How to Prepare a Sewing Machine

Set your sewing machine up on a clear, flat surface with lots of light to work in. Wind a bobbin with the thread you are going to use for the project. Each sewing machine is a little different so use the instructions with your sewing machine to wind the bobbin.

Place the bobbin in the bobbin cover according to the instructions for your sewing machine.

Use the hand wheel to lower the needle down into the slot of the throat plate and raise it upwards. This should catch the bobbin thread and pull it up through the slot in the throat plate. Make sure the needle is lifted as high as it will go.

Thread the sewing machine with the spool of thread. Follow the directions for your sewing machine or the arrows on the sewing machine itself if it has them.

Make sure that the sewing machine is set on the correct stitch style. Put the machine on straight stitch and a medium stitch length if you're not sure what to use.

Make sure the right foot is on the sewing machine for the stitch that you choose and that the foot is raised.

Pull out the top and bobbin threads 6 inches out the back of the sewing machine. This will avoid the threads being sucked back into the machine.