How to Thread Set Up a Multi Functional Electric Sewing Machine Detailed FHSM 520 - Beginners guide, by No Waffling on YouTube. 8 min 4 s.
- Video length
- 8 min 4 s
- Time to do it
- 15 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Place the machine on a stable table and plug it in. Switch it off at the power button and unplug it while you thread, so the needle cannot move under your fingers.
Raise the presser foot with the lever at the back of the head. This opens the tension discs so the thread can sit between them properly.
Turn the handwheel toward you until the take-up lever is at its highest point. The needle bar should also be near the top of its travel.
Put the spool on the spool pin at the top right and push the spool cap on. Pull the thread end toward the back of the machine.
Hook the thread through the first guide at the top of the machine, then draw it down into the tension slot at the front. Pull it firmly so it clicks between the tension discs.
Lead the thread up and through the take-up lever from right to left. This lever is the metal arm that moves up and down above the needle.
Guide the thread down through the remaining thread guides on the needle bar. Check the thread sits in each hook and does not cross itself.
Thread the needle from front to back, then pull about 10 cm of thread through. Raise the presser foot and turn the handwheel to pick up the bobbin thread.
Wind and insert the bobbin if you have not already. Pull the bobbin thread up through the needle plate and lay both threads back under the presser foot.
Set the stitch selector to straight stitch and the tension to the middle setting. Sew a test line on scrap fabric to check the stitches look even.
Tips and common mistakes
Always thread with the presser foot up, or the thread will not sit in the tension discs and stitches will loop.
Turn the handwheel toward you only. Turning it backward can tangle the thread around the bobbin case.
Re-thread the whole path from the start if the thread snaps, rather than just re-threading the needle.
Keep fingers away from the needle while the machine is switched on and use the foot pedal slowly at first.
Questions
Why does my thread keep bunching under the fabric?
The machine is usually threaded with the presser foot down or the bobbin is in wrong. Re-thread with the foot up and check the bobbin direction against the manual.
Do I need to unplug the machine to thread it?
It is safer to switch off and unplug while you thread, especially as a beginner. Plug it back in only when you are ready to sew.
What tension setting should I start with?
Start with the tension dial in the middle, usually 4 or 5. Adjust one number at a time and sew a test scrap until the stitches look balanced.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
