How to Wind a Bobbin
Spencer Pennington and one other contributor
Last updated on Oct 15, 2025
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Patagonia
Patagonia and iFixit are celebrating the stories we wear by collaborating to provide guides for Patagonia's most popular apparel repairs.
Introduction
Go to step 1 ↓A bobbin is a small spool, usually made of plastic or metal, that holds the lower thread in a sewing machine. It works together with the top thread to form each stitch.
Make sure to use the proper kind of bobbin for your machine or tool.
The Patagonia® Expedition Sewing Awl uses a Class 15 bobbin to hold thread.
Follow this guide to add new thread to a bobbin using a sewing machine or a bobbin winder.
What you need
Parts
Tools
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You'll need:
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A sewing machine or bobbin winder
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An empty bobbin (compatible with your machine or tool)
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A spool of thread
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Your sewing machine or bobbin winder manual (optional, but helpful, especially for first-timers!)
Ask FixBot
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Place the bobbin onto the bobbin winder pin.
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Place the spool of thread onto the spool pin.
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Secure the spool with a cap if your machine uses one.
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Guide the thread through the thread path and tension discs, following your machine's manual.
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Attach the thread to the bobbin:
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If the bobbin has a hole, thread the end through it from the inside out.
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If the bobbin doesn't have a hole, wrap the thread around the bobbin manually a few times in the direction it will spin.
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Turn on the machine if it's not already on.
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Engage the bobbin winder by pushing the bobbin pin to the right or pressing a knob, depending on your machine.
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Hold the thread tail for the first few seconds, then let go once it’s secure.
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The bobbin will spin and fill with thread.
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Cut the thread and remove the bobbin.
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Uniform distribution: The thread should be wound in smooth, uniform layers across the entire bobbin. There are no peaks, dips, or bunching in the middle or at the edges.
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Firm tension: The thread should be tight and compact. Each layer lies flat and smooth without loops or tangles.
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Proper fill level: When full, the thread shouldn't extend past the rim of the bobbin.
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Loosely wound: A messy bobbin leads to messy sewing. The bobbin must be wound tightly and with consistent tension to function properly—this applies whether you're using a sewing machine or an Expedition Sewing Awl. Unwind the bobbin, re-thread the machine, and try again. Make sure the thread passes through all tension guides.
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Not winding: Make sure the machine is in bobbin mode. This may involve flipping a switch or pressing a knob. On some machines, the foot pedal must be pressed to activate the winder.
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