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Easy Steps How To Thread Bobbin On Kenmore Sewing Machine
Learning to thread the bobbin on your Kenmore sewing machine is a basic skill. It helps you sew correctly. The bobbin holds the lower thread. This lower thread joins with the upper thread to make stitches. Knowing how to wind thread on bobbin correctly and how to do bobbin installation is very important. This guide will show you easy steps to get your bobbin ready. It works for most Kenmore sewing machine models. You can also check your specific Kenmore sewing machine manual for pictures or extra tips.
Getting Ready to Thread Your Bobbin
Before you start, get everything you need. Having your tools ready makes the job easier. You will need just a few things.
What You Need
- Your Kenmore sewing machine.
- Thread you want to use for sewing.
- An empty bobbin that fits your Kenmore machine. Not all bobbins are the same. Use the one that came with your machine or check your Kenmore sewing machine manual for the right type.
- Scissors to cut the thread.
Finding the Right Bobbin
Kenmore machines use different types of bobbins. Using the wrong bobbin can cause problems. It might not wind right. It might not fit in the bobbin case or bobbin area. It might not feed the lower thread smoothly. Look at the bobbins you have. Do they look like the empty one that came with your machine? Are they the same size? The same shape? If you are not sure, look in your Kenmore sewing machine manual. It will tell you the right bobbin type. Using the correct bobbin is key for good stitches.
Getting to Know Your Bobbin Parts
Your sewing machine has special parts just for the bobbin. Finding these parts helps you follow the steps easily. Most Kenmore machines have a bobbin winder. They also have a place where the bobbin goes for sewing. This might be a bobbin case or a special spot under a cover.
The Bobbin Winder
Your machine has a little part on top or on the side. This is the bobbin winder. It has a spindle or post where you put the empty bobbin. It might have tension discs or a guide to help the thread wind tightly. It also has a way to stop winding when the bobbin is full. This little machine part makes winding bobbin simple and fast. Learning how to wind thread on bobbin starts here.
Where the Bobbin Goes
The bobbin goes into a special spot for sewing. This spot holds the bobbin steady. It lets the lower thread come out smoothly. Kenmore machines have two main types of bobbin areas:
- Top Drop-in Bobbin: This is often under a clear plastic cover near the needle. You just drop the bobbin into a space. The thread path is usually marked right there.
- Front Load Bobbin: This is often behind a door on the front of the machine. The bobbin goes inside a metal bobbin case. You put the bobbin case into a round metal part called the hook race.
Knowing which type your machine has helps you with inserting bobbin and bobbin installation later.
Winding the Bobbin: The First Step
Now, let’s fill that empty bobbin with thread. This process is called winding bobbin. It’s a very important step. A bobbin that is not wound right can cause problems when you sew. Problems like tangled thread or skipped stitches. Winding bobbin correctly helps your machine make nice stitches. This is how to wind thread on bobbin using your machine’s bobbin winder.
Step 1: Put Thread on the Spool Pin
Find the spool pin on top of your machine. This is where you put the spool of thread. Place the spool of thread on the spool pin. Make sure the thread comes off the spool correctly. Check your Kenmore sewing machine manual. Some threads come off the side, some off the top. It matters for how the thread feeds.
Step 2: Guide the Thread to the Bobbin Winder
Now, take the end of the thread from the spool. Your machine has guides for the thread. Find the path for winding the bobbin. It might go through a hook or around a small disc. These are the bobbin winding tension guides or discs. They help the thread wind onto the bobbin smoothly and tightly. Follow the path shown in your Kenmore sewing machine manual. It guides the thread from the spool to the bobbin winder area.
Step 3: Put the Bobbin on the Bobbin Winder Spindle
Take your empty bobbin. Find the small hole on the side of the bobbin. Push the end of the thread from Step 2 through this hole. Push it from the inside of the bobbin to the outside. Hold onto the thread end for a moment. Now, place the bobbin onto the bobbin winder spindle. This is the small post that spins. The thread end you are holding should be coming out from the top of the bobbin.
