How to Thread a Sewing Machine for Beginners
Say goodbye to sewing intimidation and hello to mastering the art of threading a sewing machine!
If you are a brand new sewist and you are just getting to know your machine, or you have been sewing for years but just got a new machine, there is one thing you absolutely need to know how to do, and that is learning how to thread a sewing machine!
Without knowing how to rethread your machine, you will not get very far. It is just like knowing how to put gas in your car. Finishing projects absolutely relies on being able to replace thread over and over again.
For a brand new sewist, trying to figure out how to use a sewing machine is work enough! Forget learning how to perform basic sewing machine maintenance. Threading a machine can seem like popping the hood open on a brand new car.
Just opening the thing makes you horrified that you might break it. Luckily for you, that intimidation is kind of unreasonable. Learning how to thread a sewing machine is easy as pie. Promise!
Everything you need to know about threading your machine (new or old) can be found in this sewing machine maintenance guide, How to Thread a Sewing Machine.
We asked one of our favorite bloggers and designers, Remona from The Stitching Scientist, to show us how to thread a sewing machine in this extensive and helpful tutorial. With pictures for every step, this how to use a sewing machine tutorial is a helpful resource.
Whether you need a refresher on how to perform this simple sewing machine maintenance or have never threaded a sewing machine before, this step-by-step how to sew resource is going to give you all the info you need. Once you master how to thread a sewing machine for beginners, you will no longer be a novice in every area.
Intro to Threading a Sewing Machine
Threading a sewing machine can be intimidating as a beginner especially if the instructions on the machine are missing or are not very clear. This tutorial will help guide you on threading a simple sewing machine.
Please note: all machines are different but these steps can be applied to most modern electric sewing machines.
How to Thread a Sewing Machine: The Supplies
- A bobbin
- Thread
- Needle
Threading a Sewing Machine: Filling the Bobbin
- The first step in threading a machine is to fill the bobbin with thread. Place the spool of thread on the spool holder, passing it through metal holder (1), go around and under the back holder (2), come around the metal ring (3), and, lastly, pass the thread through the bobbin in one of the bottom holes (4).
Here is a close up of the bobbin hole:
- Place the bobbin on the bobbin holder and push toward the right to lock it in place.
- Using the presser foot, begin pressing until the bobbin is full. Remove and cut thread.
How to Thread a Sewing Machine: The Needle
- Place spool of thread in the spool holder and pass through metal hole.
- Next, pass the thread around and under the back holder.
- Come all the way down and turn upwards.
- Next, go up and around the metal holder, fitting the thread in the eye or hole of the holder.
- Come down and insert thread in metal ring from the right side of the ring. Thread needle.
How to Insert a Bobbin
- Take the bobbin that you filled earlier and place it in the bobbin holder that is located under your presser foot. Insert it so that the thread comes out on the left side.
- Pass the thread around the curved loop cutting it when you reach the end.
- Place the cover back on the bottom. Once you start to sew, there should be 2 threads coming from your machine on the lefthand side of the presser foot: one from the needle and one from the bobbin.
Congrats! You have now successfully threaded your machine. Happy Sewing!
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