Supplies and Materials Needed
Before you begin, you’ll need a few things:
- A Brother sewing machine
- Thread
- Bobbin
- Scissors
- Seam ripper
Ensure that these supplies are all together and in good working order.
Initial Preparation
To correctly place the bobbin in a Brother Sewing Machine, start by turning the selector knob to the left and raising the presser foot. Attaching the spool of thread should be done after lifting the spool pin onto the spool holder, and winding the thread around the thread guide hook.
Next, take the bobbin and thread it through the bobbin case before inserting it securely. It’s important to pay close attention to the direction of the bobbin – the bobbin thread should be going in a clockwise direction.
Attaching the Needle Thread
To properly attach the needle thread, it’s important to raise the presser foot once more. Follow that by carefully positioning the thread take-up lever to its highest point and close the hook cover plate before pulling the lower thread into the hook.
The needle should then be threaded in the same way. Pull the thread up through the needle, down through the needle’s wire and back up again. During this process, it is important to pay close attention to the thread guide hook.
Start the Sewing Machine
Once you’ve threads all the threads, you’re ready to start the sewing machine. Start by pressing the bobbin winder clutch in a leftward direction. This should be done while gently pushing the hand wheel down. Several inches of loose thread need to be pulled from the bobbin before letting go the the bobbin winder.
Finally, set the needle to its highest position by turning the needle position dial. This should be done before tightening the presser foot and threading the take-up lever.
Sewing a Test Swatch
Now that the bobbin is correctly in place, it’s time to test the machine. Start by bringing the upper thread down to the bobbin thread. Do this by pulling the thread downwards and raise the needle.
To sew a test swatch, lower the feed dogs by flipping the stitch area switch. After that, start slowly forward on the hand wheel in an anti-clockwise direction. This will pull the thread on the bobbin into place firmly. Use the reverse button located at the side of the machine to make sure the entire area is securely tight.
Changing Bobbin Thread
Once the test swatch is done, it’s time to change the bobbin thread. This is done by unspooling the bobbin thread and carefully re-threading it. Make sure the thread is in the correct direction.
The bobbin into the case should be done in the same manner as during the beginning. Turn the selector dial to the left, insert the bobbin and pull the thread through it in a clockwise direction.
Once the bobbin is inside, throw the hand wheel further to the left to check if the bobbin thread is coming up properly. If not, take the bobbin out and re-thread it.
Removing Unwanted Thread
To remove unwanted thread, use a seam ripper to gently slice through each individual thread loop. Do this in between the two pieces of fabric until they can separate easily.
Take caution when using a seam ripper – make sure that the blade is not facing your hand. Always face the blade away from your body when using it.
Securing the Edges
To make sure the fabric does not fray, secure the edges using an overlocking stitch. This prevents the edge of the fabric from unraveling, especially if it will be used for a project. It should be done by engaging the overlock foot and pressing down the edge of the fabric.
Once done, raise the presser foot and carefully cut off any excess threads. Make sure that the seam will not be seen.
Cleaning and Maintenance
It’s important to keep the sewing machine clean and in good working order. This can be done by cleaning the feed dog, bobbin case and needle with a clean, slightly damp cloth. Follow that by lubricating the machine with a high quality lubricant.
Once done, unplug the machine from its power source. If the machine is kept in storage, make sure that it is covered to prevent dust from settling on it.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If the bobbin is not working properly, it’s likely due to a tension issue. This can usually be rectified by twisting the tension adjuster knob. Do this until the tension of the bobbin thread is meet the tension of the needle thread.
If this still doesn’t work, it’s possible that the bobbin thread is incorrectly in place. Check to make sure that the bobbin thread is going in a clockwise direction and that the bobbin is properly inserted.
