Thread is expensive, and I try to conserve as much as possible.
I like to start projects with at least two full bobbins.
The problem I have is with bobbins that have not enough thread to start a project, but just enough thread to not be wasted.
This bobbin has enough to get a small project started.
There are some bobbins that have less.
Do you have any suggestions for not wasting thread?
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This is actually one of the great questions of quilting/sewing on a machine and has also plagued me. What I decided to do is to use up partial bobbins even if inconvenient (= I will be changing the bobbin again shortly). Reason: I cannot stand having a whole bunch of partially used bobbins. I like to keep empty bobbins ready for a thread change. So I make myself use up the partials to get to an empty bobbin which can be refilled. 🙂
Makes sense. I can do this. Thanks.
I’m with Tierney. For regular machine bobbins I use them anyway. For piecing it rarely matter what color of thread is used (unless you’re piecing with white. UGH.) For my longarm bobbins, where the thread will show on the back of a quilt, I either use them on a spindle of my regular machine to use as top thread for piecing or attaching a binding, or I use it first for binding, or I use it up when doing test quilting or sometimes basting. And now and then there is so little left on the bobbin that I simply unwind it and throw it away.
Thanks, Melanie. Thread is too precious to waste.
Awesome question, something I have wondered. THanks!
Great answers! 😊
Years ago, I only had three bobbins for my old machine. If there was a bit of thread left like yours pictured, I would just wind another color over it and eventually use both colors. Fast forward 20 years, I purchased an old sewing machine with cabinet and googles in the drawer. After sewing on the machine for a bit it ran out of thread quickly. I had emptied the top color, and like me, the seamstress wound many colors on her bobbins. I thought I was the only one who ever did this to conserve thread. Nowadays, I am constantly emptying my bobbin, and stick with only neutral colors which helps. May your bobbin always be full!
Now that you mention this, I remember my aunt used to wind thread over a partially threaded bobbin. I tend to use neutrals only. Thanks for the input.
I just put in the partial bobbin and use it up. And I’m not too fussy about the color I use for piecing, which means a lot of odd thread can be used.
I never thought of using odd thread for piecing. Makes sense.