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Bobbin Thread Basics

The Foundation of Every Perfect Stitch

When embroiderers experience thread breaks, looping stitches or tension problems, the bobbin is often the first thing they blame. Yet the humble bobbin is probably one of the most misunderstood parts of an embroidery machine.

Although it's hidden beneath your fabric, the bobbin plays a vital role in creating every single stitch. Choosing the correct bobbin, winding it properly, using the right thread and keeping it clean can make a remarkable difference to the quality of your embroidery.

This week we're going back to basics and exploring everything you need to know about embroidery bobbins before we dive into bobbin tension in next week's Masterclass.

Not All Bobbins Are Created Equal

One of the biggest misconceptions is that all bobbins are the same.

At first glance they may look almost identical, but bobbins come in different heights, diameters and materials. Even a tiny difference in size can affect how your machine stitches.

Using the wrong bobbin can result in:

• Uneven tension

• Thread breaks

• Noisy stitching

• Bobbin wobble

• Skipped stitches

Always use the bobbin style recommended by your machine manufacturer. Never assume that because a bobbin fits into the machine, it is the correct one.

Different Types of Bobbins

If you look through your sewing room, you may discover quite a collection of bobbins!

Some are made from clear plastic, while others are metal. Some are taller, some are wider and some hold considerably more thread than others.

The most common bobbins you'll come across include:

• Plastic domestic bobbins

• Metal domestic bobbins

• L Style bobbins (commonly used in embroidery machines)

• M Style bobbins (used mainly in industrial embroidery and longarm quilting machines)

Although M Style bobbins are much larger and hold significantly more thread, they are designed specifically for machines built to accommodate them. Unless your machine is designed for M Style bobbins, don't be tempted to substitute one.

Plastic vs Metal Bobbins

Many machines are designed specifically to use either plastic or metal bobbins.

Plastic Bobbins

Plastic bobbins are lightweight, inexpensive and allow you to easily see how much thread remains.

However, over time they can develop tiny nicks or scratches, particularly if they are dropped or knocked against hard surfaces.

These small imperfections may seem insignificant, but they can catch the thread and create inconsistent tension.

Metal Bobbins

Metal bobbins are extremely durable and are often found in industrial or high-speed embroidery machines.

Although they last much longer, they should still be inspected regularly for dents, bent flanges or rust.

Regardless of which type your machine uses, damaged bobbins should always be replaced.

Choosing the Right Bobbin Thread

Just as there are different bobbins, there are also different bobbin threads.

Unlike your beautiful embroidery thread, bobbin thread is designed to be finer and less bulky.

Most embroidery bobbin thread is either 60 wt or 90 wt, allowing far more thread to fit onto each bobbin while creating a balanced lock stitch.

Using dedicated bobbin thread means:

• More stitches per bobbin

• Less bulk underneath dense embroidery

• Better tension balance

• Smoother stitch formation

We'll explore thread weights and thread types in much more detail in a future Masterclass dedicated entirely to embroidery threads.

Where Can I Buy Good Bobbin Thread?

There are many excellent brands available, and you certainly don't need the most expensive one to achieve beautiful results.

Some well-known embroidery brands include:

• Fil-Tec Magna-Glide

• Madeira

• Superior Threads Bottom Line

• WonderFil DecoBob

• Brother Embroidery Bobbin Thread

Purchase from reputable embroidery suppliers in your country and avoid very cheap, inconsistent threads that may cause unnecessary tension problems.

Pre-Wound Bobbins

Pre-wound bobbins have become extremely popular, particularly in commercial embroidery studios.

Because they are professionally wound under controlled tension, they offer excellent consistency and often hold more thread than a home-wound bobbin.

Advantages include:

✔ Consistent winding

✔ More thread capacity

✔ No winding time

✔ Ready to stitch immediately

However, not every machine likes pre-wound bobbins.

Some machines stitch beautifully with them, while others may prefer self-wound bobbins.

If you're thinking about trying pre-wounds for the first time, my recommendation is simple:

Buy a small pack first before investing in a large box.

Every embroidery machine has its own personality!

Winding Your Own Bobbins

If you prefer winding your own bobbins, make sure they are wound evenly and firmly without being overfilled.

An unevenly wound bobbin can create inconsistent tension as it empties.

