Drop in Bobbin Case Removal and Refitting

You may need to remove your bobbin case from a drop in bobbin style sewing machine to do some cleaning and oiling. Other reasons may include freeing up a jam in the bobbin case area or to inspect or replace a damaged bobbin case.

Many sewing machines use the drop in bobbin system and this video covers many different types of make and model. The machine specifically used in this video is a Janome MyStyle 22.
The main difference between models may be the way the throat plate (needle plate) is attached to the bed of the machine. Most machines have one or two screws holding the plate on.

Make sure to unplug the machine when you're doing this sort of work. The last thing you want is to accidentally putting your foot on the controller and ruining your day.
Remove the presser foot, bobbin and remove the needle if you want to get sharp pointy bits out of the way.
Once the plate is removed you will be able to remove the bobbin case easily unless there is a jam you need to clear.
The bobbin case should lift away easily but inserting a finger into the area where the bobbin goes and lifting the bobbin case up and towards you. From there you can inspect the bobbin case for any damage. The main cause of damage is caused by a jam where the bobbin case gets dragged out of its position and rotated by the hook where the needle may perforate the case or gouge it as it goes.
Replacement bobbin cases are generally easy to find and easily fitted back into place.

While the plate is off, it's a good time to do some basic cleaning and oiling. Clean the bobbin case and note there sometimes may be a small patch of bristles attached to the case which should not be removed. Remove all lint from the area, paying special attention to the feed dogs where lint can compress between the feed dog columns.
The Janome machines have an oiling wick down the centre of the hook shaft so make sure you don't accidentally remove that. The wick can be oiled with a few drops of sewing machine oil.

With the cleaning and oiling done, you can replace the bobbin case. There's a cut out in the edge of the bobbin case that should be positioned to the rear and the little nub should rest against the left side of the little leaf spring. Quite often there are arrows on the case and the machine to line up to help with positioning.
You can put a small drop of oil where the case meets the hook. This helps quieten the machine down slightly. Turn the machine over by hand to make sure everything is in order.
Attach the throat plate and secure it with the screw(s). Install the bobbin and cover. Attach the presser foot and replace the needle. Thread up and test sew but turning the machine for a few stitches by hand first to check everything is in order and that nothing is jamming up. Then use the foot controller to do a test seam.

[amandafield]

For weeks, I couldn’t figure out why my bobbin case won’t stay in. I bought the(singer 7285Q patchwork)machine used- it’s missing the felt! Thank you. I’ve watched many videos and yours is the only one that helped. I am so grateful. Thank you 🙏🏼

[LRoufa]

Your very tight camera shot showing the bobbin nub up against the spring was the moment I saw my problem. So happy to finally have my bobbin issue fixed! Thank you for saving me a bunch of money!

[kimjensen]

Thank you! You are the only one that mentioned that the bobbin case should not spin. It should stay put. Now I know what to look for. Very helpful video :)

[tanstoptips]

Thank you from the other side of our planet, you've saved me a fortune
and my sanity. 4 x videos on how to prevent your top thread from looping underneath the fabric and 2 days of a process of elimination, I found yours, and you've pointed out the problem, that little spring which had popped out from under the casing. Not obvious from the diagram in the manuel. I knew it was something simple as the machine parts were all working. So thank you so much. Off to clock up the kilometres . 😘😘

[__xo]

This was exactly what I needed!! I was afraid I was going to have to buy a new sewing machine, so thank you for uploading this video to help us all!! Such a quick fix and you explained it VERY VERY well!! 30 years of experience definitely shows!! Thank you again

[spudboyfan]

My Kenmore from 1982 was made by Janome and for the first time in 40 years I thought it finally died when the bobbin case was moving around. Your video was perfect as my machine has the same top loading bobbin. I found some lint in there and cleaned it out. A needle broke yesterday as well. My case was in great shape so after dusting around in there and checking the spring and putting it back so far so good. Thank you so much for taking the time to post this video. I now understand the bobbin case and what to watch for in the future. ❤

[melodytenisch]

Thank you so much! I took the bobbin case out to clean out trapped thread buildup and couldn't put it back in. I have a Kenmore that's about 20 yrs. old but works great. Yours is the only video I found showing how to do this and you explained everything wonderfully. Chapeau dear sir!🎩👵😊👍👍

[rosegrumbine]

You saved a Christmas gift today! Using my sister-in-law’s machine to finish my nieces present. Bent a needle and it wasn’t working right. Your information was just what I needed. Thank you so much.

