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From: Dustbunny01
Date: 01-02-2006, 05:36 AM (1 of 16)
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I have been cleaning up my sewing area this weekend, and I am just sick at how my bobbins end up, loose threads in boxes with a tangled mess. I have looked into a few other ideas, the small clear boxes that Wal_mart sells Bobbin holders.. ( holds about 20 bobbins) but the tops come off too easy, if they drop when looking for something else. My sewing area is just too small for wall type thread holders ( room is 5x6) in the wall I have a window, and two patchs of wall, which holds my rulers, etc for quilting. I have been thinking about making an orangizer for bobbins that I can attached the the window treatment... I am the type of person, if that my sewing area is not clean at all times, I just cannot seem to get anything done.. and this bobbin problme is growing So how do you deal with your bobbins and the ones that like to run away? Does anyone have a trick to keep your bobbins in tow, that you would like to pass on.. I have 110 bobbins, so something free would be nice, but if I need to buy I would still be able to do. at a low cost. Thank you, Christina DB
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User: Dustbunny01
Member since: 11-11-2005 Total posts: 159 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 01-02-2006, 09:02 AM (2 of 16)
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My bobbins sit under the thread they were wound from on the thread rack so I know the colors and weights are the same. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: paroper
Date: 01-02-2006, 10:49 AM (3 of 16)
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If you just happen to use Maxi Lock thread, you can put the bobbin in the top of the thread cone. When I got my 200, it came with a cool case that looks like an armoir. It has doors that open and two sides with drawers in the bottom. You can slide adjustable racks in and out, depending upon which racks you need. Bobbin racks can be purchased for a couple of dollars. I have my bobbins in these. They are held into place and when you want a bobbin, you push a lever and they roll to you. It wasn't particularly cheap, but it is so nice because you call see all your bobbins at a glance, they don't tangle and and they are flat out of the way. I just lean mine against the wall although they have feet so they can stand. You can see them in the pics of my old sewing room (still finishing the new one) here where they are stored behind the sewing machines. You'd have to see if your bobbin fit. They are avail. at any Bernina dealer. http://kensphotos.smugmug.com/gallery/469317/1/19023268 Several store also sell a little circle that holds the bobbins in place. I think that they stack. I don't know how expensive they are or how many they hold. Before I got the rack, I had them in a small drawer. It just about drove me "nuts" to get through the tangles. I have about as many as you do. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: LadySloPokes
Date: 01-02-2006, 11:24 AM (4 of 16)
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Although I don't have neary as many bobbins as you do, I can appreciate your dilemma regarding their storage. My SO has to take prescription meds for his cholesterol and blood pressure, so every month I get 2-3 empty pill bottles from him. I wash them out, and they make great storage containers with their screw-top lids for my bobbins that sit comfortably in the top drawer of my sewing desk. Each container holds about 6 bobbins, and I am now starting to organize them by color groups: reds, greens, blues, etc. I also have 2 containers that hold new bobbins waiting to be used. For right now, it works well for me, but down the road I may have to come up with something new. Hope this helps just a bit! Cookie 
Cookie
LadySlo...yes am I, but hey, I'm gettin' there! Are you sure it's supposed to look like this?! Proud owner of Singer Quantum Decor 7322 & Singer Quantum Futura CE 200.. "A balanced diet is having chocolate in both hands!" |
User: LadySloPokes
Member since: 08-15-2005 Total posts: 198 
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From: Pudge99
Date: 01-02-2006, 11:29 AM (5 of 16)
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Click here (http://www.blue-feather.com/bobbinsaver.html) To see the circle ones that paroper is talking about. I have one and am going to get a second one to hold the bobbins for my new machine. I used to have the loose lid box you are talking about and I was forever dropping it. Bobbins flew every which way and normally the one I was going after ended up lost. Now when I knock this round one on the floor it bounces. Sometimes a bobbin that was not seated well will pop out but that is all. I got mine at Joann's with my 40% off coupon. You should try one and see how you like it.
Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 01-02-2006, 11:30 AM (6 of 16)
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Christina, I use the Clear Bobbin boxes that hold a lot of bobbins(different numbers according to size of bobbin) and I keep the lids on tight with a fat rubber band.. Easy solution to your problem.. The one for my Singer featherweight holds twice as many bobbins as the one for my Janome, because the FW bobbin is so skinny..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: Sew-Enchanting
Date: 01-02-2006, 11:47 AM (7 of 16)
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I know that Nancy's Notions sells something that allows you to pop the bobbin onto the top of the thread to hold them together (I'm sure others do, too), but I'm not sure how inexpensive that would be. Here's what I'm talking about: Handi-Bobs, 18 to a package: https://www.nancysnotions.com/NNVia/index.jsp I also found this while I was poking around there - it's a neat idea: Bobbin Saver, holds 30: https://www.nancysnotions.com/NNVia/index.jsp But they're definitely not the cheapest options. Good luck! I have mine all over the place, too...that "Bobbin Saver" looks pretty good... Kris Kris
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User: Sew-Enchanting
Member since: 12-28-2005 Total posts: 53 
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From: Pudge99
Date: 01-02-2006, 12:02 PM (8 of 16)
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Here is something I found that you could probably make yourself with a little patience. https://www.nancysnotions.com/NNProdImages/BB42.jpg If you want to just buy it I found it at Nancy's Notions (https://www.nancysnotions.com/NNVia/index.jsp). Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: Mom of Six
Date: 01-02-2006, 12:22 PM (9 of 16)
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I thought these were interesting BOB ´N SERGE this would sure cut down the cost of thread when it is a specialty color and the BOBBIN BUDDIES 24/PKG I think I will check to see if JoAnns carries these next time I am there. Barb
Happiness is having time to sew!! |
User: Mom of Six
Member since: 11-03-2001 Total posts: 1115 
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From: HeyJudee
Date: 01-02-2006, 07:20 PM (10 of 16)
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I also have a bobbin saver that Gina has...it is great. Have given them as gifts to my family members who sew although they are more expensive here in Canada. I also use blue bobbin holders that I can attach the bobbin to the end of the spool of thread. Bought at Walmart - 18 in a pack for around $2.97 CA. Have some Handi-bobs too but I find they are expensive. They are good as the bobbin doesn't move around to let the thread unravel. A tip that I heard (on a Fons and Porter show I think) was to use small strips of Glad press and seal to wind around the bobbin to keep the thread from unraveling. I have some reusable tape that I have cut small strips to wind around my bobbins. Maybe you will find some of this useful. Good Luck. TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366 
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 01-03-2006, 05:29 PM (11 of 16)
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Gina, That foam is a great idea.. I remember years ago helping H (ex H , now) making a custom kit for all his camera equipment to fit inside a briefcase from foam.. I had never thought about putting bobbins in a custom cut foam block.. Thanks.. 
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
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From: Cant-sew-a-lick
Date: 01-04-2006, 06:03 AM (12 of 16)
I don't have a bunch of bobbins - yet  :, but on another forum I got a tip that works really well for keeping the threads from ravelling. Buy a package of the small terry cloth type ponytail holders that you use on little girls hair. They come in all different colors and are wide enough to fit completely around the bobbins. They come in so many colors I just match one to the color of the thread on the bobbin. I can still see the actual color of thread thru the top of the bobbin.I also use them to secure opened spools of thread - just put one arond the middle to catch the end. They stretch enough to go around C&C, Mettler and Robison anton embroidery spools. You could also buy the adult size ponytail holders for cone threads. I paid about 1.00 for 50 of the small ones in the hair care section at Wal-mart. They also come in a large bag of all white ones for around 3-4 dollars. My dogs need clothes!
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User: Cant-sew-a-lick
Member since: 11-07-2005 Total posts: 29 |
From: debsews
Date: 01-04-2006, 09:40 AM (13 of 16)
| I only use Mettler thread and they have a wonderful cut around the top to secure the thread. Better than the slit in the C&C thread. The bobbins are still a mystery to me but I have a spool holder on the wall and it works for holding three of them on each of the dowls. I bought longer thinner dowls for dh to make me a longer ones that would take the spool of thread with the bobbin to match on top of it. I have trouble with some of the Mettler threads being so close in color. I had the boxes but was always spilling out everything. The holder on the wall works much better. They make a spool holder that sits easel style on the sewing table but it got in my way too much! |
User: debsews
Member since: 09-16-2005 Total posts: 254 |
From: MotherInLaw
Date: 01-04-2006, 11:45 AM (14 of 16)
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I love the little circles. I have two of them for my bobbins and love them. I've dropped them on the floor lots of times, being clumsy as I am, and they won't budge out the circle. I highly recommend the little circles. I also have the little plastic thing that sticks in the top of the thread and holds the bobbin on top of the thread but I ran into a problem with those, some of the thread holes on top are not the same and the little thread thing won't stay in the hole.
I'm regressing back into my youth, I just have to figure out how I'm going to convience my body to come along with me.
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User: MotherInLaw
Member since: 06-25-2005 Total posts: 1118 
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From: mamahoogie
Date: 01-04-2006, 02:21 PM (15 of 16)
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I like to keep my bobbins with my thread. I bought some small clear plastic bags at the dollar store, put the bobbin in, then the thread and close. Stick a hole in the bottom of the bag and pop it onto my thread holder. Thread and bobbins are always together and dust free. When I run out of room on the spool holder, I just pop the bag into a drawer. When I run out of thread on the spool but still have some on the bobbin, I just put the bobbin in one of the cheap bobbin cases and use it up when I do crazy quilting. I know at a glance that these bobbins don't have matching thread spools any more. Violet I've decided to live forever - so far, so good.
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User: mamahoogie
Member since: 12-25-2002 Total posts: 461 |
From: Dustbunny01
Date: 01-05-2006, 02:04 AM (16 of 16)
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Thank you all for your inputs, and for the PM's on this subject, I took all of the idea's into account, and came up with this. Using foam cut to fix the box, I glued it onto the top of a plastic box's One box for cotton threads, the other for poly threads. when closed, the foam keeps the bobbins from moving around and unwinding. DB
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User: Dustbunny01
Member since: 11-11-2005 Total posts: 159
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