Core skills

Bringing the Bobbin Thread Up

How to pull the lower thread through the needle plate so both threads lie together behind the foot, ready to sew.

Beginner5 minMachine

What you will learn

Check that the machine is threaded and the bobbin is in place. Raise the presser foot.

Hold the upper thread tail loosely in your left hand. Do not pull it tight.
Turn the handwheel toward you slowly for one full turn until the needle goes down into the needle plate and comes back up to its highest position.
The needle makes a loop of bobbin thread. Gently pull the upper thread tail up. The loop of bobbin thread appears through the hole in the needle plate.
Pull the loop up, then slide the bobbin thread free with a pin or small scissors if it is short. Pull out about 4 in (10 cm).
Pass both threads under the presser foot and lay them together, pointing toward the back. This keeps them from tangling when you start.
Some models have a button that raises the bobbin thread automatically. Check your manual for this feature.
Lower the presser foot. Sew a few stitches on scrap fabric to confirm both threads feed properly.

Hold the top thread tail lightly as you sew the first stitches. This stops the thread from being pulled down into the bobbin area.
If the loop does not show, turn the handwheel another turn and check that the bobbin thread is in its slot.

The bobbin thread does not come up.

The bobbin is not seated or the needle did not reach its lowest point. Check the bobbin and turn the handwheel fully toward you.

Threads tangle at the start of the seam.

The tails were left in front of the foot or were not held. Lay both under the foot toward the back and hold them for the first stitches.

Safety and fabric care