Step-by-Step: How To String A Brother Sewing Machine Guide

So, how do you thread a Brother sewing machine? Threading a sewing machine is a simple process once you know the steps. It involves setting up the lower thread (the bobbin) and guiding the upper thread through a specific path on the machine before bringing the two threads together to sew. This guide will walk you through every step to get your Brother machine ready for sewing.

Learning to thread a Brother sewing machine correctly is the most important first step before you start any sewing project. If the machine is not threaded right, it won’t sew well. Stitches might skip, thread might break, or the machine could even jam. This guide covers all the steps, from winding the bobbin to threading the needle.

Preparing Your Sewing Machine

Before you start any threading a sewing machine process, do these simple things.

Turn off the power switch. Safety first! Make sure the machine is unplugged too.
Lift the presser foot up. Use the presser foot lever found at the back of the needle area. Lifting the foot opens up the tension discs. This lets the upper thread sit in them correctly. If the foot is down, the thread cannot go into the tension discs properly.
Raise the needle to its highest point. You can usually do this by turning the handwheel on the side of the machine towards you. There might be a button on newer machines that does this for you.

Winding the Bobbin

Properly winding the bobbin is key to good sewing. A bobbin wound too loose or too tight can cause problems with your stitches. Brother machines often have clear marks for bobbin winding.

Getting Ready to Wind

Put an empty Brother sewing machine bobbin onto the bobbin winder spindle. This spindle is usually on the top or front of your machine. Push it firmly until it clicks into place.
Place your spool of thread on the spool pin. This pin is often on top of the machine. If you have a felt pad for the spool, put it under the spool. This helps the thread come off smoothly.
Find the bobbin winding thread guide. It’s usually a small hook or disk near the spool pin. Take the thread from the spool and bring it to this guide. Wrap the thread around the guide as shown in your machine’s manual. Brother machines often have numbers or lines on the machine showing the path. Follow these marks.

Guiding the Thread for Winding

Pull the thread from the spool.
Take it through the bobbin winding thread guide (Step 1).
Guide the thread down to the empty bobbin.
Wrap the thread end a few times around the empty bobbin spindle (Step 2). Do this by hand to hold it in place. Start from the inside of the bobbin and wrap towards the outside.
Push the bobbin winder spindle towards the bobbin winding stopper. This stopper is usually a small metal piece or arm near the spindle. Pushing the spindle towards it tells the machine you want to wind the bobbin.

Starting the Winding

Hold the thread end that you wrapped around the bobbin.
Gently push the foot controller (or press the start/stop button).
The bobbin will start to spin. Let it wind a little bit.
Stop the machine.
Carefully cut off the small thread end you were holding. Cutting it now keeps it from getting tangled in the bobbin.
Start winding again. Press the foot controller or button.
The machine will wind the thread onto the bobbin. It will wind until the thread reaches the bobbin winding stopper. The stopper will then push the spindle away slightly, stopping the winding.

Finishing the Bobbin

Once the bobbin stops winding, take your foot off the controller or stop the machine.
Push the bobbin winder spindle back to its resting place (away from the stopper).
Remove the full bobbin from the spindle.
Cut the thread connecting the bobbin to the spool.
Your bobbin is now ready. It should look smooth and evenly wound. If it looks messy, it might not work right. Try winding it again.

Inserting the Bobbin

The next step in the lower thread setup is inserting the bobbin. Brother machines usually have a drop-in bobbin system on top or a front-load system. The drop-in system is more common on newer machines.

For Drop-in Bobbin Systems

Open the bobbin cover plate. This plate is usually clear plastic. It’s on the flat bed of the machine under where the needle sews. Slide the plate off or flip it open.
Take your newly wound Brother sewing machine bobbin.
Look at how the thread comes off the bobbin. For most Brother drop-in bobbins, the thread should come off counter-clockwise, like the letter ‘P’. There is often a small picture on the machine showing the correct direction.
Place the bobbin into the bobbin case. The case is the round part under the needle plate. Make sure the thread is coming off in the right direction.
Find the thread path slots on the bobbin case or around the needle plate. There is usually one short slot and then a longer path that might curve.
Pull the thread from the bobbin and guide it through the first short slot (Slot A).
Pull the thread further and guide it along the longer path (Slot B). It might click into place. This path often goes around a small metal piece that adds tension to the bobbin thread.
Pull the thread gently. It should pull smoothly from the bobbin, staying in the path.
Leave about 6 inches of thread hanging out over the needle plate.
Close the bobbin cover plate. Make sure it is secure.

