Ah, yes, the dreaded bobbinwindaphobia. I think there's a support group out there for this condition.

Never heard of a separate winder, but I like the idea. I'll be checking this post for answers.

You can purchase pre-wound bobbins, did you know?

Dianne

Dennie, the big quilting machines like Gammills need the separate bobbin winder. I think they're fairly expensive. You could try Googling bobbin winder, or check out some of the sites that sell longarm quilting machines.

Donna

I want one too!

Well, I did google without any success. However, after calling several shops, I was told that this bobbin winder was a product put out by Checkers Distributors for under $30. One of the shops will have it in stock to check out in November.

This item you are referring to is called "SideWinder, The Portable Bobbin Winder" pop it into Google there are many places that will have the item for sale starting in October.

Marty (Missouri)

It's about time somone made one of these things. IO'm going to order one since bobbin winding is something I hate to do. Thanks for the info!@!

I just saw one a few nights ago. Wrote about it in my thread thread....hehe anyway it was not that expensive. I will look tonight and write back and tell you where it is at. I this it was under $20

Found it. In the Nov 2007 Quick quilt mag.

It is call the sidewinder the portable bobbin winder. I www.wrights.com

I found it a couple of places for $29.95 but didn't search long.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sidewinder

I had seen these, and wanted to get one and get on for me and a friend.

I saw the ad too, but wasn't able to find it on wrights web site. Can anyone provide a link?

Here is one

Here is a link that might be useful: Sidewinder

I just found a site that said they are just out...so finding them cheaper is probably not going to happen for a while. I checked on Ebay...and NOPE.

Isn't that the niftiest idea! Something for the Christmas list.

I have a home business so have accounts with a couple distributers. This is a new item that is just coming available. The distributers are taking "pre-orders" to start sending them out as they get them. Should hit the stores pretty soon.

Nicki

I consider bobbin winding kind of like maintenance. When I clean my sewing machine, I fill 6 or 8 bobbins with neutral thread and put them in one of those soft rubbery bobbin holders. Never really thought of it as a chore. Also, on my Viking, you can fill the bobbin from the thread that's already on there right from the needle. It couldn't be easier.

The one thing I really like about my new machine is I can fill a new bobbin without removing my sewing thread...

I also hate winding bobbins, so I do a bunch of them all at once. However, the new Baby Lock Espire makes it easier by having a separate spindle for the spool you get the thread from, and you just wind the thread 5 times around the bobbin and flick a lever and it automatically does the rest. I don't see how they could make it much easier, and it's nice to be able to wind a bobbin without unthreading the needle, but I still groan when the machine warns me that I'm almost out of bobbin thread.

Biwako - I *wish* my machine warned me that it was almost out of bobbin thread!! :D

I found an ad regarding a bobbin winder in my latest quilting magazine and googled it! It's called a Sidewinder from Wright's. Found one at vacsew.com for $29.95 plus postage. Hope this helps!

Finally - Wright's has come out with the SideWinder Bobbin Winder!!! I just saw four of them on EBAY for about $29.95 - well worth it!!!

They have the sidewinder at Fabric depot, which means you
could get it on line as well & they have 30% off right now. But, of course there's shipping.
I tried it at the store & it's battery operated, but maybe there's an ac adaptor in the box? I doubt it though.
Seemed a bit slow to me, but that might be good for some things like yarn & thick threads. I don't have to take my top thread off to make a bobbin so I can't say as I'd need one.
PS: I you can't find something on line at Fabricdepot.com
they may still have it in the store & will still sell it on line. Jill

If you look on page 87 of December 2007 issue of Am. Patchwork and Quilting, you can see a picture of the SideWinder by Wrights. Runs on batteries. Jayne

I thank everybody for starting this thread..I just ordered one on ebay for 28.95 plus 5.00 shipping..what a deal and it does have an ac cord to plug in...the other companies shipping was almost 8.00 so I opted for ebay...happy dance here...Judy

Wendy's Treasures is doing a group buy for $25.00 each. You must be a member (free to join) of her group to participate. The winder works with battery or power cord.