[ZumaLilly]

I landed here whilst looking for help with a loose bobbin case for my Juki hzl g210. I found that your Janome is very similar to my machine. Your instructions were precise and inspired me to have a go at fixing my own problem. Thank you very much!!

[terraerwin]

I found this to be a useful, thoughtful, and clear tutorial in a sea of nonsense on you tube... it helped me solve the problem I knew I was having and a couple of other things I didn’t even know where wrong, and I would like to offer my sincerest thanks! After finally delving into needed home maintenance on my machine (about which there is numerous content available) I found little guidance in my manual or other tutorials about how to properly return the bobbin case and immediately started dealing with jamming after reinstalling it incorrectly. Your video was thorough and included important supplementary knowledge and explanation clearly obtained from your years of experience providing professional machine maintenance. You have given me a better understanding of how my machine works and what I need to be looking for when I am troubleshooting in the future, thank you for sharing you knowledge!

[SimplyAnnieB]

Thank you for this video. I was having issues with my Janome sewing machine. I found your video watched the entire thing. After viewing your video, I ordered a Janome Bobbin Case for my 7700CP. It came in the mail today. I am up and running now. Thank you, Thank you.😁😁😁😁😁😁

[lindaelleker]

Thank you. I spent ages trying to refit it after the bbon pulled it up. Was about to take it to the shop but decided to see if I could find the answer on you tube. Infor you gave about the casing was very helpful. I went back and tried again and it worked. Don't know what I had done differently but it worked

[secrethooper]

Thank you, I had to remove the top plate and bobbin case to get some loose threads out and couldn’t put the bobbin case back properly, this video saved me, my machine, and the dress I’m making 👗

[ziirosociety]

Thank you for going into such detail! It's hard to find anything technical for sewing machines which is surprising. I identified 3 issues on 2 of my machines after many hours of searching for an answer thanks to your videos!

[annahenry]

Thank you for the little tip about the spring needing to be "under" the spring holder...saved a trip to the shop..Thank you!

[karenhill]

Wonderful video! My 1 year old Singer was very jammed. My machine has a portion of the front which is removable for storing supplies. One of them is a small screwdriver to remove the screws. I did that, cleaned the threads, but couldn't put the bobbin case back in. It was great you mentioned it doesn't move, I was trying everything. You Tube has a solution for everything, Your video was easy to understand, and the close ups were just what I needed. Popped it in, and it works fine. Great work!

[SistahBear]

I just thrifted a “new home” machine. You got me all set up to sew! Thanks so much

[RiffRaffMama.]

Yours is about the 10th video I've watched trying to fix my sewing machine and after changing the needle and messing around with the timing and getting nowhere, it was something you mentioned only in passing that ended up being my problem. You pointed out the spring and said you'd seen them sitting over the top sometimes when they shouldn't be... mine was sitting over the top. Once I finagled it into its proper location (there's a tricky little slot you have to get it into) my sewing machine sewed for the first time in a long time! *Moral of the story* - when you get a tangle of threads in your bobbin case, don't just rip it all out in frustration, you never know what else you'll rip out of place!

[susan]

Thanks so much. I wasn't aware that I needed to oil the bobbin case. I successfully fixed my machine and promptly made a new hot pad for my kitchen.

[blessedwithblackevents]

You should be a school teacher. Thank you so much for this simply explained video!