For Front-Load Bobbin Systems

Some older or different Brother models have a bobbin case that goes into a metal shuttle in the front of the machine.

Open the cover door on the front of your machine below the needle.
Get the bobbin case. If it’s already in the machine, take it out.
Insert the wound bobbin into the bobbin case. Make sure the thread comes off clockwise. There is usually a picture on the case or machine showing this.
Pull the thread through the small slot on the edge of the bobbin case.
Pull the thread firmly up and under the tension spring on the bobbin case. This spring puts tension on the bobbin thread.
Leave about 4-6 inches of thread hanging from the case.
Hold the bobbin case by its latch.
Insert the bobbin case into the shuttle race in the machine. It should fit snugly. The latch should hold it in place.
Close the front cover door.

Threading the Upper Thread

This part is about guiding the thread from the spool through the machine’s path to the needle. This is the upper thread path. Brother machines have number guides on the machine itself. Follow these numbers!

Starting the Upper Path

Place your spool of thread on the spool pin. Use the correct size spool cap to hold the thread on the pin.
Take the thread from the spool.
Guide the thread through the first thread guides on sewing machine. These are usually near the spool pin. There might be one or two. Follow the number 1 mark.
Bring the thread down along the right channel of the machine. Follow the number 2 mark.
When you reach the bottom of this channel, the thread needs to make a U-turn and go up the left channel. Follow the number 3 mark. The tension discs are usually at the top of this downward path. Make sure the thread goes firmly between these tension discs. Remember, the presser foot must be up for the thread to sit correctly in the tension discs. This is crucial for good sewing machine thread tension.

Finding the Take-Up Lever

As you pull the thread up the left channel (following number 3), you will see a part that moves up and down. This is the take-up lever.
Make sure the take-up lever is at its highest point. If not, turn the handwheel towards you to bring it up.
Guide the thread through the hole or hook on the take-up lever. The number 4 mark points to this. The thread must go through this lever. If it misses the take-up lever, the machine will not form stitches correctly.

Going Down to the Needle

After going through the take-up lever, the thread path goes straight down towards the needle. Follow the number 5 mark.
Along this path, there are more thread guides on sewing machine. These are usually small hooks or clips right above the needle area. Thread the thread through all of these guides. These guides keep the thread from flapping around while sewing.
The very last guide is usually just above the needle itself. Make sure the thread is securely in this last guide.

Threading the Needle

Now you are ready to put the thread through the eye of the needle.

Manual Needle Threading

Cut the end of your thread with sharp scissors. A clean, sharp end is easier to push through the needle eye.
Hold the thread end between your thumb and first finger.
Bring the thread to the needle eye.
Push the thread end through the eye of the needle. For most home sewing machines, you thread the needle from front to back.
Pull about 4-6 inches of thread through the needle eye.

Using the Automatic Needle Threader

Many Brother machines have a built-in needle threader. This little tool makes threading the needle much easier, especially with small needle eyes.

Make sure the needle is in its highest position. Turn the handwheel towards you if needed.
Make sure the presser foot lever is down (this is often needed for the threader to work right). Check your manual for this specific step, as some threaders need the foot down, others up.
Lower the needle threader tool. It usually swings down from above the needle.
Hook the thread under the guide on the threader tool (often a small metal hook or slot).
Bring the thread across the front of the needle. There is usually a small notch on the threader tool that holds the thread in front of the needle.
Push the threader lever or button. A small hook will go through the needle eye from the back.
The hook will grab the thread loop that is across the front of the needle.
Let go of the threader lever. The hook will pull a loop of thread through the needle eye to the back.
Pull the loop of thread the rest of the way through the eye from the back.
You now have thread coming through the needle eye.

