How to Thread a Bobbin for a Bernina Activa Sewing Machine

Winding a bobbin is an essential skill for any sewing enthusiast. A properly wound sewing machine bobbin ensures smooth and even stitching in sewing projects.

Most sewers have experienced the headache of a poorly threaded bobbin, which can cause poor sewing performance and make the project look less than professional.

Bobbin winding is essentially the same or at least very similar for most sewing machines. This makes it easy for most sewers to thread a bobbin on their machines with a little practice.

There are two different ways to begin winding. Both types are successful and result in a properly wound bobbin.  The first way is to wrap the thread tail around the bobbin before winding.  In the second option, the thread tail is put through a hole in the bobbin.  Which way to you prefer?

Watch our video or read this detailed tutorial to learn more about winding a bobbin on a Bernina Activa sewing machine.

WHAT YOU NEED to thread a Bernina activa bobbin

• Bernina Activa sewing machine
• Thread
• Empty bobbin
• Scissors

Two ways to thread a bobbin

Technique #1: Wrap Thread Around Bobbin

STEP 1: thread the machine to fill the bobbin

A: Place the spool of thread on the spool pin.

At the top of your machine, place the spool of thread on the spool pin with thread coming off the spool from the back to the front of the machine. Place the thread cap onto the spool pin over the spool of the thread.

B: Pull the thread through the rear thread guide.

Pull the thread to the left of the spool of the thread on the top of the machine. The thread is placed on the grove and between the opening in the rear thread guide.

C: Wrap thread around the bobbin pre-tension.

There is a round pre-tension disc in front of the rear thread guide. Wrap the thread around this tension disk in the direction of the arrow to set the bobbin tension.

Make one complete circle around the pre-tension disc in the direction of the arrow.

step 2: wind thread several times around the bobbin

After the machine has been threaded in preparation for winding the bobbin, place the bobbin on the bobbin winder and wrap the thread several times around the bobbin in the direction of the arrow.

Be sure to wrap it several times.

step 3: press the toggle

Once the thread is wrapped, press the gray toggle towards the bobbin.

step 4: cut the thread

Use the thread cutter on the back of the toggle to cut the tail.

step 5: fill the bobbin

Press the foot pedal to fill the bobbin.

Step 6: Hold the thread coming from the spool

It is important to wind the bobbin tightly. One way to ensure this is to gently hold the thread coming from the spool, letting it lightly slip through the fingers of the right hand. This provides some tension to avoid a loosely threaded bobbin.

The toggle on/off switch automatically turns off when the bobbin is full.

Step 7: Cut the thread 

Cut the thread and remove the bobbin from the bobbin winder. The bobbin is now filled and ready to be placed in the Bernina Activa's bobbin case. See below after technique #2 for bobbin case threading instructions.

Technique #2: Thread through a Bobbin Hole

STEP 1: Check the sewing machine manual for the threading machine

The machine will need to be threaded before threading the bobbin. It will not usually be threaded the same way it is threaded for sewing. Consult the sewing machine manual to determine how to thread the sewing machine to begin threading the bobbin.

Be sure the machine is properly threaded to begin.

Follow the directions in step 1 above to properly thread the machine before threading the bobbin.

It is also important to be sure the bobbin is the correct type of bobbin for the machine. 

step 2: place the thread through one of the bobbin holes

There are holes on the top and bottom of the bobbin. Take the thread from the spool and place it through one of the holes. This will be the top of the bobbin. 

Step 3: Place the bobbin on the machine

With the thread coming through one of the bobbin holes, place the bobbin on the bobbin winder spindle with the threaded side up. Hold the thread firmly.

Step 4: push the Toggle

Push the gray toggle towards the bobbin. Once engaged, the machine will simply wind the bobbin without the needle moving up and down.

Step 5: wrap and cut thread

While holding the thread coming from the bobbin hole, use the foot pedal to begin filling the bobbin.  After it has been wound a few times, use the scissors to cut the thread tail at the top of the bobbin.

Step 6: fill the bobbin

The bobbin must be wound tightly. So, to ensure this, gently hold the thread coming from the spool between two fingers to keep it from wobbling. Continue pressing the foot pedal. Once it is full, remove the bobbin from the bobbin winder and cut the thread. The bobbin is now ready to be put in the bobbin case.

instructions for Threading the machine with a front loading bobbin

Step 1: Prepare to load the bobbin into the bobbin case

The Bernina Activa has a front-loading bobbin system.  In order to prepare the bobbin to be placed in the bobbin case, hold the bobbin with the left hand so it resembles a number 9 with the thread end off to the right.

Step 2: Place the bobbin in the bobbin holder

Drop the bobbin with the thread coming off to the right into the metal case.

Be sure the thread is coming off to the right of the bobbin.

Take the thread tail and hook it into the slot on the bobbin case.

Pull the thread through the slot counter-clockwise and to the left under the spring.

Hold the latch of the bobbin case with the finger pointing upwards.

Insert it into the machine.

Keep holding the latch until it's inserted.

Press the bobbin case into the machine until a click is heard.

Cut the thread tail with the thread cutter.

The bobbin is in place and ready to sew.  It is not necessary to pull the bobbin thread to the top.

Close the door to the bobbin area, and you are set to go!

other sewing machine tips and tutorials

• Bernina Sewing Machine Foot Pedal
• How to Clean an Oil a Bernina Activa Sewing Machine 
• Brother Innovis - How to Clean Machine