Learning to thread your Singer sewing machine correctly is essential for successful sewing. While seasoned sewers make it look so easy, threading a sewing machine can seem like a complicated process for most beginners. This article offers easy-to-follow steps for threading your singer machine.

1. Wind a Bobbin

This is the first step for threading any Singer sewing machine. Determine the color and type of thread you will be using and place its spool on the spool pin. While most Singer sewing machines have a vertical spool pin, others have a horizontal one.

For the horizontal ones, place an appropriately-sized spool cap on the spool to prevent the thread from coming off when you start winding the bobbin. Some machines also come with a spool pin felt- a white donut-shaped accessory that you can place underneath the spool to secure it in place more firmly.

multiple bobbins isolated on white background

Pull the thread from the spool and pass it through metal guide one and then through bobbin winding tension discs. Ensure that the thread is adequately snug between the disc. Check your instructions manual for the direction in which to wind the metal thread through the guides. Some machines have the winding direction indicated next to the clip and winding disc, respectively.

Take a bobbin that is compatible with your sewing machine and identify the hole on the circular ends. Some bobbins have two holes; use either as they do not have a designated bottom or top.

Pull the thread around the tension disc and pass it through the hole allowing at least an inch of the thread to hand loosely. Place the bobbin on the bobbin winder until it clicks in place. If the bobbin does not secure on the winder, the thread is likely to wrap around the winder instead of the bobbin.

While holding the tip of the thread, push the winder to the right to lock it in place. Press the foot control to begin winding. Continue winding until you have enough thread for your project on the bobbin.

Take your foot off the foot pedal and snip the thread. To remove the bobbin, move the bobbin winder to the left, remove the bobbin, and then clip the thread from the spool.

2. Install the Bobbin Case

Place the bobbin in a bobbin case. Singer sewing machines either have a top-load bobbin or a front-load bobbin.

For the front-load type of machine, pull the thread’s tail to check whether the bobbin is wound correctly (it should rotate in the clockwise direction). Then, pass the thread through the bobbin case groove and then wind it under the metal plate. It will produce a clicking sound, a sign that the bobbin is secured in place.

Lift the latch at the bottom of the bobbin case, hold it, and insert the case into the machine’s bobbin case compartment, observing when it clicks in place. The right configuration should be such that the metallic part protruding from the case should face up. Once done, replace the cover and the extension table.

sewing with small white sewing machine

Once you have replaced the bobbin in the case of a top-loading bobbin, the thread tail should wind in the counterclockwise direction. Remove the bobbin cover by pressing on the bobbin cover button.

Insert the bobbin case in place, pull the thread’s tail, and pull the thread through the slot at the bottom of the bobbin curves and wide around the U-shape on to the other slit. Pass the thread behind the presser foot and replace the bobbin case cover.

3. Thread the Top of the Machine

Raise the presser foot. Turn the handwheel anticlockwise to take the needle to the highest position- this brings up the take-up ladder. Remove the thread from the tension winding discs where it was when you were winding the bobbin.

Let the thread stay in place on metal guide one and then pass it through metal guide 2, down to guide 3. Make a U-turn at guide four and then take it up to the take-up lever. At the take-up lever, move the thread from left to right, then bring it down in the take-up lever.

The thread will now sit in the eye of the take-up lever. Next, take the thread down to guide six and slip in the guide that is above the needle.

If your Singer sewing machine has a built-in needle threader, take the thread over the metal hook and push the threader downwards to encompass the needle. Take the thread between the two pongs, pull it downwards to give it some tension, and then release the threader.

The threader will revert backward, creating a loop near the tail of the needle. Pull the loop to thread the needle.

If your machine does not have a built-in threader, pull the thread’s tail after it passes around the guide above the needle. Snip the top with sharp scissors and pass it through the eye of the needle. If you have poor eyesight, use a magnifying lens to see the eye of the needle.

sewing machine stitches on yellow cloth

4. Raise the Bobbin Thread

The procedure for raising the bobbin thread is the same whether your machine has a top-loading or front-loading bobbin. Hold the tail of the upper thread with the hand that is nearest to that side of the machine.

Using the other hand, turn the handwheel towards you. This advances the needle, and once you pull the tail of the upper hand gently, the bobbin thread will be drawn up through the needle plate. Pull both threads under and behind the presser foot.

5. Test the Stitch

Set the machine on a straight stitch style. Place a piece of fabric under the presser foot and lower it. Press your foot control to begin sewing. Once done sewing, turn the handwheel anticlockwise to the highest position to raise the needle.

Raise the presser foot and remove the fabric and cut the thread. The stitch should be straight and closely sewn both at the top and bottom of the fabric.

Keep in mind that while most Singer sewing machines are threaded similarly, there might be slight differences depending on the specific model you have.

Check your instruction manual for the specific step-by-step threading process for your particular Singer machine.