Step 4: Engage the Bobbin Winder
Slide the bobbin winder spindle to the side. It should click into a special spot. This spot connects the bobbin winder to the machine’s motor. When you slide it over, it means you are ready to wind the bobbin. Sliding the winder over often stops the sewing needle from moving. This is good. You only want the bobbin winder to spin. Your Kenmore sewing machine manual will show you how to engage the bobbin winder for your specific model.
Step 5: Start Winding the Bobbin
Hold the end of the thread coming out of the bobbin hole. Keep it TIGHT for the first few turns. This helps the thread catch onto the bobbin. Press the foot pedal lightly. The bobbin winder spindle will start to spin. The bobbin will turn. Thread will start to wind onto the bobbin. After a few turns, stop pressing the pedal. Snip off that little thread end you were holding close to the bobbin.
Step 6: Wind Until Full
Now, press the foot pedal again. The bobbin will keep winding. Watch it fill up with thread. The bobbin winder has a little arm or stopper. It will stop the winding when the bobbin is full. Don’t overfill the bobbin. Overfilling can cause problems. It can make the bobbin too big to fit right. It can make the lower thread tangle. Let the winder stop itself, or stop when the bobbin looks nicely full and even.
Step 7: Finish Winding
Once the bobbin stops or looks full, take your foot off the pedal. Slide the bobbin winder spindle back to its resting spot. Cut the thread connecting the bobbin to the spool. Your bobbin is now wound and ready. This completes the how to wind thread on bobbin part. You have successfully done winding bobbin!
Inserting the Bobbin: Getting Ready to Sew
Now that your bobbin is full of lower thread, you need to put it into the machine. This is called inserting bobbin or bobbin installation. The steps are different based on if you have a top drop-in or a front load machine with a bobbin case. Both ways get the sewing machine lower thread ready to stitch.
Inserting a Top Drop-in Bobbin
This is a common type on many newer Kenmore machines. It’s quite easy.
Step 1: Open the Bobbin Cover
Find the flat cover plate usually located right in front of or to the side of the needle. It’s often clear plastic. Slide the latch or lift the edge to open this cover. You will see the bobbin area.
Step 2: Place the Bobbin
Take your wound bobbin. Look at the way the thread comes off the bobbin. It needs to spin the right way for your machine. There is a diagram near the bobbin area. It shows you which way the thread should come off. It might be clockwise or counter-clockwise. Place the bobbin into the bobbin space. Make sure it sits flat and snug. The thread should be coming off in the direction shown in the diagram. If it comes off the wrong way, the lower thread will not feed right.
Step 3: Guide the Thread Through the Slot
Find the path or slot around the bobbin area. There is usually a little cut-out or guide. Take the end of the bobbin thread. Pull it into this slot. Guide it along the path shown in the diagram. This path takes the thread under a tension spring. The tension spring makes sure the lower thread has the right pull. Pull the thread gently until it is sitting fully in the slot. Leave a tail of thread about 4-6 inches long. This thread tail should lie on the needle plate.
Step 4: Close the Cover
Put the bobbin cover plate back in place. Snap it shut. The bobbin is now inserted. The lower thread is ready. This completes bobbin installation for a top drop-in system.
Inserting a Front Load Bobbin (Using a Bobbin Case)
This type is common on older Kenmore machines and some heavy-duty models. It involves a bobbin case. Threading Kenmore bobbin case needs a few extra steps.
Step 1: Open the Front Cover
Your machine will have a door or cover on the front. Open or remove it. Inside, you will see a round metal part. This is where the bobbin case goes.
Step 2: Remove the Bobbin Case
If there is a bobbin case already inside, you need to take it out. Often, there is a little latch or handle on the bobbin case. Pull it to take the case out.
Step 3: Open the Bobbin Case
The bobbin case itself has a small hinged latch or opening. Hold the bobbin case in your hand. Flip open the latch or opening.
Step 4: Put the Bobbin Into the Bobbin Case
Take your wound bobbin. Look at the way the thread comes off the bobbin. For most front-load bobbin cases, the thread needs to come off the bobbin so it spins clockwise when you are holding the bobbin case in front of you. Place the bobbin inside the bobbin case. It should fit snugly.
