Threading the Brother JX2517 step by step

The Brother JX2517 threads from the top down through a series of guides and tension discs, ending at the needle. The machine has a built-in threading guide printed on the face plate, and following it in order prevents skipped stitches and thread breakage. You thread with the presser foot up (this opens the tension discs) and the needle in its highest position.

The process takes about two minutes once you know the path. The thread must pass through every guide in sequence—skipping even one causes tension problems that make your stitches loose or uneven.

Key Takeaways

  • Raise the presser foot before threading so the tension discs open and accept thread.
  • Raise the needle to its highest point using the hand wheel on the right side of the machine.
  • Follow the numbered guides on the machine's face plate in order: upper guide, tension discs, lower guide, and finally the needle.
  • Cut the thread end at an angle and hold it taut as you guide it through each point to prevent it from slipping out.
  • Test the threading by turning the hand wheel slowly—the thread should move smoothly without catching or bunching.

Prepare the machine before you start

Raise the presser foot by lifting the lever on the back of the machine. You will hear or feel a small click. This action opens the tension discs (two metal plates that grip the thread), which must be open for thread to pass between them.

Turn the hand wheel on the right side of the machine toward you to raise the needle to its highest point. The needle should be all the way up. This prevents the needle from catching the thread as you guide it through the machine.

Pull thread through the upper guide and tension assembly

Cut the thread end at a sharp angle with scissors. A clean, angled cut makes it easier to push through tight spaces without fraying.

Hold the spool of thread on the spool pin at the top left of the machine. Pull thread down and to the right, following the path marked on the face plate. The first stop is the upper thread guide—a small hook or loop above the tension discs. Push the thread through this guide.

Continue down to the tension discs. These are the two metal discs stacked vertically in the middle of the face plate. With the presser foot raised, the discs are open. Guide the thread between them, pushing it all the way in until you feel it settle. The thread should sit snugly between the discs.

Route thread through the lower guide and needle

After the tension discs, the thread goes down to the lower guide, a small hook below the discs. Push the thread through this guide.

Now guide the thread to the needle. On the JX2517, the needle is in the center-front of the machine. The thread passes through a small guide just above the needle, then through the needle's eye from front to back. Hold the thread taut and push it through the needle eye carefully. If the thread resists, cut a fresh angle on the end and try again.

Lower the presser foot and test

Once the thread is through the needle, lower the presser foot by pushing down on the lever. This closes the tension discs and locks the thread in place. You should hear the same click you heard when you raised it.

Turn the hand wheel slowly toward you several times. Watch the thread as it moves. It should flow smoothly without bunching, catching, or pulling tight. If the thread moves freely, threading is complete. If it catches or feels stuck, raise the presser foot again and check that the thread is seated fully between the tension discs.

What to do if the thread keeps slipping out

Thread slips out of the tension discs most often because the presser foot was not raised when threading. The discs were closed, so the thread never actually settled between them. Raise the presser foot, hold the thread taut, and push it between the discs again until it stops.

Thread can also slip if it is not pushed all the way through the needle eye. Pull the thread back out, cut a fresh angle on the end, and rethread the needle, pushing firmly until the thread is fully seated.

If the thread keeps breaking during sewing after threading correctly, the problem is usually a bent needle or lint buildup in the tension discs. Replace the needle with a fresh one (size 80/12 or 90/14 for most fabrics), and use a small brush to clean lint from the discs while the presser foot is raised.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to rethread every time I change thread color?

Yes. Pull the old thread out completely, raise the presser foot and needle, and thread the new color following the same path. Leaving old thread in the machine while adding new thread causes tension problems and skipped stitches.

What if thread is stuck in the needle and won't come out?

Stop pulling. Raise the presser foot and needle to their highest points, then gently wiggle the thread side to side while pulling. If it is still stuck, the needle may be bent or the thread may be caught on a burr inside the needle. Replace the needle with a new one and discard the old one.

Can I thread the machine with the presser foot down?

No. The tension discs must be open to accept thread. Threading with the foot down leaves the thread outside the discs, which causes loose, uneven stitches. Always raise the presser foot before threading.

Why does my thread keep breaking while I sew?

Thread breaks during sewing when it is not threaded correctly, when the needle is bent or dull, or when lint clogs the tension discs. Rethread the machine with the presser foot raised, replace the needle, and clean the discs with a small brush. If breaking continues, the thread may be too thick for your needle size.