Janie

I saw one in JoAnn's yesterday. You can use your 40% or 50% off coupon on it.

I'm just curious. Why do you think you need a dedicated bobbin winder? What advantage do you see?

I never thought winding bobbins was that big a deal.

I saw a picture of the bobbin winder and it showed a small spool of thread....I use the large industrial spools. Do you think it would wind those also?

--------------------------------------------
Try using these 2 Search Engines-----
--(info.com)---(DogPile.com)--
------------------------------------------------------------
Wrights SideWinder The Portable Bobbin Winder
(Sugg. Retail $29.99)

End the frustration of bobbins running out in mid-project!
With the touch of a button, SideWinderÂ, The Portable Bobbin Winder
quickly and easily fills bobbins without having to un-thread and re-thread the sewing machine.
The SideWinder's compact size means it fits anywhere,
and since it runs on batteries or with a power cord,
the SideWinder can be used anywhere in class, on location, or at home!
For sewing, quilting or crafting, let the SideWinder keep your creativity flowing!
The SideWinder comes with a power cord/AC adapter,
but also runs on 2 AA batteries (not included) for ultimate portability.
It accommodates most commonly used bobbins that have a round center hole.
It measures 3" high by 5" wide by 3" deep, so it truly is compact.
It has a built-in carrying handle and two spindles for storing extra bobbins.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1-800-833-0690) $29.99 + S/H = $_______ Total
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JoAnn Fabric Stores (not on JoAnnÂs website) $29.99 - $12.00 (-40%) = $17.99 + ($ TAX)= $______ Total
(use your 40% discount coupon)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FabricDepot.com (1-888-896-1478) ($29.99) $20.99 + $6.75 S/H = $27.74 Total
(The Price is reduced when you add it to the Cart)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If the spool of thread you want in the bobbin is threaded on your sewing machine, you'll still have to take it off to put it on the Sidewinder. I don't quite see the point! (unless you have double spools of thread colours, or you don't mind the threads not matching.......)

Spam on our quilting forum? Who would have thought. Some poor salesman must not like adverse publicity.
Linda

I bought the bobbin winder a few wks ago and just tried it this weekend. I did not like it. I may have been the plastic bobbins I was using, but they didn't wind evenly on the bobbin. I'll try it again, but if it doesn't improve I may have one for sale, cheap.
Carolyn

I bought one because I go through a lot of bobbins when using my embroidery machine. I use white lingerie thread in the biggest spool they make and it seems to work fine. I don't suppose it would work with cone thread unless you used a cone thread adapter. I got it at half off. Also when doing embroidery you have a lot of time while you're waiting for things to stitch out....might as well do something constructive.

Nicki

Here's a list of the bobbins that do and don't work with the Sidewinder. As usual, my Viking doesn't play well with others.

Bobbins that DO NOT WORK with the SideWinder

Machine/Series Bobbin Designation

Husqvarna Viking Bobbins:

Designer SE 412 56 15-45 (green)
Designer I 412 56 15-45 (green)
Quilt Designer II 412 56 15-45 (green)
Quilt Designer 412 56 15-45 (green)
Platinum, Interlude, Rose 412 56 15-45 (green)
Prelude, Daisy 412 56 15-45 (green)

Orchidea, #1+ 412 09 75-45 (new style)

Prisma 412 06 12-45 ("old style")
Optima 412 06 12-45 ("old style")
Classica 412 06 12-45 ("old style")
Huskylock

Singer:

