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An easy, step-by-step visual guide for first-time sewers
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For new sewing machine users, threading the machine can seem daunting, and even put you off the task of sewing altogether. But after you learn how to thread your machine once, you’ll find it becoming a habit that gets simpler every time! In this article, we’ll review how to wind your bobbin , thread the top of your machine , and load your bobbin into the bottom of your machine so you can get started with your next sewing project in minutes (with helpful tips from professional tailoring experts). Keep scrolling to learn more!
How do you put thread into a sewing machine?
Professional tailor Andrea Beaulieu recommends reading the user manual before starting and using it to troubleshoot, as any small deviation in how to wind your bobbin or thread your machine can cause problems. In general, you will:
- Place your thread on the top of the sewing machine and wind the bobbin.
- Wrap the thread around the thread guide on the top of the sewing machine.
- Pull the thread down through the guide and around the tension disks.
- Thread the needle to finish threading the top half of your machine.
- Place the bobbin in its compartment and pull out the lead thread to complete threading.
Steps
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Place your thread spool on the spool pin. Place your spool of thread on the top of the sewing machine, on the spool pin. [1] X Research source The spool should be turned so that the thread will be released counter-clockwise.
- Check the top of your machine for a diagram before you place your thread spool. Some machines have a small diagram on top that shows where the thread spool should go.
- Not familiar with the parts of a sewing machine? Beaulieu explains that “the user manual is your best friend. Make sure to read it through before starting and keep it handy to troubleshoot. Follow the guide for winding and loading the bobbin exactly, as any tiny deviation will cause problems.” [2]
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Expert Source
Andrea Beaulieu
Professional Tailor Expert Interview
Meet the wikiHow Experts
Andrea Beaulieu is a professional tailor and fashion designer with 20+ years of experience in the industry, specializing in pattern making and garment construction.
Connie Tao is a tailoring and alterations expert with over 12 years of experience creating handmade custom gowns, alterations, and redesigns.
Mia Danilowicz is a master tailor with over 10 years of experience in gown couturier fittings, garment reconstruction, and custom design.
Rhonda Hale is a master tailor with over 12 years of experience working with brides, celebrities, and high-profile clients around the world.
Alterations Express is a salon-style alteration and tailoring house with over 70 years of experience guiding individuals through a professional fitting and the alterations process.
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Pull the thread out. Tug at the thread to pull it out, and wind it around the bobbin winding tension disc at the top of the sewing machine. This part is on the opposite side of the sewing machine, above the needle. The disc may also have a small wire attached to it that will help to hold the thread in place. [3] X Research sourceAdvertisement -
Thread the bobbin. Next, take the end of the thread and insert it through one of the holes in your bobbin. [4] X Research source Then, wrap the thread around the bobbin a few times to secure it.
- Keep in mind that there are also pre-threaded bobbins available in craft stores if you do not wish to thread your own bobbins.
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Put the bobbin on the bobbin pin and slide it to the right. The bobbin pin is a small pin that is likely on the top of your machine near where the spool pin is located. Place the bobbin on this pin. Then, slide the pin over to the right to lock the bobbin in place for winding. [5] X Research source
- You should hear the bobbin pin click into place when you slide it over.
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Use the foot pedal to start the bobbin winder. Start winding the bobbin for a few seconds by pushing down on the foot pedal (or by pressing the bobbin winding button, if your machine has one). Doing this will ensure that the thread is securely wrapped around the bobbin. After a few rotations, you can stop for a moment to cut off the excess thread that is sticking out of the hole in the bobbin. [6] X Research source
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Finish winding the bobbin. Apply gentle pressure to the floor pedal again or flip the winder back on and allow it to completely fill the bobbin with thread. Your winder may stop on its own when the bobbin is full. If it doesn’t, then stop it when the thread is almost even with the edge of the bobbin spool. [7] X Research source
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Remove the bobbin. Slide the bobbin pin over to the left and remove the bobbin. The thread will still be attached to the thread spool as well as the bobbin, so cut the excess with a pair of scissors, leaving a 2–3 inch (5.1–7.6 cm) tail. [8] X Research source
- When your bobbin is full, you will be ready to start threading your machine!
EXPERT TIPBridal DesignerConnie Tao is a Bridal Designer and the Founder of Connie Tao Designs in Pasadena, California. Connie has over 12 years of experience and specializes in creating handmade custom wedding dresses and evening gowns. She and her team also do alterations and redesigns to existing garments. Connie received her Bachelors Degree in Fashion Design from Otis College of Art and Design.Set up a bobbin for winding on a sewing machine as you are sewing other items. The bobbin winding mechanism will work while you use the machine for the most efficient use of time.
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Unplug the machine and place the thread spool onto the spool pin. As master tailor Rhona Hale says, “Safety first! Before you start, unplug your machine so you do not accidentally switch it on while you are threading your machine.” [9] X Expert Source Rhonda Hale
Master Tailor Expert Interview The spool pin may be located on the right side of the machine or on top. It is the larger of the two pins on this side. Place your thread onto the spool pin and pull a bit of thread away from it. [10] X Research source- The spool may be more stable if you place it so that the thread is coming from under the spool when you look down at it.
