# data[].attributes.headline
How to thread a sewing machine, step by step

# data[].attributes.subject
How to thread a sewing machine, step by step

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Together, they cited information from 16 references. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article meets our high standards.

wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article has over 956,506 views, and 80% of readers who voted found it helpful. It also received 11 testimonials from readers, earning it our reader-approved status. Learn more...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
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 and getting simpler every time....

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Martha Stewart Living, Volume 46

Models and makes of sewing machines may differ somewhat, but their fundamental features are remarkably similar; consult your machine's manual for specific instructions for care and cleaning.
Enlarge the Image
1. Bobbin and bobbin case: The bobbin is wound with thread that will make up the underside of a machine stitch. The bobbin case holds the bobbin, and is usually not interchangeable between machines. Use only bobbins recommended by the manufacturer for your particular model.

2. Slide plate or bobbin cover: Depending on the machine, a slide plate or hinged bobbin cover allows access to the bobbin.

3. Presser foot: This removable foot keeps fabric in place as you sew. Different feet are appropriate for various sewing techniques or fabrics. For example, a roller or nonstick foot is used for sewing leather and oilcloth smoothly.

4. Needle and needle clamp: Sewing-machine needles are removable and come in a variety of sizes. The clamp holds the needle in place.

5. Throat palate: This metal plate, sometimes referred to as a needle plate, sits below the needle and presser foot. A small opening in the plate allows the bobbin thread to come out and the needle to pass through to make stitches. Most throat plates have small lines notched to the right of the presser foot; these serve as guides for seam allowances and for sewing straight lines. The plate can be removed to clean underneath.

6. Feed dogs: These small metal or rubber teeth pull the fabric between the presser foot and throat plate, and also regulate the stitch length by controlling how much fabric passes through at once. Always allow the feed dogs to move the fabric as you guide it -- manually pulling may cause the needle to bend or break.

7. Tension regulator: This dial controls the tension on the top thread. With proper tension the top thread and bobbin thread will join together in uniform stitches. If the tension is set too tight, the stitch will pucker and break; if set too loose, the stitches will be too loose.

8. Take-up lever: The top thread passes through this metal lever, which moves up and down in tandem with the needle. Depending on the machine, the take-up lever may protrude from the front or be hidden inside the plastic casing. Before placing fabric under the presser foot, raise the lver completely (the needle will be at its highest point); this will keep the handle from snagging the fabric.

9. Bobbin winder tension disk: On machines that have an external bobbin winder, this disk helps guide the thread between the spool and the winder.

10. Bobbin winder: The small spool is placed upon this while the bobbin is being filled. To ensure that the tread winds evenly, always start with an empty bobbin.

11. Thread guides: From the spool, thread passes through these metal loops to help regulate the tension of the thread.

12. Spool pin: This small dowel holds the thread. Some machines come with several spool pins for decorative or twin-needle sewing. Spool pins can be horizontal or vertical.

13. Flywheel: This knob, also called a handwheel, raises and lowers the take-up lever. Always turn the flywheel toward you.

14. Stitch selector: On older machines, a dial allows you to choose between different machine stitches. Newer machines have buttons to select stitches.

15. Stitch-length selector: Use this dial or lever to set the length of the stitches on manual and some electronic machines. Stitches are measured differently, depending on the machine. They may be measured per inch, by metric scale, or simply numerically from 0 to 9. For general sewing, use medium-length stitches; for fine fabrics, shorter stitches; for heavier fabrics, or when basting or gathering, use long stitches.

16. Stitch-width selector: This dial or lever controls the width of decorative stitches, such as the zigzag stitch.

17. Menu screen: On newer electronic and computerized machines, the menu screen allows you to adjust functions and stitches, sometimes replacing the separate stitch, stitch-width, and stitch-length selector dials.

18. Reverse-stitch button: Pressing this button reverses the direction of the stitches, allowing you to secure the thread at the beginning and end of a seam. (Some manuals call this a backstitch button.)

19. Foot controller: The speed of the stitches is partially controlled by pressing on this pedal.

Safety Tips
When guiding fabric over the throat plate, keep your fingers at least an inch away from the presser foot at all times. If you pause between stitches, take your foot off the foot controller, so that you don't accidentally set the needle in motion. If you are taking a longer pause, turn the machine off completely.
Which Sewing Machine is Right for You? More Sewing Basics Sewing Projects

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Martha Stewart Living, Volume 46 Models and makes of sewing machines may differ somewhat, but their fundamental features are remarkably similar; consult your machine's manual for specific instructions for care and cleaning. Enlarge the Image 1. Bobbin and bobbin case: The bobbin is wound with thread that will make up the underside of a machine stitch.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Sewing machines come with a vast variance in options but basic operation of a sewing machine is the same from machine to machine. Once you know the very basics of operating a sewing machine, you will want the manual for your machine so you can use every possible option that your sewing machine offers.

