Bobbin Access

[Betty J.]

I have a 153QE and am starting to do more quilting. I bought a Sew Easy table extension, but find that it is really too small to support the weight of even a lap size quilt. I woud like to get a machine table that would let my machine fit flush to the table top, but how would I load the bobbin? As it is, I have trouble looking under the sew easy table to see the bobbin case. Any suggestions?

[Nancy R.]

I have the same machine. At home I have a nice table with the platform that goes up and down so I used to always raise my machine to access the bobbin case. But I've started using a supreme slider when quilting at home and I've also gotten a Gidget sewing table for retreats and sew days at other people's houses. With these, I had the same problem as you. To access the bobbin without moving the machine, I've set my work surface so that the acrylic insert is completely flush with the bed of my machine (my good table at home puts the machine slightly higher than the insert so I have to push it down a little). If I get this just right, the bottom of the insert will be just a hair above the top of the door covering the bobbin area. I've learned to insert my bobbin by feel since it's a pain to lean down there and try to get some light in there so I can see what I'm doing. Now that I'm used to it, this works fine for me.

Nancy

[Nancy R.]

I had a supreme slider, but I sewed into it and tore it to pieces! I haven't heard of a "Gidget" table. I'll have to look that up. I know what you mean about trying to do this by feel. I am pretty good at it, but worry if it is even lower when the machine is set down into the table top. Thanks for your reply. I will look up the Gidget, too.

[Diane F.]

I have a 153QE and am starting to do more quilting. I bought a Sew Easy table extension, but find that it is really too small to support the weight of even a lap size quilt. I woud like to get a machine table that would let my machine fit flush to the table top, but how would I load the bobbin? As it is, I have trouble looking under the sew easy table to see the bobbin case. Any suggestions?

I have a 153QE also. I purchased a Horn Quilter's Dream cabinet. It has a clear insert. I have found it helpful to take a small doorstop (wedge-shaped) :idea: and place it in front of the machine when I am cleaning the bobbin assembly. It angles the machine just enough that it is easy to access.

Hope this helps.

Diane

[Charae H.]

I have a 153QE and am starting to do more quilting. I bought a Sew Easy table extension, but find that it is really too small to support the weight of even a lap size quilt. I woud like to get a machine table that would let my machine fit flush to the table top, but how would I load the bobbin? As it is, I have trouble looking under the sew easy table to see the bobbin case. Any suggestions?

I have a 153QE also. I purchased a Horn Quilter's Dream cabinet. It has a clear insert. I have found it helpful to take a small doorstop (wedge-shaped) :idea: and place it in front of the machine when I am cleaning the bobbin assembly. It angles the machine just enough that it is easy to access.

Hope this helps.

Diane

I use Diane's technique to change the bobbin and clean the bobbin case when my Bernina is in my Sew Easy table. First I remove the acrylic insert, then I insert the door stop wedge. I can access the bobbin case from the top of my 150QE with this approach. Some quality control issues with the Gidget table at the time convinced me to buy the Sew Easy table. You might want to contact Leah Day at Day Style Designs with questions about the Gidget table.

[Charae H.]

I have a 153QE and am starting to do more quilting. I bought a Sew Easy table extension, but find that it is really too small to support the weight of even a lap size quilt. I woud like to get a machine table that would let my machine fit flush to the table top, but how would I load the bobbin? As it is, I have trouble looking under the sew easy table to see the bobbin case. Any suggestions?

I have a 153QE also. I purchased a Horn Quilter's Dream cabinet. It has a clear insert. I have found it helpful to take a small doorstop (wedge-shaped) :idea: and place it in front of the machine when I am cleaning the bobbin assembly. It angles the machine just enough that it is easy to access.

Hope this helps.

Diane

I use Diane's technique to change the bobbin and clean the bobbin case when my Bernina is in my Sew Easy table. First I remove the acrylic insert, then I insert the door stop wedge. I can access the bobbin case from the top of my 150QE with this approach. Some quality control issues with the Gidget table at the time convinced me to buy the Sew Easy table. You might want to contact Leah Day at Day Style Designs with questions about the Gidget table.

The contact should probably be Josh Day, and I should say this was a while ago and the problems may well be resolved by now!

[Charae H.]

I have a 153QE also. It sits in a sewing table that's recessed so it's almost flush with the table top. I say almost because I bought the table used, and it has a fixed height shelf for the machine, so it's not exact with my machine. But it's okay because the plastic insert thing sits slightly above the opening and covers it.

To change the bobbin, I have to either bend over to see the bobbin area or remove the insert and tip the machine back a bit so the bobbin area is exposed. I never thought to rest it tipped on a doorstopper! Brilliant!! I will get one and use that from now on.

I also have a Sew EZi table that I use with my Featherweight or Janome Jem Platnum. Same deal: I have to take off the plastic insert and either reach under or tip the machine back to change the bobbin. Just the nature of the beast!

[Charae H.]

I must say, the rubber door stop has lots of fans! I did look at the Gidget table online. It looks a bit flimsy. Does it shake when the machine runs at high speed? Now I will look up the Sew Easy and the Horn.

Thank you all for your thoughts.
Brenda

[Nancy R.]

My Gidget is incredibly stable for its size. I have the Gidget 2 which has a larger opening. This is also the table that Leah Day uses for her quilting in her studio, with a bunch of tables around it to support the quilt. I have a Horn at home, which is a large non-portable cabinet. I'm very happy with it, too.

Nancy