How To Thread A Sewing Machine – 7 Step Guide With Video

At first, it may seem hard to learn how to thread a sewing machine, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be ready to start stitching in no time.
Although there are minor variations in how most machines operate, once you grasp the fundamental principles, you should be able to thread any machine that comes your way.

Independent of the manufacturer of your sewing machine, this post will be a good guide to threading your machine, as the setup and threading procedures are standard across most brands.

Let’s briefly go through how to thread a sewing machine in detail.

The Steps Before Threading The Sewing Machine

Prior to starting to thread your sewing machine, you must complete the following steps:

• Your sewing machine should be brought out and placed on the table in front of you.

• Keep the sewing machine’s instruction handbook nearby.

• A bobbin wound with thread is required. Take a moment to look at how to insert a bobbin if it isn’t already in your machine.

• A pair of scissors and the thread spool with the bobbin thread’s matching color are also required.

• Make sure that your sewing machine has a needle installed and the standard presser foot is on.

Choosing the right thread and needle

Sewing Machine Threads

The majority of household sewing machines use two threads in tandem to create stitches. On the machine’s top, there is the thread that came from the spool. This thread passes through the needle’s eye. The bobbin thread is also present. It is down by the sewing machine’s bottom. Through the needle plate, this thread rises.

You should consider the material and thickness of the thread before starting any project. You will need thicker thread if your fabric is heavy. Most of the time, they are measured in “tex,” which means weight per 1000 meters.

It’s best to match the thread to the fabric wherever possible. For instance, cotton fabric can be stitched with cotton threads. Polyester threads have a tendency to be stronger, and are suitable for thicker and stretchier fabrics.

Below is an illustration of various thread sizes:

• Sizes 16 to 30 for light-weight fabrics

• Sizes 30 to 60 for medium-weight fabrics

• Sizes 60 to 135 for heavy-weight fabrics

Sewing Needles

The bottom hook may have trouble gathering thread to send it back up if you are using the incorrect needle for your machine’s manufacturer. You will need a smaller needle for lighter fabrics and a bigger needle for heavier fabrics.
For heavier fabrics like leather and jeans, choose sharp needles in sizes 100/16, 110/18, or 90/14.
For lighter fabrics like silk and lace, choose ballpoint or jersey needles in the sizes 80/12, 75/11, 70/10, or 60/8.
You may also just buy universal needles if you’re unsure which needle to use.

Visit our detailed post on Best Sewing Machine Needles here to grab the appropriate needle for your sewing needs.

7 Step Procedure to Thread a Sewing Machine

Step 1: Plug in and turn on your machine

Your machine’s side is where you should insert the power cord. Connect the cord’s plug to a home’s electrical outlet. A separate cord is included with some foot controllers. If it does, plug this into the machine’s side as well.

Step 2: Put the bobbin on the winder

Your bobbin should be placed on the bobbin winder shaft. It is the tiny silver pin that is located at the machine’s top. Once it clicks into position, push it to the right. Put your thread on the spool pin. The spool pin secures the thread. Your machine might feature 1 or 2 spool pins, with either a horizontal or vertical spool pin arrangement.
For a horizontal spool pin, place your thread on the horizontal spool pin by raising it.
For a vertical spool pin, put your thread on the spool pin located at the machine’s top.
Ensure that the thread unwinds from the bottom toward the front. By doing this, the thread is prevented from tangling around the spool pin.
Note: If your spool pin already has a spool cap (a circular disc), remove it first.

Step 3: Follow the thread guides

Thread your machine by going underneath the thread guides at the top. On different machines, these guides may look different, but they all do the same thing.
Around the bobbin winding thread guide, wrap the thread in a counterclockwise motion (to the left). Often, it is circular. Ensure that the thread is properly positioned inside the circle.

Step 4: Wind thread onto the bobbin

Typically, your bobbin has one or more holes. From the inside to the outside of the bobbin, thread the needle through the hole. You might find it easier to do this if you take the bobbin out of the machine first.
Use one hand to hold onto the extra thread once the bobbin is back on and you’ve moved it back to the right. Start winding thread onto the bobbin by pressing the foot controller. Slow down.
Stop after a few rounds and trim the extra thread just outside the bobbin hole. You no longer need to hold the extra thread because it won’t get tangled in the bobbin as a result.
Reapply pressure to the foot controller to continue winding the bobbin. To ensure that your bobbin is wound evenly, try to maintain a constant pace. When the bobbin is full, stop. When the bobbin winder stopper hits the thread on the bobbin, it is full.

Step 5: Insert bobbin into the sewing machine

There are typically two types of bobbin systems in sewing machines: top-loading or front-loading mechanisms. Here’s how to employ them both:

Instructions for using a front-loading bobbin system

Disconnect the sewing machine. This will prevent you from unintentionally stitching your fingers together. Open the bobbin area. The bobbin region of front-loading machines is concealed. To get to the bobbin region, you must take off the front extension table and open the front cover.
Place your bobbin in the bobbin case. Make sure your thread unravels in the arrow’s direction. Pull the thread through the bobbin case’s notch openings. Just 4 inches of thread should remain free. Ensure that the free thread is dangling to the right of the metal extension of the bobbin case.
Place the bobbin case inside the machine. Pointing straight up should be the proper direction for the metal extension. The bobbin casing should be fully inserted into the machine before clicking into place. It ought to be firmly held. There should not be any tilting or looseness.

