Most machines will have a similar threading up path to the one in the above video. Most modern machines will have a diagram on a sticker, or numbers on the machine, which will show you the correct order for the thread to go. Do make sure you really know how to do this so it becomes second nature, as it is important nothing is missed out or done in the wrong order – your machine won’t work if you don’t get this 100% right.

I always just hold the end of the thread and take off only what I need. I see people pull half a meter of thread off and then by the time it is threaded up the thread invariably is tangled up somewhere.

After putting your thread on the spool pin (if the thread lays down you will have to put an end cap on to stop the thread falling off the pin) it will generally go through or around 1/2 hooks before going down through the tension system. This system isn’t visible on modern machines. Then it goes around a part of the machine at the bottom and back up towards the take up hook. It is important to thread this up in the right direction and that you put the thread in to the front/ eye of the take up hook and it doesn’t end up at the bottom of this. It won’t work if it is not in the “eye” and it will get all tangled up inside the guts of the machine!

From the take up hook it goes straight down through one or two more hooks and then front to back through the needle. This part can be challenging for a lot of people! Have a short and sharp end of the thread, lick it if need! Once the thread is through the needle pull a good 10cm through as if the thread is too short it will come out of the needle when you start sewing!

The very last step in the threading up process is bringing the bobbin thread up to the top to jojn the top thread. This has to be done before closing the bobbin compartment/ putting the extension table back on to your machine is you have a front loading machine, and before starting to sew.

NOW THAT THE MACHINE IS THREADED UP IT IS VITAL YOU ONLY TURN THE HANDWHEEL TOWARDS YOU AND NEVER AWAY FROM YOU

• With the top thread out of the back of the needle and above the presser foot, hold on to the end of the thread gently (ie don’t pull it taut).
• Start turning the handwheel towards you, and certainly the first 50 times you do this peer in to the bobbin area until you can hear and feel the process. As you turn the handwheel the top thread is brought in to the bobbin area, and picked up by the bobbin hook. This then brings the thread around the entire bobbin system until, when it is just past the bottom point (at what I call 7 o’clock!), the top thread jumps off the hook.
• At this point stop turning the handwheel and start pulling the top thread, this will bring up the bobbin thread. If it feels stuck turn it a fraction more but honestly, just a fraction. You will (hopefully) learn to recognise the way it feels when it jumps properly and then you can start doing this very quickly rather than watching the thread very closely.
• Once the loop of bobbin thread is also above the presser foot put a long pin or small scissors into the loop to pull the end of the bobbin thread up too.
• Once you have both of the threads, feed them through the gap in the presser foot and out towards then back of the machine.
• Close the bobbin hatch now and replace the table if that is what your machine has.
• Make sure you pull about 10 cm of top thread out of the back of the needle, as your machine needs a fair amount before it makes its first stitch, and it will just pull the thread out of the needle if there isn’t enough. Which is very annoying!

You have basically now made a single stitch, wrapping the top and bobbin threads around each other. Cool huh?