If you’re like most people, the thought of threading a sewing machine bobbin probably makes you break out into a cold sweat. But don’t worry, we’re here to help! In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the process step-by-step so that you can get your sewing machine up and running in no time.
Sewing machine how to thread bobbin
Before you can start sewing on your machine, you need to know how to thread it. This guide will show you how to thread a typical home sewing machine.
The first step is to find the bobbin. On most machines, the bobbin is located under the needle plate, which is the removable plate that covers the feed dogs. The bobbin case is usually just below the bobbin, and you will need to open it before threading the bobbin.
To open the bobbin case, start by raising the needle to its highest position and then removing the plate. Once the plate is off, you should see a small knob or lever that opens the bobbin case. On some machines, you may need to pull out this knob or lever to release the case.
Once the case is open, insert the bobbin so that it rests on the small hook or peg inside the case. The smooth side of the bobbin should be facing up, and the thread should unwind from the bottom of the bobbin as you insert it into the case.
Now that the bobbin is in place, pull out a few inches of thread and hold it between your thumb and first two fingers. Next, close the case and make sure that the tension disc (located next to the hook) is in line with the indentation on the side of the case. If not, rotate the tension disc until it clicks into place.
With the tension disc correctly positioned, hold onto the end of the thread and gently pull on both threads until they are about equally extended from underneath the needle plate. You are now ready to start sewing!
How to Wind a Bobbin
Before you can start sewing, you need to wind a bobbin. This holds the thread that will be used to stitch the fabric together. Bobbins come in different sizes, so make sure you’re using the right size for your machine.
To wind a bobbin, first, thread the end of the thread through the needle. Then, hold the end of the thread with your left hand and turn the handwheel on the sewing machine with your right hand until the needle starts moving up and down. As the needle moves, it will wind the thread around the bobbin.
Once the bobbin is full, cut the thread and remove it from the needle. Hold on to the end of the thread as you remove the bobbin from its case so it doesn’t unravel.
How to Insert a Bobbin
Before you can start sewing, you need to insert a bobbin into your sewing machine. This bobbin will sit underneath the fabric and provide the bottom thread for your stitch. Most sewing machines have a specific compartment for the bobbin, and inserting it is usually a pretty straightforward process. However, it’s important to make sure that you’re inserting the bobbin correctly, or you could end up with tangled threads or other problems.
To insert a bobbin into your sewing machine, start by locating the bobbin compartment. This is usually on the side or front of the machine, and it may have a cover that needs to be lifted before you can access the compartment. If so, lift the cover and take a look at how the compartment is set up. There should be a small metal piece with a hole in it; this is called the bobbin case or shuttle. You’ll need to slide your bobbin onto this case so that the thread will unwind in the correct direction when you start sewing.
Once your bobbin is in place on the shuttle, you’ll need to pull some thread through so that it’s ready to use. To do this, hold onto the end of the thread and press down on the foot pedal to start the machine. The needle should start moving up and down, and as it does, it will pull some of the thread from the bobbin and through to the top. Keep holding onto the thread until you have about 6 inches (15 cm) of it hanging out from under the needle. Then, you can cut off any excess thread and put your foot back on the pedal to start sewing!
How to Set the Bobbin Tension
Sewing machine bobbins come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, but they all work the same way. The bobbin is a small, cylindrical spool of thread that is inserted into the sewing machine below the needle. The bobbin supplies the lower thread that forms the stitches on the underside of the fabric.
Most sewing machines have an adjustable tension knob that controls how tight or loose the lower thread is drawn from the bobbin. The tension on the bobbin should be set so that it is slightly tighter than the tension on the upper thread. This will ensure that your stitches are even and not too loose.
To set the bobbin tension, first, make sure that your sewing machine is turned off and unplugged. Then, remove the bobbin case by unscrewing it from the machine. Draw a length of thread through one of the Bobbin case holes and hold it between your thumb and forefinger so that there are about 6 inches (15 cm) of slack.