Personally, I absolutely love using a dedicated bobbin winder.

While my embroidery machine is busy stitching one project, I can be winding fresh bobbins for the next one without interrupting production.

It's one of those little studio tools that quickly becomes indispensable once you've used one.

Why Do We Use Bobbin Thread?

Many beginners wonder why we don't simply use embroidery thread in both the needle and the bobbin.

The answer is quite simple.

Embroidery bobbin thread is finer, creating less bulk underneath the embroidery while allowing considerably more thread to fit onto each bobbin.

This results in longer stitching time between bobbin changes and better overall stitch balance.

For most embroidery projects, dedicated bobbin thread is the best choice.

When Should You Use Embroidery Thread in the Bobbin?

There are exceptions.

Freestanding Lace is one of them.

Because both sides of the lace remain visible after the water-soluble stabilizer is washed away, using matching embroidery thread in the bobbin creates beautiful colour on both sides of the design.

However, using 40 wt embroidery thread in both the needle and bobbin does create a thicker stitch.

If the lace design is particularly dense, this extra bulk can sometimes affect stitch quality and may require small tension adjustments.

My personal preference is often to use a coloured 60 wt embroidery thread in the bobbin instead and the bonus of this 60wt thread is that with tiny fonts that often does not stitch very nice in 40wt thread, you can get amazing results with just a thinner thread.

This still gives you a beautifully coloured reverse side while creating less bulk and maintaining a stitch balance much closer to standard embroidery settings.

Could My Bobbin Be Causing Stitch Problems?

Sometimes yes... but not always.

Common bobbin-related issues include:

• Damaged or scratched bobbins

• Incorrect bobbin style

• Poor quality thread

• Incorrect winding

• Wrong insertion direction

• Lint buildup

• Thread caught beneath the bobbin case spring

Before adjusting tensions, always eliminate these simple possibilities first.

Even pre-wound bobbins can sometimes make you pull your hair from your head. Some manufacturers use a lot of "glue" to keep the thread from unwinding, so just pull off a yard or so off the bobbin and it should stitch perfectly.

Quite often the solution is much easier than expected.

Looking After Your Bobbins

Bobbins don't last forever.

Every now and then, inspect them carefully.

Check for:

• Small nicks around the edges

• Cracks in plastic bobbins

• Bent metal flanges

• Rust

• Thread wrapped around the centre

If a bobbin is damaged, replace it.

They're inexpensive compared to the frustration they can cause.

And remember to inspect your bobbin case as well, sometimes in the tension plate a small piece of lint might be stuck and that can cause problems while stitching as well.

Store your bobbins neatly rather than tossing them into a drawer where they can become scratched or collect dust and lint.

Keeping the Bobbin Area Clean

The bobbin area is a magnet for lint, tiny thread fragments and stabilizer fibres.

Take a few moments every so often to remove the bobbin case and gently clean the surrounding area with a soft brush.

Also inspect the bobbin case itself, paying particular attention to the tension spring where lint can easily become trapped.

Good housekeeping prevents many tension problems before they even begin.

💡 Important Tip: Before adding oil to your machine, always check your owner's manual or your manufacturer's recommendations to see if, where, and how often your machine should be lubricated.

Keeping the bobbin area properly lubricated is essential for machines that require it. On my multi-needle embroidery machine, I add a drop of oil after approximately every second bobbin change to keep everything running smoothly.

However, not all machines require oil in the bobbin area. Most domestic single-needle embroidery machines are designed differently and adding oil where it isn't needed can do more harm than good. When in doubt, always follow your machine's manual rather than someone else's maintenance routine.

We'll be looking much more closely at bobbin cases and bobbin tension in next week's lesson.

Final Thoughts

The bobbin may be one of the smallest parts of your embroidery machine, but it has an enormous influence on every stitch you sew.

Choosing the correct bobbin, using quality bobbin thread, winding it properly, keeping your bobbins in good condition and maintaining a clean bobbin area will help you produce smoother, more consistent embroidery while avoiding many common stitching problems.

Next week we'll take things a step further as we explore Bobbin Tension & Bobbin Cases—learning how to check, adjust and troubleshoot one of the most misunderstood areas of machine embroidery.

Until then... happy stitching!