Odd problem! I have a new box of NEB plastic side prewound bobbins and many of them are wound so tight that I can't even find the start point. I have tried many different things to get the start point of the thread loose but so far nothing has worked. On one I tried to just pull up a thread with a very sharp point and cut it to get it started. That actually ended up in wasting 'a lot' of bobbin thread which was a bit unexpected.

I use the magnetic prewounds, I scratch at them until the end loosens, if that fails I throw them away, I know that is wasteful but I seriously don't have time to mess with them most days.

Rub your thumb over the thread crossways. It works for me a on new spool.

1 comment

by bevintex 13 Mar 2012

on a new spool.

I like to try some of them, and have had one only this way, so I took it to my boiling kettle and steamed it ever so slightly. The end came off a little - enough to grab it. Hope this might help, otherwise, ask them to exchange this box for you. It should not be a problem to them.***

1 comment

by marcellelewis 13 Mar 2012

Hadn't thought of that at all. I will try it if the pins, fingernails and duct tape fail. I have received some excellent suggestions. But then I knew I would. After all it is 'Cute'. :)

Marcelle

My problem seems to go the other way, they start to unwind while still in the box and I have a mess of tangled thread. Might be because the first time I opened the box I dropped it and had bobbins all over the studio!!

2 comments

by marcellelewis 13 Mar 2012

I have had a few do that but not enough to get tangled up. Looks like it can go both ways. Unwind too early or just refuse to unwind at all. :)

Marcelle

by mjdg 13 Mar 2012

I've had that happen A LOT and I usually use a tiny bit of tape and tape it to one side of the bobbin. If you keep them tightly together in a small zip lock bag (like a 1/2 sandwich size) they might come undone a little but can't move around enough to get tangled.
MJDG

before you return them, try a piece of duct tape, it worked for me on some I had but they were wrapped tight but not extrememly tight. Hope this works. I put it on the end of a pencil and just kept dabbing the sticky part against the bobbin thread until I found the end.

hugs,
mj

1 comment

by marcellelewis 13 Mar 2012

I thought of tape but hadn't thought of duct tape. Duct tape fixes everything. :)

Marcelle

Hi Marcelle, I think you would be justified to call the place you bought them to replace the half box that you can't use. I don't think that that is asking too much. If they were any other product we wouldn't hesitate to take them back. I use the Fil-Tec plastic sided ones and have had just a few where I just couldn't find the tail - grrrrrr jan

Thanks to all who answered. I think I have an unusual box or something. It looks like over half of the box of 144 is like this. I dread trying to get them all started. Thanks for all the suggestions. I might as well just get started picking at them. Flowers to all!

Marcelle

I just checked the box I have and they all have a little tail ready to pull out.I know you are frustrated. Others have had good suggestions. Kay

pre wound bobbins are usually wound really tight..but i love them.. I do not use neb bobbins .. I use fil- tec.. different maker..

I have had this problem....I use a straight pin to try to pick it out and if that fails I will cut the thread that I think might be the bottom and pull some off.

MJDG

1 comment

by drro 12 Mar 2012

I 2 use a pin;>)... a thick gauge pin.

Have had this happen a few times. Not too many the only hting I do is use my fingernail and keep scraping around till I finally get it. Wish I had a secret method to help. I find the end is usually closest to the plastic. Hope someone has a better idea for you. Hugs

4 comments

by mops 12 Mar 2012

That's what I do too.

by dino 12 Mar 2012

That's what I do, also.

by pcteddyb 12 Mar 2012

Me three.

by airyfairy 13 Mar 2012

Me four!!!

Must be so frustrating! Sorry I can noy help you.I do not use prewound bobbins.