letsgosew.com
  • Home
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sign Up for Sewing News, Freebies, & Updates
  • Order Just Jackets Embroidery Collection
  • Just Jackets FAQ
  • Order Wrapped in Embroidery Book by Joanne Banko
  • Joanne Banko's Blog
  • Machine Embroidery Survey
  • FREE Tutorials and Tip Sheets
    • NEW! Serger Sample Sheet
    • NEW! 2-Thread Serger Techniques-Pt.1
    • NEW! Basic Serger Stitches
    • New! Sew with Your Feet_Resources
    • New Project! Chic Triangle Scarf
    • New! Embroidered Sachet Envelope Project
    • Denim Re-design Hanging Organizer
    • Sewing a Cargo Pocket
    • NEW! Interfacings for Embroidery Tip Sheet
    • Making Kitchen Towels & FREE Cornucopia Applique Design
    • NEW! Embroidery Placement Positioning Tips
    • Tip sheet - 5 Reasons Quilters Need A Serger
    • Free In-the-Hoop Patch Pocket Design
    • Serging versus Sewing
    • FREE Project-Embroidered Gift Tag with Gift Bag
    • Tip Sheet - Pillow Pointers
    • Tip sheet_Sew Straight Laser for Seams
    • Embelishment Tips from dime V.111
    • Tip sheet - Shannon Embrace Double Gauze
    • Tip sheet - Fun with Fonts
    • Fabric Tip Sheet- Sewing Faux Suede
    • Tip sheet for Sewing & Embroidering with Metallic Thread
    • Fleece Ruana Pattern: As seen on PBS It's Sew Easy TV
    • Fabric Tip Sheet - Crepe Back Satin
    • Fabric Tip Sheet-Sewing Slinky Type Knit
    • Fabric Tip Sheet - Fleece
    • Fancy Footwork Tipsheet - About the Walking Foot
    • Fancy Footwork Tip Sheet_Basic Appliqué
    • Fancy Footwork Tip sheet - Ruffler Attachment
    • Fancy Footwork Tip Sheet - Narrow Hems with a Standard Foot
    • Fancy Footwork Tip Sheet - Non Stick Foot
    • Tip sheet - Machine Embroidery Pattern Connection Resources
    • Tutorial_Embroidered Greeting Card Project
    • Tip Sheet - Machine Set up for Shirring
    • Tip sheet - Snowman and Target Markers
    • Tip Sheet for Printing on Fabric
    • Tip sheet-Five Ways to Finish Fleece Blankets
    • T-Shirt Transformation Tutorial
    • Project- Serge a Little Girl's Sweet Summer Dress
    • Tip Sheet for Fleece Frame Shape Appliqué
    • Tip Sheet - Bobbin Work Sewing & Embroidery
    • Tip Sheet - Custom Covered Buttons
    • Tip Sheet - Liquid Stabilizers
    • Tip sheet - Appliqué with Brother XV8500D & ScanNCut
    • Project - Sheer Chiffon Wrap
    • Project - Pearl Trimmed Candle Ring
    • Tip Sheet -Mitered Satin Blanket Binding
    • Fabric Tip Sheet_Knit Know How
    • Tool School Tip Sheets
    • ITH Project Planner
  • As seen in DiME Magazine - Photo Gallery
  • Sewing and Embroidery Events
  • My Sewing Story
  • It's Sew Easy TV Online Blog
  • IT'S SEW EASY TV Videos & Bonus Files
    • NEW! It's Sew Easy TV Series 2100
    • It's Sew Easy TV_Series 2000
    • It's Sew Easy TV_Series 1500
    • It's Sew Easy TV - Series 1600
    • It's Sew Easy TV_Series 1700
    • It's Sew Easy TV Series 1800
    • It's Sew Easy TV Series 1900
    • NEW! Superstar Sewing Stitches
    • NEW! Classy Textured Cape
    • NEW! Baby Bath Wrap
    • NEW! Detachable Collar
    • Sew a Swimsuit
    • Machine Embroidered Garments
    • Kimono Blouses
    • Custom Covered Hangers
    • Sewing Beautiful Belts
    • Felted Flower Hat Trim
    • Sew a Waffle Weave Robe
    • Learn about Couching accessories!
    • Turn a Pashmina into a Trendy Topper
    • Machine Embroidered Reverse Applique
    • Machine Embroidered Knit Dress
    • Use Non-Stick Foot to sew a Custom Luggage Tag
    • Serge & Sew Broomstick Skirt
    • Machine Embroidered Western Jacket
    • Machine Embroidered Bobbin Work Pashmina
    • Embroidered Pajamas
    • Sewing Pearls and Sequins
    • Learn how to use the Fringe Foot
    • Quilted Pinwheel Patchwork Tote
    • Machine Embroidered Lace for Lingerie
    • Sewing Circles with a Circular Attachment
    • Sew with the Edge Joining Foot
    • Re-style Tops for Little Girls
    • Short Style Tip- Blouse Embellishment
    • Learn how to make pretty piping using the Piping Foot
    • Embellish with the Three Slot Cording Foot
    • Facebook Live Interview 12-4-2018
    • Machine Embroidery - Starter Tips

Beautiful Bobbin Work Stitchery

7/30/2022

4 Comments

 
Picture
It’s fun and easy to use upside down stitchery, (also known as bobbin work), to embellish tea towels, table runners, pillows, scarves, jean jackets, & more! These are all ideal projects for embellishing with bobbin work. 