Instructions can seem like they are written in a foreign language if you don't have a clue what parts they are talking about. It's also difficult to have someone help you if you can't explain what part seems to be the problem.

Newer sewing machines and older sewing machines all have the same basic parts... the newer machine hide the parts a bit more so the pictures you'll find online may be an older machine just so you can see the actual parts that are hidden on newer sewing machines.

The feed dog is responsible for taking the fabric under the needle and feeding it through the machine. The feed dog works in conjunction with your presser foot to feed the fabric as it is being sewn. Your responsibility is to simply guide the fabric between the feed dog and presser foot.

When you force-feed the machine or tug fabric through the machine, you can bend the sewing machine needle and create all kinds of problems. Let the machine do the work and just guide the machine to do what you want it to!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to Operate a Sewing Machine - Mystery Solved!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Sewing machines come with a vast variance in options but basic operation of a sewing machine is the same from machine to machine. Once you know the very basics of operating a sewing machine, you will want the manual for your machine so you can use every possible option that your sewing machine offers.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What's the Project? So you got a new sewing machine and you're super excited, but you've got one big question-how to use a sewing machine! You're not alone and it's not hard. This easy tutorial will walk you through the basics of using your new machine and get you sewing in no time!

OK, you've done it. You bought a new sewing machine, got one for Christmas or broke the one you bought 3 years ago out of its dusty box. Now what? What are all those buttons and levers? How do you turn this thing on? What do you do now?

Sewing machines can be exciting but also totally overwhelming when you don't know what any of the gadgets are or how to use it! If you're wanting to learn to sew, the first place to start is simply how to use a sewing machine! This guide will walk you through some of the basics and help you get started on a lifelong journey of sewing!

CRAZY LITTLE PROJECTS TV

Learn to Sew Lessons:

If you are here because you have a new machine, I want to make sure that you know that I run a whole Learn to Sew series full of free online sewing lessons from everything you need to know to start sewing, how to sew a straight line and even which sewing machine to buy if you're still in the market. And it's all free. So be sure to check all of that out starting here.

But now let's talk about how to use a sewing machine!

How to Use a Sewing Machine:

The first thing you need to know is that every sewing machine is different, so I am going to do my best to show you what you need to know but it will probably vary a little bit for your machine. Your user's guide will be your new best friend.

I am going to introduce you to 2 sewing machines today. I will start with my friend Carrie's machine because hers is probably more similar to most of yours than mine is. Then we will have a look at mine.

How to Use a Sewing Machine Guide for Beginners:

Carrie's machine is a beautiful basic Janome. When I asked her if I could borrow her machine to snap some pictures I didn't know she had a Janome too, but let me just say that I love Janome. You can't go wrong with Janome. And from what I understand, Kenmore is the baby sister of Janome and I highly recommend them too. (Kenmore is what I started on.)

Now, as I show you Carrie's machine, keep in mind that every machine looks different, but that yours is likely to have a lot of these same parts. Have your user's guide or manual handy so that you can refer to it since your machine is probably a little different.

First off, find your power cord and your on/off switch:

The power cord is attached to the foot pedal. The foot pedal goes on the floor where your foot can comfortably reach it:

On the front of the machine, you will find several knobs. On this particular machine, there is a knob with letters-when you turn that knob you change what type of stitch you are doing-straight stitch, zig-zag, etc. Below that you find another knob which changes the length of the stitch-are they tiny, close together stitches or long, farther apart ones? That knob determines this. To the right of both of these you find a stitch guide which shows what stitch options this machine has (and again, you would select which stitch you want to use by turning the knob at the top):
How to Adjust Stitch Length:
On the side of the machine is a little wheel that turns. That's called the hand wheel and will make your needle go up and down (and yes, I had to look up what that thing was called. Even my mom didn't know.)

OK, here's an important part of your machine and I apologize, I have a really fuzzy picture of it, but you can still get the idea right? This is the reverse stitch lever. When you want to sew backward, or in reverse (and you will often), you will pull this down:

Up near the top of the machine is a dial that adjusts the width of a stitch. For a straight stitch this wouldn't matter, but for a zig-zag, this would determine if it's a big, fat zigzag stitch or a small, narrow one:

On the far side of the machine is a knob that adjusts the tension of the presser foot. I don't usually even touch this on my machine, but there it is, so now you know what it does:

This metal part on your machine is called the presser foot. You will lower it (there's a lever just to the right and above it) to sew and then raise it to remove the fabric.