Final Upper Thread Step

Once the needle is threaded (manually or with the threader), pull the thread tail under the presser foot and towards the back of the machine. Lay the thread tail flat towards the back.

Bringing Up the Bobbin Thread

You now have the upper thread coming through the needle. You have the bobbin thread sitting in the bobbin case. You need to bring the bobbin thread up through the needle plate hole so both threads are on top, ready to sew.

Hold the end of the upper thread tail with your left hand. Keep it a little bit taut (not too tight).
Turn the handwheel on the side of the machine towards you slowly. Watch the needle go down and then come back up.
As the needle goes down, the upper thread forms a loop around the bobbin case hook.
As the needle comes back up, the hook brings a loop of the bobbin thread up with it.
Keep turning the handwheel until the take-up lever is at its highest point again.
Gently pull the upper thread tail you are holding. This should pull the loop of bobbin thread fully up through the needle plate hole.
If you don’t see the loop, turn the handwheel one more full turn towards you.
Use your fingers or tweezers to grab the loop of bobbin thread. Pull it up fully.
You now have two thread tails coming up through the needle plate hole: the upper thread and the bobbin thread.
Pull both thread tails under the presser foot and lay them towards the back of the machine. They should rest behind the presser foot. This is important so the threads don’t get tangled when you start sewing.

Checking Thread Tension

Sewing machine thread tension is how tight the upper thread and the lower thread are pulled as they form a stitch. If the tension is right, the two threads will meet and lock in the middle of the fabric layers.

Too loose upper tension: You will see loops of the upper thread on the underside of your fabric.
Too loose bobbin tension: You will see loops of the bobbin thread on the top side of your fabric.
Too tight tension (both or one): Stitches might pucker the fabric or the thread might break.

Most tension problems after threading are due to the upper thread not being seated right in the tension discs or the bobbin thread not being in its tension path correctly.

Adjusting Tension

Brother machines have a tension dial or buttons, usually on the front of the machine.

The tension setting is typically a number (like 0 to 9). A normal setting for medium weight fabric is often around 4 or 5.
If you see loops of upper thread on the underside, the upper tension is too loose. Increase the number on the tension dial (e.g., from 4 to 5).
If you see loops of bobbin thread on the top, the upper tension is too tight (it’s pulling the bobbin thread up). Decrease the number on the tension dial (e.g., from 4 to 3).
Bobbin tension is usually set at the factory and rarely needs changing. If you suspect bobbin tension is the issue, check your manual or take it to a service center. Do not adjust the screw on the bobbin case spring unless you know what you are doing.
Always test your tension on a scrap piece of the fabric you will be using before sewing your main project. Sew a straight line. Check the stitches on the top and bottom. Adjust the tension dial slightly if needed.

Recap of the Threading Path

Let’s quickly go over the path again.

Bobbin: Wind thread onto a Brother sewing machine bobbin. Insert it into the bobbin case. Guide the thread through the case’s tension path. Leave thread out.
Upper Thread: Spool pin -> Guide (1) -> Down channel (2) -> Around bottom -> Up channel (3) -> Through tension discs -> Through take-up lever (4) -> Down to needle (5) -> Through guides above needle -> Through needle eye.
Finish: Pull both threads under the presser foot and to the back.

Common Threading Issues and Fixes

Sometimes, even following the steps, things go wrong. Here are some common issues.

Issue: Thread keeps breaking.

Check 1: Is the machine threaded correctly? Go back and re-thread both the upper and lower threads carefully. Make sure the upper thread is in the tension discs and the take-up lever. Make sure the bobbin thread is in its tension path.
Check 2: Is the tension too tight? Lower the upper tension setting a little.
Check 3: Is the needle bent or old? A bent needle can cause thread breaks. Change the needle. Needles should be changed often (like after every 8-10 hours of sewing).
Check 4: Is the thread old or poor quality? Old thread can be weak and break easily. Use good quality sewing thread. Match the thread size to the needle size.
Check 5: Is the bobbin wound correctly? A bobbin wound unevenly can cause problems. Re-wind the bobbin.

