Putting a bobbin in your Janome sewing machine can seem tricky. What happens if you do it wrong? You can get tangled thread, skipped stitches, or your machine might not sew at all. Getting it right is very important for good stitches. This guide gives you Janome bobbin winding instructions and shows you How to insert bobbin Janome machines use. It covers the Janome sewing machine bobbin setup and is a full Janome sewing machine bobbin threading guide.
Setting up your bobbin is like setting up the lower thread part of your machine. The top thread and the bottom thread (from the bobbin) must meet just right to make a stitch. If the bobbin thread is not set up the right way, your stitches will look bad or the thread will break. This guide will help you do it right every time.
Knowing Your Janome Machine
Janome makes many sewing machines. Most newer Janome machines use a horizontal bobbin setup that loads from the top. Some older models might use a vertical bobbin that loads from the front or side into a separate bobbin case. This guide will mostly focus on the popular Janome horizontal bobbin setup. We will touch on the vertical type too. Knowing which type you have helps a lot. Look at where your bobbin goes. If it lies flat and drops in from the top, it’s horizontal. If it stands on its edge and goes into a metal case that then goes into the machine, it’s vertical.
Why the Bobbin Setup Matters
Think of sewing thread like two hands shaking. The top thread is one hand, and the bobbin thread is the other. They must meet and wrap around each other just right to make a strong stitch.
- Bad Stitches: If the bobbin thread is loose, you get loops on the bottom of your fabric. If it’s too tight, the top thread might break or the fabric might pucker.
- Tangled Thread: Thread that is not put in the bobbin area the right way can get caught. It can make a big knot, sometimes called a “bird’s nest.” This tangle is usually on the back of your fabric.
- Machine Stops: A badly threaded bobbin can stop your machine from sewing. It can even harm the machine over time if tangled thread wraps around parts it shouldn’t.
So, getting the bobbin right is a key first step before you even start sewing.
Getting Ready to Thread the Bobbin
Before you thread or wind a bobbin, make sure you have what you need.
- Your Janome Machine: Make sure it is plugged in. Turn on the power switch.
- Thread: You need a spool of thread for winding the bobbin. Use the same type of thread in your bobbin as you use on top, or a thread made for the bobbin.
- Empty Bobbin: You need an empty bobbin that fits your Janome machine. Janome machines often use special bobbins. Using the wrong size or type can cause problems. Check your machine’s manual to be sure.
- Scissors: To cut the thread when you are done winding.
Make sure your sewing area is clean and has good light. It helps you see the small thread guides and slots.
Winding the Bobbin: Step-by-Step
This part covers Janome bobbin winding instructions. It shows you how to put thread onto an empty bobbin.
Placing the Thread
First, put your spool of thread on the spool pin at the top of your Janome machine. Use the right size spool cap to hold the thread spool in place.
Finding the Winding Path
Look on your machine for the path the thread takes to wind the bobbin. There is usually a drawing or numbers on the machine body. The thread needs to go through a guide or a tension disc just for winding. This makes sure the thread winds onto the bobbin smoothly and evenly. This is part of the Bobbin winding guide Janome machines provide on their body or in the manual.
Setting Up the Bobbin
Take your empty bobbin. Find the small hole on the side of the bobbin. Push the end of your thread through this small hole from the inside of the bobbin going out. Pull about 3-4 inches of thread through this hole.
Putting Bobbin on Spindle
Find the bobbin winder spindle on your machine. It’s a small metal or plastic pin, often near the top right. Place the bobbin onto this spindle. Make sure it clicks or pushes into place firmly. The thread coming out of the bobbin hole should be on the top side of the bobbin.
Engaging the Winder
Most Janome machines need you to push the bobbin winder spindle over to the right (or sometimes left). This locks it into the winding position. When you do this, the machine knows you want to wind a bobbin, not sew. The sewing needle might stop moving.
Winding the Bobbin On
Hold the end of the thread coming out of the bobbin hole. Keep it pulled straight up. Gently press the foot pedal or the start/stop button on your machine. The bobbin will start to spin and wind the thread. Let it wind a few times to catch the thread end under the winding thread. Stop the machine after a few turns.
Cutting the Tail
Carefully cut off the short thread tail you were holding. Cut it close to the bobbin.
