How to Thread a Sewing Machine
Threading your sewing machine is not complicated but if you have never done it you understandably have questions. Scroll down for a visual walkthrough of how to thread a sewing machine. Then if you still have questions I recommend getting acquainted with your sewing machine manual. And if you have a THIS machine which is the machine I recommend for beginners the steps are listed directly on the machine. This post will have you quickly and easily threading your machine in no time! If you are new to sewing be sure and sign up for my sew simple beginner email series HERE.
How to Thread a Sewing Machine
Not all sewing machines look exactly the same, but they are threaded in a very similar way. I am threading my Brother Cs6000i which is a great machine if you are new to sewing. You can read all about it HERE.
Quick note: The thread you use is very important. Don’t scrimp and buy the super cheap thread. Spending a few extra dollars on thread will save you lots of time and headaches. I almost always use Guttermann which you can find on clearance at JOANN all the time!
Last little note. I am showing how to thread the top and then the bottom. But before you thread the top if you haven’t already wound your bobbin you will want to do that first. So it goes in this order. Wind the bobbin, thread the top, thread the bobbin.
Need MORE help learning about your machine, check out THIS course where I will walk you through everything in easy to follow videos.
How to thread a brother sewing machine:
Place the spool of thread on the metal bar on the top right of your machine. This bar may be recessed into your machine, you can gently pull it out so that it is about the height of the spool of thread.
Pull the thread towards the left side of the machine. Place the thread under the metal and up through the spring loaded thin hooked piece (see picture below.)
Next the thread goes down the front into the crevice on the right, under the U and up along the left crevice. Again note that the machine is showing us the steps and numbers for threading the machine as we go!
Now at the top of the left crevice there is another metal hook. Turn the hand wheel to ensure that the hook is at its highest point. Place the thread over the hook and back down the same crevice.
Now place the thread into the last hook like piece just in front of the sewing machine needle. Clip the end of the thread to give yourself a crisp end. Then thread the needle and the first half of threading the machine is finished.
Note: this machine has a tool to help thread the needle if you prefer.
How to thread a brother sewing machine bobbin:
Now we are ready for the bobbin. Which you should have wound before you threaded the top section right? When you have finished winding your bobbin be sure to trim the extra thread from where you started winding the bobbin. This bit could get tangled when sewing if you don’t cut it.
Some machines are top loading (as pictured) and some machines load in the front. If you have a front loading machine it will look a bit different but the idea is very similar.
Again this machine has diagrams and instructions directly on the machine. The most important thing to note is the direction of your bobbin thread. If the bobbin is placed with the wound direction of the thread going the wrong way you will certainly encounter problems.
Place the bobbin into the little bobbin shaped hole with the thread wound the correct way. Then take the end of the thread and thread it according to the directions in your manual or on your machine.
Place the cover over the bobbin.
Now with this machine you are ready to sew. However this is not the case with all machines. With many machines there is one last step.
Pulling up the bobbin thread:
Hold the top thread tightly in your hand. Turn the hand wheel towards you until the needle has gone all the way down and all the way up. Pull the top thread slowly while looking just beneath the needle. You will see a loop or the very end of the bobbin thread. With tweezers or your fingers pull this thread up.
Pull a few inches of top and bottom thread out. Note that my machine indicates that the thread should pass over the bobbin under the cover (as it does in the picture above.)
Now you’re finished. You have threaded your sewing machine. Continue learning about sewing and your machine with THIS Sew Simple Beginner email series.
Still have questions about how to thread a sewing machine? Share with me in the comments below.
Michele Graveline says
I have a Brother SQ9050 Was wondering what your thoughts on this machine are? It seems rather fancy and a bit intimidating. I have had it for a few years and haven’t even taken it out of the box yet…Any advice you can give would be appreciated.
sewwhatalicia says
Hi Michele. So I have not used this machine but after doing some research it looks like you have a sewing and embroidery machine. It may seem super intimidating but it is actually very similar to the machine I use in all the projects you can find on this page. And if you looked through this threading the machine post you probably noticed that your machine looks almost exactly the same (with just a few differences.) I can’t comment on the embroidery portion because I do not use that or have a machine that does embroidery BUT if it is sewing you are looking to do follow along with me because once you take it out of the box you will see that your machine is easy to use just like the machine I use!