Threading a Brother sewing machine takes about two minutes once you know where each part goes
The thread path on a Brother machine is straightforward: it runs from the spool, down through the tension discs, up through the take-up lever, and finally down through the needle. Most jams and skipped stitches happen because the thread isn't seated properly in one of these spots. The machine won't sew at all if the thread misses the tension discs, and it will skip stitches if it's not threaded through the take-up lever.
Threading takes longer the first time because you're learning where to look. After that, it becomes automatic. The key is to do it with the presser foot up—this opens the tension discs so the thread can slip between them.
Key Takeaways
- Always raise the presser foot before threading, because this opens the tension discs and lets the thread pass through.
- The thread must pass through the tension discs, the take-up lever, and the needle in that order, or the machine will skip stitches or jam.
- If stitches skip after threading, the thread usually slipped out of the tension discs or the take-up lever—rethread and check both spots.
- Brother machines have the same basic thread path whether you own a basic model or an embroidery machine, so the steps work across the line.
Raise the presser foot and prepare the spool
Start by raising the presser foot all the way up using the lever on the back of the machine. This is the single most important step—when the presser foot is down, the tension discs clamp shut and the thread cannot pass through. You'll hear or feel a small click when it's fully raised.
Place your thread spool on the spool pin at the top of the machine. Most Brother machines have a vertical spool pin on the right side of the head. If you're using a spool that's wider than standard, or if the thread keeps slipping off, you can use the horizontal spool pin on the left side instead. find the spool with the spool cap—it screws on by hand and keeps the spool from sliding.
Guide the thread down through the tension discs
Pull the thread down and to the left toward the tension assembly. You'll see two metal discs stacked on top of each other—this is where the tension happens. The thread must slip between these discs. Guide it down into the slot between them. You should feel slight resistance as the thread seats itself.
A common mistake is threading around the outside of the tension discs instead of between them. If you do this, the machine won't hold tension and your stitches will be loose and uneven. The thread should disappear between the discs when you look at the machine from the front.
Thread up through the take-up lever
After the tension discs, the thread goes up and to the right through a small hook or eye called the take-up lever. This lever moves up and down as you sew and controls how much thread feeds into each stitch. The thread must pass through this hook—if it misses, you'll get skipped stitches even though everything else looks correct.
The take-up lever is usually located above and to the right of the tension discs. It's a small metal arm that sticks out from the machine head. Look for the small hole or hook at the end of it and guide the thread through. You may need to use a threader tool if the hole is tight—most Brother machines come with a small metal threader that hooks the thread and pulls it through.
Guide the thread down to the needle and insert it
From the take-up lever, bring the thread down and slightly to the right toward the needle. There's usually a guide or two along the way—let the thread rest in these guides as it travels down. These guides keep the thread centered and prevent it from tangling.
At the needle, hold the thread taut and insert it through the needle eye from front to back. The needle has a flat side and a rounded side; the flat side faces toward the back of the machine on most Brother models. Insert the thread so it goes through cleanly. Leave about 6 inches of thread hanging below the needle—you'll need this to start sewing.
What to do if the thread keeps slipping out
If the thread pops out of the tension discs or take-up lever while you're sewing, the machine usually tells you by skipping stitches or making a grinding sound. Stop sewing when ready and rethread. Don't try to push the thread back in by hand while the machine is running.
Tension discs can loosen over time, especially if you sew a lot. If the thread keeps slipping out of the same spot no matter how carefully you thread, the discs may need adjustment or cleaning. Unthread the machine, use a small brush or compressed air to remove lint from between the discs, and rethread. If it still slips, the discs may need professional service.
Threading with specialty threads and needles
Thick threads like topstitching thread or metallic thread sometimes won't fit through the standard needle. Brother makes larger needles for these threads—a topstitching needle has a bigger eye. When you switch to a larger needle, you may need to use the threader tool to get the thread through, or you may need to use a larger spool pin to prevent the thread from catching.
Specialty threads can also slip more easily because they're slicker than standard polyester. If you're having trouble keeping metallic or rayon thread seated in the tension discs, try threading more slowly and making sure the thread is fully seated before you start sewing. Some sewers also use a thread net—a small mesh sleeve that slides over the spool—to control how fast the thread unwinds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to rethread every time I change thread color?
Yes. Even if you're switching to a similar color, the old thread may still be in the needle and tension discs. Leaving old thread in place causes skipped stitches and uneven tension. Unthread completely, snip the old thread at the spool, and thread fresh thread from the new spool.
What if I thread everything correctly but stitches still skip?
Check that the presser foot is down before you start sewing—if it's up, the tension discs are open and won't hold the thread. Also check that the needle is inserted all the way up into the needle clamp and that it's not bent or dull. A bent needle will skip stitches no matter how well you thread.
Can I thread the machine with the presser foot down?
You can, but you shouldn't. With the presser foot down, the tension discs are clamped shut and the thread won't pass through them properly. Always raise the presser foot before threading. If you forget and thread with the foot down, the machine will seem to thread fine but will skip stitches as soon as you start sewing.
Is there a difference between threading different Brother machine models?
The basic path is the same across Brother's line—spool, tension discs, take-up lever, needle. Some models have the spool pin in a slightly different location or have an automatic needle threader, but the manual threading steps are nearly identical. Check your machine's manual if you're unsure about the exact location of any part.