While teaching the machine classes I try to share tips that I have found helpful in my own sewing.  Most of the time, I will share with the class the way the manual says something should be done and then I also share the “Cindy Thing”, meaning this is the way I do it, but it’s not set in stone.  If my way is helpful, please use it.  If not, I’ll never know you decided not to use my idea!  One of my “things” is in winding the bobbin.  If your machine uses a bobbin that has a “ledge” on the inside that separates the lower and upper parts of the bobbin, thread can start winding in the top portion of the bobbin first before filling up the lower portion.

Since the bobbin sensor only looks at the middle of the lower portion of the bobbin, the sensor can tell you the bobbin thread is running low when it really isn’t. This can be a bit annoying, especially if your machine stops every couple of stitches to remind you the bobbin thread is running low.  I solve this problem by tapping the thread as it is winding onto the bobbin. 

While watching one of the Heirloom Creations videos, I saw that Sara uses the same technique.  In the linked video, Sara is using the technique while winding a bobbin on a Pfaff Quilt Expression 4.2, but the practice holds true for any bobbin that has the “ledge”.  I hope this proves helpful to you!