How to Thread a Sewing Machine

Steps

1. 1. Set the spool on the spindle

   Drop the spool onto the top spindle. Push the cap on so the thread feeds off in the direction your manual specifies.

   Tip: Smaller spools sit better when you flip the cap to its narrow side. That keeps the thread from slipping off the top.

   

2. 2. Run the thread through the upper guides

   Pull a foot or two of thread off the spool and feed it through the metal guide on top of the machine. Most machines mark this as point one on the diagram.

   

3. 3. Drop the thread through the tension disks

   From the top guide, pull the thread down the slot on the front of the machine. At the bottom, make a U-turn and bring the thread back up the second slot.

   Tip: Thread with the presser foot lever UP. Raising the foot opens the tension disks so the thread can drop down between them.

   

4. 4. Hook the thread into the take-up lever

   Once the thread comes back up to the top, look for the take-up lever. It's the metal arm with a slot at one end that bobs up and down while the machine sews.

   Tip: Turn the handwheel toward you to bring the take-up lever to its highest point before threading. It's much easier to reach the slot when the lever is up.

   

5. 5. Guide the thread down to the needle bar

   Bring the thread back down the front of the machine. Just above the needle there's a small wire guide hooked onto the needle bar.

   

6. 6. Thread the needle front to back

   Push the thread through the needle eye from the front of the machine toward the back. Keep the tail short and snip it cleanly with scissors so the end isn't frayed.

   Tip: If you can't get the thread through, a pair of tweezers helps you grip the tail right at the eye. A self-threading needle or threader tool also makes this nearly automatic.

   

7. 7. Bring the bobbin thread up through the plate

   With the bobbin loaded in its case, hold the needle thread loosely with your left hand. Turn the handwheel toward you a full rotation.

   Tip: If the loop won't come up, your bobbin might be sitting backwards. Pop the cover off and check that the thread feeds in the direction shown on the bobbin case.