HOW TO FIX THREAD ON A SEWING MACHINE

You cannot sew or stitch with the sewing machine without a thread. Fixing thread on your machine is one of the most important things to know about machine sewing. There are two kinds of thread to be fixed on the machine before you start- the upper and under threads. The under thread is reeled on what is called the bobbin. (Please, read my post on the labeled parts of a sewing machine, this will help you appreciate this tutorial better).

STEP 1: Get a fully wound bobbin(the under thread) and a reel of thread(the upper thread). Turn the balance wheel towards you, this will raise the needle bar lever, the needle bar and the needle. Place your feet on the treadle to prevent the balance wheel from moving, this action will steady the needle bar from moving too.

STEP 2: To fix the upper thread- place the reel of thread on the spool pin, pick the free end of the thread, pass it through the parts numbered in the picture serially especially the tread take-up spring, the needle bar lever and finally through the eye of the needle. Draw out about 4-5 inches of thread from the needle.

STEP 3: To fix the under thread- pick the wound bobbin, insert it into the bobbin case. Draw out about 3-4 inches long of the free end of the thread from the the bobbin case(see picture). Turn the balance wheel towards you, this will raise the needle bar. NB: you cannot fix the under thread without having the needle bar raised. Open the slide,place the bobbin case on the centre stud of the shuttle, allowing both to fit into each other. Hold up the bobbin case latch, allowing the bobbin case to set into the notch at the top of the shuttle race. Release the bobbin case latch. Leave the free end of the thread to hang. Then, close the slide. Now, 

you are ready! Start sewing! (Read my post on how to sew as a starter)

   

I do hope this is helpful. Questions, suggestions and contributions are highly welcome.

You would also like to read JaynnoraStaples and JayFashion.

HOW TO SEW WITH THE SEWING MACHINE AS A STARTER

I could remember when I tried sewing with the machine as a starter. I usually call that my début performance in the stitching world. It was really an experience but as time went on,I became more perfect that I could treadle the machine without fixing my gaze on the balance wheel. As a starter, you are likely to run the balance wheel in the opposite direction while treading. This will result in having thread hitched in the shuttle race, having too loose stitches, breaking the needle or the thread. However, practice makes perfection, continuous trial and failure would definitely yield a better result( I am a live example). Thus, in order for you to appreciate the art of treading the machine, I have, as usual, included picture steps on this tutorial. Please, read my post on the labeled parts of a sewing machine, as a preliminary. This will help you get along well with this tutorial.
STEP 1: Get a comfortable seat, (preferably a stool) such that your feet are placed on the machine treadle when you are seated. Do the following- raise the lever of the presser bar, insert the bobbin in the shuttle race,  fix the upper thread( see my post on how to fix thread on the sewing machine) and check that both the upper and under thread are both laid under the presser foot(see pictures).

          
    
STEP 2: while the presser foot lever is still raised, place your right hand on the balance wheel and move the balance wheel towards you as in the picture.Watch the needle bar as you do this, you will notice the needle bar moves up and down and the treadle tilts up and down like a see-saw. Continue to turn the balance wheel towards you while your feet are lightly placed on the treadle.Allow the treadle to control the gentle motion and move your feet in line with the movement of the treadle. Do this from slow to fast until you get a perfect movement without mistakenly treading in the opposite direction.
 
STEP 3: Place your fabric under the presser foot, lower the presser foot lever( you will notice the presser foot clamps the fabric to the feed dog).Placing your right hand on the balance wheel and your left hand on the fabric, move the balance wheel towards you. As you do this, the needle bar pushes the needle down into the fabric, then start treading the machine as you did in step 3 above. As you treadle, place the left hand on the fabric and let your right hand slightly pull the fabric forward as the feed dog brings the fabric forward inch by inch.
 

STEP 4: When you are done with the sewing, do the following to remove the fabric from the machine- stop the motion of the treadle by holding down the balance wheel and concurrently stop moving your feet up and down the treadle.Raise the lever of the presser foot, move the balance wheel towards you( this will release the fabric from the clench of the presser foot and needle bar). Cut off the upper and under thread from the fabric. Great job and congratulations!
     

I hope this is helpful. Questions, suggestions and contributions are highly welcome. I strongly recommend you go through my post on the labeled parts of a sewing  machine. It will solve the technicality of this tutorial.
You would also like to read JaynnoraStaples and JayFashion.