- If your machine has a diagram, check it to see where the spool pin is located and which direction the thread should be going.
- If you’ve just wound your bobbin, your thread will already be on the spool pin.
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Wrap the thread around the thread guide. Pull the end of the thread out from the spool on the top of the sewing machine. Bring the thread across the top of the machine and through the thread guide on the top of the machine. This will look like a silver piece that is sticking out from the top. [11] X Research source
- Make sure to bring the thread around the back side of the guide and towards the front, where the “U” shaped area for your thread to go through next is located.
- There will likely be printed guidelines on the top of the machine diagramming how to work the thread through this area.
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Pull the thread down the groove on the side of the machine. Follow the directional arrows on your sewing machine by pulling the thread through the guide and towards you. Loop it around the tension discs on the bottom, and then back up towards the top, along and through the second thread guide. This will ultimately create a long, narrow “U” shape with your thread. [12] X Research source
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Wrap the thread around the takeup lever. After you’ve completed the “U” shape, you will need to wind the thread around the takeup lever at the top and then back down towards the needle. The take-up lever is a metal piece sticking out of the second thread guide. This metal piece will have a hole cut out near the top which the thread needs to go through. [13] X Research source Completing this motion will create a large, narrow, sideways “S” with the thread.
- If the takeup lever is not sticking out above the top of the machine, use the hand knob to manually raise the needle until it’s exposed. [14] X Research source
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Thread the needle. Pull the thread back down the machine through the takeup lever groove towards the needle. [15] X Research source On many machines, there are 1 or 2 additional thread guides (bars or hooks) just above the needle that hold the thread near the needle. If your machine has these, thread them according to your instruction manual. Then, thread the needle through the small eye in the needle and pull several inches of thread out the other side. Pull this thread through gap in the small metal presser foot directly underneath it. [16] X Research source
- The upper half of your machine is now threaded, and you just need to thread the lower half before you can use the machine.
- To save time on future threadings, the alteration and tailoring experts at Alterations Express recommend “taking a video of how your machine looks when it’s threaded and studying that video, how it looks, how it is threaded in specific spots, etc. It is very important to have patience with yourself.” [17]
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Expert Source
Alterations Express
Alteration, Tailoring, and Dry Cleaning Specialists Expert Interview
EXPERT TIPMaster TailorMia Danilowicz is a Master Tailor who works onset and on the red carpet in Los Angeles, California. With over a decade of experience, Mia specializes in bridal and gown couturier fittings, garment reconstruction, and custom design. Mia has worked at the Oscars, Grammys, SAG Awards, and Golden Globes. Her clients include a long list of entertainment and fashion industry headliners, major fashion magazines, luxury consumer brands, and popular media. Mia was trained at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and received her AA in Fashion Design and BS in Business Management.A needle threader is a smaller metal device that has a wider wire-like opening. Insert it into the eye of the needle, put the end of your piece of thread through, and gently pull it out of the eye of the needle, leaving only your thread looped through.
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Remove the covering on the lower compartment. The bobbin's case is under a small door that is either directly below or to the side in front of your needle. Find this chamber and open it. This will reveal the bobbin case, which is where you will need to place your threaded bobbin. [18] X Research source
- The compartment cover should come off easily. If it does not, then check to make sure that this is actually the compartment. Some compartments have a small button or slider you have to push to pop them open.
- In some machines, the bobbin case will also have a small cover. Make sure to remove this as well to reveal the slot for your bobbin.
- If you’re unsure where your bobbin compartment is or whether your machine is top-loading or front-loading, consult your owner’s manual.
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Unwind a few inches of thread from the bobbin. Before placing the bobbin into its compartment, pull the end of the thread to unwind a few inches of thread from the bobbin. This will be enough to catch when you turn the handwheel. [19] X Research source
- Make sure that you unwind enough thread to catch. A few inches is usually plenty, but unwind too little thread and the thread may not catch.
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Place the bobbin in the compartment below the needle. Whether the bobbin unwinds clockwise or counterclockwise depends on your specific machine, so check your user manual to make sure. Generally, top-loading or drop-in bobbins should rotate counterclockwise when unthreaded (the thread pulls to the left). [20] X Research source Front-loading or vertical bobbins should rotate clockwise when unthreaded (the thread pulls to the right). [21] X Research source Place the bobbin into the compartment with the thread going in the direction indicated by your manual.
- On some machines, there is a small metal case or housing that holds the bobbin. Simply open it up, insert the bobbin, and pull the thread through the small notch on the casing. [22] X Research source
- Close the compartment when the bobbin is in place. Make sure to replace the bobbin case cover (if your machine has one) as well.
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Expose the bobbin thread according to your machine’s manual. The bobbin thread is still hiding under the plate below the needle. To bring out, grasp the round dial or wheel on the side of your sewing machine. Turn it towards you a few times so that the needle dips down, below the foot plate, to hook the thread. Continue turning until the needle comes back up with the bobbin thread. Grab it and pull so that a few inches of the thread are exposed. [23] X Research source
- Now, you’re ready to use your sewing machine !
