How to Thread a Sewing Machine

Threading a sewing machine can feel like a daunting task. There are so many little moving parts. Practice, practice, practice! You’ll get the hang of it and soon you will be doing it like an old pro. It will start to feel like second nature to you and you’ll be able to get this simple task done in less than a minute. I promise!

Proverbs 31:22 She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

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Threading the Bobbin:

First of all, before you begin to thread your sewing machine, you will need to make sure you have a wound bobbin to put in the bottom. If you have not wound your bobbin see How to Wind a Bobbin.

Slide open the bobbin cover and place the bobbin inside the bobbin case with the thread going clockwise around the bobbin spool, holding the thread toward you. Hook the bobbin thread into the small groove at the bottom of the bobbin case; pull the thread up to the left.

Let the thread hang out of the bobbin case until you thread the top of the machine.

Threading the Top of the Machine:

Turn the hand wheel counter clockwise, until the needle and take-up lever are both all the way up.

Put your spool of thread on the spool pin. Pull thread from the spool across the arm of the sewing machine and through the top thread guide.

Pull your thread down through the right slit on the front of the machine and back up the other side. Hook the thread around the take-up lever and pull down back through the groove to the bottom thread guide.

Pass the thread through the thread guide and thread your needle from front to back.

Hold that thread! Hold on to the thread going through the needle and turn the hand wheel counter clockwise one whole turn, allowing the needle to make a complete cycle down and back up, bringing up the bobbin thread.

Continue to hold the top thread, give it a little pull. Use scissors or your seam gauge to make a pass under the presser foot, from front to back, to push both the top and bottom threads to the back of the machine. Cut them both at the same time to about 2-3 inches long.

Now you are ready to sew!