Margo wrote: You all are hilarious! Whoever heard of having enough bobbins...and don't you just HATE to throw all that wonderful thread away? I like the scrappy quilt idea, Margo. They are also good for practicing new quilting techniques and figuring out what stitch techniques to use for what.

I don't have a lot of bobbins. I have about 20 for the old Singer machines (my first 2 machines), same for my Bernina 440 and so far about 10 for my 830. I tend to piece my quilts with one shade of grey and for embroidery I tend to use some sort of neutral that is close in colour to the fabric, unless there is reason not to. I try to wind slightly more than enough thread for colours that are not used very much. that being said I have a quilt as you go project coming up and will be getting more bobbins because I know I'm going to be using matching top and bobbin thread.
When I want to use up bobbins I just stick'em on the spool pin and sew.

Sorry if I'm rambling, it's bedtime...

Good Morning! Eventually, I was able to trade in about 50 of the QE bobbins for the ones that fit my current machine - of course, the new ones are nearly twice the cost of the older ones so it was nearly a 2 for 1 deal. The rest I'm keeping on hand because my plan is to buy another QE as soon as I manage to save enough money! I am so sorry that I used the QE as a trade in for my new machine. The new one is fine and does extraordinary embroidery work, but it's very difficult to do piecing on it. Actually, most of the sewing I do is for babies and toddlers so everything I work on involves little pieces. Even after I bought the single needle throat plate and the #37 foot, it's still far from ideal. So, moral of the story is - if you want more embroidery capabilities, don't trade in your QE to get it!! I'm sure Bernina wouldn't want to hear me say that, but it's the truth.
Oh, and I've been to several classes at the Bernina store near me. Everyone who has an 830 model has terrible problems with the threat nesting under the fabric when they're doing embroidery. In fact, I was told that Bernina is so aware of this issue that it's now providing a little hook tool to help pull the mess away from the machine. Wouldn't you think they'd do a recall and fix whatever is wrong?! Sometimes these things just leave me shaking my head - and I've been a Bernina user for almost 40 years!
By the way, I've had good luck buying bobbins on Ebay. Just be sure that you get the metal ones and that the business indicates in print that they are brand new - much less expensive that way. If you'd like, I can go through my bills and find the dealer I got them from - have ordered twice and been satisfied both times.
Nama

mycomfybaby wrote:
Well, it just so happens that my machine is the 440 QE.
Any chance you're looking to unload a few of your extra bobbins??

Well, I had to get up and go count my bobbins. I have at least 48 for my Viking.
I'm with Margo, I would never wind on top of thread. I either use up the bits or spool them off.

I am always buying bobbins. I keep my cotton, poly, embroidery thread separate. I even have bobbins just for my Razzle Dazzle thread. If someone is making a big city trip (2 hours away) I have them pick up a dozen. Also, the dog has chewed up at least 4 or 5.
Diane/Wyoming

Definitely the more bobbins the better. I also fill at least six bobbins at a time when I am working on a project, which means sometimes I have six filled with white (I use a lot of white in my piecing) and six filled with a medium neutral. Then I need at least six more filled when I start to machine quilt a project.

One year I told Santa I wanted bobbins in my stocking, received a whole bunch from him and a bobbin ring full besides.

When I purchased my newest Artista Bernina machine, I asked about the type of bobbin required - of course, it couldn't be the same as the 440QE machine! The woman assured me that it came with 5 bobbins which was more than I would need. I looked at her in total disbelief! I probably had 80 or more bobbins on hand (though I didn't actually tell her the real number!). She told me that was ridiculous and that I was changing thread color much too often. I knew that it was a lost cause, so I just smiled. I make gifts for babies and toddlers - everybody doesn't want the same color item, so obviously lots of different thread colors are needed. My suggestion - don't worry about it, just keep buying them in packs of 25-30 online and enjoy your colorful "stash" of bobbins! Nama

quilting00 wrote:
Terry, I love your method of keeping up with when you need to change needles and service your machine! I need something more structured than trying to remember the last time I changed needles, especially when using more than one machine. I will now be using the multiples of four also! Thanks for the tip! Nancy

theothermarion wrote:
Can you change your screen name on TQS? I wanted to a little way in cause mine is silly and I didn't realize it was going to be on display when I first signed up. I couldn't find a way to change it so I accepted that I was stuck with it. Wouldn't want to now as now one would recognize me.

newquiltymom wrote: Buy more bobbins! Perhaps your Bernina store will offer a discount for you. I can't imagine "making do" with six bobbins. I have more bobbins than I care to admit! I use my bobbins for handwork also; it uses up thread.

You right about putting more than one color on a bobbin. It messes up the tension of the bobbin.
I have a jar of thread tails in my sewing room. If I have thread on a bobbin, and I am not going to use in again,I pull it off and place in the jar. I have made gifts with the thread tails. I just put in between layers of netting. Sew the two layers together with a meandering stitch, and create new fabric. You can cut it in strips or squares. It add to the class of the project.
Beth1

Well, Margo, like you, I will only wind one colour/type thread on a bobbin. And I always have several projects on the go, so I'm changing threads quite a lot. I also don't have a cone stand, but I do have some cones of thread. So I just pop the thread from the cone on a bobbin and use a bobbin in the top as well. And now I better go and get my much needed beauty sleep. It's almost 1am here.

Lorchen wrote:
sshhhhhh....is there such a thing as bobbin envy??