Letting it Wind Fully
Now, start the machine again. Let the bobbin wind. Keep an eye on it. The thread should wind smoothly and evenly across the bobbin. Do not let it pile up on one side. Many Janome machines will stop winding by themselves when the bobbin is full. If yours does not, stop when the bobbin is just slightly full, but not over the edge. Winding the bobbin on a Janome machine should be easy once you know the path.
Finishing the Wind
Once the bobbin is full and stops, or you stop it, press the foot pedal all the way up or stop the button. Slide the bobbin winder spindle back to its resting place (away from the winding position).
Removing the Bobbin
Take the full bobbin off the spindle. Use your scissors to cut the thread connecting the bobbin to the spool. Your bobbin is now ready to be put into the machine. You have completed Winding the bobbin on a Janome machine.
Inserting the Bobbin: Step-by-Step
This is where you learn How to insert bobbin Janome machines properly. This is about Threading the lower bobbin Janome style. We will mainly cover the common horizontal setup.
Finding the Bobbin Area
On most Janome machines, the bobbin area is on the top of the machine, right under the needle plate. There is a clear plastic cover over it.
Opening the Bobbin Cover
Slide the clear plastic cover to the left or right to open it. Some covers might flip up. This gives you access to where the bobbin sits.
Grasping Bobbin Type
As we said, most Janome machines use a horizontal loading bobbin. The bobbin lies flat. Some older machines use a vertical bobbin case. This guide focuses on the horizontal type, which is part of the Janome horizontal bobbin setup.
Putting the Bobbin In
Take your freshly wound bobbin. This is a very important step. You need to put the bobbin into the bobbin spot in the right direction. For most Janome horizontal bobbin machines, the thread must come off the bobbin in a specific way.
Look at the bobbin. If you hold the bobbin flat in your hand, the thread should be coming off the bobbin counter-clockwise. Imagine the bobbin is a clock face. The thread end should come from the left side (like the number 9 or 10 on a clock).
Place the bobbin into the bobbin spot. Make sure it sits flat. The thread should be coming off the left side.
Following the Thread Path
This is the most important step for correct tension and stitch quality. Look closely at the bobbin area. There is a path drawn or molded into the plastic or metal. The path usually has one or two notches or guides.
Take the thread tail coming from the bobbin (it should be coming off counter-clockwise). Guide the thread into the first notch or slot. Gently pull the thread along the path. It usually goes into a small channel and under a tension spring. You might feel a slight click or feel the thread slip into place under the spring. This puts tension on the bobbin thread.
Keep pulling the thread along the path towards the needle area. There might be another guide or notch near the front. Pull the thread through that guide as well. You should have about 4-6 inches of thread pulled out and laying over the needle plate, towards the back of the machine.
This careful guidance through the slots and under the tension spring is key to the Janome sewing machine bobbin setup being correct. It ensures the Threading the lower bobbin Janome way gives you good stitches. This is part of the Janome sewing machine bobbin threading guide.
Vertical Bobbin Setup (Briefly)
If your Janome has a vertical bobbin, it uses a metal or plastic bobbin case.
1. Put the bobbin into the bobbin case. The thread needs to come off the bobbin in a specific direction (check your manual, it’s often clockwise).
2. Pull the thread into a slot on the side of the bobbin case.
3. Pull it along a path under a tension spring on the case. You might feel it click into the spring.
4. Pull the thread tail out of the case.
5. Open the bobbin compartment on your machine (often front or side).
6. Hold the bobbin case by the latch. Insert it into the shuttle area. It should click into place.
7. Leave a thread tail hanging out.
8. Close the bobbin compartment door.
The rest of the steps for bringing up the bobbin thread are similar.
Closing the Bobbin Cover
Once the bobbin is in place and the thread is correctly guided through the tension path on the needle plate, slide the clear plastic cover back into place. Make sure it is fully closed.
Bringing Up the Bobbin Thread
Now that the bobbin is in place, you need to get the bobbin thread ready to meet the upper thread.
Raise the Presser Foot
Make sure the presser foot is in the up position. This helps the thread move freely.
Hold the Upper Thread
Thread your machine’s upper thread (if you haven’t already). Hold the tail of the upper thread loosely with your left hand. Keep it away from the needle area.
Turn the Handwheel
Slowly turn the handwheel on the side of your machine towards you (counter-clockwise). Do not turn it away from you. As you turn the handwheel, the needle will go down and then come back up. The upper thread, held loosely, will form a loop. The needle should grab the bobbin thread loop as it goes down.
