Inset Bobbin Cases A plastic inset bobbin case. There are a few variations of this style bobbin case, but they will always be noted. These bobbin cases are meant to be used with Metal 15 Class bobbins, unless otherwise noted. If you read Part One of this guide, you’ll notice a similarity in names.
The most common removable bobbin case is called a “15 Class” bobbin case. Many older machines such as Kenmore, Singer and White have this style. These bobbin cases are somewhat rare in modern (after 1980) machines. A side loading bobbin case cannot be used in a front loading machine, but front-loading bobbin cases CAN be used in side loading machines. The needle of your sewing machine will dip down into this hole. It is important, however, to note that side loading bobbins have a smaller hole at the top of the machine. Side loading bobbin cases are very similar to front loading. These are the most common on modern machines with a removable bobbin. Front Loadingįront loading bobbin cases are removed and inserted on the side of the sewing machine facing the user. All removable bobbin cases will have a lever or spring that can be held to help remove and replace it. There are a few models of sewing machines that are “reverse loading”, but these are very rare. These can be “front loading” or “side loading”. Removable bobbin cases are meant to be taken out of the machine when you replace the bobbin. This is the view of the top of two different bobbin cases – notice the one on the left has a smaller hole than the one on the right. Removable Bobbin Cases Two examples of removable bobbin cases. In machines with an automatic thread cutter, the bobbin case also helps keep threads in place to cut. If the bobbin is too tall ( see my previous post), the thread will catch and seize the machine. The top thread will go across the top of the bobbin case, which is why it is so important to use the correct bobbin.
If there is not, re-thread the bobbin through the bobbin case. You should never have to adjust the bobbin case tension as the user, so I will not be covering this. This is why it is important to thread the bobbin correctly – when you pull the bottom thread up, there should be resistance on it. The bobbin case also adds tension to the bottom thread, much like the tension assembly for the top thread. How Do They Work?Ī bobbin case, when used with the correct bobbin, will hold the bobbin snugly in place, which will allow the machine to neatly unravel it. There are two classes of bobbin cases (which I mentioned, but did not explain, in the previous post), “removable” and “inset”. Now that we have a firm grasp on bobbins, let’s cover the part of the machine required to use them – bobbin cases.Īs the name implies, a bobbin case is the part of the machine that holds your bobbin when you are sewing.