Learning how to thread a sewing machine correctly is the very first thing you will learn about sewing.
This will be the difference between a flawless seam or hours of frustration.
The process may sound tedious, especially when you are a beginner. But once you practice it, you will be threading your machine with your eyes closed!
You will memorize it so fast that you will be able to do it in no time, every single time.
That’s why in this post, I will share with you the step-by-step on how to thread your home sewing machine.
Many things can go wrong if you thread your machine the wrong way.
You can get tangled threads, broken stitches, puckered fabrics, uneven stitches, and even a machine that simply won’t sew.
It is a big problem, to say the least.
And believe me when I say that any of these issues can take you from a happy place to wanting to throw your machine through the window.
I felt that way a lot of times when I was a beginner. The mistakes above made me realize the importance of knowing how to thread a sewing machine the right way.
So pay attention and grab your sewing manual if you can. We are learning how to avoid the worst sewing drama today.
What are the Main Parts of a Sewing Machine?
Let’s quickly review all the parts on a sewing machine we will use to thread it.
- Hand Wheel: This is the part of a sewing machine that you can use to move the needle up and down.
- Spoon Holder: Insert your thread spool here. Some machines come with a spool holder, that will keep your thread from sliding off the spool.
- Thread Guides: These guides will help to manage the tension of the thread on your sewing machine.
- Presser Foot Lever: Use it to raise or lower your presser foot.
- Needle Holder: The bar that holds the needle
- Presser Foot: This foot applies pressure consistently on the fabrics while sewing.
- Feed Dogs: The dogs feed the fabric in the sewing direction.
Does the brand matter when you Thread a Sewing Machine?
The brand of your sewing machine doesn’t matter, as long as it is a home sewing machine.
The fact that the sewing machine on this sewing tutorial isn’t exactly like yours, chances are that the threading path will be very, very similar.
As you try different sewing machines, you will find that most of them have a pretty similar (if not the same) threading path.
If you have an industrial sewing machine then this is probably not the tutorial for you.
But if you have any brand of a home sewing machine, then stay tuned.
And the very best thing is that home sewing machines have imprinted numbered croquis that tells you the steps to thread them.
Of course, you should always do what your machine’s manual says. If you lost your manual for any reason, spruce Craft has links to sewing machines replacement manuals.
Is there an easy way to thread a Sewing Machine’s needle?
To thread, your sewing machine, take the end of the thread. Trim it to avoid fraying.
This alone should be enough to insert the thread in the needle’s eye.
Another pretty common trick absolutely all sewists do is to wet the tip of the thread with a bit of saliva before threading a needle.
This works great with both hand and machine needles!
Wetting the thread makes all the fibers stick together, making it easier to thread in the eye of any needle.
How do you thread a needle on a sewing machine easily?
But if you really want an effortless threading experience, you should get a threader.
A threader is a fantastic gadget that takes away all the pain of threading needles. And they come in all sorts of shapes and colors.
If you are using a regular size needle, you might not see the need for one.
But just wait until you change to a needle to sew lightweight fabrics. You’ll find that a threader is a lifesaver!
They are also great for sewists with visual impairments (I should know!) or any motor conditions in their hands, such as arthritis.
Here are some of the great different types of threaders you can find:
- Needle Inserter and Threader. (My personal favorite and the one I have)
- Stainless Needle Threader.
- Plastic Threader.
How do you thread the bottom of a sewing machine?
To learn how to thread the bottom of a sewing machine you need how to wind a bobbin correctly.
How to Thread a Sewing Machine
1. Set up your machine
Raise the take-up lever by turning the handwheel so that it is aligned and raise the fabric presser foot.
2. Identify the thread paths.
Most home machines have thread paths, check to see if your sewing machine has a printed path.
3. Prepare your thread.
Place your thread in the spoon holder and direct the tip of the thread to the first path.
4. Insert the thread into path number one.
The first path helps us to hold the thread, similar to a hook, you can put the thread through it or place it underneath until you hear a click.
5. Pass the thread through path number two.
The second path is the thread guide, you will pass the thread through the open space of this piece and bring it forward.
6. Pass the thread down route number three.
Lower the thread following the route through the right slot in the front cover along the length of the machine down.
7. Turn around on path number four.
Take the thread up in a U-shaped motion through the left slot of the machine.
8. Climb up and thread the hook.
Pass the thread through the path called thread strip, which is shaped like a hook with an opening in the middle.
Remember that move it up and that with the help of the handwheel.
9. Pass the thread behind the thread guide of the needle.
This is the last step, pass the thread behind the needle thread guide, it is located above the needle. On the needle bar.
10. Thread the needle
The last step! Insert the tip of the thread into the needle hole, from front-back. Then place the thread below the presser foot and back.
11. Take out the thread from the bobbin
At the bottom of the machine is the bobbin with a compartment for the bobbin.
Expose the thread to start sewing, for this step is important to know how to thread a bobbin.
How do you start a stitch for the first time?
1. Thread your sewing machine.
Follow the step-by-step instructions above on how to thread your sewing machine to set up your sewing machine.
2. Pull the thread’s strings back.
Place the threads in the correct way by sending them back under the fabric presser foot.
3. Select the straight stitch.
Select the straight stitch setting with the help of the stitch selector dial.
4. Choose the stitch length.
Choose the stitch size with the stitch length selector, this machine has from 0 to 4. The regular stitch length is between 2 and 3.
5. Choose the stitch tension.
Choose the thread tension suitable for your fabric, this has from 0 to 9 in tension. The regular tension setting is between 4 and 5.
6. Place your fabric under the presser foot.
Use the presser foot lever to raise your presser foot and place the fabric under it.
Lower the presser foot.
7. Choose the seam allowance.
Underneath the fabric presser is a needle plate with lines that serve as guides or measurements for straight stitching.
8. Make a few stitches.
To start sewing, just step on the foot controller and sew a few stitches.
9. Make a backstitch.
Once you have sewn a few stitches (3-4), you must make a backstitch with the help of the backstitch key.
It is important to don’t forget this step. It will help you to keep your seams without opening.
10. Sew.
Once you have your first backstitch, you can start sewing by stepping on the foot controller.
11. Close your seam with a backstitch.
When you finish your seam it is important to close it with a backstitch.
Now you have all the information to start making your sewing projects. Do you have any more doubts? Write them to me in the comment box below so I can help you out.
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How to Thread a Sewing Machine
Follow this step-by-step tutorial to learn how to thread and use your home sewing machine for the first time ever.
Tools
- Sewing Machine
- Machine Needle Size 11/14
- Thread
- A scrap of Fabric
Instructions
- Identify your Sewing Machine's Parts
- Raise the needle and the presser foot
- Insert the spool of thread in the pin holder.
- Take the thread to the left and insert it under the first hook.
- Pass the thread to the back of the machine's thread guide number 2, from the back forward.
- Insert the thread between the right opened slot at the front of the machine.
- Use a "U" movement to take the thread up to the other side of the opened slot.
- Thread the metallic hook between the left side of the slot.
- Lower the thread and pass it through the needle's bar guide.
- Thread your needle from the front to the back.
- Pull up the thread of the threaded bobbin.
- Start sewing.
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