When you are just a beginner in the sewing world, threading a sewing machine can be really overwhelming and intimidating. Whether you have an automatic machine or a manual one, some stitching problems that need fixing might appear. Therefore, it’s mandatory to know some tips to avoid frustration and waste of time.
If you have faced threading challenges and don’t know how to fix the bobbin, then this post is for you. Today I’ll be showing you a guideline that will help you thread the sewing machine right.
Additionally, you will also read some tips on threading the bobbin, which is a plus if you want to become a professional sewer.
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The 2 Guides to Help You Thread the Sewing Machine
More and more people are purchasing sewing machines both for personal use or large scale manufacturing. But in some cases, it might happen to encounter some problems and the threading issue will become a daunting procedure. Most of the new sewing machines come with a detailed manual, which tells you how to thread the sewing machine step by step. And the more you master this procedure, the better you will own the skills.
Although some will say that the best way to learn the threading procedure is by reading the manual and doing so, I would recommend you to follow some easy guidelines instead. This is because the instructions in the manual are often long gone, abstract and too technical in some cases.
So, there are 2 types of guides that will help you thread the sewing machines:
- The thread guides: these are the guides for winding the bobbin and threading the sewing machine. This operation might be tricky, as some of these guides look like hooks that hold the sewing machine together. So you might miss them while threading.
- The diagram guides: these guidelines are for the basic computerized sewing machines. They come as instructional drawings throughout the threading and the bobbin winding process. The best part is that these guidelines are very easy to observe, as they are next to the area you are working on. There are cases when the sewing machine has both a diagram guide and a thread one.
The Importance of Proper Threading
In order to maintain the stitches secure and attractive then, it’s mandatory to thread the sewing machine all correctly. Although sewing machines come in so many different sizes, brands, and models, the mechanism for making a stitch is basically the same for all sewing machines.
It makes stitches by combining the needle thread with the second one from the bobbin. As complex as it might sound, the threading process is not so complicated. It takes less than five minutes, but it is a detailed operation, very important for the lifetime of a sewing machine.
Whether you are a learner sewer or want to get informed about taking care of your sewing machine, here are the detailed steps for threading the machine.
The 9 Steps on Threading the Sewing Machine
This guideline is the best teaching method for threading your sewing machine. I tried to explain in a few words each step, so everybody will be able to understand the topic. Pay attention to every part and adapt it to your sewing machine model.
The first thing I will advise anyone to do is to check if they got a whiff. Check all the steps in the threading sequence and if they have been complied with. Threading the sewing machine is the first thing you need to know to do correctly, and shouldn’t be taken lightly at all. But, if you are already reading this, it means you are on a good path.
Before the general steps down below, I would tell you to start reading the sewing machine’s manual. And if you don’t have a manual, please get a downloadable version for the particular model of sewing machine you have.
The next thing I will do is to outline the general principles of the threading process, which is quite similar for all the models of sewing machines.
Although these are general rules, it might differ from the particularities of each type. So, let’s go:
Step 1.
Considering the model of the sewing machine you have, the first thing to do is to place the cotton thread on the upper part of the machine. This part is known as the spool. The spool should stay laid down or look like a peg placed in an upright manner.
Step 2.
Now, the thread is pulled through the thread guide, which is placed at the top of the sewing machine.
Step 3.
Now that you have reached this moment, it’s time to pull the thread through the thread guide and curve it all around the tension disc. The tension disc is slightly below the thread guide, just so you know.
Step 4.
Let’s recap. So far, the loop is made around the tension disc, right? Now, pull the thread up again. Only this time, the thread will be through the second thread guide. This step creates the so-called “U”, shape, by using the thread. This way, a take-up lever will be created, with an eyelet.
Step 5.
Look at the second thread guide and then pull the thread down in the space where the needle is. Pay attention to the thread to follow the hooks, so they will hold the thread in place.
Step 6.
While threading the needle, the thread has to pass from the front part to the back one.
Step 7.
The 7th step has to do with wounding the bobbin. This step will depend on the manual instructions of each sewing machine and the bobbin type. Normally, the sewing machines come with a wheel on the right side, named flywheel. This wheel should be placed towards the sewer direction. This way, the needle will hook up the bottom thread and the top thread. Now, pull the thread to the machine’s plate placed at the top. The plate will allow the needle to move in or out.
Step 8.
Pull the bobbin thread that has made a loop and pull it until the top. Gently, pull the thread on the backside.
Step 9.
Last but not least, it’s time to use scrap fabric to check the tension and the stitches. Keep in mind that threads should be held at the back, in order to prevent the thread from tangling the top. In all this time, the foot should stay lowered, so the fabric will connect with the feeder mechanism.
Well, these are all the actions that you need to do to thread your sewing machine. I cannot promise you that the threading will be perfectly made, as you might encounter different problems and the models of sewing machines are so varied, but, following the above steps, you will still have a small guarantee that the sewing machine is nicely threaded.
How to Do the Troubleshooting
When you have to deal with troubleshooting, then follow these little steps and see how you can repair this situation:
1. Pool of the thread on the underside of the seam and check the bobbin. If it is unwinding on its own, then it is wound too loose. In this case, try to load into your bobbin case with the thread while unwinding in the clockwise direction.
2. When the bobbin tension or the sewing machine tension is too loose, there should be a dial somewhere in there to adjust the machine’s tension. When it comes to the bobbin tension, it can be adjusted in a few steps, with a small machine screwdriver. Look in the package of the sewing machine, as there should be some sergers.
3. Go and check the sewing machine’s manual, this way you will know how to make the adjustments. Also, make sure the machine is threaded correctly. Don’t miss any thread guides.
4. Are there any skipped stitches? If yes, go and check to see if the needle has to be changed or if you have missed some thread guides.
Tips When Threading the Sewing Machine
Ok, I suggested you how to step by step thread your sewing machine, but there are actually some things you can do to prevent arriving at that point. So here are some tips that should help you with this aspect:
- Before running the sewing machine, always clean and oil the mechanism;
- Don’t start with the most sensitive parts of sewing. Always start sewing very slowly, in order to test the machine threading. Firstly practice on samples or scraps, and try doing simple straight seams.;
- Always try to use quality threads. This way, you will prevent the excess lint in the machine;
- If you observe that the stitching is uneven, it means you need to adjust the tension;
- It is best to change the needles regularly;
- Don’t expose yourself to complicated projects. Keep it simple, especially if you are at the very beginning. Start with simple projects, and focus on mastering and learning the machine’s setting and way of working.
Take Your Manual Information from the Online Resources
Even if you already have a good experience in threading the sewing machine, maybe you want to get further information about the type of machine you are using. Or maybe you want to learn more about the features you can use. For all these and also the manuals of the best sewing machines on the market, there are online sources you can access anytime.
Pay attention to the model you are using and check these online resources:
- Sew USA: this very easy to use website will give you all the information you need. Just go to the bottom of the page and choose the brand you are interested in. You will find 49 different manuals for the sewing machine brand.
- Sewing Parts Online: this website contains lots of different sewing machines manuals. But, keep in mind, these manuals are not for free.
FAQ
Last Thoughts About Threading the Sewing Machine
Now that you know all the steps on threading a sewing machine, it’s time to put into practice all you have learned today.
From my experience, I can tell you that is very important to permanently take care of the sewing machine, in order not to encounter problems with the threading. Keep the eye on the tips and tricks, this way, threading the sewing machine won’t be too intimidating.
If this blog post helped you, give it a share and let your friends know what you have learned today.
Also, let me know if you had problems with threading the sewing machine and how you have solved all these issues in a comment down below.
