Search here...
TOP
Uncategorized

The Dreaded Empty Bobbin Message

 

Several weeks ago, I wrote about quilting Sunkissed on the Shorte. I promised to tell you what you do when you have to change the bobbin in the middle of the quilt. First, I’ll give you two steps to set yourself up for success.

  1. Wind several bobbins before beginning the quilting, you’ll go through them faster than you think.
  2. After quilting several rows of designs, check the bobbin level when the right edge of the quilt is in the hoop. It’s easiest to check the bobbin when you’re stitching near the right edge.

No matter your best intentions, it might slip your mind and you’ll wind up getting the dreaded empty bobbin message:

IMG_0206

The first thing to do is exhale, it’s not the end of the world. Now, take a moment to locate the last stitch.

IMG_0207

Carefully reach under the quilt and release the hoop from the pantograph. Before actually moving the hoop, grasp the Monster top frame, quilt and bottom frame all together, firmly holding it by the frame – not the fabric. Slide a flat board such as a clip board or the magnet shield (that comes with your hoop) under the hoop to create a flat, sturdy resting spot for the hooped quilt. Move the frame/quilt to the left to reveal the bobbin case. Remember the quilt is still attached to the ShortE so you can’t just move the hoop to another work area.

IMG_0208

Change the bobbin.

IMG_0209

Firmly grasp the hooped quilt by the frame and reattach it to the machine. When attaching, push the hoop onto the machine by the attachment, not the frame. The needle should be positioned over the last stitch.

IMG_0211

If not, lift the top frame and reposition the fabric so that the needle is over the last stitch. Hold onto the needle thread and drop the needle into the fabric and pull the bobbin thread to the top surface. Pull a 6-7” thread tail. Continue to stitch the design.

The magnetic frames make minute adjustments under the needle a breeze!

Here’s your assignment this week:
I’m sure you’ve come across the empty bobbin message. What do you do to avoid this? Wind several bobbins? Purchase pre-wound? Throw away almost empty bobbins? Or just bear with it? A random comment will be selected to win a pack of Print & Stick Target Paper!
The winner of last week’s assignment:
Tell us your absolute favorite song that makes you want to sing at the top of your lungs. We will pick 4 random comments and they each will receive a $25 gift certificate to Zippy DesignZ! !And the winners Are: Donna Fecteau, Teresa Mitchell, Breda Sutton and Tammy Wright!

 

«

»

69 COMMENTS

  • Kristi Dennis

    I just bear with it and put in a new bobbin. I always try to have several prewound bobbins ready.

  • Rhonda Kimbrough

    Wind several bobbins two or three.

  • Debbie Mullins

    Just bear with it. Always have more bobbins wound and ready to go.

  • Lynn Searles

    Take a deep breathe. Count to 10. Then exchange the empty bobbin for one of several pre-filled bobbins. Once I get everything back up and running, I congratulate myself for a job well done.

  • Susan

    I check the bobbin after each hooping. If I think I will not have enough for the next hooping, I put in a new one.

  • Casie

    If I get caught, I just bear with it and change the bobbin. To help avoid that, I use pre-wound bobbins and through them away before they’re empty.

  • Ellen

    Depending on what I am doing I either use prewound bobbins or wind several bobbins in advance in the color I am using. But I have trouble throwing away an almost empty bobbin. Keep them for hand basting.

  • Kathy

    Take a deep breath, refill and go on. Then I remember to peek at the bobbin with each hoop change (for a little while anyway!)

  • Liz Fergus

    I have been keeping purchased pre-wound bobbins on hand but I am now thinking that it is not so hard or time consuming to wind my own on my machine if I just take the time to do 2 or 3 at a time whenever I have a few moments. Keeping a stock on hand is easy, and I have purchased “Bobbin” thread for this purpose.

  • Rita McGuire

    I use pre-wound bobbins because it’s easy to check my supply before embroidering. In using my embroidering machine I have learned to change a bobbin in the middle of a design and to go back to the last stitch when I ran out of bobbin or the thread broke. It’s so exciting to master your machine!

  • Belinda Germain

    I have a six needle and changing bobbins are easy, so I just wait until it is empty and then replace it. Never throw out a bobbin unless it is damaged!

  • Terri

    I keep watch of the bobbin during color changes and will change out the bobbin if I feel I won’t have enough to finish an embroidery project. I will pre- wind bobbins as I feel necessary, but always start with a full bobbin with most projects.

  • Barb Grant

    I always wind extra bobbins wound before I start a project and keep an eye out for the low bobbin message. I hate to waste small amounts left on the bobbin of Bottom Line thread. Instead of wasting it I’ll use it for quilt piecing or appliqué.

  • Rebecca

    Remember when she used to be not come with the Low Boppin warning!

  • Anne Marie Reilly

    I buy pre wound bobbins. When I get that message, I back the needle up several stitches, then change the bobbin and go on with the design.

