So, I got back from vacation and my bobbin winder is busted. ARGH. Makes it kind of hard to get any weaving done...
New bobbin winders are pretty stupidly expensive ($75 for just a hand winding one, the electronic ones are $200 and up!) - but I've always wanted an electric one, my shoulder would appreciate it greatly.
Brilliant hubby had a great suggestion - my sewing machine has a bobbin winder! Yup, sure enough, my bobbin fits on it just fine, though it oscillates pretty wildly when I start it up. So, I snagged a chopstick and held it in the center of the bobbin - voila! A bobbin winder made from my cheap-ass Sears sewing machine (that cost about $80), complete with foot speed control, it's great! LOL
8 comments:
I am a knitter that is just now learning to weave on a rigid heddle loom. I purchased a boat shuttle over the Internet not realizing that I would need a bobbin winder to thread it. Wow! those babies are expensive.
Happily on day two of trying to find instructions for making my own I stumbled across your site.
Thanks to your husband and your cheap-ass Sears machine (LOL), I will be testing this technique when I am back home.
Thanks.
Erma
Okay, so I don't have bobbins either, but I tested the technique using a straw cut it half (straws wobble - boy, do they wobble)but, if you go slowly it REALLY works. I've ordered bobbins and I will be using this method to thread them.
At least until I can figure how to make an inexpensive winder.
Thanks.
Erma
PS - Sorry, I selected anonymous yesterday. I'm new to this too. :)
LOL - no prob about the anon. :) Glad the straw is working for you - maybe a skinny chopstick or knitting needle down the center would keep it from wobbling so much? (?) I'm still using my cheap-ass Sears sewing machine as my bobbin winder a year later, and it's working just fine still, and I wind a lot of bobbins! Maybe I'll ask for a real one for Christmas... :)
I'm going to try to make my ancient Montgomery Ward sewing machine wind my bobbins...neat idea! Thanks.
I've got another cheap ass solution! I use hubby's electric drill. I put the bobbin on the end and it spins away without any wobble at all!
Enjoy! :)
Love how this ancient post still gets some action. :) Allison - I like the drill solution, too! Unfortunately, our drill is terrible. My bobbins wobble and it spins really slowly (I'm very impatient, lol). Maybe I'll take a couple bobbins with me to the store if/when we ever buy a new drill...
Ok, see this cool! Years later this post is helping people save $ AND re-purpose items. Have you seen the method using one of those drink mixers that you stick in a glass ($7 on AMAZon)?
I have actually never heard of that! Off to go peek and see if I can figure it out... :)
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