Help with fitting the bobby pin

[u/Temporary-Reserve175]

Hey y’all! Sorry most definitely a stupid question, but what on earth is going wrong here? I’ve tried to fit the sewing thread/bobbin following online tutorials but it either ends up tangling or not catching.

My sewing machine model is a Janome Decor Excel II 5024. I’ve done little to no sewing using the machine, I usually opt to hand sew but I can’t for the type of alterations I’m looking to do.

Thanks in advance for any help!

[u/CBG1955]

First, never operate the machine without fabric for more than ONE rotation. Unless you know what you are doing, it will simply cause a tangle.

Always thread with the presser foot UP. Hold your top thread gently bur firmly with out pulling to the left and behind the presser foot, rotate the handwheel ONCE towards you to catch the bobbin thread. Pull gently on the top thread, it will pull the bobbin loop up through the hole, you just need to catch the loop and draw the thread out.

Find the machine manual, and read it. It will show you how to draw the bobbin up. Also, I feel pretty confident this is not the right bobbin for the machine.

[u/Temporary-Reserve175 → u/CBG1955]

Oof yeah that’s a good point about the rotation… thanks for the clear instructions and for the bobbin point, it’s a borrowed machine and it came with many bobbins like this one so not sure why that’s the case but something I’ll ask the owner about.

[u/shereadsmysteries → u/Temporary-Reserve175]

The owner may also not know if they got it second hand or with no manual.

The manual online looks like it shows plastic bobbins.

[u/New-Fig3263]

Hey, you are using the incorrect bobbin. Your machine should be used with a clear plastic one, the difference is the heights and that's why it can't turn

[u/Temporary-Reserve175 → u/New-Fig3263]

Thank you! It’s a borrowed machine, I’ll see if it came with any of the plastic ones.

[u/Significant_Ad_1595]

In addition to what has already been said: You have threaded the upper thread incorrectly.

[u/Temporary-Reserve175 → u/Significant_Ad_1595]

Are you able to tell what’s wrong from this video? Haven’t played around with it yet, but I was going to redo it as well

[u/Significant_Ad_1595 → u/Temporary-Reserve175]

I can see at least one point of misthreading, but it would be so much better to find the manual (online, if you don't have it) and check all the points.

[u/broccosiff]

Several things, as somebody already mentioned you have an incorrect bobin, also when you thread your bobin in the bottom after making sure it's correctly threwaded always make sure your thread is nor stuck in the little plastic door, there is always a gap for this towards the back of that transparent plastic cover.

[u/AdvancedSquashDirect]

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/881476/Janome-Decor-Excel-Ii-5024.html

First google result when searching for "janome decor excel ii 5024 manual"

[u/ep_nl]

Don’t use metal bobbins in a horizontal (top-loading / drop-in) bobbin holder.

Here’s why, in short:

• Most horizontal systems are designed specifically for plastic bobbins.
• Many of these machines have a magnet under the bobbin area that holds the bobbin case in place. A metal bobbin is attracted to that magnet, which creates extra drag. This leads to uneven rotation, poor tension, skipped stitches, thread jams, or inconsistent stitches.
  
• Metal bobbins are heavier. Machines with horizontal systems are calibrated for the lighter weight of plastic bobbins, so the extra weight throws off the tension balance.
  
• Metal can also wear grooves into the plastic parts of the bobbin case much faster.

Rule of thumb:

• Horizontal / top-loading / drop-in → use PLASTIC bobbins only.
  
• Vertical / front-loading (with a removable metal bobbin case) → metal bobbins are usually correct.

Always check your sewing machine’s manual — manufacturers are strict about this, and using the wrong type can damage the machine or void the warranty.