Bobbin Cases, Bobbins & Hooks
Bobbin Cases, Bobbins, and Hooks
What is a Bobbin?
You may have seen a small reel with a wheel-like design that is fitted inside your sewing machine. That’s the bobbin. It may be constructed out of metal, wood, or plastic. The thread goes around the cylindrical structure part of a bobbin.
Outside of the machine, it can act as a spool for your thread. Within it, you will find the lower thread winds around it. When the machine catches this thread, it combines it with the one coming through the needle. Together, they make one stitch.
Many machines don’t require that the bobbin be inserted into a case. Check which one you have and only order a case if your machine requires it.
What is a Bobbin Case?
Some sewing machines have bobbins without a case, while others require one. The case goes over the bobbin after a thread has been wrapped around the former. Then the whole ensemble can be fit inside the machine. Usually, the bobbin case goes below the needle and footplate. However, we’d recommend reading the manual for your particular model to confirm the location.
What is a Hook?
The bobbin case – along with the bobbin inside it – fit into the hook system. The latter has a key role to play in how your sewing machine works. That’s because it is the part that catches the thread that the needle forces out. You need a hook to create a stitch. There are two main types of hooks, i.e., rotary and oscillating. Even though both kinds of hooks can create lockstitch stitches, they work in different ways. You should check the machine’s guide to confirm which one you will require before you order.
If you aren’t sure which type of hook or bobbin your machine needs, contact GoldStar Tool online or give us a call at 1.800.868.4419 for guidance!
Caring for Your Shears and Scissors
The first thing you should NEVER do is cut anything but fabric with your scissors and shears intended for fabrics. The second is to never cut into a pin or needle since it will damage them permanently. When you’re finished using your shears, the best thing you can do is wipe the blades with a dry cloth to remove lint, threads, dust, and other small particles that can make them harder to use. Synthetic fibers can also dull the blades. Clean away the dry particles after every use. Keep your shears and scissors working smoothly with a small drop of quality sewing machine oil in the fulcrum or the pivot screw. Carefully open and close them a few times (point down) to distribute the oil, and wipe them, spreading some of the remnant oil over the blades. You want to oil your scissors and shears about once a month, more if you use them daily. Of course, be careful not to drop them, or they could be damaged to the point of being unworkable.
When they just don’t cut like they used to, sharpening is a must to prevent damage to your fabrics. You may have heard that cutting through aluminum foil steel wool and/or sandpaper as a way to quickly sharpen your dulled scissors. Despite their popularity, we don’t recommend these methods. Think about it—if you shouldn’t use your sewing shears and scissors for paper and other things, or attempt to cut through a pin or needle, why would you use either of these to sharpen a blade? There are better ways to sharpen your shears at home or in your commercial shop. Need something small and efficient to keep around? These handy Scissors And Blade Sharpeners are economical, convenient, and sharpen on the fly. Our ExtremEdge V2 Knife and Shear Sharpener is a fast, easy way to sharpen non-serrated scissors and knives safely. The bottom section holds it in place for simple one-handed operation, and it’s sold for a reasonable price. If you have more than a few pairs of scissors, sending them out for sharpening can shut down operations. Our Wolff Industrial Twice as Sharp Scissor Sharpening System is an investment that will save you and your workers time and money, and keep your scissor arsenal sharp and cutting perfectly every time. Priced at under $500, you can sharpen your tools in-house whenever you need to. Plus, it comes with instructions so that anyone can learn to use it for fast on-demand sharpening. Pinking shears, like our own soft-handled or heavy-duty shears, are best sharpened by a professional. There’s no reason to keep working with dull scissors and shears. Get one of our exclusive sharpening tools today.