¶ Introduction
Instructions for getting the bobbin in and out of the lockstitch and walking foot machines.
¶ Skills/Class Required
A membership or day pass is required to access Textiles. The following Shop Safety Class is required to access the Lockstitch sewing machines:
¶ Machine Reservations
The lockstitch sewing machines do not require a machine reservation and are available on a first-come first-serve basis.
¶ Safety
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
• Sturdy, close-toed shoes must be worn at all times for traction and stability.
• Long hair, jewelry, and loose clothing must be tied back to prevent getting caught in moving parts.
For more information on shop safety visit Textiles under "Safety."
✓ Make sure the machine is turned off before changing the bobbin.
✓ Keep your feet off the drive pedal as you perform this procedure.
¶ Time to complete
- 5 minutes.
¶ Tools Required
- Pre-wound bobbin (Here's how to wind thread onto your bobbin.)
Make sure that the bobbin and thread is compatible with the machine that you are using.
- Bobbin case compatible with the machine.
- Scissors
¶ Materials Required
- Thread
¶ Previous Steps:
¶ Replacing the bobbin
First, turn the machine off and take your feet off the drive pedal.
¶ Taking the bobbin case out of the machine
- Pull back the bobbin cover slide plate cover to reveal the shuttle race. Use the notch at the right edge of the plate to slide the plate open.
- Take the bobbin case out of the shuttle race. Lift the lever on the bobbin case as you carefully remove it from the shuttle race. Keep the bobbin case upright to keep the bobbin from falling out. It may be easier to reach under the table to get to the bobbin case.
¶ Taking the bobbin out of the bobbin case
- If you're holding the lever on the bobbin case, release it.
- Tilt the bobbin case so that the bobbin falls into your other palm.
- Pull the bobbin away from the case until the end of the thread comes free of the case.
- Clean out the bobbin case. Check inside the bobbin case and remove any lint or loose threads.
¶ Loading the bobbin into the bobbin case
Hold the bobbin so that the dangling thread makes a p shape with the bobbin.
- Pass the thread through thread slot A, and pull the thread in direction B.
By so doing, the thread will pass under the tension spring and come out from notch B.
- Check that the bobbin rotates in the direction of the arrow when thread C is pulled.
¶ Testing the tension on the bobbin
This is optional and would only need to be done if the thread weight has been changed.
- With the bobbin secure inside the bobbin case, hold the thread end in one hand and the bobbin case in the other.
- Drop the bobbin case without letting go of the head.
You only want the case to drop about one or two inches.
¶ Putting the bobbin case into the machine
- Pull the lever on the bobbin case to lock the bobbin inside.
- Align the open space in the top of the bobbin case with the top of the shuttle race.
- Slide the bobbin case into the shuttle race, rotating it back and forth until it settles all the way into the shuttle race.
- Release the lever.
- Slide the faceplate back into place.
¶ Next Steps
¶ References
Instructions adapted from the Juki Manual.
¶ Glossary
- Bobbin: A cylinder or spindle on which thread is wound.
- Bobbin case: Holds the bobbin in place while sewing and applies tension to the bottom thread.
- Needle plate: Sits below the needle and presser plate, covers the bobbin and the bobbin case.
- Shuttle race: The channel or shelf in a sewing machine where the shuttle passes, beneath the warp.