Catch the Loop
As the needle comes back up, the upper thread will pull a loop of the bobbin thread up through the small hole in the needle plate. Keep turning the handwheel slowly towards you.
Pull Up the Bobbin Thread
Use your fingers or a small tool (like tweezers) to catch the loop of bobbin thread. Pull the loop up through the needle plate hole. Pull the loop gently until the end of the bobbin thread comes all the way through.
Position Threads
Now you should have two threads coming out from under the presser foot: the upper thread and the bobbin thread. Pull both threads together and slide them under the presser foot and back towards the back of the machine. Leave about 4-6 inches of both thread tails hanging out.
Your Janome machine is now threaded and ready to sew! You have successfully followed the Correctly thread bobbin Janome process.
Solving Common Bobbin Problems
Even when you follow the steps, sometimes things go wrong. Here are some common Janome sewing machine bobbin problems and how to fix them.
Seeing Loops on the Bottom (Back of Fabric)
- Problem: Stitches on the back of your fabric look loose and loopy, like a tangle or “bird’s nest.”
- Reason: This is almost always an upper thread problem, not a bobbin problem directly. The upper thread does not have enough tension.
- Fix:
- Lift the presser foot up.
- Pull the upper thread completely out of the machine (from the needle back to the spool).
- Re-thread the upper thread carefully with the presser foot UP. Make sure the thread goes through all guides and snaps firmly into the upper tension discs. Lower the presser foot before trying to sew.
Seeing Loops on the Top (Front of Fabric)
- Problem: Stitches on the front of your fabric look loose and loopy.
- Reason: This is usually a bobbin thread problem. The bobbin thread does not have enough tension.
- Fix:
- Open the bobbin cover.
- Take the bobbin out.
- Put the bobbin back in, making sure the thread is coming off in the correct direction (usually counter-clockwise for horizontal).
- Carefully guide the thread through the tension path again. Make sure it clicks or slides under the tension spring properly.
- Pull on the bobbin thread tail gently after it’s in the tension path. You should feel a slight pull, not too easy or too hard. If it pulls too easily, it’s not in the tension spring.
- Bring the bobbin thread up again as described earlier.
- Make sure the bobbin cover is closed fully.
Thread Breaks Often
- Problem: Either the top or bottom thread keeps breaking while you sew.
- Reason: Many possible reasons!
- Threading: Check both upper and lower threading paths. Re-thread completely.
- Needle: Is the needle bent? Is it the wrong type for the fabric? Is it put in correctly? Is it old or dull? Put in a new needle that matches your fabric and thread.
- Thread Quality: Cheap thread can break easily. Use good quality sewing thread.
- Tension: Tension might be too tight (either upper or lower). Try lowering the tension setting slightly.
- Machine Needs Cleaning: Lint and dust can build up in the bobbin area and cause thread problems. Clean out the bobbin area regularly.
- Wound Bobbin: Is the bobbin wound too loosely or too tightly? Is it wound unevenly? Try winding a new bobbin.
Bobbin Won’t Wind Smoothly or At All
- Problem: The thread piles up on one side of the bobbin when winding, or it doesn’t wind at all.
- Reason:
- Thread Path: Did you guide the thread through the correct bobbin winding tension disc or guide? This guide is separate from the main upper thread tension.
- Bobbin on Spindle: Is the bobbin pushed onto the winder spindle firmly? Is the spindle pushed into the winding position?
- Thread End: Did you thread the end of the thread through the hole in the bobbin before starting?
- Spool Pin: Is the thread coming off the spool smoothly? Is the spool cap holding it right?
Bobbin Area is Jammed with Thread
- Problem: A big knot or mess of thread is under the needle plate in the bobbin area.
- Reason: Usually happens when the upper machine is threaded wrong (loops on the bottom) and the loops get pulled into the bobbin area. Can also happen if the bobbin thread was not pulled into the tension spring correctly.
- Fix:
- Turn the machine OFF immediately.
- Raise the needle to its highest point by turning the handwheel towards you.
- Open the bobbin cover. Remove the bobbin.
- Carefully use tweezers or a seam ripper to pull out all tangled thread. Be gentle not to scratch machine parts.
- Clean the bobbin area well using a small brush. Remove all lint.
- Check for bent needles or burrs on the needle plate. Change the needle if needed.
