How to Thread a Sewing Machine | Step by Step
It’s time to dust off your machine and start sewing again. How to Thread a Sewing Machine is the absolute basic starting point. Add some clever tips to make the process easier, and this could make all the difference in your relationship with your machine.
Before you Start
How to Thread a Sewing Machine in 10 Easy Steps
To help you visualize the overall path the thread will take, I’ve drawn a diagram of how to thread a sewing machine.
Step 1: Top Spool
Place the cotton on the spool at the top of the machine, which may be an upright or a lying down peg depending on your machine’s make; your machine may have a plastic disk to keep it in place and prevent it from flying off once you start sewing.
Step 2: Thread Guide
Pull the thread through the thread guide on the top of the machine; on a Brother machine, the guide is quite large; on other machines, the guide is often a small button-like knob, or there is no guide at all.
Step 4: Second Thread Guide
Pull the thread down into two guides, one of which will have a lever with an eyelet, creating a U shape, known as the take-up lever, to hold the thread in place on the machine.
Step 6: Thread the Needle
If you’re having trouble threading the needle, see the tips at the bottom of this article for more information. How to Thread a Sewing Machine – Needles. The instructions below include tips on how to thread the needle from the front to the back.
Step 7: Insert Bobbin
Some machines have a removable bobbin case into which the bobbin is inserted, while others have it fixed to the machine’s flywheel.
Step 8: Join the Bobbin and Top Thread
Find the loop of bobbin thread that is being caught and pull it to the top of the sewing machine. You may need tweezers or a pin to help grab the bobbin, or you may just need a pair of eyes to see what’s going on.
Step 9: Pull the Threads to the Back
Gently pull both threads to the back of the sewing machine; they should run freely as you pull them, and don’t worry if they get stuck or get stuck on each other.
Step 10: Test on a Scrap
Check your stitches and tension on a scrap of fabric, holding the threads gently at the back to avoid tangles between the top and bottom threads, and remember to lower the foot to keep the fabric steady and connect with the feeder mechanism.
How to Thread a Sewing Machine – Extra tips
The last station in the process of threading a sewing machine is threading the needle. If you need glasses, keep an extra pair of slightly stronger glasses just for threading the needles. There are also little gadgets you can buy to help with needle threading.
MORE Troubleshooting
Here are some troubleshooting articles to help you troubleshoot problems after learning how to thread a sewing machine. If you’re having trouble threading your machine, check out our troubleshooting article on how-to-thread-a-sewing-machine-problems.
Does bobbin thread go through needle?
The spool thread passes through the needle’s eye, while the bobbin thread passes through the needle plate.
Do you need upper and lower thread to sew?
To form stitches, sewing machines require an upper and lower thread, which is kept in a small bobbin stored beneath the presser foot. The mechanism for winding the bobbin varies depending on the model of your sewing machine.
Do they still make new home sewing machines?
The Free Sewing Machine Company purchased New Home in 1928 and continued to produce machines under the New Home name until 1955; today, Janome owns the New Home brand and some of its models bear this name.
What causes the thread to bunch up when sewing?
When sewing, the top and bottom stitches should interlock smoothly and look the same; however, if the stitches are puckered, the seam is unstable, the thread bunches up, or the stitches are just plain ugly, there is most likely an issue with incorrect tension on one or both sides.
What kind of thread is used for sewing machines?
Cotton thread is best for sewing with natural fiber fabrics because it can withstand a lot of heat, which is crucial when pressing seams. Many cotton threads are mercerized, which means they have a smooth covering that makes them easier to dye and gives them a lustrous, smooth finish.
Why is it important to know the right tools in sewing?
The right tools are essential for a successful and professional-looking sewing project; without them, you’ll have a difficult time finishing your project with ease. Good quality tools are also important, especially for the sewing task.
What does it mean to thread the needle?
The phrase “threading the needle” has several meanings. Its literal meaning is to thread a piece of thread through the eye of a sewing needle; its social meaning is to skillfully navigate through a difficult conflict; and it refers to a precise shot through a narrow pathway for billiards players.
Where does a spool of thread start?
Run your fingernail along the edge of each end until you find the slit, then mark it with a bold permanent color pens so you can always find it and the thread end that’s tucked there. For new spools, lift up the label slightly to find the thread end.