I have a lot of extra bobbins for my machine and only do it rarely. I’ve never found it to cause any kind of problem with any sewing machine
I do overwind bobbins, but only if I have a little bit of sewing to do with a particular color of thread. When starting a new quilting project or quilting class, I wind several bobbins with neutral thread. Otherwise, I wind one at the time. I do have extra bobbins, but usually do not have the color I want already wound.
My mother overwinds a lot, but I don’t think she has any problems with the machine. I don’t owerwind since I have bought lots and lots of extra bobbins. Hugs Ullis in Sweden
I have lots of extra bobbins, no need to overwind. If I’m sewing a large project, I wind several bobbins. Otherwise, I’m a wind as I go gal.
One of the first accessories I buy for a new machine is extra bobbins so I don’t ever have to overwind bobbins. I store the bobbin with the thread spool that it matches.
I used to overwind my vintage 830 bobbins, but then I went out and got a lot more so I no longer need to. It never caused problems, aside from when you’d finished the job requiring the top thread, and then needed the bottom one again for something else.
I used to overwind and dont recall having a problem but in recent years I have lots of extra bobbins on hand and usually I do about 6 ahead unless its just a small project with a colour I’m not likely to use in the near future.
I never overwind my bobbin. In fact, I’d never even heard of it until a couple months ago when I came across one somewhere (not my own). I would never consider it for the fear of the hic-cups you mentioned. As for pre-winding bobbins, I don’t usually do that either. Once in a blue moon will I wind 2 at a time because I know I will go thru at least one on the project I’m working on…but then I always have bought extra bobbins for each machine (I think I have close to 30 bobbins for each machine – LOL!)
I don’t overwind my bobbins – and will use them down to the last little bit, putting odd colors in when I am doing something that won’t be seen. I am trying to get into the habit of prewinding my bobbins but I don’t always.
Nope, I don’t overwind. I have a Viking and when the bobbin is full, it stops so there’s no chance at overwinding one. I did laugh when you talked about the bobbins that had many threads on them. As a kid, we only had a few bobbins and if we needed another color, we just added our own color on top. I’d forgotten about that; thanks for the memory.
I remember that my mom used to overwind bobbins. I did it a few times, but have LOTS of bobbins now, so I never overwind. I usually wind 6-8 bobbins with a neutral thread, because I love to just drop in another bobbin and keep going. Wish I were that organized with the rest of my life!
I have never overwound a bobbin – I didn’t even know it was possible until I read this post! I have 10 bobbins for my machine, and I wish I had another 10. I wind every empty bobbin I have before starting a new quilt (I don’t have any UFOs, I’m still new enough to quilting that I work on 1 quilt at a time from start to finish), and keep one black in my bobbin storage box at all times (for mending my husband’s/kid’s things).
I don’t overwind bobbins, but I have been known to unwind and discard thread that is on a bobbin I want to use. (These usually don’t have much thread on them.) I do buy extra bobbins!
I admit that I used to overwind bobbins. Now I just make sure I have a fresh supply of free bobbins. I pick up more bobbins often so that they are always available.
I have never overwound bobbins, but I know my mother did. When I only had a few bobbins, I used to rewind the unwanted thread from a bobbin onto an empty spool then refill the bobbin with the color I wanted. I would use the “unwanted” thread for basting. Now I’m fortunate to have a lot of bobbins and I try to wind as many as I think I’ll need for a project all at once.
I do not overwind bobbins. I just wind what I think I’ll need to start with and go from there.
I had never heard of over winding bobbins until now. Just took a count and I have 47 bobbins that I keep at least 10 of filled with a neutral color. When I’m doing a project that I know will use more than one bobbin I just go ahead and wind one or two extra ones with the correct thread. One of the best gifts I ever got was my bobbin winder. Saves alot of time and I don’t have to unthread my machine.
Thanks for the giveaway!
I used to when I was learning to quilt-but now I buy extra bobbins and keep the bobbin with it’s matching spool of thread. Or if there’s not much thread left on the bobbin, I’ll unwind and have a fresh bobbin.
When I was young, my machine let me over wind the bobbins. Now It won’t let me. But I do wind alot of bobbings whatever I have that’s empty when working on a Quilt. I also have your daily med. holders in my drawer. They hold bobbins nicely..
I never over wind, but I sure under wind! I am in such a hurry to sew that I often don’t wait for the bobbin to fill!
