Note that the sewing machine must be turned on when you wind the bobbin. If you are using a previously wound bobbin, you can skip this section and consult only the “Threading the Needle” and “Loading and Drawing Up the Bobbin Thread” sections.
Make sure that the spool rotates in a clockwise direction as you unravel the thread. If it doesn’t, you may need to change the way it sits on the spool pin, Wrap the thread around the front of the disc first. It should pass over the left side of the disc, then cross back over toward the front of the machine.
The thread should pass through the hole starting from the inside and moving out through the top. Draw at least 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7. 6 cm) of thread through this hole.
Make sure that the tail of thread and its corresponding hole face up. Carefully turn the bobbin clockwise by hand until you see the spring on the shaft slide into the slit of the bobbin, thereby securing it.
Once the bobbin has been started, trim the tail of thread sticking out from the top of the bobbin.
Note that the machine should stop automatically once the bobbin is full. The balance wheel will continue to turn while the bobbin is being wound, but you should not touch it since doing so could damage the machine.
Push the bobbin winding shaft to the left. You should be able to remove the bobbin by lifting it straight off.
Note that the machine should be off at this time to reduce the risk of injury or damage. Turn the balance wheel counterclockwise, or toward you. Do not turn the wheel away from you. Raise the pressure foot by lifting the presser foot lever at this time, as well.
You may need to pull up the spool pin before doing this. Note that the spool of thread should sit so that the tail you remove comes off from the back, rather than the front, causing the spool to spin counterclockwise as it unwinds.
The upper thread guide is the hooked piece of metal attached to the bobbin winding tension disc. The thread should pass into the right channel at straight angle, not at a diagonal.
You may need to apply light pressure to the thread above the right channel as you do this. Wrap the thread around this dial from right to left. Make sure that it picks up the check spring to the left of this dial before continuing.
The thread should be to the right side of the take-up lever before you hook it into that lever. Afterward, it should come back down to the left side of that lever. The thread should naturally slip into the hook of the take-up lever as you wrap it around the back of that lever.
This thread guide looks like a small bar standing horizontally across the top of the needle. Slip the thread into the opening of that bar, sliding it into the slot until it reaches the inside bend.
Leave a tail measuring 2 inches (5 cm) long. Position this tail so that it sits to the back of the machine.
Note that the machine should be turned off at this point to minimize the risk of injury or damage. Only turn the balance wheel toward you, moving it counterclockwise. Do not turn it away from you. If necessary, raise the presser foot lever at this time, as well.
The shuttle cover should be located behind the extension table and on the front of the machine. Pull the bobbin case latch toward you. You should feel the case loosen from within the machine. Continue pulling the latch toward you to remove the case from the machine completely.
Unwind roughly 4 inches (10 cm) of thread before placing the bobbin in its case. This is the tail of thread you’ll need to work with in this step. Hold the bobbin case so that the hook of the latch rests on your thumb. Hold the bobbin so that thread appears to wrap around in a clockwise rotation. Slip the bobbin into its case with the tail of thread hanging out. Pull the tail of thread into the natural groove of the case, sliding it until it fits under the spring clip and through the thread guide hole (delivery eye) of the case.
The latch of the case should fit into the notch at the top of the shuttle race inside the machine. If loaded properly, the case should not be able to move around inside the machine.
Firmly hold the end of the upper needle thread with your left hand while turning the balance wheel with your right, applying a light amount of tension to that thread in the process. Do not turn the balance wheel away from you (a clockwise rotation). If done correctly, the upper thread should catch the lower thread during this process, bringing the lower thread out from the base of the machine in a large loop.
You should see two separate tails of thread: one extending from the needle (the upper thread) and one extending out from the base of the machine (the lower thread).
Both threads should fall straight behind the presser foot. The upper thread should pass in between the toes of the presser foot.