Now, use your other hand to turn the tension knob clockwise until you feel resistance. Once you feel resistance, turn the knob another 1/2 to 1 full turn clockwise. This will give you a starting tension that you can adjust later if needed.
Once you have set the tension, reattach the Bobbin case to your sewing machine and insert a bobbin filled with thread. Make sure that you insert it correctly so that it spins in a clockwise direction when viewed from above.
How to Sew a Straight Seam
The most basic of all stitches, the straight seam is used to join two pieces of fabric together side by side. It can be sewn with a straight stitch or a zigzag stitch, depending on the fabric and the look you want to achieve.
To sew a straight seam, start by threading your sewing machine with the correct type of thread for your fabric. If you’re using a sewing machine with multiple spools of thread, make sure to use the lower spindle for the bobbin thread.
Attach the two pieces of fabric together using pins or clips, making sure that the wrong sides are facing each other. Start at one end of the fabric and sew slowly and evenly down the length of the fabric, removing any pins or clips as you go.
When you reach the end of the fabric, turn the fabric around and sew back up the seam in the same manner, reinforcing the stitching. Trim any excess thread and press the seam open or to one side, depending on your project instructions.
How to Sew a Zipper
Sewing a zipper is a handy skill to know, whether you’re repairing an article of clothing or want to add one to a garment you’re making from scratch. It’s not as difficult as it might seem at first, and with a little practice, you’ll be sewing zippers like a pro in no time.
How to Sew a Buttonhole
Sewing a buttonhole is one of those dressmaker skills that’s worth learning. Buttons add both function and style to your garments, and once you know how to sew a buttonhole, you can put them on any project.
Sewing a buttonhole is not difficult, but it does require a little patience and practice. The key is to take your time and follow the steps carefully. With a little bit of practice, you’ll be sewing perfect buttonholes in no time!
How to Sew a Blind Hem
Blind hems are often used in garment construction to finish the raw edge of a hem without the addition of a decorative stitch or trim. The hem is sewn using a specialized blind hem foot that feeds the top layers of fabric through the needle on a straight stitch, while simultaneously catching and folding up a tiny strip of fabric from the underside. This creates small, nearly invisible stitches on the right side of the fabric that secures the folded edge in place.
While it may sound complicated, sewing a blind hem is actually quite simple once you get the hang of it. Follow these step-by-step instructions and you’ll be stitching perfect blind hems in no time!
Before you begin, gather all of your supplies. You’ll need:
- A sewing machine with a blind hem foot attachment
- A spool of thread
- Pins
- Scissors
- A seam ripper (optional)
Start by prepaying your fabric. If your fabric is particularly wrinkled or has been washed and not ironed, now is the time to do that. You’ll get much better results if your fabric is smooth and flat to start.
Cut off any excess threads or fabric from around the edge of your garment. You want to have a clean edge to work with before you begin sewing.
Fold up the bottom layer of fabric along the edge that you will be sewing, making sure that the wrong side of the fabric is facing out. The amount you fold will depend on how wide you want your finished hem to be. A good rule of thumb is to fold up 1/4″ to 3/8″ for a medium-weight fabric like denim, and 3/8″ to 1/2″ for a lighter-weight fabric like silk. Once you have decided on the width of your hem, use pins to secure the folded edge in place.
Using your seam ripper, carefully rip out any existing stitches along the fold line that you just created. If there are no existing stitches, skip this step.
Now it’s time to attach your blind hem foot to your sewing machine. Consult your machine’s manual if you’re unsure how to do this; there should be a diagram or pictures showing you how to attach the foot correctly.
Once your foot is attached, lower your needle into place so that it’s positioned just above where the folded edge of fabric meets the raw edge. It’s important that the needle only catches a tiny bit of Fabric from the underside; if it catches too much, you’ll wind up With a visible Stitch line on the right side of your fabric when you’re finished.
Gently guide your fabric through the sewing machine as it Stitches a straight line along the Folded edge. As you sew, The feed dogs will catch and fold up a small Strip of Fabric from underneath, securing it in place with tiny Perpendicular stitches.