Dumb question for those of you out there who sew:
Do you have to use the same brand of bobbins as your machine? What I mean is, I have a Janome machine and I received some bobbins when I got it but they are all full so I need more. JoAnn's doesn't sell Janome products, so can I just buy some plain bobbins to use or do I have to find a place that sells Janome bobbins?
I did take one of my Janome bobbins to JoAnn's to compare and found some Dritz brand that look pretty much identical--but on the back of the package it says "not for Janome machines." Why? Is it just a marketing trick? I don't want to ruin my machine but I can't start any of my new sewing projects until I get some more bobbins, and the only sewing machine shop that is close by doesn't carry Janome. FWIW, my sewing machine manual doesn't mention anything about what type of bobbins to use.
We now return you to your regularly-scheduled blog reading. Thanks!
Yikes! I have no idea. I can't remember how I got my bobbins, but my machine is just a standard Singer. This sounds like a job for Amazon?
ReplyDeleteBobbins are sold by "class." Different machines use a different class of bobbin, usually something like a class 14 or class 16. However, a very cheap class 14 might not work in a class 14 machine. (I learned this the hard way.)
ReplyDeleteThe best thing to do would be to call a Janome dealer and find out what bobbin you need. If you use the wrong bobbin the machine is not going to work.
I usually only have 4 or 5 bobbins. When I need a different thread color I just unwind one I already already. A little wasteful, but, like I said, I have had big bobbin troubles before.
Wow Sarah's got good info! I just use whatever fits in my machine and it works. Hopefully I'm not doing any damage!
ReplyDeleteThat is so funny that you ask that, because I have been wondering the same thing. I have two kinds of bobbins, and I finally realized that when my machine wasn't working right, that it was the tension setting or anything else, it was this different bobbin, which I think is a little taller than the other ones I use. So it must be that. I think Sarah is right.
ReplyDeleteYup Sarah is right on, call a dealer they usually carry them, I bought mine that way and bought a pack of 25 ( I like to have plenty of a hard to get item).
ReplyDeleteMany bobbins are interchangeable. I don't know how to tell, though. I'd say if it fits easily??? dunno... But I love your blog!
ReplyDeleteI have a Janome machine (I grew up using them, so I have about 25yrs experience with them) so I know exactly what you're talking about. You do need to use the Janome bobbins - no cheap plastic ones (learned this from experience) and don't use the metal ones either. I'm fortunate to have a Janome dealer in the city where I live - let me know how your search goes because I'd be glad to help you out.
ReplyDeleteLove Maren's Thanksgiving smocked dress. Those dresses I referred to also come in light blue. But it's a toss up for me between a color that stains less, and a white dress that you can bleach if necessary.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I want to see your New York RED shoes.
I had never heard of your kind of machine. But just after reading your email this morning, my sister and I went out to the van to bring in the machine that my daughter-in-law lent us while my sister was here. Well, it was a Janome machine! We have been sewing up a storm today! Nice for each of us to have a machine.
ReplyDeletehi, i have a few machines, 'cause i am a seamstress, and the bobbins in my machines are not interchangable...i have to use certain bobbins with each machine. some machines can use the same bobbins, but if they can't, the stitches will just come out weird and wonky on one side! (anyway, that is what i have experienced!)
ReplyDeleteI am both Janome Technician and Agent. Please match your bobbin to your machine and save a great deal of money and anguish.
ReplyDeleteMany machines come to me with the wrong bobbin from a friends machine..."coz she had the right colour thread" aaarrrggghhhhh
Drives me mad !!
Don't use metal bobbins in new models that were not supplied with them,(<10yrs old or so), they often have a magnet under the bobbin case and will more easily corrode and the tension may be affected.
Get a range of 12 or more new bobbins, fill them with colour as needed and away you go, get a new one for each colour, pull that old thread off....you used it 4 years ago, why keep 15 metres of something you'll never use again and put new colour on top, you may run out, the old thread may begin to perish the new...don't skimp , you do the work because you love to see and use the result, so treat it all with equal respect. If you see they are cracked or damaged, throw them away !!
...and use good quality thread, the bargain stuff is of inconsistent diameter and breaks easily ... your machine will have left the factory having been set up for use with a good quality name brand, it will be easier and less stressful in the long run.
Someone once said "quality remains after price is forgotten"
If you haven't yet done so, grab a copy of "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" to learn about the advantages of quality as a philosophy !!
Sew long for now.
Cheers
Martyn
www.bargainbox.com.au
At one time I bought real janome bobbins from stores on ebay but now they only sell the generic types and I am not going to take the chance. Love my machine and want to treat it right. Guess I will have to take a long drive over to the dealers.
ReplyDelete