what is a bobbin

A bobbin, also known as a spool, is a small cylinder or spindle on which yarn, thread, wire, tape, or film is wound. It is an essential component of sewing machines, used to hold the thread that forms stitches on the underside of the fabric. Bobbins are found in industrial textile machinery, as well as in spinning, weaving, knitting, sewing, and lacemaking. They can be made of various materials such as wood, bone, plastic, or metal, and come in different shapes and sizes depending on the style of bobbin driver in the machine for which they are intended to be used. Bobbins are used to store, temporarily and permanently, yarn or thread, and can also be wound with decorative thread or ribbon for specialized stitching. In sewing machines, the bobbin thread works in conjunction with the top thread to create a lockstitch, and it is essential for holding seams together and creating stitches on the reverse side of the fabric. Bobbins are specific to each sewing machine, and it is important to use the correct type or class of bobbin as specified in the machines owners manual to ensure proper stitch quality.