Stopping at a thread rack these days is like visiting a candy store – there are so many delicious threads to choose from. All these choices can be quite intimidating, even to the seasoned sewist. However there is one thread that you shouldn’t look past, and that’s Janome Bobbin Thread commonly called Bobbin Fill.

What is Bobbin Fill? Quite simply, it’s a lightweight thread that you wind on to your bobbin. You use this thread when using an embroidery thread for embroidery or decorative stitches.

Why do I need it? Regular sewing generally entails that you use the same thread top and bottom, but that’s not quite the case for embroidery sewing.

Embroidery thread has a high sheen which defines it from a regular sewing thread. As embroidery is generally dense, and there are lots of stitches involved, you generally will use more thread. Due to the expense and texture of embroidery thread, you need to substitute the bobbin thread with something that keeps your tensions balanced, is soft to touch, and allows the shape of your embroidery design to take place and form, giving you that real 4D effect.

When stitching an embroidery design, you would usually use bobbin fill for the best result, however, you can use the same embroidery thread top and bottom for single coloured designs to match your fabric or when embroidering names on towels for that professional finish. But continually using embroidery thread as a bobbin thread, is not very cost effective plus you may not achieve the finish you wanted.

Unlike regular threads and other bobbin fills, Janome Bobbin Fill is a 90 weight polyester thread.  The red dot bobbin cases in Janome’s machine embroidery range are all tensioned for Janome bobbin fill, therefore achieving optimal tension when stitching embroidery designs.  Using different brands of bobbin fill in the red dot bobbin case may cause stitching and tension issues. Many Janome embroidery models have a 2^nd bobbin case with a yellow dot – use this bobbin case with other brands of bobbin fill (non-Janome brand) and adjust the tension to suit.

Janome Bobbin Fill comes in two colours – black or white – and is available in 300m, 1000m, 1600m reels, as well as pre-wound on Janome bobbins in lots of 12 or 108 for added convenience.

Here’s another great tip: Use Janome Pink or Blue Bobbins for your bobbin fill and clear bobbins for regular threads, so you can easily distinguish one from the other!