Step 5: Thread the Bobbin Case
This is key for threading Kenmore bobbin case. Take the end of the thread from the bobbin inside the case. Pull it through the small slot on the edge of the bobbin case. After pulling it through the slot, you need to pull it under a flat tension spring. This spring is on the side of the bobbin case. The thread should slide smoothly under this spring. There is usually a little notch at the end of the spring path. Guide the thread into this notch. This gives the lower thread the right tension. Leave a thread tail about 4-6 inches long hanging out of the bobbin case.
Step 6: Insert the Bobbin Case Into the Machine
Hold the bobbin case by its open latch or handle. The thread tail should be hanging out. Push the bobbin case into the round metal hook race in the machine. There is often a little notch or key on the bobbin case that lines up with a spot in the machine. Make sure it clicks or seats firmly into place. Release the latch or handle you were holding. The bobbin case should stay in the machine.
Step 7: Close the Cover
Close the front cover of your machine. The bobbin is now inserted using the bobbin case. The sewing machine lower thread is ready to be brought up. This completes bobbin installation for a front load system.
Bringing Up the Lower Thread
Whether you have a top drop-in or a front load bobbin, the lower thread is now in place. But it’s not through the needle plate yet. You need to bring the lower thread up through the small hole in the needle plate. This is where the needle goes down. This step connects the lower thread with the upper thread so you can start sewing.
Steps to Bring Up the Lower Thread
- Make Sure the Needle is Up: Turn the handwheel on the side of your machine towards you. Turn it until the needle is in its highest position.
- Hold the Upper Thread: Make sure your machine is threaded with the upper thread. Hold the end of the upper thread gently with one hand. Keep a little bit of slack in the thread.
- Lower and Raise the Needle: While holding the upper thread, slowly turn the handwheel towards you again. Watch the needle go down into the needle plate hole. It will go all the way down and then start to come back up. As the needle comes up, it will catch the lower thread.
- Catch the Loop: Keep turning the handwheel towards you. As the needle comes higher, it will pull a loop of the lower thread up through the needle plate hole. The upper thread you are holding helps it catch this loop.
- Pull the Loop: Once you see the loop of the lower thread, stop turning the handwheel. Use your fingers, or the tip of your scissors, or a seam ripper to gently pull this loop up. Pull it fully above the needle plate.
- Pull Out the Thread Tail: Pull the loop until the end of the lower thread comes completely out of the hole. You now have the end of the lower thread sitting on top of the needle plate.
- Position Threads: Take both the upper thread and the lower thread. Pull them together and slide them under the sewing machine’s presser foot. Pull them towards the back of the machine. Leave a few inches of both threads behind the presser foot.
Now you have successfully brought up the sewing machine lower thread. Both threads are ready for you to start sewing.
Common Bobbin Problems and How to Fix Them
Sometimes, things don’t go perfectly with the bobbin. Don’t worry! Many common problems are easy to fix. Knowing what might go wrong helps you sew without stress.
Here is a table of issues you might face with the bobbin and lower thread:
| Problem | Possible Cause | How to Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Thread tangles under the fabric | – Bobbin not inserted correctly | – Re-insert the bobbin (check spinning direction, ensure thread is in tension slot/spring). |
| (Called “Bird’s Nesting”) | – Lower thread not pulled up correctly | – Pull up the lower thread again following the steps. |
| – Upper thread tension is too loose | – Check and adjust the upper thread tension. | |
| Bobbin won’t wind evenly | – Thread path to winder is wrong | – Check your Kenmore sewing machine manual for the correct thread path to the bobbin winder. |
| – Thread is not going through the tension discs | – Make sure the thread is properly seated in the bobbin winding tension discs or guides. | |
| Thread breaks while winding | – Bobbin winder is not engaged fully | – Make sure the bobbin winder spindle is clicked into the winding position. |
| – Thread is old or weak | – Use new, good quality thread. | |
| – Winding too fast initially | – Start winding slowly and hold the thread end gently for the first few turns. | |
| Bobbin won’t fit in the machine | – Using the wrong size/type of bobbin | – Check your Kenmore sewing machine manual for the correct bobbin type. Only use that type. |
| Bobbin thread looks loop-y on top | – Lower thread tension is too loose | – For front load, the thread might not be under the bobbin case tension spring. Re-thread bobbin case. |
| (Upper side of fabric) | – For top load, thread not in tension slot | – Re-insert bobbin and make sure thread is in the guide slot. |
| No lower thread comes up | – Bobbin is empty | – Wind a new bobbin. |
| when turning handwheel | – Bobbin not inserted at all | – Insert the bobbin or bobbin case correctly. |
| – Thread is not guided correctly inside machine | – Check bobbin installation steps again, ensure thread is in its proper path (slot or under spring). | |
| Bobbin runs out of thread fast | – Bobbin was not full | – Make sure to wind the bobbin completely using the bobbin winder until it stops or is visibly full. |
| – Thread is very thick (takes up more space) | – Use thread suitable for your machine and needle size. |
Tips for Bobbin Success
Here are a few simple tips to help you have the best results with your bobbin and lower thread:
- Use Matching Thread: It’s best to use the same type and weight of thread in both the bobbin and the needle. This helps the stitches look even on both sides of the fabric.
