A possibly ridiculous sewing question

[cupcake_goth]

A separate bobbin winder machine? Are they worth it?

This question is prompted by the discovery that the big lot of metal bobbins (in a organizer!) that I found at a thrift store work with my (well, cupcakegothmom's Elna, but they don't fit on the shaft for winding them. (I don't get it either. They work with the machine beautifully, but when they're empty, I can't wind new thread onto them.)

So, I now wonder about bobbin winding machines. Help me, other sewing types!

Comments

[reddheart.livejournal.com]

I don't (currently) have one, but the two main reasons I see people have them are as follows:

1. Doing many bobbins at once, or to do bobbins while you work. Normally you have to unthread your machine to wind a bobbin. With an independent winder, you can anticipate a little sooner and wind up one (or more) in advance. Especially nice for people doing heavy amounts of machine embroidery so they can keep several bobbins ready to go (big projects eat bobbin thread like candy).

2. It reduces stress on the machine motor. I would see this more as an issue with older sewing machines that aren't meant for much more than light sewing work than newer or powerhouse machines. But some people like the idea of keeping their motor cycles focused on actual work, not on winding.

[oldhalloween.livejournal.com]

I have one that is new in box. Thought I wanted it for a machine that was so old you couldn't get a bobbin winder replacement. Changed my mind so its still in its box. If you like I can bring it to Steamcon. Borrow it and see if you like it.

[cupcake-goth.livejournal.com]

Eeee! If you don't mind bringing it along with you to Steamcon, that would be very helpful. Thank you!

[oldhalloween.livejournal.com]

OK...will add it to the list to bring. :0 )

[lady-blubrd.livejournal.com]

Since I've been working in my College's Costume shop for a few months now, we've used our bobbin winding machine quite a bit. Because we have very little time between shows for dressing cast members, its been a blessing to have for pre - wound bobbins needed for the next day. But over all,its more or less a matter of convenience for our situation.

I think the problem of them not fitting the shaft is that your bobbins may be a little too long for it. If you really want to keep those, I'd say getting a seperate bobbin machine is a good idea. Otherwise, find some short bobbins that do fit the shaft better. Hope this helped!

[sistawendy.livejournal.com]

Non-standard bobbins? I've never heard of such. And you know how loth I am to spend money unless I'm absolutely possessed. That's a no on the bobbin winder.

[blutsauger.livejournal.com]

Well, older bobbins for Brother sewing machines don't fit my newer Brother machine. So, yes, there are non-standard bobbins. ;)

[cherry-faery.livejournal.com]

To add to what everyone else has said, I think as someone who sews, it's just handy to have around and there's nothing more annoying than having to wind your bobbin in the middle of a project. Also, given how much time you spend sewing, it's a good investment.

[phoenixfire12.livejournal.com]

I have a machine that you can wind a bobbin and still sew, though I haven't used that function in years... along with the sewing machine. I just don't thave room to set it up much anymore so the machins is in strage.

[alumiere.livejournal.com]

I have two costume shop machines and a vintage singer, all of which can wind their own bobbins, but the $30 we spent on a cheap bobbin winder is well worth it. Not unthreading the machine to wind a bobbin = win (provided that you have other thread of that color). Winding multiples at once is also a good thing.

But the best thing is that I can use the cones of thread from the serger or the embroidery machine in that bobbin winder, however those fuck up the built in winders on the machines. I have a spool/stand for oversize cones, so the thread sews fine, but the winding mechanisms don't lie that.

[semy-of-pearls.livejournal.com]

I'm going to go with a 'maybe' on this. If the bobbin winder on your machine is wearing down, it is a life saver. If you do an awful lot of sewing, they are invaluable.

If, however, you only occasionally sew a new skirt and wind bobbins every two or three projects, it's probably not worth it.