I’ve never heard of over winding before! Never would do it, either. Sounds like it would screw up my machine, and like you said, extra bobbins are cheaper!
I do wind one or two at a time, depending on the size of the project, and I keep lots of neutrals already wound.
I don’t overwind, and I generally wind one bobbin at a time with the color I need. The break gives me a chance to clean out the bobbin area of my machine.
I don’t overwind….just one color at a time. BUT….with my OLD machine I definately was an “Overwinder”! When I got my new one, and took a few lessons………I was told that’s a “No No!”
Thanks for a chance to win!!!
I don’t overwind– used to , but don’t anymore… I usually wind a bobbin as I need one, but have been meaning to take a little time and wind a variety so that I won’t have to stop and do it every time I sew. Great prize– thanks so much for the chance to win!
When I was growing up, my mom would over wind bobbins so I thought it was the proper thing to do! So I did it occasionally too. A few years ago I read that it could lead to problems so I quit doing it. I usually just wind one bobbin at a time but if I am doing free-motion quilting on a large project then I’ll wind more. Thanks for a interesting topic.
I certainly do NOT wind one thread color over another on a bobbin. I can’t imagine that anyone gets a good consistent bobbin wind by doing it this way. I do one at a time or wind several for a project when I know in advance that I’ll need more than one.
I no longer overwind – nough said I think!
I wind several at a time to what I think I need for the project. most of the time I come close to the right amount of bobbins I need to finish the project.
I do not overwind bobbins. When starting a new project I always wind several bobbins with matching or neutral thread. Thanks for the giveaway.
I have never thought of over winding. I usually wind a few bobbins at a time. I bought extra bobbins so I wouldn’t have to worry about not having an empty one when I needed it. Thanks for the giveaway.
I never over wind bobbins & I have 4 bobbin cases of pre-wound bobbins. One with just neutrals, one with colored cotton thread in different weights, one with embroidery thread and one with special threads…mono filament & varigated threads. I have 50 new extra bobbins, as with a lot of use, bobbins do tend to wear a bit & cause “hiccups” with my machines, so I have new on hand.
Mine are always under wound, and sometimes I don’t get the thread right and I get a big glob of thread, so need to figure out how to get it to work better.
Debbie
I used to be guilty of this but somewhere along the line I heard it wasn’t good for your machine so I stopped. Then I started using per wounds almost exclusively. I find it a tedious chore if I actually have to wind a bobbin for a special project that requires matching thread….ok, I’m lazy. I admit it.
I never thought of overwinding bobbins, I usually wind one at a time unless I’m doing a big project. Then I may wind several.
I never over wind a bobbin I must have at least 30 bobbins for my machine and keep them with the spool of thread they are from.
Ive never heard of winding more than one thread on a bobbin and seems like too much hassle. I wind several bobbins at once, especially when I’m quilting. It’s always handy to have a bobbin of black, red, and green ready. Neutrals I wind several of at once. I buy extra bobbins occainsonally, especially if I’m at JoAnns and cant find anything I want to buy, but have a coupon. Most regular bobbins fit my machine. I always try to leave a few empty bobbins though, for that thread emergency
Years ago I used to over wind, but do not anymore. For quilting I always wind 5 or 6 in a neutral thread. Occasionally will use pre-wound bobbins. When sewing clothing or something that need matching colors I only wind one as needed.
I used to overwind. However, after I saw a friend’s machine work poorly BECAUSE of a poorly wound bobbin (the problem was fixed with a nicely wound one) I stopped the practice. I bought a lot of bobbins so I usually have a few empty ones to use.
i learned to over-wind from my mom. no problems with hiccups. I have never over-wound so many times!
i am astounded to learn that anyone would think of overwinding … i’ve never seen it done, never heard about it and i’ve been sewing a looooonnnng time. i have always had lots of bobbins for the machines i’ve had over the years. i started sewing in the late forties on my gram’s treadle. she had lots and lots of bobbins!
