How to fix the thread on a sewing machine

In life, there are three certainties; death, taxes and having to fix the thread on your sewing machine. From time to time, you’ll be required to do this. Sewing machines vary and we stock industrial, as well as household sewing machines in NZ of the world’s best brands. Below you will find a general guide to rethreading your sewing machine, but make sure to familiarise yourself with your particular model to make things easier and more personalised to you.

With your sewing machine in front of you and your thread and empty bobbin beside you, you are all ready to get started. Turn the machine off for safety and follow our step-by-step guide.

1. First and foremost you need to fill your bobbin with thread if you don’t already have one. So, place the thread on a spool pin and draw it through the bobbin thread guide. Place the bobbin on the winder and start winding with the foot pedal or stop/start button. Stop when the bobbin is full. Then load your wound bobbin in your bobbin case. 

1. Secondly, set the upper thread for your machine by placing a spool of thread on your machine’s thread pin. Thread through the thread guide by pulling it to the left of your machine and into the guide.

1. Then, once the thread has been pulled through the U-shaped guide, pull it down into the deep groove on the front of the machine and up into the second groove to the left. At the top of this groove is a metal hook. This take-up lever is where you wrap the thread around.

1. It’s time to thread the needle. Pull the thread down and through the eye of the needle from front to back. Dampen the end of your thread to make it easier if you are having trouble.

1. With 10cm of thread through your needle, you must connect the two to be able to sew. Lower the needle down and then up again. The needle should catch the bobbin thread and pull it out in a loop. ‘Catch’ the thread and move them away from where you are stitching.