  • Brenda Melahn

    I have tried extra bobbins, but usually when I’m using pre-wounds. I also like to use “low” amount of thread bobbins for my test pieces in embroidery. That way I don’t care if I run out and I’m more apt to have nice full bobbins for my “real” project.

  • Donna Fecteau

    Thank you!!! i buy prewound bobbins. I save my partial bobbins for trial pieces. and other small projects.

  • Royce Zook

    Just change out the empty bobbin. What do you do when you have a thread break or a needle break? You just fix it and continue.

  • Saundra Romanus

    I bought a box of pre-wound bobbins and I love them, BUT it still happens that a bobbin runs out before you are finished with a design. I’m getting pretty good at changing, but I still have to get my manual out to check on the steps. I tell myself to check the bobbin before I start, but I guess I do not listen to myself!

  • Becky

    I find that I can usually stitch till the end of the current color. While changing threads, I also remove the hoop and change the bobbin.

  • Karen

    I use pre-wound most of the time. When my bobbin is empty I can change it without removing my hoop.

  • Susie Mackenberg

    I use pre-wound bobbins for embroidery. Since they are wound tighter there is more thread on them than I can wind manually and I always start a project with a new bobbin.

  • Lee

    When I’m embroidering I leave the stitch and needle just slightly into the fabric and lift the hoop. It works, but I’m not convinced top loading bobbins are the best for reloading, when quilting or doing embroidery. I’ve always wondered why manufacturers haven’t put bobbins to the right of the machine? Design flaw?

  • Christina

    I always purchase prewound bobbins for embroidery and use them again for sewing. I try to change them in between color changes when I’m stitching out at larger piece.

  • Debe

    I buy prewounds or wind several in advance, but I still have to change the bobbin on a large project no matter how many bobbins I have ready, lol. I change a bobbin when I get the warning on a large project at a place when it won’t affect the design to stop. Then I use the bobbins with a small amount left on projects that are smaller, then I don’t waste thread

  • allen king

    When I get the low bobbin warning I watch to make sure the needle thread is picking up the bobbin thread until the bobbin thread runs out. Then I back up a few stitches, put in a new bobbin, pull the new bobbin thread up to the right side (to tie off later), and continue sewing. I hate having little bits of thread on bobbins so I either use them until they run out or use them for embroidery basting stitches.

  • Barb M.

    If the project is large, I wind several bobbins before, if the project needs the same color as my top thread. Otherwise I use prewound white bobbins.

  • Lynn Pike

    I usually wind a bobbin as one gets low, so I’m ready to change them quickly.

  • Doreen

    I usually continue stitching until it’s just about out. I’m very frugal so even though it’s a pain with only stitching a few stitches and stopping along with the message showing up again I still stitch on. If it’s very important or I’m getting paid I will usually change the bobbin quicker than my usual custom. I also have extra bobbins wound and hope I have another in that color. If not I wind another in the color needed.

  • Bev C

    Hello,

    Depends how much embroidering there is to do, though I usually wind enough bobbins for the project I am working on. It saves time this way.

    happy days.
    Bev

  • lynda case

    I also wind many bobbins when I have time so I’m always ready for a quick change.

  • Cathy Martin

    I try to always wind extra bobbins when I start. I don’t get too frustrated when I run out as I would rather be embroidering than any other thing except maybe playing with the Grandkids!

  • Edna Smith

    I try to just bear with it. If I can manage to bear with it in a good manner then afterwards I feel better about myself for handling the situation well; therefore I am in about better mood and can continue with my sewing a much happier person and it will show in my work and persona.

  • Angela Bradyi

    i usually use prewound and just change if needed.

  • JudiC

    Since my embroidery machine does not have a bobbin winder I purchase prewound bobbins.

  • Barbara McKenzie

    I usually override the low bobbin alarm and keep going – it’s surprising how much thread is actually on the bobbin when it alarms. It’s just as easy to change the bobbin after it actually runs out as to change it when the first alarm goes off, and who knows? It might just continue on to a more convenient place to change!

    • Denise

      I use this method as well.

  • Beth R

    If I am close to the end of a bobbin and don’t think I will have enough thread to finish what I am doing, I remove that bobbin and put in a new one. If it is a bobbin I wound, then I’ll wind another one to be ready for when I run out of bobbin thread next.

  • They are considering a ban on these compounds due to
    concerns that the paralysis could become permanent.
    There are many different ways to enjoy the wonder of a Disney holiday.

    Should you favor a relaxing time, then the spectacular seashores
    Dubai has to offer could be the ultimate location for relaxation.

    • Karen W

      What’s this got to do with empty bobbins on an embroidery/sewing machine?

  • Pest Spray Winnipeg

    whoah this blog is magnificent i like studying your articles.
    Stay up the good work! You already know, many people are hunting around for this info, you
    can help them greatly.

  • Denise

    I prepare a few extra bobbins to match and check with each color change. I also use purchased prewound, but never throw away any with thread left. Those I save for basting almost anything from drapes to clothing to toys.