When I first started quilting I didn’t have extra bobbins so I did “overwind’ some for piecing blocks. I picked up a few extra, but the more projects I had the more leftover thread I had. The bobbins for my machine were expensive full price from the dealer so I was very happy when a retail store started selling Bernina bobbins and I could get them on sale or with a coupon – now I have plenty of bobbins. I use my leftover thread to the very end for scrap piecing. When thread is on sale I buy neutral for piecing and pre fill 4 or 5 bobbins. I have just started using leftover thread that is still on the spool to fill bobbins for my scrap piecing. kind of a duh – it is just taking up space on the spool rack. Any time that I am quilting a project I make sure I start with a full bobbin – so never a bobbin that has been “overwound”. I use the small, fuzzy ponytail holders to keep a bobbin from unwinding.
I am guilty of overwinding bobins, but only for regular sewing but never for quilting. If I have a small amount of thread left on a bobbin at the end of a project I put it aside t0 use for hand piecing.
I need everything to go as smoothly as possible when I am quilting a queen size quilt on my domestic machine. Deliberately creating a problem like overwinding bobbins is not something I do
I have overwound bobbins, but now that I am quilting I just keep a couple of bobbins wound with neutral thread for piecing. I’ve never had a problem sewing with an overwound bobbin.
Interesting idea – but I have never overwond a bobbin. I rather buy new ones or follow the one-at-a-time method. Thank you!
I have never overwound a bobbin. I will take thread off if there is just a little bit left on the bobbin and I don’t have an empty. I usually wind several of a neutral or the color that I am using if it is a large project. I still brush out the bobbin case area when I switch in a new bobbin even if I don’t have to rewind. I have bought extras to have on hand.
I have both of my Mom’s Featherweights and they both had overwound bobbins when I got them – I suspect that’s a leftover from the “waste not, want not” generation. I only have a limited supply of bobbins for these machines (I’ve purchased a number of them, but not all fit my Featherweights), but I always keep a white bobbin and a black bobbin handy and then I wind 3 or 4 bobbins for the project I’m working on.
Also, if I have put my bobbins on my thread spool to using during piecing to use up the bobbin thread if I need empty bobbins.
I never overwind my bobbins – my sewing machine is too sensitive. I have a lot of extra bobbins, so there is usually one empty. I wind several at a time – I have one of those bobbin winder gadgets that I can set up to wind while I’m working at the sewing machine. It’s been wonderful – not having to unthread the machine to bobbin-wind and then rethread.
I also recently purchased a Singer 404 at an auction. When I looked in the attachment box, I found over wound bobbins. My first thoughts were ‘are you serious?’ I tried using one and lo and behold, I had the worst thread ball jamming up my fabric. Since then, I have unwound all my bobbins and just pitched the thread. I know, a waste but…
Sometimes a girl just has to do what is best for them.
I don’t overwind my bobbins. But I do usually wind four at a time in neutral thread. If I need a little of a different color I always choose the bobbin wound in the color I’m most likely not to need again. That all gets pulled off and the process starts again. Thanks for the opportunity.
I have never overwound a bobbin. For my DSM, I wind one bobbin at a time and I usually have lots of different colored bobbins. For the long arm, I sometimes wind one at a time but usually wind as many as I think I’ll need for that particular quilt.
I do overwind bobbins, but only if I am needing just a little bit of bobbin thread. Not often. I tend to wind three bobbins at one time if using a neutral color, otherwise I wind only one.
I don’t overwind my bobbins. I have about 6 old-fashioned bobbins and 2 of the newer bobbins. I use these 2 bobbins all the time. I just used beige thread and rewind these bobbins all time. When these two are empty, then it is time to rewind both at once. It just seems that the beige thread matches any type of fabric and this seems to work for me. Thanks for all the infor regarding bobbins.
Sandi T.
sandit1@sbcglobal.net
I don’t overwind bobbins, but usually wind multiple bobbins at once. It kind of depends on the project I’m working on at the time.
I have a very bad problem of running out of bobbin thread – especially when chain piecing and suddenly realizing that I have a stack of unsewn parts!! Perhaps I should not get so excited about chain piecing that I forget to look.
In the very beginning of my sewing I used to put 2-3 different colours on one bobbin, but after making it a business and with alterations always coming in, I quit doing that, and just buy new bobbins constantly. I have 4 double bobbin rolls full ( a different one than the ones you pictured), and once all of the bobbins are full, I just buy another roll, and keep going. So many of my projects are similar, but not quite the same, and thus a new bobbin is needed. thanks for the giveaway.
I’ve never overwound a bobbin. I don’t even know if my machine will allow it. If I’m starting a big project (like quilting a quilt) I will wind a few extra bobbins.
