Learn how to thread a sewing machine in this learn to sew series for beginners. Knowing how to properly thread your sewing machine is essential to your sewing success.
Although not all sewing machines look alike, they all have something very basic in common and that is the threading of the machine.
All sewing machines have a thread spool pin (some are vertical and some are horizontal), thread guides, tension discs, take-up lever, needle bar, and sewing machine needle.
How to Thread a Sewing Machine
Skills Required
This tutorial will help you to learn how to thread a sewing machine. There really isn’t anything you need to know how to do before learning how to thread your sewing machine other than maybe how to plug it in and turn it on.
For the purpose of this sewing tutorial, we are going to learn how to thread the upper part of your sewing machine. Threading the bobbin is considered threading the lower part of your sewing machine.
You’ll also need to know how to:
Equipment Needed
Obviously, you’ll need a sewing machine. If you haven’t yet purchased a sewing machine, you can read about what to look for in a sewing machine and my beginner friendly sewing machine recommendations.
Supplies Needed
Since we’re just going to thread the sewing machine, it will be helpful to have:
Video Tutorial
The easiest way to follow along and learn how to thread your sewing machine may be to watch a video. Simply click on the image below to go to my YouTube video. While you’re there, be sure to subscribe to my channel so you can follow along with new sewing tutorials when they are released!
FAQs
Before we learn how to actually thread a sewing machine, let’s look at some common questions that just might help you to understand more how to properly thread your sewing machine.
Q: What type of thread should I use?
For the purpose of this tutorial, I recommend you use an All-Purpose thread, like Gutermann’s. I use Gutermann’s all the time for general sewing. Buy the best quality thread, not the cheapest thread. You can read all about thread here.
Q: What size needle should I use in my sewing machine?
This is a good question. The size and type of needle you use in your sewing machine will vary depending on the type of fabric you are using. For general sewing, a Universal 90/14 sewing machine needle is recommended. You can read more about sewing machine needles here.
Q: Does it matter if I thread the upper or lower first?
It really doesn’t matter if you load the upper thread or lower (bobbin) thread first. If you need to wind thread onto your bobbin, you’ll want to do that before threading the upper part of your machine. Assuming you have, you’ll typically load your bobbin first. So, make it a good habit by preparing the bobbin or lower thread first and then threading the upper part of your machine.
TIP: If you are working on a project that may take more than one bobbin of thread, go ahead and wind up a few bobbins before starting your project. Otherwise, you’ll have to interrupt your sewing, unthread your machine, wind the bobbin, then rethread your machine. You’ll save time by having extra spools ready!
How to Thread a Sewing Machine
Learning how to thread a sewing machine the proper way is essential to your sewing success. Follow these simple steps and tips to learn how to thread a sewing machine.
Materials
- thread
Tools
- sewing machine
- sewing machine needle
- bobbin
- scissors
Instructions
- Before threading the upper part of your sewing machine, make sure you have a wound bobbin and have loaded it in the bobbin holder. If you need help with how to wind a bobbin, refer to this tutorial.
- Raise your presser foot. Your thread will not glide through your machine if the presser foot is down.
- Turn on your sewing machine.
- Press the needle up/down button to raise the needle so that the take-up lever is in the highest position. If you do not have an up/down button, turn the handwheel towards you (counter-clockwise) to raise the needle.
- Turn off your sewing machine or press the lockout button.
- Your sewing machine may have a vertical or horizontal spool pin.
For a vertical spool pin, place the spool of thread onto the spool pin with the thread coming off the front of the spool.
For a horizontal spool pin, lift up the spool pin and place the spool of thread onto the pin with the thread coming off towards the back of the machine. Slide a spool cap on top of the spool to hold the spool in place. The spool cap should be slightly larger than the spool of the thread as it helps to not only hold the spool in place, but to keep the thread from getting snagged on the top of the spool.
- Pull out a few inches of thread from the spool. Hold the thread with both hands and pass the thread into the guide slot. With a back and forth motion, make sure your thread engages with the tension discs located inside the thread guide.
- While still holding the thread with both hands, draw the thread around the corner of the guide. Firmly pull the thread toward you along the channel.
- Draw the thread along the right channel and around the bottom of the thread guide plate. Then pull the thread up along the left channel.
- Hold onto the spool of thread with your right hand, firmly draw the thread up and to the back of the take-up lever with your left hand. Draw the thread forward to slip it into the eye of the take-up lever.
- Then pull the thread down along the left channel and through the lower thread guide. (Your machine may or may not have a lower thread guide.)
- Slide the thread behind the needle bar thread guide on the left.
- Thread the needle. If your machine has a needle threader, use it to thread the needle. You will need to turn your machine back on before using the automatic needle threader. If not, thread the end of the thread through the eye of the needle. The thread should pass through the front (towards you) and out through the back (away from you) of the needle.
- Pull the thread end towards the rear of the sewing machine.
- To draw up the bobbin thread, If you haven't already, insert your bobbin into the bobbin holder, leaving a 4" tail of bobbin thread.
- Raise the presser foot. Hold the needle thread lightly with your left hand.
- If your machine is equipped with an up/down button, press the button twice to lower and raise the needle. Then pull the needle thread to bring up the loop of bobbin thread.
If your machine is NOT equipped with an up/down button, turn the handwheel counter-clockwise to lower and raise the needle. Pull the thread to bring up the loop of bobbin thread. - Pull both threads under and behind the presser foot (towards the back of the sewing machine).
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What’s Next?
You’ll find an entire series of tutorials right here on Hooked on Sewing designed to help you Learn to Sew, like:
- Finding the best sewing machine for you!
- The essential sewing tools for beginners
- The anatomy of your sewing machine
- How to sew a straight stitch
If you haven’t already, I highly recommend you check out those tutorials, you may also find the following tutorials helpful:
Be sure to pin this sewing tutorial to your favorite Pinterest board so you can save it for later or share it with family and friends who may also want to learn how to thread a sewing machine!
Thank you for posting All the helpfull tips.
I am enjoying sewing alot more with these
Tips .With Thanks ❤️
Thanks, Linda! I’m glad you find this helpful!!
Pam Baker
Hooked on Sewing