Instructions for using a top-loading bobbin system

Activate safety mode on your device or turn it off. Use the lever to raise the presser foot. By doing this, you can slide the foot out of the way and take off the bobbin cover. The transparent bobbin cover has a latch next to it. Your bobbin cover can be unlocked by sliding it to the right. Remove the bobbin cover.
Insert the bobbin in a counterclockwise direction. Position your bobbin inside. Aim for left-handed thread unwinding (counterclockwise direction). Thread the needle through the needle plate cover’s slit.
This is significant because it allows the thread to enter the bobbin case’s “tension spring.” The bobbin thread will be sewn under tension in this manner. Next, using the cutter at the slit’s end, cut the excess thread. Cut the thread by pulling it to the right.
6 inches of thread should be pulled out toward the machine’s back. Put your bobbin cover back on, leaving the thread tail exposed.

Step 6: Thread the upper thread system and needle

Thread the upper thread system

Start by pulling the lever to raise the presser foot. The tension discs are open and ready to receive thread when the presser foot is raised. Additionally, you must move the needle to its highest setting. To achieve this, turn the handwheel in your direction.

Place the thread on the spool pin. Put on the appropriate size spool cap. It should span more than your thread. The thread should be facing the flat side of the spool cap. It should also be pressed all the way up against the thread.
The thread should be inserted under the thread guides at the machine’s top. Thread the needle through the opening at the front. Your thread should slide underneath the bottom thread guide bar. Usually, there is a gap on the left or right side where you can insert your thread. Under the needle bar, insert the thread.

Thread the needle

Put the thread into the needle’s eye. It is the little hole at the needle’s base. From front to back, weave it. Try cutting the thread’s end at an angle if you’re having trouble getting it through the hole. It becomes easier to pass through as a result.
Use the lever to raise the presser foot. Pull the thread out about 2 inches in the direction of the machine’s back from under the presser foot. In order to prevent the needle from coming unthreaded when you begin to sew, it is important you do this step.
Reduce the presser foot lever, which is typically located close to the back of the machine, on the right side of the needles. By doing so, the tension discs are closed and the thread is securely held in place.
As much as feasible, lower the lever on the needle threader. As a result, the thread will be forced into the needle hole by the hook on the needle threader. Slowly release the lever on the needle threader. Finally, you’ve finished threading your needle.

Step 7: Pull up the bobbin thread

Depending on whether you have a front-loading or top-loading bobbin, this step will vary.

Bobbin systems front-loading technique

Start by pulling the lever to raise the presser foot. Hold on to the higher thread (which is emerging from the needle) with one hand.
Turn the handwheel (toward you) while using your other hand to cause the needle to drop and then rise once. The bobbin and upper threads will loop together as a result.
Pull the upper thread slowly. The bobbin thread will then pass through the needle plate hole as a result. Pull the presser foot up and down on both threads. The front cover can now be closed.

Bobbin systems top-loading technique

Additionally, you can begin stitching without pulling up the bobbin thread. Follow this advice if your top-loading bobbin has a thread cutter built into the bobbin system. The term “quick-set bobbin” refers to this. With this method, you do not need to pull up the bobbin thread.
However, it is necessary to pull up the bobbin thread on some top-loading bobbin machines because they do not have this method. The following is how to pull up the bobbin thread:

• Do not cut the bobbin thread at the end when you insert the bobbin into the machine. Additionally, wait before putting on the bobbin cover.

• Turn the handwheel (towards you) to lower and then raise the needle while holding the upper thread in place with one hand. The bobbin and upper threads will form a loop when this is done.

• Pull the upper thread up slowly. The bobbin thread will emerge as a result.

• Use the lever to raise the presser foot.

• Pull both threads approximately 4 to 6 inches under the presser foot.

• Reattach the bobbin cover.

Finally, you may give yourself a big round of applause as threading is now complete and you have a fully threaded sewing machine.

Video Tutorial:

If you love a video, we recommend watching this one from Jennifer: How to Thread a Machine | Sewing Machine

Summary – How to thread a sewing machine

Take the time to thread your machine several times so that it becomes second nature. In no time at all, you will be able to thread it up quickly, which is very useful.
Check that the tension is appropriate by stitching a few rows on a scrap of fabric. Try out various fabric weights and experiment with your sewing machine’s stitch possibilities. Keep an eye out for skipped stitches, loose stitches, and puckered seams. Additionally, before you begin threading the sewing machine, make sure it is always turned off. It’s for your safety.
I hope this comprehensive guide to threading your sewing machine has been helpful. Have fun with your sewing and let us know in the comments below how your threading experience went.

Frequently Asked Questions