I’ve never overwound a bobbin. To be honest I’ve never seen it done till now.
I have overwound bobbins but don’t do it often. I do it especially when I only need to do a few more stitches with an unusual color, otherwise I make a new full bobbin because I have extras, as long as I have enough of the top thread to go with it. In order to wind a bobbin on my machine I need to unthread it, so because I have to go through that much trouble I make a full bobbin. What I love is the word “bobbin”. Where did that come from?
What an interesting topic! When I was a child and my mother taught me to sew, we always over wound the bobbins. Mom was sewing for ten of us and needed lots of colors. I have not done it since then, I’ve always bought extra bobbins. I have about 30 for my machine. I fill several bobbins at once and when I’m sewing scrap quilts I use all those bobbins that have colors I probably won’t be using soon. It frees up the bobbin and I don’t have to wind more bobbins right away. How would you know what color is underneath the top thread on an over wound bobbin?
I had to chuckle about your catching the thread in the vacuum. I’ve dropped so many bobbins while having a hold of the thread. You can’t just pull the thread, you have to get down on the floor and chase it!
Why overwind? That seems a bit strange to me. I work mostly on a Singer Featherweight and believe me, there’s not a lot of room on that bobbin compared to my full size Singer. I usually have several bobbins with neutral threads because I’m always forgetting to thing about how much might be left on the bobbin in the machine from the last time I used it.
No, I don’t overwind bobbins. In fact, I had never thought of doing that. As you suggested, I bought a bunch of extra bobbins when I got my machine. I have about 20 and there are always a few empty ones.
Oh, yeah! Overwinding is a way of life, I think. No matter how many bobbins one has, there is never one empty when you need it, it seems. So, you find the bobbin with the least thread on it and…overwind.
LizE
My first sewing machine was a singer with bobbin issues, never even considered overwinding! I always run the bobbin out before winding….I will splurge and buy a few extra bobbins! Love the idea!
I don’t overwind my bobbins. But I inherited overwound bobbins from my grandma and bought some bobbins at the thrift store that were overwound too. And some of them have very little of one color on them…
I have never thought of over winding my bobbins. I have several bobbins half used that I save for the next time I need that color. I usually just wind one bobbin as I need it. I do have several bobbins so always have empty ones. Thank you for the chance to win
I did it with my old machine (Husqvarna). Then I sold my old one and bought a new Bernina and at the same time I purchased some extra bobbins so that I don’t need to overwind my bobbins.
My current sewing machine isn’t as friendly as as ‘efficient’ in winding bobbins as my older machine is/was so I tend now to err on the side of underwinding, which I’m ok with,
I don’t over wind my bobbins because I did that once and re! gretted it immediately! Now I just have like a miillion bobbins so I don’t worry about running out!
I always wind 4-5 bobbins, especially for my long arm quilter. When I get going on that thing I don’t want to have to stop and wind another bobbin and lose the momentum I had going while I was quilting. And I do admit that I unwind bobbins that have a little bit of thread on it and throw it away. Sorry….
No, I had never heard of “overwinding” a bobbin. I have a few extras so I don’t usually run out of empty bobbins.
I’ve never overwound my bobbins – but I’ll try to find ways to use up those little odds and ends on projects where the colors don’t matter so much so they’re not wasted!
I have never heard of, nor thought of the concept of overwinding the bobbins. I have purchased enough extra bobbins to keep spares around to wind just a bit around them if that’s all I’m going to need. Otherwise, thank you for the advice to have several neutrals wound for project use. I’ll use that advice for sure!
When I am quilting, I wind 4 bobbins at once. I keep a couple of bobbins in black, one in red, one in brown, one in blue, 2 in white, one in natural…..never know when I’ll need to patch a garment in a hurry with no time to spare for winding a bobbin.
I do almost all the time. But I usually try to guide the thread and load the bobbin more evenly. But I hate it when it gets a hump then it clogs the machine for sure. RRRRRRGGGGG. SO anything to stop the clogs bring it on.
Thanks for the chance to win a much needed item,
I do NOT overwind bobbins, that can mess with the tension when not wound properly. On colors that I use alot, I’ll wind more than one. I use the Bobbin Saver, I have one of each color (wish they’d make more colors). Different color for different type threads, helping to keep organized. The bobbins don’t unwind or fall out and I can carry it on my wrist like a bracelet (keeps my hands free for other things).