- Don’t Overfill: Let the bobbin winder stop itself or stop when the bobbin is full but not bulging. Overfilling can cause jams.
- Check Bobbin Before Starting: Before you start a seam, quickly check your bobbin area. Is the bobbin in place? Is there enough thread? Is the thread coming out correctly?
- Clean Your Bobbin Area: Lint and dust can build up in the bobbin area. This can cause problems with the lower thread feeding smoothly. Use a small brush to clean it out often. Check your Kenmore sewing machine manual for how to clean this area.
- Use the Right Bobbin: This was mentioned before, but it’s worth saying again. Using the correct bobbin for your Kenmore machine is vital. Wrong bobbins can cause many problems.
- Check Your Manual: Your Kenmore sewing machine manual is your best friend. It has pictures and steps specifically for your model. If you are stuck, look there first.
Interpreting the Bobbin’s Role in Stitching
The bobbin holds the sewing machine lower thread. This thread is half of every stitch you make. When the needle goes down with the upper thread, the hook mechanism around the bobbin area catches the upper thread. The bobbin thread then loops with the upper thread as the needle comes back up. This forms a lockstitch. If the bobbin is not wound right, or not inserted right, or the lower thread tension is off, the stitch won’t form correctly. You might see loops on the top or bottom of your fabric. Or the thread might break. So, correct winding bobbin, inserting bobbin, and threading Kenmore bobbin case are fundamental parts of making good stitches. The lower thread needs to come out of the bobbin smoothly and with the right amount of pull. This pull comes from the tension spring on the bobbin case or the tension slot in the top drop-in area.
Step-by-Step Winding Bobbin Summary
Let’s quickly go over winding the bobbin again. It’s a key skill. Winding bobbin makes sure you have thread for the lower part of your stitch.
- Put your thread spool on the machine’s spool pin.
- Guide the thread through the guides or tension discs meant for winding the bobbin.
- Put the empty bobbin on the bobbin winder spindle. Push the thread end through a hole in the bobbin.
- Slide the bobbin winder spindle to the side to start winding mode.
- Hold the thread end and press the foot pedal gently. Wind a few turns. Stop and trim the thread end close to the bobbin.
- Press the pedal again and wind until the bobbin is full or the winder stops.
- Slide the winder back. Cut the thread from the spool.
You now have a full bobbin, ready for inserting bobbin and bobbin installation. Learning how to wind thread on bobbin smoothly helps prevent issues later.
Fathoming Bobbin Installation Types
Let’s look closer at the two ways of doing bobbin installation. Understanding these helps you fix issues specific to your machine type.
Top Drop-in System: Simple and Visible
This system is known for being easy. The bobbin drops in from the top. You can often see the bobbin through a clear cover. This makes it easy to see how much thread is left. The path for the lower thread is a simple slot or groove around the bobbin area. The thread tension is set by guiding the thread through this marked path. The thread needs to slide easily through the path but feel a slight pull. If it’s too loose or too tight in this slot, your sewing machine lower thread tension will be wrong.