Issue: Stitches are looping on the top of the fabric.

This means the lower thread (bobbin) tension is too loose, OR the upper thread tension is too tight, pulling the bobbin thread up.
Most likely, the upper thread tension is too tight. Lower the upper tension setting.
Also, check if the upper thread is correctly seated in the tension discs. Re-thread the top thread with the presser foot up.
Check if the bobbin is inserted correctly and the thread is in its tension path in the bobbin case.

Issue: Stitches are looping on the bottom of the fabric.

This means the upper thread tension is too loose, OR the bobbin tension is too tight.
Most likely, the upper thread tension is too loose. Increase the upper tension setting.
The most common reason for this is the upper thread is not correctly in the tension discs. Re-thread the top thread with the presser foot up. Make sure the thread pops into the discs.
Check if the thread missed the take-up lever. Re-thread and make sure the thread is through the take-up lever.

Issue: Machine is jamming or making loud noises.

Stop sewing immediately!
Turn off the machine.
Remove the fabric. Pull it away carefully, cutting threads if needed.
Check the bobbin area. Is there a thread nest (a tangled mess of thread)? Remove any tangled thread from the bobbin case area. You might need to remove the needle plate to clean it out.
Check the upper thread path. Is the thread caught anywhere?
Re-thread the entire machine from the start, following all the steps carefully.
Check the needle. Is it bent? Is it inserted correctly? Change the needle if needed.

Hints for Threading Success

Always use good quality thread. Cheap thread can cause endless problems.
Always put the presser foot lever UP when threading a sewing machine. This opens the tension discs.
Always turn the handwheel towards you when bringing up the bobbin thread or moving the needle manually.
Follow the numbers on your Brother machine. They are there to help!
Keep your machine clean. Lint and dust, especially in the bobbin area and tension discs, can mess up tension and cause problems.
Refer to your specific Brother machine’s manual. While threading is similar, there might be small differences in thread guides or bobbin types.

Table: Quick Tension Fixes

Here is a simple table to help with basic tension problems after threading.

Problem Seen	Likely Cause	What to Do First	What to Do Second (If Needed)
Loops on bottom of fabric	Upper thread too loose	Re-thread upper thread with foot UP. Check take-up lever.	Increase upper tension dial number.
Loops on top of fabric	Upper thread too tight	Decrease upper tension dial number.	Check bobbin is seated correctly.
Puckered fabric, thread breaks	Tension too tight (both)	Decrease upper tension dial number.	Check needle size matches fabric/thread.

Note: Bobbin tension is usually set correctly at the factory.

Deciphering Thread Guides

The thread guides on sewing machine are small hooks, loops, or clips. They are important. They keep the thread in the correct path. They help control the flow of thread from the spool to the needle. Skipping a guide can cause loose stitches or thread breaks. Pay close attention to these small parts when threading.

The Role of the Take-Up Lever

The take-up lever is that moving arm (number 4 in the path). It plays a big role in stitch making. It pulls up the slack thread after the needle goes down. It helps form the loop for the bobbin thread to catch. It also pulls the stitch tight as it finishes. If the thread is not through the take-up lever, the machine cannot make a proper stitch. Always make sure it is threaded. It is also important that it is at its highest point when you start threading the needle. This helps ensure the thread is seated right in the tension discs.

The Presser Foot and Threading

We mentioned the presser foot lever a few times. Its position matters a lot for threading the upper thread. When the presser foot is lifted, the tension discs inside the machine open up. This lets the thread slip easily and fully between them. If you thread with the presser foot down, the tension discs are closed. The thread will only sit on top of the discs, not in them. This will cause very loose upper tension and loops on the bottom of your fabric. Always lift the presser foot to thread the upper path.

The Importance of the Right Needle

Using the right needle is also part of getting good stitches. A dull or bent needle can cause skipped stitches and thread breaks. Using a needle that is too big or too small for your thread or fabric can also cause issues. Make sure your needle is sharp and straight. Insert it fully into the needle clamp with the flat side facing the back of the machine (on most Brother models). The needle threader tool will only work if the needle is put in correctly and is not bent.

