Basic Sewing Series - Lesson #6

How to Thread a Sewing Machine &

Wind the Bobbin 

*This post contains affiliated links.
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Today I will be showing you how to thread your machine, but first we need to wind the bobbin with thread.

How to Wind the Bobbin

1.  Put the spool of thread* on the spool peg.

2.  Take the end of the thread and hook it around the button on top of the upper thread guide.

3.  Wind the thread clockwise round an empty bobbin*
Place the bobbin onto the bobbin winder spindle.
The thread on the bobbin needs to come out on the side closest to the big spool.

4.  Push the bobbin winder spindle towards the bobbin winder stopper until it makes a "click" sound.

5.  Now pull out the hand wheel until it also makes a click sound.

6.  Now gently thread on the foot pedal to spin the winder spindle, 

continue until the bobbin is full.

7.  Now push the winder spindle away (left) from the winder stopper until you hear a "click"

8.  Also push the hand wheel back until you hear a "click"

9.  Take the bobbin off the winder spindle and cut the thread.

...and that is how you wind a bobbin*!!

How to Thread a Sewing Machine

Now you have a big spool of thread for the top, and a little spool of thread - the bobbin - for the bottom.

Let's see how to thread your machine, so that you can start some sewing!!
We'll start with the upper thread

1. Put the top thread* onto the spool pin.

 

2.  Take the end of the thread and hook it around the upper thread guide at the opposite end.

3.  Take the thread over the thread tension dial and down the slot,

round the bottom and up again in the next slot,

hook it around the take up lever and down the same slot.

My machine has handy arrows to show this.

4.  Hook the thread round the bottom thread guide and thread the needle* (sometimes this is easier said than done!)

...and that's the upper thread sorted! :D

Now the bottom thread

  1.  Remove the extension table and open the shuttle cover.
Remove the bobbin holder* by taking hold of the little lever.

  2.  Then place the bobbin into the bobbin holder.
The thread and the slot in the bobbin holder should both be facing away from you.

3.  Pull the thread into the slot and under the tension plate on the bobbin holder until it slides into the opening.

(you will need both hands for this)

4.  Put the bobbin holder back into the machine with the little arm facing upward.

Note:  The bobbin holder will not fit into the machine unless you are holding it by the lever - this is a safety mechanism.

Now we have to pull the bottom thread through the needle plate.

5.  Hold the top thread with your left hand,

turn the hand wheel towards you (anti-clockwise) with your right hand

to let the needle move down and up once.

This will lift the bottom thread through the needle plate.

Now pull it all the way through and fold both threads under the presser foot*

6.  Close the shuttle cover and replace the extension table.

That is how you thread a sewing machine!
Now we are ready to sew!!


Your machine may differ from mine, but most of them follow this basic principle.

Give me a shout if you are struggling.
Go back to Lesson #1 to find the parts of the machine.

Best Wishes
RC
xxx