How to Thread a Sewing Machine: A Beginner’s Tutorial

Before you can sew anything, you have to understand your machine. Then you have to navigate the maze of components to get thread looped around all the right place. No need to worry! Learning how to thread a sewing machine is an essential skill for any aspiring seamstress. Whether you’re making clothes, quilting, or tackling DIY home projects, knowing how to properly thread your sewing machine will set you up for success. In this comprehensive tutorial, we’ll identify the parts of a sewing machine, guide you through threading both top-load and front-load bobbins, and introduce you to basic sewing supplies that every beginner should have.

Identifying the Parts of a Sewing Machine

Before we dive into the threading process, let’s familiarize ourselves with the key parts of a sewing machine:

1. Spool Pin: Holds the spool of threads typically located on top of the machine.
2. Thread Holder: Supports large spools of thread, ensuring they unwind smoothly, and provides a guide for the thread to unravel vertically before threading into the machine.
3. Thread Guide: Guides the thread from the spool to the tension discs.
4. Tension Discs: two discs that open and close to adjust the tension of the thread for even stitching.
5. Take-Up Lever: Moves up and down to pull the thread into place, creating tension when needed and allowing the thread to relax when necessary
6. Needle: Pierces the fabric to create stitches, a sewing machine needle has the eye near the sharp point of the needle.
7. Presser Foot: Holds the fabric in place while sewing, pushing the fabric against the feed dogs evenly. Lowering the presser foot also closes the tension discs.
8. Feed Dogs: Moves the fabric through the machine, they move up to grab the fabric, pull the fabric in, lower out of the way, and slide forward to grab the next bite of fabric. The stitch length setting will determine how much fabric the feed dogs pull in.
9. Bobbin Case: Holds the bobbin and snaps into the shuttle, allows the bobbin to spin freely without moving around the machine.
10. Shuttle: a rotating piece that move around the bobbin, using a pointed hook to grab the top thread and interlock it with the bobbin thread to create each stitch.
11. Bobbin Winder: Winds thread onto the bobbin from a spool on the spool pin.

Basic Sewing Supplies for Beginners

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

Before you start sewing, gather these essential supplies:

• Sewing machine – I recommend this for the simplicity and ease of repair (no computers)
• Fabric scissors
• Measuring tape
• Pins
• Thread (in various colors)- this one comes with a pre-wound bobbin of each color!
• Extra needles– universal needles fit most machines, but check your manual
• Iron and ironing board
• Fabric

How to Thread a Sewing Machine with a Top Load Bobbin

Step 1: Prepare the Spool of Thread

1. Place the Spool: Start by placing your thread spool on the spool pin or thread holder, ensuring it unwinds in the correct direction (usually counterclockwise). If your spool pin is horizontal, be sure to use the correct size spool cap to hold the spool in place. If you have large cones of thread, you should use a thread lifter so the thread can unwind from the top of the cone.
2. Guide the Thread: Pull the thread through the thread guide, following the designated path shown on your sewing machine. Look for numbered indicators and arrows to show you the thread path.

Step 2: Thread the Needle

2. Tension Discs: Feed the thread through the tension discs, making sure it sits between the discs. * you must raise the presser foot to thread the machine, otherwise the tension discs will be closed and your thread will not sit between them!

3. Take-Up Lever: Pull the thread up and guide it through the take-up lever (usually located above the needle). this step typically involves pull the thread under a hook, then back up toward the take up lever. Lift the thread, move it behind the take up lever, to the left, then back down into the groove on the machine. The thread will naturally fall into the space in the take up lever.

4. Needle Threading: Finally, thread the needle from front to back. You can use a needle threader if available. I find that it is much easier to place one finger behind the eye of the needle. This will eliminate static and make the eye of the needle more visible. Cut the thread at an angle if needed to give you a pointy end to thread through the needle. Place the thread through the slit in the presser foot and pull out a 4″ tail toward the back of your machine.

Step 3: Load the Bobbin

1. Remove the Bobbin Cover: Open the bobbin compartment by sliding the cover off or popping in out.
2. Insert the Bobbin: Place the bobbin into the compartment with the thread unwinding in the correct direction. This direction should be indicated on the machine or the bobbin cover. Each machine is different so consult you manual if necessary. Most top load bobbins should unwind counter clockwise.
3. Thread the Bobbin: Pull the thread through the slot and under the tension spring, and pull a 4″ tail off to the side. Replace the bobbin cover, leaving the tail of thread stuck between the cover and the machine.

