Bobbin Thread

[MackandMorgan's Mom]

Do you have to use a thread specific to bobbins? I have been using regular white thread and it doesn't seem to be a problem but I don't know...anybody else do this?

Also, does anyone else have a problem with the bobbin running out in the middle of a design...how many stitches should you get out of a bobbin? I am doing tote bags with a big G and gilliard through the G (about 13000 stitches)and I have to change out my bobbin each time....

[rodneytb]

When I bought my machine they told me to get a spool of bobbin thread. It is a lighter weight thread than the embroidery thread. My machine gives me a warning when the bobbin is about to run out. I have to really watch it, though, because it will do a good bit of stitching after the warning and then it just runs out. I can usually hear a difference in the sound it makes. I can back the machine up to the spot where the bobbin ran out if I catch it quickly enough. If I don't catch it right away it seems like it gets "off" somehow. I've ruined several things this way.

[MackandMorgan's Mom]

Yeah...I have done that too...I had a spool of bobbin thread and a bag of prewound bobbins. I used all of that up and was in a bind so I used the regular white thread. I thought why spend the $ (which is very tight anyway!) if this works but I thought I would run it by you guys first.

[Luciana]

I Use An Especially Thread, I Think Is Better!

[Crafty Connie]

I'm still unclear whether or not we HAVE to have BOBBIN thread. Would regular sewing thread work? Is embroidery thread too much for bobbin use?

[Sew So Happy]

I noticed when I first got my machine, I used regular thread in the bobbin and my designs didn't stitch out well and it ran out faster. The first question I was asked, was I using bobbin thread. Soooo, that is all I use now.

[rodneytb]

Do you have a good source for getting the prewound bobbins?

[StitchinGrandma]

It depends really on what you are doing as far as the thread you use. For regular embroidery, yes, you would want to use bobbin thread. If you are doing free standing lace(FSL) however, you would want to use the same thread you are using for the top and yes, that would include any color changes in the design so if you are doing a FSL design with lots of color changes, you also change the bobbin at the same time you change the top thread. That way they are the same on both sides. You should not get knots and thread nests at all otherwise there's a problem with the tension somewhere. If the tension is correct, there's a chance the digitizer has a problem with the design itself too.

I've done FSL alot more than regular designs since I started and have never had any thread nests/loops or anything like that. They are just as gorgeous on the back as they are on the front.

Also, running out in the middle of a design...I usually buy my bobbin thread and then sit and wind a bunch so when I run out I just move the hoop out of the way and then when I restart the design I back up about 8-9 stiches and start from there to be sure it's stitching over top of the last few that I know are "set". I've got bobbins ready also for most of the colors of my embroidery thread that I write with a marker on the side the color code so that I know which one goes with the proper color threads since I do a lot of FSL.

[StitchinGrandma]

Do you have a good source for getting the prewound bobbins?
Make sure before ordering them you know what type to buy for your machine because they aren't all alike. Also, check with your dealer to be sure you can use them in your machine. With my Viking Designer 1 I've been told they should not be used.

[kurthco]

I use Brother bobbin thread and that is it. I had a ton of problems when I used any other thread. The tension is thrown way off when the thread weights don't match.

[motherof4]

I use NEB prewound bobbins and you can buy them in bulk. They work great. I bought them on Ebay.

[JenZ]

You want to use bobbin fill because heavier thread can throw off your tension and ruin your design. I have heard of ppl using a matching embroidery thread when making lace in the hoop or when they want the thread to match the material but that is rare. I am scared of brands I am not familar with so I use sulky or coat and clark.

[fun2sew]

I use neb bobbins in white and black

[Deedles]

I use nothing but NEBS prewound bobbins in both my Brother machines, ULT2001 and INV 4000D. The main reason I use the prewounds instead of winding my own is there's so much more thread on the Nebs. They wind it really tight and can get much more on the spool. Same with other brands of prewounds...they have around 120yds and Nebs has 130+yds. per bobbin.

[idesign]

With my Janome 10000, I found the best embroidery bobbin thread was the Janome prewounds. I tried Sulky, but small lettering didn't form as well.