- If the thread does not catch, then check the compartment to see if the thread is going in the right direction and make sure that the thread moves easily when you pull on it. If it does not, then it might be too full, and you may need to unwind some of the thread.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do I thread a bobbin on a sewing machine?Andrea Beaulieu is a Professional Tailor, Fashion Designer, and the Owner of MOORE, a Brooklyn, New York based storefront and apparel workshop for gender-neutral, contemporary streetwear as well as custom-tailored products. Andrea has over 20 years in the fashion design and marketing industries and specializes in pattern making, draping, and the construction of garments. She holds a BS in Fashion Design and Merchandising from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.Follow the threading guide in your sewing machine's manual since even a small error could cause problems.
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QuestionWhy do my stitches look bad?Daniela Gutierrez-Diaz is a professional pattern maker and clothing designer at DGpatterns in Vancouver, Canada. With over 5 years of experience, Daniela creates modern and unique silhouettes that are suitable for a busy everyday life. Her blog, On the Cutting Floor, contains sewing tips and PDF sewing patterns for a variety of projects and designs.Sometimes stitches will look bad if you're using the wrong type of needle or the needle you're using is dull. Try replacing the needle and see if that helps.
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QuestionHow do I choose the right tension setting on my machine?Daniela Gutierrez-Diaz is a professional pattern maker and clothing designer at DGpatterns in Vancouver, Canada. With over 5 years of experience, Daniela creates modern and unique silhouettes that are suitable for a busy everyday life. Her blog, On the Cutting Floor, contains sewing tips and PDF sewing patterns for a variety of projects and designs.You'll need to adjust the tension according to the fabric weight. It depends on what fabric you're using. Sometimes the tension, for example, is too tight or too loose. You'll need to kind of practice a little bit with a piece of fabric and see how the tension looks to figure out what is best.
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Tips
- Most machines thread in a generally similar manner, but it’s best to check the manual for your specific model. Or, check out these wikiHow guides for Singer , Brother , Kenmore , and Necchi sewing machines!Thanks
- Refer to your machine's manual, if you have it. Some sewing machine manufacturers now post threading information online, so try doing a web search for your model number for specific instructions.Thanks
- Look for threading instructions printed on your machine. Many newer machines have lines and arrows to help you along.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.eversewn.com/blog/getsewinghowtowindabobbin
- ↑ Andrea Beaulieu. Professional Tailor. Expert Interview
- ↑ https://www.eversewn.com/blog/getsewinghowtowindabobbin
- ↑ https://www.eversewn.com/blog/getsewinghowtowindabobbin
- ↑ https://www.eversewn.com/blog/getsewinghowtowindabobbin
- ↑ https://www.eversewn.com/blog/getsewinghowtowindabobbin
- ↑ https://www.eversewn.com/blog/getsewinghowtowindabobbin
- ↑ https://www.eversewn.com/blog/getsewinghowtowindabobbin
- ↑ Rhonda Hale. Master Tailor. Expert Interview
- ↑ https://youtu.be/vRi7M0g0i9M?t=298
- ↑ https://youtu.be/vRi7M0g0i9M?t=303
- ↑ https://youtu.be/vRi7M0g0i9M?t=314
- ↑ https://youtu.be/vRi7M0g0i9M?t=349
- ↑ https://youtu.be/vRi7M0g0i9M?t=337
- ↑ https://youtu.be/vRi7M0g0i9M?t=370
- ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-thread-a-sewing-machine-wind-a-bobbin-221841
- ↑ Alterations Express. Alteration, Tailoring, and Dry Cleaning Specialists. Expert Interview
- ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-thread-a-sewing-machine-wind-a-bobbin-221841
- ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-thread-a-sewing-machine-wind-a-bobbin-221841
- ↑ https://youtu.be/NU1j2tdfcYk?t=240
- ↑ https://youtu.be/NU1j2tdfcYk?t=45
- ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-thread-a-sewing-machine-wind-a-bobbin-221841
- ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-thread-a-sewing-machine-wind-a-bobbin-221841
About This Article
Article Summary
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1. Place the thread on the spool pin.
2. Wind the bobbin with the bobbin winder.
3. Wrap the thread around the thread guide on the top of the sewing machine.
4. Pull the thread down through the guide and around the tension disks.
5. Loop the thread back up towards the second thread guide to create a “U” shape.
6. Wrap the thread around the takeup lever.
7. Guide the thread through the needle’s eye.
8. Place the bobbin in the compartment below the needle.
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Reader Success Stories
- "I stumbled on a READ'S sewing machine without a clue how to thread it. I also had no luck finding a manual online. With this article, I was able to thread the bobbin and the machine/needle as well as adjust the tension. Very helpful indeed." ..." more
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"I stumbled on a READ'S sewing machine without a clue how to thread it. I also had no luck finding a manual online. With this article, I was able to thread the bobbin and the machine/needle as well as adjust the tension. Very helpful indeed."
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