How to thread a sewing machine

Before you start: two settings that matter

Switch the machine off before threading if it has a power switch, so a nudge on the pedal cannot start the needle moving while your fingers are near it. Then do two things that decide whether the thread will actually sit where it should.

First, raise the presser foot. On most machines lifting the foot opens the tension discs. If the foot is down, the discs are clamped shut and the thread rides over the top of them instead of settling between them, which gives you no upper tension and a tangle of loops under the fabric. Second, turn the handwheel towards you until the take-up lever is at its highest point. On many machines the needle also stops at its highest position here, which gives the thread a clear path through the lever's eye and lines the needle up for the threader.

• Presser foot up, so the tension discs are open
• Take-up lever at its highest point, turned by hand towards you
• A bobbin wound and inserted (see our bobbin guide)
• A fresh needle that suits your fabric

The upper thread path, step by step

The exact guides vary between brands and models, so treat the steps below as the general principle and follow the numbers printed on your machine and in your manual. On most domestic machines the route looks like this.

1. 1

   Place the spool on the spool pin and fit a spool cap a little larger than the end of the reel, so the thread cannot catch on the rim.

2. 2

   Lead the thread to the left and through the top thread guide.

3. 3

   Pull it down the right-hand channel, around the U-turn at the bottom and up the left-hand channel. Hold the thread lightly near the spool so it seats into the tension discs.

4. 4

   At the top of the left channel, bring the thread from right to left through the eye or slot of the take-up lever. You should see it sitting in the lever, not behind it.

5. 5

   Take the thread down the left channel to the needle bar thread guide just above the needle.

6. 6

   Thread the needle eye from front to back on most machines, or use the automatic needle threader. Pull about 10 to 15 cm of thread through and lay it under the presser foot towards the back.

Using the built-in needle threader

Many machines from Brother, Janome, Singer and others include a lever-operated needle threader on the left of the needle bar. The principle is similar on most models: lower the needle to its highest point, pull the threader lever down, hook the thread around the guide as shown on the machine, then let the lever return. A tiny hook passes through the needle eye, catches the thread and pulls a loop out at the back, which you then draw through by hand.

If the threader misses, the needle is often not quite at its highest point, or the needle is bent or not pushed fully up into the clamp. Threaders are designed for the common needle sizes, so very fine needles, twin needles and some specialist needles usually need threading by hand. Check your manual for the sizes your threader supports. A needle threader is delicate, so never force the lever if it meets resistance.

Bringing up the bobbin thread

With the upper thread through the needle and the bobbin in place, hold the end of the upper thread lightly in your left hand. Turn the handwheel towards you one full turn, so the needle goes down and comes back up to its highest point. The upper thread catches the bobbin thread underneath and brings up a loop.

Pull the loop out with your fingers or the tip of a pair of scissors, then lay both thread ends under the presser foot and towards the back of the machine. Leave about 10 to 15 cm of each. Many drop-in bobbin machines are designed so you can skip this step and simply start sewing, because the bobbin thread is drawn up automatically; your manual will say whether yours works that way.

Quick checks if it still will not sew properly

If stitches look wrong straight after threading, the fastest fix is nearly always to take the upper thread out completely and rethread with the presser foot up. A loop of thread underneath the fabric usually means the thread missed the take-up lever or the tension discs. Our guide to thread bunching under the fabric covers that in more detail.

Also check that the needle suits the fabric and thread. A needle that is too fine for the thread makes it shred, and a blunt needle causes skipped stitches. Our needle size guide pairs common fabrics with metric and US needle sizes and point types.

See the best sewing machines for beginners →

Choosing a machine that is easy to thread

If threading is a constant struggle, the machine can make a difference. Clear numbered thread guides, a top drop-in bobbin and a reliable automatic needle threader all make set-up quicker, and some computerised models add a button that cuts and holds threads. Our guide to the best sewing machines for beginners points out these features, and the best sewing machines with a thread cutter guide covers models with automatic trimming.

Frequently asked questions

Why must the presser foot be up when threading? On most machines raising the foot opens the tension discs so the thread can drop between them. If you thread with the foot down, the thread sits on top of the closed discs, there is no upper tension and you get loops underneath the fabric.

Which way does thread go through the needle? On most domestic machines it goes from front to back, because the flat side of the needle shank faces the back. Some older or specialist machines thread from side to side, so check your manual if the thread guide above the needle points another way.

Do I need to bring up the bobbin thread every time? On many front-loading and older machines, yes. Many modern drop-in bobbin machines are designed to pick up the bobbin thread on their own once you start sewing. Your manual will show which method your model uses.

How do I thread a Brother sewing machine? Brother machines follow the same general route described here, with numbered guides printed on the machine. Follow those numbers and the threading diagram in your manual, as the guide positions differ between models.