Centaur II
Futura

Bobbins that DO Work with the SideWinder

Dritz Bobbins
Bobbin Designation: Fits Sewing Machines:
933 Fits all Singer Class 15 Models and some of the following machines: Baby Lock, Brother, Riccar, Simplicity & White
937 Fits all Singer Class 15 Models and some of the following machines: Baby Lock, Brother, Riccar, Simplicity & White
939 Fits all Singer Class 15 Models and some of the following machines: Baby Lock, Brother, Riccar, Simplicity & White
925 Fits all Singer Class 66 Models and some of the following machines: Baby Lock, Brother, & Simplicity
928 Fits all Singer Class 66 Models and some of the following machines: Baby Lock, Brother, & Simplicity

Gingham Square
Bobbin Designation: Fits Sewing Machines:
Art. 1700 Bernina
Art. 1702 Viking
Art. 1761 Fits the following Pfaff Sewing Machines:905/17/27/47, 1025/27/35/47/50/41/67/69, 1150/51/71, 1213/14/16/17/22/29, 1371, 1467/69/71/75, 1520/30/40, 2010/14/20/22/52, 6230/50/70, 7000 Series

HandiQuilter
Bobbin Designation:
"M" Class Lightweight Aluminum Bobbin HQ Sixteen Non-Regulated Quilting Machine, HQ Sixteen Stitch-Regulated Quilting Machine, HQ Sixteen Quilting Machine, Simply Sixteen

Singer
Bobbin Designation: Fits Sewing Machines:
2137 For Singer sewing machine models 221 & 301
2134 Bobbins Class 15- For Singer sewing machine models including 6400 Series, White (rotary), New Home (rotary/old style) Necchi, Pfaff, Elna, Wizard, Brother, Morse, Atlas, Kenmore (rotary), Universal, Sewmore, Domestic (rotary)

Simplicity
N0726.00 Class 15 (plastic)

I have the sidewinder adnt he first time I used the sidewinder I had trouble trying to keep the box from moving all around and when I pushed the button to start the winding couldnt be stopped unless I unplugged it...my second try was alot better...it fills the bobbins very quickly and no trouble this time..I think its practice makes perfect...I also put the box the plug comes in under the box lid so it doesnt flop around...they should redo the box construction so its less work trying to keep it from moving all over the place...Judy

I was soooo pleased to buy one of these things for $25 at the local craft store. But, like someone mentioned, Husqvarna Viking's are apparently picky about who they play with. It had to go back to the store.

:(

I haven't bought one yet, but they had them on sale for $19.99 at Hancock Fabrics. I am sure it was a special, but by the time I got to them they were out. Went fast. So can't tell you about preformance, but wants? I want one.. Tee hee.

Rita

I'm wondering what advantage the Sidewinder has over winding bobbins on your own machine, provided that you have a way to avoid unthreading the needle. Can you stack bobbins up on the Sidewinder and it will automatically wind them, one after another? Don't you still have to place a bobbin and your spool of thread on their spindles and somehow wind the end of the thread around the bobbin or thread it through a hole or something?

It occurs to me that if you had a cone thread adapter and if it would take the small bobbins, you could still wind bobbins right on your machine bobbin winder without removing the thread from the needle.

With my old Kenmore, if I didn't want to unthread the needle, I would just hold the spool of thread in my lap and run the thread under the regular little hook and round thing that helped feed it to the bobbin and start winding, while trying to keep the spool from falling on the floor (How's that for being lazy! And sometimes it did fall, but no harm. My cats liked it when that happened.), and it worked fine, but a fancy machine would probably object to the way they were wound.

Pre-wound bobbins are tempting, but I would never consider buying them, either, even if I thought they would work on my machine and they came in the brands of thread and the colors I wanted. Bobbin-winding isn't THAT much of a nuisance! I have to confess, though, that until I got this Espire, I could have been a candidate for Dian's bobbinwindaphobia support group! You're funny, Dian.

No, they don't do multiples Jan. It's easier for me to wind ten or so with a large cone of thread. But, I took mine back because of the tension issue. I also didn't like it having an off and on switch instead of a "momentary" which means you can't take your finger off and stop it. It won't stop till done. It wasn't worth the effort to me.
Linda