Never, ever heard of overwinding…until now! Always have extra bobbins on hand.
My mother always overwound bobbins. Just something everyone did back then along with wrapping a piece of fabric around the arm of the machine to put pins in. (Don’t do it, it scratches the machine!) I have lots of bobbins, but found that generic Bernina bobbins are very noisy in my machine. I now buy the real ones.
I’ve never heard of overwinding your bobbins. Meanwhile, I have never done this. I have many, many bobbins…one colour each. I like to buy the filled bobbins, they’re fantastic.
I don’t overwind my bobbins. I just put one color on a bobbin at a time. Learned long time ago that doesn’t work so good! Thanks for the giveaway.
I have overwound bobbins in the past. It is nice that the newer machines do lot yet you do that. When I fill bobbins, I do a few at a time so that I do not have to stop in the middle of a project to refill bobbins.
Hee, hee, I had a good laugh when I read this. I can say that I used to be an overwinder when I made clothing. Everything had to be matchy-matchy in those days right? We never had the pleasure of buying extra bobbins and I never had a hiccup using them in my Bernie although I didn’t have the pleasure (or clue) of decorative sewing in those days.
Since I started being a fanatical quilter, neutrals are my basic thread supply. I haven’t sewn garments in years… Now I have bobbins coming out of my yin-yang.. I have 4 bobbin holders, one for the Bernina Artista, the 830 and 831, the little Janome and one for decorative (Rayons, Pearl cotton, etc.) bobbin sewing. When I have to wind bobbins, I always do about 6 to 8 – might as well make more than have to stop and wind one in the middle of the process. A gal can never have too much fabric, thread and notions to use while in her muse! lol
i do winded a few bobbins at a time but i have never heard of over winding i like to use light gray for the normal color unless i have white in the quilt i have a few of the bobbin holders i like the round one the best
I tend to be a black or white thinker (no gray area for me) so I never even considered overwinding my bobbins. LOL At first, I saw this and thought…”Hey, a great idea!” Well, that was until I read all the reasons why you shouldn’t do it.
I do have extra bobbins but would like to get more. It’s a pain and a waste to have to unwind the bobbin with the least thread so you can use it for another color.
When garment sewing I would over-wind. I now do mostly piecing and don’t.
I have on occasion over wound a bobbin. It usually ends up with the thread wrapped around the shaft and then it takes a while to unwind. BTW Diane..I love the bobbin earrings…lol Hugs
Wow! I never heard of such a thing! I’ve always been one that adheres to the rules most of the time. I would have never thought of over winding. I’ve always been a little intimidated by my older machine and it already causes me enough headache so I wouldn’t dream of messing with my bobbins in such a way! I think it’s a great idea if you have the nerve to try it. I’m just afraid that I would mess up so much that I’d have to pay another $100 to fix it!
hmmm, I’ve actually never thought of overwinding a bobbin, but don’t think I want to try that. I’m a one bobbin at a time winder.
Well, I haven’t overwound bobbins before. But after seeing your message and the photo of all the different threads on one bobbin, I kind of like it. It’s like a little BOBBIN RAINBOW!
Actually, I don’t like having to wind a bobbin in the middle of a project, just when I’m getting up to speed. SO it is probably a good idea to have several bobbins in neutral colors as you mentioned.
I, too have overwound bobbins!! Such fun unwinding from the bobbin staff… I try to have extras ready so that in my zeal to return to sewing I don’t rush and overwind.
I have overwound my bobbins in the past but luckily had no problems. My wonderful hubby got me a Bernina for Christmas and I haven’t had a problem since.
I never even heard of “overwinding” so, I don’t do that!
I bought a BUNCH of bobbins and wind 3 or 4 with the color I am using on a project. So, I have bobbins filled with a rainbow of colors in cases and a couple of cases of bobbins just waiting to be needed 
Thanks for the giveaway! Good luck, Everyone!!
I haven’t overwound my bobbins so I don’t know if it would cause trouble for my machine. Thanks for the opportunity to enter your giveaway.
I have two of the round bobbin holders – one for multicolored thread for general sewing and one for embroidery work thread. Also have the stacked bobbin holder which I take apart and put filled bobbins of one color in to take to classes. This fits nicely in my sewing kit and I always have a filled bobbin ready. I used to over-wind my bobbins for my Record 830 but not anymore.
