Bobbins - drop-in vs. bobbin case - Andrea Schewe Design

Bobbins - drop-in vs. bobbin case

2/11/2014

Which is your preference?

I've sewn on both, but have only owned one drop in bobbin machine. Every industrial machine I've ever worked has had the separate front loading bobbin. Well actually, machines that straight stitch only load the bobbin on the side, like my treadle machine I showed you yesterday and zig zag bobbin case machines load in the front.

I've been told by a couple repair men that machines with take out bobbin cases have a stronger stitch and don't go out of alignment as readily. So, that clinched it for me. I'd always seemed to end up with front loading machine, but now that is all I will use, if given a choice.

Here are some other reasons why I prefer a front loading bobbin.

When the bobbin case is out of the machine you can adjust the tension with a little screw on the side. The tension can be tested by holding the bobbin by a thread. It should drop very slowing in this position if the tension is correct and stop after about 1 1/2".

AND! a couple years ago the screw on my bobbin case got stripped. The tension was just off ... way too loose, so I simply bought a new bobbin case and the machine ran like new.

Then I kept the old bobbin case with the too loose tension exclusively for elastic thread and that thick nylon thread that's good for gathering heavy fabric.

Now I realize not all drop in bobbins are the same. The one I own is a 40 year old Elna Lotus. It is all metal like the one above. The bobbin tends to rattle around when sewing. I loaned this machine to someone who was learning to sew a number of years ago and she found that it kept coming unthreaded and just couldn't use the machine.

This drop in bobbin looks much newer. I'm sure the problems I had with my old drop in bobbin have been solved. But, folks ... tell me why you like drop in bobbins.

I found a discussion on this topic on Etsy. Click to read the whole thing. Basically what I get out of it is, drop-in bobbin machines are easier to thread, but front loading bobbin case machines are hardier.

Now, of course, if you can get your hands on one of these old chain stitch machines, there are no bobbins at all to worry about!

A good friend of mine wrote me yesterday, after she read my Treadle sewing machine blog, to tell me that she learned to sew on one of these machines!

Read a very complete description about this machine on the Sew A Lot website.

This shows a diagram of how the stitch works under the throat plate.

And even better ... here is a short video showing this mechanism in action.

My friend said, on the up side, it was really easy to take out your mistakes ... but sometimes things came apart when you didn't want them too!

8 Comments

Lex

2/10/2014 11:46:05 pm

Having learned to sew with a sewing machine on both the front loading sewing machines at school and on my mothers temperamental 'Brother' machine, I have only ever had experience of front loaders to go by and I have to say that thread tension and awkwardness of loading were two of my biggest issues. Having been bought a top-loading Auto-tensioning Singer by my partner for Christmas I am a convert - I ADORE my new machine. The Auto-tensioning makes life SO much easier (although you can set manual tension for different fabrics and feet if you need to). The top loading bobbin is simple to install and, crucially, it is easy to keep track of how much thread is left on the bobbin - I've lost count of the number of times I've been happily sewing away and the thread on my bobbin has run out mid-seam. Perhaps this is poor preparation on my part but I hate waste and will try to use as much thread as I can before refilling my bobbin and being able to see it really helps me plan better so my seams are all sewn with one continuous line. It really helps not having to worry about the bobbin case too - getting the tension right on this was always a pain - a fraction too much or too little and I'd end up with messed up seams and mangled fabric. That is not to say that I consider the top loader superior, simply that I sew for enjoyment and fighting with a bobbin is not fun. The top loader takes all the hassle out of getting set up and ready to sew and I can spend more time focussing on the sewing than on fiddling about with tiny screwdrivers.

Andrea

2/26/2014 11:33:08 pm

I think many people feel the way you do. And I'm glad you love your machine.
I tend to wear out machines, so need the sturdiest thing I can find. But I know many people who love their drop in bobbins.
Thanks for writing.

Genie48

2/26/2014 10:55:00 pm

I have a toy Singer that's a chain stitch machine, it still works if it just weren't so slow I'd use it for decorative stitching.

2/26/2014 11:34:04 pm

Fun! But, as my friend told me, chain stitching will just come out, if you are not careful.

Elizabeth Percy

2/21/2015 06:30:35 am

I am a pensioner so have seen many incarnations of sewing machines. I first learned to sew on my mother's old Singer which like the current ones had top loading bobbins and it was so easy I loved it. I was then given my aunt's Vesta with its beautiful top loading shuttle bobbin, the beautiful workmanship was as good as the performance (I still have and use that machine). Then when the children were small I bought a Jones front loader, fiddly bobbin but beautiful work horse of a machine took everything in it's stride from denim jeans to lace applique. (Still have that too) Now in retirement I thought I would treat myself to one of the new Brother machines AE2500 with drop in bobbin so easy takes me back to the Singer, I think I love it best.

Lorna

6/2/2018 01:11:16 pm

Very interesting - I thought the top loading bobbins were completely new. Were the old ones top loading bobbins plastic, as the modern ones are, or were they more robust? Until I read your post, I definitely wanted a side/front loading bobbin because they seem more robust and because I thought they were the only type that were previously used and which had stood the test of time - and I did not want a drop in/top load bobbin. Now not so sure.

Robert

11/3/2015 07:12:47 am

I have always used machines with front-load bobbins. However, recently my Singer gave up the ghost and I had to get a new machine. I chose one with a top-loading bobbin. For me, the machine seemed to have the features I needed and I figured a top-bobbin would be a plus. So far, I have loved having the top-bobbin machine. It is still a Singer, and it does gorgeous work. Honestly, I can hardly tell the difference; other than having to remove the tray to get to the bobbin on the front loading machine to both see how much thread is left and to wind. I seem to lean more toward the top-loader.

Lorna Stitcher

5/29/2018 07:55:05 pm

Confused about this too. Would prefer to stay with front loading but most of the machines I am looking at here in the UK have drop in. It just seems to me that the "old fashioned" front load bobbins have stood the test of time for 200 year, so f it ain't broke, don't fix it! Also metal is more robust than plastic and surely must last longer and/or be less likely to break?

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.

Bobbins - drop-in vs. bobbin case

Leave a Reply.

From Andrea

Archives