Threading a bobbin shuttle?

**KC8QVO** · 10-23-2012, 23:45

I have been having a heck of a time trying to get the bobbin shuttle threaded and working right on my family's sewing machine. No one knows how to use it. I used it a couple years ago making a liner for my sleeping bag, but its been so long since I ran it I can't figure it out.

The machine is a brother ls-1217 if it helps any.

Basically, the thread from the needle wraps itself up on the shuttle. It never completes the cycle and keeps wrapping up until it jams the machine.

One question I have after doing some research this evening, it appears the shuttle stays in place and the bobbin is what is removed to thread, but does the tail coming out of the bobbin go anywhere? Do you thread it back up through the table somehow? Do you put it in front? Do you get it behind somehow?

**JohnSawyer** · 10-24-2012, 00:40

First, there is a right and wrong way to thread the bobbin shuttle
. For my brother, the bobbin goes in so the thread makes a 180 degree turn through the tensioner.

As you put the shuttle in, have the thread in the right side of the little vertical piece. Hold the loose end of the needle thread and cycle the machine 1 stitch., holding the thread tight. It should pull up a loop from the bobbin.. pull it and the needle thread off the back.of the machine and sew away..

Hope this helps... if not p m me... we can talk via cell...

**Lost_Biker** · 10-24-2012, 04:21

This may help - http://www.sewusa.com/Threading_Diag...ng_diagram.htm

**Rat** · 10-24-2012, 16:05

Winding the bobbin - First get the thread on the bobbin correctly. The trick to this is winding the thread onto the bobbin SLOWLY. Once the bobbin is full, the thread should be a little 'squishy' when you squeeze it. Full speed bobbin loading tends to stretch the thread going on which causes problems when it tries to come off. A nice slow, steady (not fast then slow) bobbin load will do wonders.

The image in the link above shows the correct way to load the bobbin in the case. Once this is done you need to get the lower thread out of the bobbin area.

After the bobbin is loaded and the upper thread is done (all the way into the eye of the needle) here is what you do.
Holding the upper thread rotate the hand wheel one full turn (presser foot up); you want the needle to travel all the way down and back up to its stop. Still holding the upper thread pull slightly until all the slack is taken out. You may see the lower thread protruding through the feed dogs now, but if not, use a seam ripper and sweep under the presser foot. Snag the thread and pull it out; the lower thread should pull out very easily.

If the upper thread is hanging on the bobbin hook - check to make sure the bobbin is fully seated on the hook. Hold the catch open while inserting the bobbin case.

Use the correct bobbin - I am not sure what bobbin class your machine uses, but make sure it is correct.

If it is the correct class bobbin, make sure there are no burrs or the center shaft is not bunged up.

Watch the shuttle assembly while you turn the hand wheel, slowly, to see what is going on in there.