I have begun winding several bobbins at the beginning of a project. I try to guestamate how much to wind on smaller projects. Sometimes that works and sometimes I end up rewinding again.
I guess that I am lucky, and have never had a problem with over wound bobbins. I usually wind extra’s before I start a project. Hope I am lucky.
I wind bobbins in the beginging of a project. I never over overwoun,d it’s alot easier to buy lots of bobbins they are cheap. Alot easier to find the color bobbin when you need it.
Because I not only quilt for myself, I machine quilt for others, I bought more bobbins to have on hand. I use a lot of the same color neutrals for quilting on quilts for others, so I keep several of the same color on hand. When I’m working on smaller projects I will only wind one or two and do more if necessary as I go. Also, if I only have a very small amount of thread left on the bobbin, I take it off so it is empty for the next project; I learned years ago that it is a bad idea to wind more than one thread on a bobbin because it often causes problems in stitching when the threads meet. And I have my bobbin winder set so it can only wind a bobbin to a certain fullness so too much thread doesn’t cause me issues.
I don’t overwind bobbins, I have extra bobbins, and when I open the last pack of bobbins I buy more (I have 2 Pfaffs that use the same bobbin)
If it is white, black or off-white I wind multiple bobbins at a time-at least 4 sometimes 6. If I am making someting smallish I only wind one. If I am making something larger I wind 2.
I don’t think I’ve ever overwound my bobbins. I bought extra so I can wind several at a time if I am working on a big project.
I used to overwind the bobbins all the time, but with quilting I learned to have the extra ones ready to go. I went and bought lots of extras and don’t worry about it anymore. So much easier!!
My new machine takes care of my bobbins. I bought about a hundred bobbins with the machine and wind many at a time, especially for machine embroidery. My grandkids play bobbin blitz with my multi-colored empty bobbins…dropping them from the sky to the carpeted floor. Cheap toy
I have lots of bobbins and usually fill several at the same time when I working on a quilt. Would love to have a bobbin organizer to store them instead of an old tin that I use.
When I had my workhorse basic Singer, I over-wound my bobbins all the time. My newer machine is a little more touchy, so I rarely do that now. I like the description of the “happy dance” the bobbin does! I frequently entertain my cat by tossing a bobbin on the floor and pulling the thread to empty the bobbin. She loves watching the happy dance, too!
I had never heard of over winding bobbins until I read your post. I usually use prewound bobbins for all my basic piecing needs, as I stick with four basic neutral colors. (black, white, gray, cream or beige) I do wind bobbins when quilting so I have the right color, and usually wind three or four at a time, sometimes more depending on the size of the project.
Next time I go visit my mom I will have to check out her bobbins.
I’ve never overwound a bobbin. However, I did buy an older Bernina last year and the bobbins that came with it had several colours of thread on each one. I pulled all the old thread off of those bobbins. I’ve always purchased extra bobbins but now that I’m quilting I need even more bobbins for the different types of thread. I usually wind one at a time except when I know I will need more of one colour.
I tend to overwind when I run out of bobbin thread when sewing garments, purses and the like. I know that I am only going to be using it for that project, and I hate to have too many bobbins wound with thread colors that I am probably never going to use again. I also use a different type of thread for that type of sewing than I do for quilting, so I keep the bobbins in a separate bobbin thing-a-ma-bob. On the other hand, when I am doing patchwork or quilting, I will wind half a dozen bobbins with a neutral thread, and never overwind.
Were you in my sewing room yesterday? You hit the nail on the head!!! Overwound a bobbin by mistake and had to pull off a fair amount of thread to get it to fit into the bobbin area of the machine. I think the 2 yr old GD had moved the little guide gizmo and it just kept winding. Anyone else need extra help? I can send her your way! ;O)
Idon’t overwind. When I end up with used bobbins I either use them to piece scrap quilts or I unwind them and use the thread to combine with tiny scraps of fabric to mix together to make new fabric with so I have no loss at all. I wind all of my empty bobbins at one time. I use the portable bobbin winders so I can fill bobbins any where I want. Anything I hate is running out of bobbins. I have no patience at having to stop and fill bobbins. I always keep plenty of extra bobbins for all of my machines and each size has it’s own bobbin holder to keep them with each machine. When I am piecing I use up a lot of bobbins and spools of thread. Have fun ladies
Doris
when the creative juices are in high gear I fill several bobbins so I don’t have to stop..but I have found light ecru thread blends in with so many light color fabrics and I don’t end up with spools of unused thread that never matches another project.