Just what is bobbin work and why is this technique called upside down stitchery? Simply put, bobbin work is an embellishment technique created with thick threads and novelty yarns that would never go through the eye of a needle and are not suitable for the thread path and tension mechanism of a sewing machine. 
Picture
Bobbin work is accomplished by winding thick thread onto a bobbin, and then changing out the bobbin case of the machine with an alternative bobbin case set for thick thread and a tension much looser than normal. You'll sew with the right side of the fabric facing the throat plate, therefore, sewing "upside down."
Bobbin work is possible for virtually any machine, as long as you have an alternative bobbin case with the tension loosened for the the thicker threads. Simply switch out your standard bobbin case for the one with loosened tension when you want to do bobbin work. You will need to adjust the bobbin case for various kinds of thick threads. Some will require looser tension than others. This technique is easy but it does require some time and experimentation as you are learning the nuances of using different threads and making adjustments.

Some Brother machine models include a bobbin work bobbin case and there have been some past models with embroidery style bobbin work designs built-in to the machine. Bobbin work embroidery designs seem to be in short supply these days but there's still a lot you can do with bobbin work on the sewing side of the machine. Below is an image of designs found is past Brother machines such as the Quattro and Dream Machine models.
Picture
 ​The special Brother bobbin case is grey, making it very noticeable and distinctive from an ordinary bobbin case. To learn lore about the optional Brother Bobbin Work Kit CLICK HERE to view the description on their website, and see compatible models. 
Here is a short video showing how to wind the bobbin for bobbin work:
The top of the machine is threaded with regular sewing thread, embroidery thread, or even monofilament type thread. A bobbin with thick thread is placed in the machine, and should flow freely from the bobbin case with the loosened tension. With a few tweaks and tests for tension, you're on your way to stitching hand drawn patterns or rows of decorative and straight stitches. If you're good at free motion stitchery, you could set up your machine for free-form sewing and create patterns by stitching over templates or traced images or free motioning like you would for quilting.

I recently did a live show tutorial for my friends at Sewing Machines Plus, with an overview of bobbin work, showing various samples I hope will inspire you. You can watch the video below. I've also created a written tutorial to go along with the video. Download the PDF file for more details and information that coordinates with the video.
lets_go_sew_with_joanne_banko_bobbinwork_stitchery.pdf
File Size: 7430 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Feel free to leave your comments and questions below!
Interested in learning even MORE about bobbin work?
  • Brother has a short, silent video showing how to insert the bobbin case here: Brother has a short, silent video showing how to insert the bobbin case here: https://bit.ly/3zLgEvr
  • Check out my It's Sew Easy TV video about bobbin work  on the embroidery side of the machine when you click the following link: Machine Embroidered Bobbin Work Pashmina​
4 Comments
Joann Hull
7/31/2022 00:52:21

I enjoy watching you.

Reply
Joanne Banko
7/31/2022 21:45:24

Hello Joann! I very much appreciate having you out there watching and knowing that you enjoy the shows :-) Thanks for taking the time to write!

Reply
Patti Tamarit
7/31/2022 12:51:05

Could you send me the tension again on the bottom stitching?

Thank you,
Patti Tamarit

Reply
Joanne Banko
7/31/2022 21:48:55

Hi Patti! Bobbin tension really depends on the thread. Follow the guidelines I talked about where the thread flows freely out of the bobbin case that has the tension loosened considerably. Test your stitch and see if you need to adjust tighter or looser as per your thread. Compare your testing to my examples shown in the instructions and on the video. Let me know if you need more help.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Author:

    Joanne Banko
    Brother Ambassador


    I'd love to stay in touch with you!

    Click Here
    and Sign up for
    ​Sewing News, plus tips, tricks, and notifications about new blog posts.

    Archives

    May 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    December 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    September 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    October 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014

    *As a believer in full disclosure, I'd like you to know that Blog posts may contain affiliate links for products and services I know and trust. Purchasing items through a link marked * results in a small commission for me, with no extra charges for you.

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

© Copyright 2025 by Joanne Banko. All rights Reserved