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Sometimes my bobbins aren't as smooth as I'd like but I couldn't have told you why. Yesterday, it dawned on me that I could get a better/more consistent result if, instead of using the foot pedal, I used the "start" button. I learned to sew by using the pedal and it just never occurred to me to use the start button that, on my Janome, is above the needle. In my case, I think I must "pump" the pedal more than I realized. I suspect that sometimes makes the bobbin less uniform.

Good hint, I love my start stop button for long line stitching, keeps everything running steady. I use it with my decorative stitches too works great. I do have speed control and I run at 50% speed.

This is why I love this group. The tips from other quilters improve my own skills. My next door neighbor loves the Janome start/stop button because she has knee problems. I've never used mine but it does make sense. TFS
Evelyn

I just started to use my start and stop button and really like it. Going to use it a lot more.

quote:

Originally posted by patty j:
I use it with my decorative stitches too works great. I do have speed control and I run at 50% speed.

Oh, I never thought of that! I'll try that, next time.

I was told somewhere along the line that you put your machine on a slow setting when filling bobbins. My machine has it's own motor for filling bobbins. I'd not heard of using the foot pedal before.

quote:

Originally posted by Will Quilt for Chocolate:
I was told somewhere along the line that you put your machine on a slow setting when filling bobbins. My machine has it's own motor for filling bobbins. I'd not heard of using the foot pedal before.

I will put my setting on low for filling bobbins, next time. What kind of machine do you have WQFC?

Penny - I have a Bernina 440QE. The more I think about it, I do use the foot pedal to do the bobbin on my featherweight though. No buttons to start and stop those though!

Interesting topic. I have heard that polyester thread should be wound onto a bobbin slowly because faster winding makes the thread stretch. Then when you sew using that bobbin the bottom thread "unstretches" as it leaves the bobbin and makes your bottom tension tighter than you want. It seems reasonable that other types of thread could stretch some too.

My Baby Locks don't give me a choice in how to wind bobbins. One (Model BLQP)doesn't have a stop/start button and the other(Model BLG2) does have a stop/start button but its bobbin winder is independent of it and just goes to work when the bobbin holder is moved into winding position. Come to think of it I guess that could be considered a kind of "start" switch.

Just my 2 cents worth...I have a Janome 6600 and it has an independant bobbin winder, but I hold the thread as it comes off the cone, just to add a bit of tension otherwise I think the bobbins wind kind of mushy (great English!!lol)

My Pfaff doesn't have a Start button; the motor only runs by foot pedal. I use a tip that the dealer gave me when I bought it. The thread loops around a tension disk and then goes across the top to the bobbin. Gently press down on the thread after it makes the loop, to tighten the tension on the thread slightly as it winds on the bobbin. It's a gentle pressure; it doesn't interfere with the winding.

eta: Sorry, SandyO, I was playing with Paint and didn't see your post saying the same thing.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kay-lin,

I've noticed that mine fill faster on the ower part of the bobbin faster. I hate an uneven bobbin. I'll have to try it with the start/stop button and see what happens. They used to not load that way...not sure what changed. Thanks for the tip...

Hmmmmm....I never thought about using the start/stop button for winding the bobbin. I'll give that a try. As much as I love my Janome Horizon, the bobbins could be wound more snugly. As for that uneven filling, I keep a small stylus handy to give it a nudge if it begins to get uneven.

On my Bernina, I have better results if I use the verticle spindle instead of the horizontal. I also, ever so lightly hold the spool to keep it steady. Just found out by trial and error.

What I hate is winding the thread on the spindle instead of the bobbin. Don't ask me how many times I have done that.

I have a 6600 and the bobbin winds uneven. Heavy toward the bottom. Thanks to you, I think slowing the speed is the answer, I'll try that.
Mollie

Strings I've done that too Too many times to keep tract of

I have a Janome 6500 and it also has a independent bobbin winding motor and you can not slow it down. True Janome bobbins wind better on it... than the one's that are generic but look like Janome and fit the machine well.

Floridafarmgirl,
Do you use the white plastic stopper to keep your vertical spool from slipping? It helps mine act better.
Evelyn

Evelyn, most of the time I use the large cones of thread, so they are on the thread stand which attaches to the back of the machine. The thread sits on the while plastic cone like thing which keeps the spool from slipping. Sews wonderful, but just not so good for winding bobbins.

I'll do some tests when I start to use it next to see how it works better.

I have a Janome 6600. It winds the bobbins kind of uneven. I will try the "start" button. I do get better results with the cherry blossom bobbins.

Thanks for the tip.

I've never tried winding a bobbin on my Janome Horizon - I'm still using the separate bobbin winder. I have found that the Janome doesn't like the bottom line thread once it gets towards the end of the bobbin for some reason. Wonder if it has to do with how the bobbin winder does it.

I do use the start and stop button when I'm sewing long seams...for short sessions the foot pedal works best for me. Habit I think.

quote:

Originally posted by apple sharon:
I just started to use my start and stop button and really like it. Going to use it a lot more.

and i have never used the pedal on either Janome to sew/wind bobbins with.

But, I have used to to stipple though.

After reading this I used my start/stop button to wind 15 bobbins to quilt a queen size quilt. I just finished the quilting and am surprised to have several full bobbins left. No tangles when I got to the end of a bobbin and no broken threads. I have the Janome 7700.