Front Load System with Bobbin Case: Classic and Robust
This system uses a separate metal bobbin case. The bobbin goes inside the case, and then the case goes into the machine. Threading Kenmore bobbin case means guiding the thread under a metal spring on the side of the case. This spring is the tension control for the lower thread. This system can sometimes handle a wider variety of threads better than top drop-in systems. If your lower thread tension is off in this system, you usually need to check if the thread is correctly under this spring in the bobbin case. Sometimes, the screw on this spring can be adjusted, but this is usually best left to a repair person unless your Kenmore sewing machine manual gives clear instructions.
Final Checks Before Sewing
You’ve wound the bobbin, you’ve completed bobbin installation, and you’ve brought up the sewing machine lower thread. Before you start stitching your fabric, do one last quick check:
- Are both the upper thread and the lower thread tails pulled under the presser foot and towards the back?
- Is the presser foot down? Your machine won’t sew right (or at all) with the foot up.
- Is the needle threaded correctly?
- Is the bobbin area cover closed securely?
Taking these few seconds to check everything helps prevent tangled messes when you start sewing.
Grasping the Importance of Your Kenmore Sewing Machine Manual
Your Kenmore sewing machine manual is made just for your machine model. It has pictures showing the exact thread paths for winding bobbin and for threading the upper thread. It shows how to do bobbin installation correctly for your machine type. It lists the right bobbin type to use. If you are ever unsure about a step, especially threading Kenmore bobbin case or finding the right thread path for winding bobbin, look at your manual. It is the most accurate guide you have. Keep it handy near your sewing machine.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kenmore Bobbins
Getting the bobbin right is common for questions. Here are answers to some things people often ask.
Q: Why does my bobbin thread keep breaking?
A: This can happen for several reasons.
* The bobbin might be wound too loosely or unevenly (problems with winding bobbin).
* The bobbin or bobbin case might not be inserted correctly (issues with inserting bobbin or bobbin installation). Check if the thread is in the tension spring or slot.
* The thread might be caught on something in the bobbin area.
* The thread itself might be old, poor quality, or too thick for the needle/fabric.
* The bobbin area might be dirty.
* The bobbin type might be wrong for your machine.
Q: My stitches are looped on the bottom. What’s wrong?
A: This is a very common problem. It usually means the upper thread tension is too tight OR the lower thread tension is too loose. Since you just worked on the bobbin, the most likely issue is with the lower thread. Re-check how you did bobbin installation and threading Kenmore bobbin case (if you have one). Make sure the thread is fully under the tension spring or in the tension slot in the bobbin area. If that looks right, try adjusting the upper thread tension dial. Loosen it a little.
Q: My machine makes a loud noise when I sew after changing the bobbin.
A: This could mean the bobbin or bobbin case is not seated correctly. Turn off the machine. Open the bobbin area. Remove the bobbin or bobbin case. Clean out any lint. Re-insert the bobbin or bobbin case carefully, making sure it clicks or seats fully. Sometimes, a little sewing machine oil (check your Kenmore sewing machine manual for where to oil) around the bobbin hook area can help, but do not over-oil.
Q: Can I use metal bobbins if my machine came with plastic ones?
A: No, generally you should only use the type of bobbins that came with your machine or are recommended in your Kenmore sewing machine manual. Using the wrong type can cause problems with tension, timing, and may even damage your machine. Metal and plastic bobbins are different weights and thicknesses.
Q: How full should I wind the bobbin?
A: Wind it until it is full but not bulging or packed too tightly. Most bobbin winders on machines have a stopper that will disengage when the bobbin is full. Let the machine stop itself if it has this feature. If not, stop when the thread is just below the rim of the bobbin.
Q: Do I need a bobbin case for a top drop-in bobbin machine?
A: No, machines with top drop-in bobbins do not use a separate bobbin case. The bobbin drops directly into a built-in holder in the machine. Threading Kenmore bobbin case is only for machines that use that style.
Learning the steps for winding bobbin and inserting bobbin on your Kenmore machine is a fundamental part of sewing. Take your time, follow the steps, and refer to your Kenmore sewing machine manual if needed. Soon, getting the sewing machine lower thread ready will be quick and easy!