Wow! I had no idea that there was people that overwound their bobbins, so no, I have never done that, & I don’t think I will be doing it. I have lots of bobbins & received one of those quick bobbin winders as a gift which is really handy when I’m sewing a project & my machine runs out of bobbin thread, I can quickly fill another bobbin without having to unthread my machine to use its bobbin threader. Thanks for the post…very interesting!
I always wind more than one bobbin at a time. There’s nothing more frustrating than running out of thread and you don’t realize it right away!!!
I’ve never overwound a bobbin didn’t occur to me you could. I wind 2 or 3 bobbins of the color Im using. So as not to stop the flow of creating. Question why don’t. Machines use a spool of thread in place of a bobbin like on top so you don’t have to run out??? Just a thought.
I have never overwound my bobbins but that doesn’t mean that I haven’t thought about it. If I am working on a large quilt or using neutral colored thread I will wind several bobbins at one time. But if I am using specific colors I will just wind one or two at a time because I don’t want to have alot of leftover bobbins at the end of a project with colors that won’t get used up quickly. I also like to use the prewound bobbins, and they have more thread on them too!
I have never overwound a bobbin, always thought that it was asking for trouble to do that. I do wind several bobbins at a time. I mostly quilt so use grey or taupe thread. I had a lot of different colors of bobbins from my sewing days and used them up when I made a mile a minute quilt, which uses lots of bobbin thread and since it was different colored scraps it didn’t matter.
I do not overwind my bobbins but I do remember that my mother used to do this. I love the bobbin saver for storage, but also like the Clover tower.
Nope have never put more than one color and one weight thread on a bobbin at a time. My mom taught me to sew and since she never did it I never got into the habit. It really doesn’t make sense to me to do that. During garment sewing I seldom had to wind more than one bobbin to complete my project as I always started with a full
bobbin. With Quilting and embroidering I would wind several neutral colored bobbins.
Nope. I’m the girl that finds a bobbin that is “close enough” in color to finish the quick project. I am not too anal about using the exact same color thread especially if it wont show on the finished project. I actually never considered overwinding…I save the bobbins (and spools for that mater)that are close to the end and use that thread for hand sewing and mending projects. I have been known in a pinch to call in my 6yr old and let him do an unwind-who knew he could have so much fun watching that bobbin bounce around:)
Love the earrings! They are adorable! I too tend to just wind one bobbin at a time, and think that it’s so sad to see overwound bobbins. What are these people thinking? Have great fun with your “new” Bernina. I’m sure you’ll love it!
Kd
I bought lots of bobbins so I never overwind!
In the past I have overwound my bobbins but just 2 colors and always the same weight of thread. Now I just fill the bobbin once. I also love having lots of bobbins prewound so that I don’t have to break up my momentum when in the middle of a project.
I never over wind my bobbins. I like to wind a few bobbins at a time so when I do run out of bobbin thread all I have to do is put a new one in. It saves time- you don’t have to pull your thread out, wind it and then thread the machine again. Love the earrings! Thanks for the chance at the give a way!!!
I used to over wind my bobbins but now I have purchased additional bobbins and a bobbin winder and life is good!
I can honestly say I have never heard of overwinding a bobbin until I read this post. That’s an interesting concept. I don’t do it, however I do wind multiple bobbins at a time. Usually 2, but sometimes 3 when I am doing a lot of piecing or when I am FMQ.
I do not overwind bobbins. I have several ready in neutral so that I can keep the project going. Just this year my husband bought about 30 extra bobbins for me, he found them on the internet.
I always seem to need more bobbins! I occasionally wind more than one color on a bobbin if I’m desperate and can’t get to Bernina. But never more than two colors, and definitely not different types of threads or weights in one bobbin.
Thanks for a chance to win!
I would sometime overwind bobbins years ago, but for a quilting project I would want to have several extra bobbins full and ready to go. You learn all kinds of short cuts when you are fairly new to quilting!
