Q&A for How to Thread a Brother Ls 1217 Sewing Machine

There is a little knob that turns. You can turn it until it is all the way loose, then put the needle in and tighten it.

Hold out on the spring loaded clip on the front of the bobbin, insert in place holding the clip, rotate till you feel it pop in, then release the clip.

Tension does not often need adjustment, as most machines come adjusted. When it does, however, it can be a very fine adjustment. I highly recommend that you watch a few tutorials on YouTube for determining if it is upper or lower thread that needs adjustment and how to go about the micro adjustments to get them properly balanced. You have a tension knob on your machine which you thread through and there is an adjuster on your bobbin case, but be wary of any big adjustments. A service center can also do this for you in the course of a regular service if you choose to go that route, just be sure to tell them the tension is off.

There should be a knob next to the needle. Turn the knob to loosen the needle and it should fall out. Pop in a new needle, tighten the knob, and you're done.

Turn knobs left, middle and right to as follows: about 5, 0, and 3. These placings are where I started (after several hours trying to work out this basic answer). It has worked well for me.

You either pull it straight off to the left, or you hold it with both hands, thumbs on top, and pull it towards you, so it rotates in a downward motion as if the bottom was hinged.

The thread guides are installed by the manufacturer when the machine is made.