Bobbin winders?

[emoflamingo]

I dropped my sewing machine (on my foot) a few weeks ago and broke the bobbin winder thing off the top. New machine not in the plans since it's still functional, but I need a bobbin winder. Anyone have one of those separate ones they'd recommend?

[stephm0188]

I bought the blue Dritz brand winder at JoAnn Fabrics because it was cheaper than the Sidewinder. I don't love it. It winds unevenly and doesn't work at all half the time.

[emoflamingo]

JoAnn's has a Wrights Sidewinder for $34.99 (reviews are 4 stars average on 50) and the Simplicity Sidewinder for $74.99 (reviews are 3 stars average on 4 reviews). I was leaning towards the Wrights one, since it's cheapest. Does that qualify as a "sewing machine and sewing machine department merchandise"? They have a 50% off coupon on the app, but that is excluded.

[cmeon]

Do you have a back-up machine? I would probably buy another machine before I bought one of those winders, none of them seem very good at all. I love having my fleet of machines- I throw a double needle or a ruffler on one, use one to wind a bobbin when I run out mid-stitch (whoops .

You do Etsy, right? It would really make sense to have a back-up around, IMO!

It would probably make sense to check and make sure fixing it wouldn't be too cost prohibitive, too. I hope your foot is okay- I can picture it in my head, "OMG- my machine/my foot- what do I try to save?!" Heh.

[emoflamingo]

I have a back-up, technically, but I loaned it to a friend and... I hate it. It jams up in the bobbin case and it's not computerized lol. Maybe I should order a new CS-6000i like I have and tell H it's his mother's day present to me lol. We don't do much on etsy anymore, but we do a lot of local craft shows and we do the farmer's market, so I might need to tell him I need a second machine lol.

The only part that broke is the bobbin holder for winding and since it's just a lower model, I'm not sure it'd be worth repairing vs. replacing. I was SURE I broke my foot, but as soon as I started icing it, all I got was a little bruise and no swelling. I did cry for the machine though lol.

Thankfully, my SIL watches DS and she has the same machine, so I had her wind my bobbin I needed for finishing a project (and she would do it for the rest if I needed). I need to get my old junky machine back.

[SpartanGirl]

I have the sidewinder from Joanns. It's okay, but nothing I would rave about. I like the convenience of it, but I think my machine is better at winding bobbins.

If only I could justify more than one machine...

[shortcake2675]

I hadn't thought of the benefit of my three machine meaning I always have someone to wind a bobbin. They all use class 15 bobbins, 1 plastic, 2 metal, which means it works! Maybe a vintage machine would fill this need cheaper for you.

[emoflamingo]

I think I talked him into a new machine. They aren't expensive and I emphasised the importance of having 2 functional machines (since my "back up" is not really functional -- the bobbin tangles so often it's not really an option), so he said he'd probably let me get another. Yay! (Okay "let me" sounds like I don't have a say, but you know what I mean.)

[twopugs]

Woohoo - having a back up machine is always good. From what I've read online, bobbin winders are nothing special. I never realized my first machine (Viking E20) wasn't winding bobbins properly until I upgraded to my current machine (Emerald 118) and suddenly I'm not having issues with the bobbins getting tangled in the machine!

Anyway, I know what you mean. I also say DH "lets" me buy stuff when really it was a discussion and we both agreed on it. I "let" him buy stuff, too.

[emoflamingo]

May 21, 2012 10:35:35 GMT -5 twopugs said:

Anyway, I know what you mean. I also say DH "lets" me buy stuff when really it was a discussion and we both agreed on it. I "let" him buy stuff, too.

He told me last night that every time he sees an amp like the ones he has up for sale, he will probably buy it. Because they're rare. (1 has come up on eBay in the last 2 years, he doesn't search them out elsewhere but eBay notifies him of their listings.) My response was "So, I'm guessing I can get that second machine? And you will be sucking up to your awesome wife every time one comes up?" (Yes and yes lol.)