Conclusion

Threading your Brother sewing machine does not have to be hard. By following these steps carefully, you can thread your machine the right way every time. Start with a well-wound Brother sewing machine bobbin. Follow the numbered path for the upper thread. Make sure the thread goes through the tension discs and the take-up lever. Use the needle threader if you have one. Bring up the bobbin thread. Check your sewing machine thread tension on a scrap piece of fabric. Taking the time to thread correctly will save you time and frustration later. Happy sewing!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: My Brother machine is threaded, but the stitches are messy. What is wrong?

A1: The most common cause is incorrect tension. Re-thread both the upper thread and the bobbin carefully, making sure the upper thread is fully in the tension discs with the presser foot up and the bobbin thread is in its tension path. Then, sew on a scrap of fabric and adjust your upper tension dial. Loops on the bottom mean upper tension is too loose. Loops on the top mean upper tension is too tight.

Q2: Do I really need to lift the presser foot to thread the top thread?

A2: Yes, it is very important. Lifting the presser foot lever opens the tension discs. This lets the thread go deep inside the discs. If the foot is down, the discs stay closed, and the thread only sits on top. This makes the upper tension too loose, causing stitch problems (loops on the bottom).

Q3: Why won’t my automatic needle threader work?

A3: Check these things: Is the needle at its highest point? Is the needle inserted correctly (flat side to the back)? Is the needle bent? Some threaders need the presser foot to be down to work right (check your manual). Make sure you are guiding the thread correctly through the threader’s small hook or guide before bringing it across the needle.

Q4: How much thread should I leave hanging after threading?

A4: Leave about 4-6 inches of both upper and lower thread tails. Pull them under the presser foot and lay them towards the back of the machine before you start sewing. This helps prevent thread tangles at the start of a seam.

Q5: What kind of thread should I use in my Brother sewing machine?

A5: Use good quality thread made for sewing machines. Avoid very cheap or old thread. Cotton, polyester, or a blend are common choices for general sewing. Match your needle size to your thread size and fabric type for best results.

Q6: Can I use pre-wound bobbins in my Brother machine?

A6: Sometimes. Check your machine’s manual. If your machine uses standard bobbins (like Class 15), you can often use good quality pre-wound bobbins. However, the tension on pre-wound bobbins might be different. It’s often best to wind your own bobbins using the thread you are sewing with on your machine. This ensures the tension matches. Make sure the pre-wound bobbin is the right type for your specific Brother model (plastic or metal, size).

Q7: My bobbin thread tension seems wrong. How do I fix it?

A7: Bobbin tension on Brother machines (especially drop-in types) is usually factory-set and rarely needs adjustment. Most tension issues come from the upper thread setup. Re-thread the top thread carefully. If you have a front-load bobbin case with a screw, adjusting it requires very small turns (like a quarter turn at most). Mark the original position first! If unsure, it is better to have a sewing machine service person check the bobbin tension.

Q8: What happens if I skip a thread guide when threading?

A8: Skipping a thread guides on sewing machine can cause many problems. The thread won’t follow the correct path. This can lead to uneven tension, loose stitches, skipped stitches, or the thread breaking because it’s rubbing where it shouldn’t. Always follow all the guides marked on your machine.

Q9: The handwheel is hard to turn after I threaded. What’s wrong?

A9: Stop turning! This usually means the machine is jammed. Often, it’s a tangle of thread in the bobbin area (a “thread nest”) or the upper thread is caught somewhere. Turn off the machine, remove the fabric, and carefully clear any tangled threads from the bobbin area and the upper thread path. Check that the needle is not bent or stuck. Re-thread carefully.

Q10: How often should I clean my machine?

A10: Clean your machine often, especially the bobbin area and feed dogs. Lint and bits of thread build up and can cause tension and stitch problems. Clean after every few projects or when changing thread color if you see a lot of lint. Your manual will show you how to clean your specific model.

This guide should help you master threading your Brother sewing machine. Practice a few times, and it will become quick and easy!