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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!

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Hi! I'm Paige... Paige

...an elf who has achieved Master Tinker status. I was relocated to the sunny land of Los Angeles, because I like to wear floral dresses year-round. I am married to the coolest nerd and Mama to two girly girls.

My mission is to take the overwhelm out of sewing, so you can go get creative and make something you love! More…

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I'm ready for spring with my new pink dress! 🌸 I'm ready for spring with my new pink dress! 🌸 Everything just came together perfectly. The pattern is @mccallpatterncompany #m7974. The fabric is from @fabricdotcom. I've linked to it in my blog. The flower-shaped mother of pearl buttons are from a shop on @etsy called Kabooco. 🎥 The full video tutorial is up on @youtube now. You can sew-along, see it in live action, and see how much the total cost was. The inspiration dress from @cultgaia is $550+. This dress is WAY less and my favorite color, so that is a win! 

#sewingismysuperpower #sewingpatterns #madewithfabric #sewingtutorial #sewinginspiration #diyfashion #cultgaiainspired #cultgaia #isewmyownclothes #handmadewardrobe #isew #customclothing
I had to shorten my new slip and decided to use th I had to shorten my new slip and decided to use the scrap pieces to make two new scrunchies. Quick and easy! I use my scrunchies when I wash my face at night. They are gentle on your hair compared to regular elastic hair ties. #sewingismysuperpower #diyscrunchies #scrunchies
I missed getting to the beach last week. I could e I missed getting to the beach last week. I could easily say that I've already failed at my goal of going every week, but I am not going to say that. I missed one week. That's not the end of the world or the end of the goal. The intention behind that goal is to go more... that's it. We picked up again this week and we will keep on going, imperfectly.
Whipped up a slip! 🧵 It was a fun draping exper Whipped up a slip! 🧵 It was a fun draping experiment. You can swipe over to see a little bit of the process. I would like the hip area to have about two more inches of ease, but it fits and is comfortable. I was so happy that I had one tiny set of rings and sliders left in my stash. Overall, it was a lot of fun. 

The fabric is from @fabricdotcom. It is Telio Rayon Crepe de Chine in the color Blush. I would describe the color as a mix of blush and lavender. 

#sewingismysuperpower #sewingproject #imakemyownclothes #slipdress #sewinglingerie #sewsewsew
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I had to shorten my new slip and decided to use th I had to shorten my new slip and decided to use the scrap pieces to make two new scrunchies. Quick and easy! I use my scrunchies when I wash my face at night. They are gentle on your hair compared to regular elastic hair ties. #sewingismysuperpower #diyscrunchies #scrunchies
I missed getting to the beach last week. I could e I missed getting to the beach last week. I could easily say that I've already failed at my goal of going every week, but I am not going to say that. I missed one week. That's not the end of the world or the end of the goal. The intention behind that goal is to go more... that's it. We picked up again this week and we will keep on going, imperfectly.
Whipped up a slip! 🧵 It was a fun draping exper Whipped up a slip! 🧵 It was a fun draping experiment. You can swipe over to see a little bit of the process. I would like the hip area to have about two more inches of ease, but it fits and is comfortable. I was so happy that I had one tiny set of rings and sliders left in my stash. Overall, it was a lot of fun. 

The fabric is from @fabricdotcom. It is Telio Rayon Crepe de Chine in the color Blush. I would describe the color as a mix of blush and lavender. 

#sewingismysuperpower #sewingproject #imakemyownclothes #slipdress #sewinglingerie #sewsewsew
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