• Home
  • About
  • YouTube
  • Esty Shop
  • That’s Sew Cool!
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

Paige Handmade

You are here: Home / Sewing Machine Basics / How to Thread a Sewing Machine

How to Thread a Sewing Machine

in Sewing Machine Basics on 02/03/20

“You crawl before you walk, you walk before you run.”

You thread before you sew.

I tell people that sewing is just a collection of techniques strung together and the more techniques you collect the better you get. The first technique to add to your tool belt is setting up your machine to sew. First you wind your bobbin then you thread your machine.

The threads simply need to go through a series of checkpoints. Take the time to look at your user manual for the specific details for your sewing machine. In both the written and video instructions, I am using a Brother sewing machine as an example. There will be little variations between brands and models of sewing machine.

Lower Threading (from the bobbin):

  1. Turn off your machine. Raise needle and foot. Remove the drop-in bobbin cover.
  2. Place the bobbin into place with the thread turning the correct direction. *Counter clockwise for my Brother sewing machine.
  3. Hold the bobbin in place with one finger and with the other hand hold the thread tail. Pull the thread through the guide, making sure it goes under the tension- adjusting spring. *detail shot in video
  4. Pull it through the rest of the guide and to the thread cutter.
  5. Put the cover back into position.

Upper (from the spool of thread):

  1. Place the spool of thread onto the spool pin. Cap the spool pin with a cap that is bigger than the spool.
  2. Pull the thread under the thread guide and thread guide cover.
  3. Pull thread toward you and down through the upper tension disks.
  4. Loop under and back up to the thread take-up lever. Guide it through the thread take-up lever.
  5. The pull down to the needle bar thread guide. Hook it behind the guide.
  6. Thread the needle either by eye or using the needle threader.

Draw up the lower thread. To do this hold the tail of the upper thread. Turn the hand wheel, the upper thread will go down and around the bobbin, and as the needle comes up the upper thread will pull the bobbin thread up. Pull threads to where the tails are even in length, about 3 inches long. Place them behind the presser foot.

BONUS in the video… How to thread a twin/double needle!

Remember, learning is a process. The more you practice, the faster you will get. Threading your sewing machine will become built into your muscle memory and you won’t even have to think about it. One more tool in your tool belt!

Related

Add a Comment

My Sewing Recommendations: Paige Handmade Amazon Storefront*

*The products linked are all products I personally have used, enjoy, or are on my wishlist! Some links may be affiliate links. The affiliate links do not affect the price you pay, but they do provide a small compensation to me. I am a participant in the Amazon Associates Program.

« How to Wind a Bobbin
Thread Tension & Troubleshooting »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hi! I'm Paige... Paige

...an elf who has achieved Master Tinker status. Give me a tool and I’ll make something! I am married to the coolest nerd and Mama to two girly girls.

My mission is to take the overwhelm out of projects, so you can go get creative and make something you love! a little more backstory…

Getting Started Sewing

How to Thread a Sewing Machine

"You crawl before you walk, you walk before you run." You thread before you sew. I tell people that sewing is just a collection of techniques strung ... View Post

Thread Tension & Troubleshooting

One of the most frustrating problems you may run into when learning how to sew is thread tension issues. The thread can be too tight and bunch up the seam or, ... View Post

Selecting Stitches on a Sewing Machine

Selecting a Stitch Sewing machines can come with a large assortment of stitch options. You'll see some with *50 stitches, *110 stitches, *240 stitches, and ... View Post

paigehandmade

A first look at the future Paige Handmade sewing s A first look at the future Paige Handmade sewing studio! 😍👏 No longer will I have my desk in the corner of our living room. I will have a whole ROOM! This space needs a little makeover. I'm taking the dark wallpaper down, refinishing the worn wood floor, and refreshing the space with paint. Then I'll set it up for sewing, creativity, learning, filming, etc. It will be a wonderful place. So very exciting!
My @masterclass homework assignment: make a mood b My @masterclass homework assignment: make a mood board. 💕🫧🌷🗽👛💎

I'm working through @coreydamenjenkins Masterclass on Interior Design. I like the class so much and you know a digital class is good when you actually follow through with the assignments. Corey gives practical lists, thorough explanations and examples. I love the pattern mixing section. The class is about 2 hours long and every minute is useful. 

We haven't gotten a house yet, but I'm using this waiting period to get started on my design. I can define my style, order fabric samples, and narrow my resource list. I've found that many companies offer free/cheap swatches and samples. Examples: 1) @homedepot has free wood flooring and countertop samples. 2) @flooranddecor has 50¢ samples that you can return. 3) @interiordefine sends up to 10 free fabric swatches. 4) I used my style boards to pick out swatches from @fabricdotcom, which cost $3.00 each. You can order several different fabrics to choose between without taking a big risk. 

Also, the style board was made with magazines that I bought from @halfpricebooks. The magazines were $1 each and I grabbed about 8-10. Then I glued my clippings to a poster board that I cut in half. I can use this when online shopping and I have these pictures in my phone for when I am out and about. 