Step 4: Bring Up the Bobbin Thread

1. Turn the Handwheel: With the presser foot up, use the hand wheel on the right side of your machine to manually move the needle. Slowly turn the handwheel towards you until the needle goes down and back up again.
2. Pull the Threads: Gently pull the needle thread; the bobbin thread should come up through the needle plate. You may need to use a slim tool to slide under the presser foot and retrieve the bobbin thread.
3. Trim the Excess: Cut any excess thread, ensuring both threads are about 4- 6 inches long, and lay them toward the back of your machine.

Step 5: Test Your Stitch

Before you begin your project, test your stitching on a scrap piece of fabric similar to what you will use in your project to ensure everything is threaded correctly and the tension is set.

How to Thread a Sewing Machine with a Front Load Bobbin

Threading a top load machine is nearly identical to the process on how to thread a front load machine. The main difference is how the bobbin is placed into the machine. Thread the top of your machine following the thread path guide made into the machine housing. See Photos above if needed.

Step 1: Prepare the Spool of Thread

1. Place the Spool: Start by placing your thread spool on the spool pin or thread holder, ensuring it unwinds in the correct direction (usually counterclockwise). If your spool pin is horizontal, be sure to use the correct size spool cap to hold the spool in place. If you have large cones of thread, you should use a thread lifter so the thread can unwind from the top of the cone.
2. Guide the Thread: Pull the thread through the thread guide, following the designated path shown on your sewing machine. Look for numbered indicators and arrows to show you the thread path.

Step 2: Thread the Needle

1. Tension Discs: Feed the thread through the tension discs, making sure it sits between the discs. * you must raise the presser foot to thread the machine, otherwise the tension discs will be closed and your thread will not sit between them!
2. Take-Up Lever: Pull the thread up and guide it through the take-up lever (usually located above the needle). this step typically involves pull the thread under a hook, then back up toward the take up lever. Lift the thread, move it behind the take up lever, to the left, then back down into the groove on the machine. The thread will naturally fall into the space in the take up lever.
3. Needle Threading: Finally, thread the needle from front to back. You can use a needle threader if available. I find that it is much easier to place one finger behind the eye of the needle. This will eliminate static and make the eye of the needle more visible. Cut the thread at an angle if needed to give you a pointy end to thread through the needle. Place the thread through the slit in the presser foot and pull out a 4″ tail toward the back of your machine.ck.

Step 3: Load the Bobbin

1. Remove the Bobbin Cover: Remove the storage compartment from your machine to expose the free arm. Open the hinged door on the front of the machine to expose the shuttle and bobbin case. Lift the lever to release the bobbin case and remove it from the machine. Insert the bobbin into the bobbin case so that the thread unwinds in a clockwise direction. Use one finger to hold the bobbin still inside the bobbin case and pull the thread tail against the tension clip until you hear a click and the thread pops under the clip.
2. Insert the Bobbin Case: Carefully holding the bobbin in the case so it doesn’t fall out, lift the lever adn insert the bobbin case onto the center pin of the shuttle. Press firmly and release the lever to secure the bobbin case in place. The thread tail should be draped over the bobbin case toward the outside of the machine. Leave the machine open until you pull up the bobbin thread.

Step 4: Bring Up the Bobbin Thread

1. Turn the Handwheel: With the presser foot up, use the hand wheel on the right side of your machine to manually move the needle. Slowly turn the handwheel towards you until the needle goes down and back up again.
2. Pull the Threads: Gently pull the needle thread; the bobbin thread should come up through the needle plate. You may need to use a slim tool to slide under the presser foot and retrieve the bobbin thread. Close the front door of your machine and replace the bed piece over the free arm.
3. Trim the Excess: Cut any excess thread, ensuring both threads are about 4- 6 inches long, and lay them toward the back of your machine.

Step 5: Test Your Stitch

Like with the top load bobbin, test your stitch on a scrap piece of fabric to confirm correct threading and tension settings.

Thread your Sewing Machine

Now that you know how to thread a sewing machine, you’re well on your way to starting your sewing journey! Whether you have a top load or front load bobbin, understanding the threading process is essential for successful sewing. Remember to gather your basic sewing supplies and take your time as you practice. Happy sewing!

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