A few other fun features-here's a little built-in measuring tape. How handy! I saw this on Carrie's machine and realized mine has it too and I never noticed:

And did you know that the front part of the machine comes right off (and usually has storage inside)? This will be handy when you are sewing things like hems on pants and other small areas:

How to Thread a Sewing Machine:

So, how do you thread this thing? That's going to be VERY important. I want you to practice this at least 10 times before we start the lessons. Now I can't totally teach you how to thread your machine because every machine is different.

Here's a video to walk you through the process:

Your manual will show you how. But most machines are at least somewhat similar, so let me show you how Carrie's is threaded.

You start off by putting your spool of thread on the spindle at the top of the machine:

Make sure you have the spool holder in place to keep your thread from flying off (that's the plastic thing you see on the left of the thread up there).

Take the end of your thread and somewhere on the top of your machine will be a few nooks and crannies for you to pull it through that will look something like this: (and see how the machine even has a little guide to help you?)

Now you'll go down to the right of the grey part with your thread, loop it at the bottom and then go up the left side:

Then through the little "thread take-up lever" (that's what it's called) at the top:

And back down one more time toward your needle. You are now going to thread it through a few things. First this: (see the little metal piece right below the white part of the machine?)

Then this: (another little piece of metal-this one right at the top of the needle)

And finally, thread the needle.

Practice that a few times. You will get so that you can do it with your eyes shut.

How to Thread Bobbin:

Now, you also need to thread your bobbin.

Before you sew you will need to wind your bobbin. You actually need to do this before you thread your machine for a project.

Here's a Video of the Process:

What you need to do is take one of your empty bobbin cartridges and the thread in the color you need. On your bobbin cartridge, there will be a little hole to stick the end of your thread through. You're going to need to look at your own manual again to see how to do this for sure on your machine. It will involve putting your thread on your spindle, wrapping it around something like this: (see the little silver button on there, you would wrap it around that once, as shown in the diagram on the machine)

And then through the hole in the bobbin cartridge. Place the whole cartridge on this:

Keeping hanging onto the end of that thread even while your bobbin cartridge is on that bobbin winder. Slide the bobbin winder to the right. It is now ready to wind.

Keep hanging onto that thread and push down on your foot pedal. It should start to wind. As it starts, grab a pair of scissors and snip the thread you are holding and then let the bobbin keep winding until it is full. Slide it back to the left and remove it.
How to Insert Your Bobbin:
To insert the bobbin into your machine you will need to take off your bobbin cover and place your bobbin into the slot for it: (this part might look VERY different on your machine-if so, grab your manual):

Your manual will tell you which direction your bobbin spool should turn. For this machine, it should turn clockwise, so I want to line my bobbin up like this before I put it in:

Then I would place it down into that little hole for my bobbin and pull the thread through the little slot (see my diagram above) to get it secured into place.

Give the end of the thread a gentle pull and your bobbin should turn in the direction indicated.

Now, thread your machine. Using the hand wheel (or down/up button if you have one), lower your threaded needle all the way down and back up again and it should catch the bobbin thread and pull it up with the needle thread. Pull both threads to the side and close your bobbin case.

You are now set to sew.

How To Use a Computerized Sewing Machine:

Now let's switch to my machine. Here are a few shots of my machine. I am showing you this because my machine is computerized. Does anyone have a computerized one? If so, here's a walk through a few of the features:

Let's have a look:

One of the biggest differences on a computerized machine is the way to select stitches. It has a touchscreen. Here you see some stitch options-currently with straight stitch chosen. If I want a zigzag, I would just touch that button:

And then I can adjust things like stitch length and width by touching the adjust button:

On the front I also have my buttons for reversing, putting the needle up and down and a fancy, stay in place knot:

There's also a slide for how fast I want the machine to stitch:

Also, my machine has an automatic needle threader. (Very handy!)

Most other features will be the same as the machine I already showed you.

One other thing to note. On your machine, you will see something like this. See the lines and etchings on the sewing machine in this picture? Those are your seam guides. If a pattern tells you to sew a 1/2 inch seam, for example, you would want to line the edge of your fabric up so that it was parallel with the 1/2″ seam guide. This will make more sense as you start to sew a lot.

Hopefully this helped you learn how to use a sewing machine a little bit better. Now be sure to check out the rest of the Learn to Sew Series.

You Might Also Like:
Learn to Sew-Free Online Sewing Lessons: Understanding Sewing Terms:
Pin It:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to Use a Sewing Machine-A Guide for Beginners

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
So you got a new sewing machine and you're super excited, but you've got one big question-how to use a sewing machine! You're not alone and it's not hard. This easy tutorial will walk you through the basics of using your new machine and get you sewing in no time!

# data[].attributes.headline
How to thread a sewing  machine tutorial video

# data[].attributes.subject
How to thread a sewing  machine tutorial video

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to Thread a Machine | Sewing Machine