The time between the style board and finished room could be a whole year (who knows), but I feel so much more prepared already and it is so much fun. #interiordesign #styleboard #moodboard
The Cable Car Beanie knitting pattern is now live The Cable Car Beanie knitting pattern is now live and available! 🥳 It is super squishy and warm. It is ribbed and cabled, so it is an entertaining project. 

I have included 5 sizes (from baby to XL adult). The beanie is worked with DK yarn and predominantly a 4.0 mm [US6] 16-inch/40 cm circular needle. I used a small bent needle for my cables. 

You can find the pattern in my Etsy shop (linked in profile). I am so excited to see your #cablecarbeanie. 💕
.
.
.
#paigehandmade #beanieknitting #knittingpattern #knittinginspiration #knittinghat #hatknitting #knitbeanie #winterknitting #knittinginstagram
Happy birthday, Cowgirl! 🤠🐎👢 We are so bl Happy birthday, Cowgirl! 🤠🐎👢 We are so blessed having Ezra in this world. She is so fun. She is a friend to anyone she meets. She thinks about others before herself. She loves a good joke. She is a voracious reader and crafter. She loves a goal and plan. She is a superstar big sister. She is 10 out of 10, five stars, one-of-a-kind, sugar, spice, and everything nice. God's little girl! 💕 Yee haw to being 9!
Load More... Follow on Instagram

paigehandmade

A first look at the future Paige Handmade sewing s A first look at the future Paige Handmade sewing studio! 😍👏 No longer will I have my desk in the corner of our living room. I will have a whole ROOM! This space needs a little makeover. I'm taking the dark wallpaper down, refinishing the worn wood floor, and refreshing the space with paint. Then I'll set it up for sewing, creativity, learning, filming, etc. It will be a wonderful place. So very exciting!
My @masterclass homework assignment: make a mood b My @masterclass homework assignment: make a mood board. 💕🫧🌷🗽👛💎

I'm working through @coreydamenjenkins Masterclass on Interior Design. I like the class so much and you know a digital class is good when you actually follow through with the assignments. Corey gives practical lists, thorough explanations and examples. I love the pattern mixing section. The class is about 2 hours long and every minute is useful. 

We haven't gotten a house yet, but I'm using this waiting period to get started on my design. I can define my style, order fabric samples, and narrow my resource list. I've found that many companies offer free/cheap swatches and samples. Examples: 1) @homedepot has free wood flooring and countertop samples. 2) @flooranddecor has 50¢ samples that you can return. 3) @interiordefine sends up to 10 free fabric swatches. 4) I used my style boards to pick out swatches from @fabricdotcom, which cost $3.00 each. You can order several different fabrics to choose between without taking a big risk. 

Also, the style board was made with magazines that I bought from @halfpricebooks. The magazines were $1 each and I grabbed about 8-10. Then I glued my clippings to a poster board that I cut in half. I can use this when online shopping and I have these pictures in my phone for when I am out and about. 

The time between the style board and finished room could be a whole year (who knows), but I feel so much more prepared already and it is so much fun. #interiordesign #styleboard #moodboard
The Cable Car Beanie knitting pattern is now live The Cable Car Beanie knitting pattern is now live and available! 🥳 It is super squishy and warm. It is ribbed and cabled, so it is an entertaining project. 

I have included 5 sizes (from baby to XL adult). The beanie is worked with DK yarn and predominantly a 4.0 mm [US6] 16-inch/40 cm circular needle. I used a small bent needle for my cables. 

You can find the pattern in my Etsy shop (linked in profile). I am so excited to see your #cablecarbeanie. 💕
.
.
.
#paigehandmade #beanieknitting #knittingpattern #knittinginspiration #knittinghat #hatknitting #knitbeanie #winterknitting #knittinginstagram
Happy birthday, Cowgirl! 🤠🐎👢 We are so bl Happy birthday, Cowgirl! 🤠🐎👢 We are so blessed having Ezra in this world. She is so fun. She is a friend to anyone she meets. She thinks about others before herself. She loves a good joke. She is a voracious reader and crafter. She loves a goal and plan. She is a superstar big sister. She is 10 out of 10, five stars, one-of-a-kind, sugar, spice, and everything nice. God's little girl! 💕 Yee haw to being 9!
Two sweaters in 26 days. 💝 I love giving my dau Two sweaters in 26 days. 💝 I love giving my daughters handmade gifts. Anything that I have knit for them has been worn so many times. I'm so excited for the girls to receive these sweaters. They picked the yarn and have watched them grow, but they haven't gotten to try them on. They will on Christmas! 🌠

Pattern: #festivalsweater by @petiteknit 

#knittingforkids #christmasknitting #knitting
Slowly but surely a sweater grows. This sweater pa Slowly but surely a sweater grows. This sweater pattern is the #festivalsweater by @petiteknit. It's a fun and simple project. The bobble rounds keep it from being monotonous. 

I am working on the sleeves currently and hoping to finish it by the end of the weekend because I have to make another one for Jane. I am giving these sweaters to the girls for Christmas. They picked the yarn and see them being knit, but they can't try them on until Christmas! I am going to knit a mini matching sock ornament with their name on it to surprise them. Christmas knitting is fun! 

#christmasknitting #sweaterknitting #knittingforkids #knitting
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2022 · Paige Handmade