I don’t overwind either. And will make several to have on hand. Nothing more frustrasting than having to stop and make another bobbin to continue working, especially when you are almost done with a project.
i don’t overwind any more, learned that lesson years ago, i wind a whole bunch at one time, grey, black, white and beige
happy sewing
Never overwind my bobbins. I never have. I have extra bobbins for all my machines. When using my DSM, I wind one bobbin at a time as I need it. When using the long arm, make an estimate of how many bobbins I’ll need and wind a bunch of them: 10-15 or more. When you’re really in the groove, the last thing you want to do is wind a new bobbin. It breaks the rhythm.
I never heard of overwinding a bobbin until I read this.
I do put two colors on a bobbin and have never had a problem.
I never overwind. I have several sewing machines, so to save time, I have several bobbins for each Machine. So I wind 12White, 12 Black and 12 Nuetrals,for each machine. And if I am going to work on a project that I am going to use a different color, I wind an approximate number of that color. If I have any left over, they go in a special bobbin case. So any time I may need just one bobbin of a different color, It is ready to use. It sure saves a lot of time. And bobbins are inexpensive, time is pressious. It’s really easy to wind lots of bobbins at a time.
I always wind the number of bobbins I think I will need for each quilt. If I over estimate, I use the extra bobbin thread to practice free motion quilting or donate the excess thread to the birds for their nest building exercises each spring.
I keep a huge glass canning jar on my quilt supply shelf that I fill with thread clippings and extra thread from bobbins (you know if there’s just a smidge on the bobbin). As the jar fills up, well, I like looking at the thread and seeing all the colors and remembering all the quilts I’ve stitch.
Terry
PS: I would LOVE to win – if not, early congrats to the winner
Oh how funny! I can just see the bobbin doing it’s little dance when the end of the thread gets caught by the vacuum cleaner!!!! I’m still laughing!!! No, I don’t overwind my bobbins. I think it might make my sewing machine grumpy if I would. And I’m a ‘wind a bobbin when I need it’ kinda gal. I guess I never thought about winding several at a time.
Thanks for the chance to win some sewing goodies!
I used to do this back when I had old all metal machines, years ago. But, I don’t do it any more. I feel like the newer computerized machines are a little to ‘sensitive’ for that. Just my opinion, I don’t really have any scientific reason to think this, tho.
Overwinding bobbins is a big no-no in my sewing room. I can’t remember the reason given, but that was emphasized as something you mustn’t ever do when I bought my first sewing machine. Maybe it’s just one of those crazy laws put out by the quilt police.
I don’t overwind my bobbins, I usually wind them when I needed.
Thanks for the chance.
Yup – used to overwind bobbins but have stopped doing it because I never could judge how much of the color was left on the spool and I never got a full bobbin of the color I was using. Only time I might consider it now was if I needed to sew only a very small amount of that color and didn’t have an empty.
I am guilty of overwinding bobbins with my Kenmore Sewing machine, but I haven’t and wouldn’t overwind the bobbins with my Elna. I think the difference is because the Elna has plastic bobbins vs. the metal style for the Kenmore which used to be my Mom’s sewing machine. I also wind three bobbins at a time. A real timesaver.
Oh yeah! Been there, done that! Don’t like to overwind, but it happens! When I don’t have an empty bobbin, I pick up one with the least thread on it and away I go!
I tend to do one at a time as I rarely do toomuch sewing the same colour. But if I am doing one colour, I pre wind multiple. And I try not to overwind. Though I do have trouble getting the thread on tight enough.
I hadn’t thought of overwinding, but will do in a pinch from now on. I will also buy extra bobbins and scrunches, so it doesn’t happen. Thanks for the info.
I always overwind my bobbins, although I did not know there was a word for it. I’ve never had a problem but I recently bought a new electronic machine that I will be more careful with. I never had any problems with my old New Home even after 35 years, just wanted one of those new ones with fancy stitches, thread cutter, and needle threader. My old machine had the metal bobbins while the new one had plastic.
Yes, I might be guilty of overwinding sometimes, but it doesn’t cause hiccups.
Have never overwound. I wind one bobbin at a time – with thread so costly, don’t want to waste it sitting on a bobbin. Also, when free motion quilting I get very intense, winding a new bobbin makes for a good break.
I make a point of not overwinding my bobbins. It makes for much smoother sewing when they are a little on the scanty side.
I usually wind several bobbins at the same time, I find that it is a time saver when I am in the middle of a project. I don’t like to overwind causeit can cause some tension issues.