- Re-thread both the upper and lower sections very carefully, following all steps.
Addressing Janome sewing machine bobbin problems often means going back to basics and re-threading everything carefully.
Tips for Getting Bobbin Threading Right
Here are some extra tips for using your Bobbin winding guide Janome effectively and for Inserting the bobbin correctly.
- Read Your Manual: Your Janome manual has pictures and exact steps for your specific model. Always check it if you are unsure. It is the best Janome sewing machine bobbin threading guide for your machine.
- Use Janome Bobbins: Machine companies design bobbins for their machines. Using bobbins from another brand or universal bobbins can cause trouble even if they look similar. They might be slightly different in size or how they spin.
- Wind Bobbins Ahead of Time: Wind a few bobbins with your common thread colors before you start a project. This saves time later.
- Check Winding Evenness: When winding, make sure the thread is spreading evenly across the bobbin. If it’s only winding in one spot, stop and check the winding thread path.
- Listen for the Click: When putting the bobbin thread into the tension path, listen or feel for it to click into place under the tension spring. This is a key sign it’s seated correctly for horizontal bobbins.
- Leave Thread Tails: Always leave enough thread tail (4-6 inches) for both top and bobbin threads when starting to sew. It helps prevent the thread ends from getting pulled back into the machine.
- Clean Regularly: Lint and small thread bits collect in the bobbin area. This can mess up your tension and cause problems. Use a brush to clean the area often.
- Practice: The more you wind and insert bobbins, the easier it will become. It will feel natural after a few times. Following this Correctly thread bobbin Janome guide helps build good habits.
Keeping the Bobbin Area Clean
A clean machine works better. The bobbin area is a spot where lint from thread and fabric collects a lot. This lint can pack down and cause tension issues or even stop the machine.
- Tools: Use the small brush that came with your machine or a small paintbrush. Avoid using canned air in the bobbin area, as it can blow lint deeper into the machine parts where you can’t reach it.
- How to Clean:
- Turn the machine OFF.
- Lift the needle and presser foot.
- Remove the needle plate (you might need a screwdriver for this on some models).
- Remove the bobbin and the bobbin case (if you have a vertical one) or the outer race hook area (for horizontal). Your manual shows how to remove these parts for cleaning.
- Use the brush to gently sweep out all the lint you can see. Get into the small corners and around the feed dogs (the little teeth under the presser foot).
- Put the parts back carefully. Make sure they are in the right spot.
- Re-thread the bobbin.
Regular cleaning, maybe after every few projects or every 8-10 hours of sewing, will help your Janome machine run smoothly and prevent many Janome sewing machine bobbin problems.
Final Thoughts on Bobbin Threading
Mastering How to thread a bobbin Janome sewing machine is a basic but vital skill for anyone using one. It’s the first step to making good stitches. Remember the two main parts: Winding the bobbin on a Janome and Inserting the bobbin Janome style (especially the Janome horizontal bobbin setup).
Always check your machine’s manual for specific details, as models can vary slightly. If you run into Janome sewing machine bobbin problems, go back through the steps slowly. Most issues come from a simple mistake in the threading path or using the wrong type of bobbin.
With a little practice and this detailed Janome sewing machine bobbin threading guide, you’ll be a pro at getting your bobbin ready for sewing in no time. Happy sewing!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why does my thread loop up on the bottom?
This usually means the upper thread is not threaded right or the upper tension is too loose. Re-thread your upper machine carefully with the presser foot up.
Which way does the bobbin thread need to unwind in a Janome?
For most modern Janome horizontal bobbins, the thread should unwind counter-clockwise when placed in the machine. The thread should come off the left side of the bobbin.
Can I use bobbins from another brand in my Janome?
It is best to use bobbins made for your specific Janome model. Universal or other brand bobbins might not fit right, spin correctly, or could damage your machine over time.
Why won’t my bobbin wind?
Check if the bobbin is pushed fully onto the winder spindle and if the spindle is moved into the winding position. Also, make sure the thread is guided through the correct bobbin winding tension guide on your machine.
How much thread should I wind onto a bobbin?
Fill the bobbin until it is almost full, but not over the edges. Many Janome machines stop automatically when the bobbin is full enough.
How often should I clean the bobbin area?
Clean the bobbin area regularly, maybe after every 8-10 hours of sewing or after completing a large project, especially if you are using fabric that creates a lot of lint.