Has anyone ever used a bobbin winder (a gadget separate from the machine)? If so, do they work? What brand did you use?

I bought a sidewinder on sale and didn't research before so after I bought it I found out it wouldn't wind Viking bobbins. Also the darn thing is so light it would almost flip over when I was using it. I discovered I could wind thread off my green Viking bobbins, onto plastic disposable bobbins and free up my green bobbins. I asked my husband to build a "fat" little box, that the sidewinder would fit into so it was sturdier when I used it. He built a snug little box using 3/4 inch wood and had the sides come up far enough for the lid to still open and he made a little dip for the cord to fit into the back. It wasn't very much work for him and is really simple (he didn't want to make it that simple)and it is now a very nice bobbin winder.
Sharon

I love the sidewinder! I got it at Jo-Ann Fabrics for under $20.00 with a coupon...

I have an older Pfaff (7550) which works great, except the bobbin winder messed up on it. The dealer wanted over $100 to service the machine and repair it...so the Sidewinder was a great investment in my opinion.

they are kind of picky.. if i use a taller cone of thread like a mini king that doesn't have a wide base, the thread will loop/jam/fall over. I started using the thread stand for my embroidery machine, and now it works just fine.

i would definately buy another if this one ever goes out...

debi

Yes,my DH bought me one for my b-day. It's a Simplisity. He spent about $90 for it and I am not all that impressed with it. In fact I almost returned it, except that it helps me when I wind the bobbins for my longarm. My sewing machines do just as good a job other wise. It's just another gadget, I don't reccomend wasting your money. Buy more embroidery designs. Hugs, Susan

I have a Dritz $40 @ JoAnn's don't bother with it, if you have to buy one invest in it & buy a better one! Mine only works when it wants to!************4all a few zeros here!

Before I had the bobbin winder on my Brother 270 fixed, I borrowed the simplicity sidewinder from a friend. It works great. Even the reused plastic prewound bobbins hold fast. I use them for my fsl projects, since I have lots of colors. They would slip on the Ellegante unless I use a small piece of wss as I put them on the spindle, making that a pain. I'm waiting for a sale at JoAnn fabrics to get myself one.

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by jofrog2000 30 Mar 2012

I tried the deluxe version, and did not like that one at all, the simpler version works great.

Mine hasn't worked (started) properly ever since DH bought it for me, but I leave it out on my sewing table so he thinks I use it. :-)
Here is a picture for Sarah.
They are all pretty similar but DH bought me the, limited edition pink ribbon one, the scissors were so good I threw them in the rubbish. LOL!!!

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i do not like them, I use my regular sewing machine most of the time to wind bobbins...*****

Tip if they fit, use your ordinary sewing machine for winding your bobbins.

Thank you for asking this question. It has come up before and I meant to ask then. Sorry to show my ignorance - but what does a side winder look like? Could a cutie perhaps post a picture. TIA. Sarah.

Sorry never used one but I see the Big Brother 10 needle, has no built in bobbin winder, so one would have to use the separate one.
From Bev

I have the side winder and I love it. Liz

I looked at them, but then I got my new machine and it has it's own separate motor for winding bobbins so I can sew and wind a bobbin at the same time.

I have a portable side winder and it is too small. Go with full-size! Live Laugh Download Stitch!

I use the side winder. My machines are Janomes so it works fine. It will not take a size L bobbin. I wind most of my FSL bobbins. I do use prewound white bobbins all the time.

I have a sidewinder and use it a lot,it,s convenient as you can use it in the lounge or somewhere else, cheers Betty

I have the side winder and love it. I rewind empty prewounds for FSL and my machine will not wind them (because they are shorter than a "standard" bobbin).

I have a side winder, used it with my first machine, but I have a Janome MB4 now, and you can thread a bobbin while it is stitching, so I dont use it anymore.

1 comment

by fontmomma 30 Mar 2012

I have simplicity winder because I don't like threding the sewing machine.

The one I have is a Side Winder, used it a little when I first got it, but then it got put away and haven't used it since. Find it just as easy to wind a bobbin on my machine....but then that's me, perhaps some of the other Cuties find them a great tool to have...Hugs Glenda x0x0x0

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by bevintex 29 Mar 2012

I just wind extras on my sewing machine and save that 30 dollars for the separate winder

by mariahail 30 Mar 2012

good for you dear, I do the same!!!*****