  • Ruth Woodham

    I do all the above and I add one more. There is a little sign posted on my machine – “CHECK THE BOBBIN THREAD BEFORE YOU START.” If I have a big project, then I know the bobbin will run out. If I have a small one, the thread on the bobbin will probably last.

  • Vicki B

    I love pre-wound bobbins. What a time saver.

  • Sylvia Kerschner

    I keep my bobbins in two different sized, round plastic interlocking containers. In the small container I keep my prewound bobbins and in the larger one I keep empty bobbins. The stacked containers sit next to my embroidery machine, taking up very little space.

  • Charlotte Ann EllingSon

    After many years I have learned to wind as many bobbins I think Ill need then one more for good. If I find I have used up my bobbins and need to empty some of the thread I unwind the unwanted THREAD AND SAVE IT. Then when I have saved a bunch of the thread I have collected then I USE IT TO MAKE A NET LIKE

    • Charlotte Ann EllingSon

      Empty bobbins!!!! well, I usually wind what I Think I will be using the add one more for good luck. When I find I need to free up some bobbins for using on a new project I will empty the bobbons and put the thread in to a zip lock bag along with snipping threads. ends of spools, and sometimes even unravel material, yarns also go in the bag. When there is enough to sandwich between water soluble sheets and I make new material out of it for decorative purposes.

  • Karen McDonner

    Empty bobbins are not fun! I try to always keep at least 6 bobbins ready to go simply because I dread the task!

  • Joan Bland

    I appreciate this message. I have a few stitches left at this point so I make note of it and change into a new bobbin. With the message you are not sewing without a threaded bobbin. Thank goodness for this message. Joan Bland

  • Karen W

    I do a combination of pre-wound bobbins (colors, white & black), wind extras before beginning a large projects & just change them as needed, otherwise. I’ve gotten used to changing bobbins & counting thru a design to get to a better stopping point, but I do a lot of designs that are reversible, so I change the bobbin color with each color change on those projects. It’s just not that hard to “park” or remove your frame — just don’t press any buttons while the frame is removed. Getting to know your machine just makes you more confident & less afraid of mishaps. No more dreading the beeps!

  • Dena

    I keep pushing the ignore button and keep stitching. I will put up more wound bobbins on my next project and try not to sorry so much.

  • He left behind the prayer rug so that anyone clever enough would
    see the pattern and escape. ‘ Locksmiths can also give genuine suggestions on the kind of security systems which should be installed.
    With a very good background to its credit, you will surely have a rewarding and ingenuous experience with a locksmith.

    • Karen W

      Where’s our moderator on these off-topic messages?

  • It’s very easy to find out any matter on net as compared to books,
    as I found this piece of writing at this site.

  • Beulah

    This website certainly has all the information and facts I needed concerning this subject and
    didn’t know who to ask.

  • kpopselca.com

    Free Live Psychic Chat Online can potentially spot all their concealed information, and also offer them the equilibrium and also convenience that is correct to just what they are seeking.

  • Hey I am so thrilled I found your weblog, I really found you by mistake, while I was searching on Bing for something else, Anyhow I am here now and would just like to say thanks for a fantastic post and a all round thrilling blog (I also love the theme/design), I don¡¯t have time to read through it all at the minute but I have book-marked it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read much more, Please do keep up the superb b.

  • Diner Dash: Flo On The Go gameFlo trades in her work with poptropica cheats the game.
    ‘ Or you can make them at the review from the Android, Animas Online.
    There is option to buy a mobile optimized offer page
    instantly. As traditional console games, ticket purchases, GPS enabled sets, plasma TVs,
    LED TVs and LCD TVs poptropica cheats offer some great free games are based on cash victory equations for Mobile app has been left behind.

  • Great beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your web site, how could i subscribe for a blog web site? The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear concept

  • Wonderful post but I was wanting to know iff you could wtite a litte more on this topic?
    I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit more.

    Cheers!

  • agencasino.me

    Ⅰ’ve been browwsing online gгeater thɑn threee hoᥙrs latᥱly, yeet I never foᥙnd ɑny interᥱsting aarticle liқе yours.
    It iѕ pretty valuye sufficient for me. In my view, if all website oners ɑnd bloggers mɑde excellent content aas yoou ⅾіd, thе
    net wilⅼ liҝely bbe much more helpful than eνer
    before.

  • all youjizz

    I am regular visitor, how are you everybody? This post
    posted at this web site is really nice.

  • blog

    You really make it appear really easy together with your presentation but I to find this matter to be actually
    something that I feel I might by no means understand.

    It seems too complicated and very large for me.
    I’m having a look forward in your subsequent publish, I will attempt
    to get the cling of it!

  • Angela

    That photograph is by way of Paul Kolnik, not Alexander. Pab can’t order it restricted, yet it’s inside of the metadata.

  • Yet not just as fancy at real life whether mothers wrist was never 2small don’t purchase they influence things get tight .. it really is sweet and yet whatever yur 5year aged make . Non the actual much less the a ok present to offer but not your wow gift…cant get wrong if you think dont own far to spend for a gift then bring this

  • dadu online

    I hope this site become popular.