Mastering the Thread: A Step-by-Step Guide to Threading Your Brother LS-1217 Sewing Machine
The Brother LS-1217 sewing machine is a reliable and user-friendly option for beginners and experienced sewers alike. However, like all sewing machines, proper threading is crucial for achieving smooth, even stitches and avoiding frustrating tangles and jams. This comprehensive guide will walk you through each step of threading your Brother LS-1217, ensuring you can get started on your sewing projects with confidence.
**Why is Proper Threading So Important?**
Before we dive into the specifics, let’s understand why correct threading is paramount:
* **Stitch Quality:** Improper threading leads to uneven stitches, skipped stitches, and poor seam strength. A properly threaded machine ensures consistent and beautiful stitching.
* **Machine Functionality:** Incorrect threading can cause the machine to malfunction, leading to thread breakage, needle damage, and even more serious mechanical issues.
* **Tension Control:** The way you thread the machine directly impacts the thread tension. Correct tension is essential for balanced stitches where the top and bottom threads interlock correctly within the fabric.
* **Preventing Jams and Tangles:** Incorrect threading is a primary cause of thread jams and tangled messes in the bobbin case and needle area. Proper threading significantly reduces these frustrating occurrences.
**Tools You’ll Need**
Before you begin, gather the following essential tools:
* **Your Brother LS-1217 Sewing Machine:** Naturally!
* **A Spool of Thread:** Choose a thread suitable for your project and fabric type. All-purpose polyester thread is a good starting point for many projects.
* **An Empty Bobbin:** Make sure it’s the correct size and type for your machine (Brother SA156 bobbin is commonly used). A partially filled bobbin can also be used, but ensure it’s wound evenly.
* **A Pair of Scissors or Thread Snips:** For trimming thread ends.
* **A Seam Ripper (Optional):** Helpful for removing tangled thread or mistakes.
* **The Brother LS-1217 Instruction Manual:** While this guide aims to be comprehensive, referring to your machine’s manual is always a good practice, especially for visual learners.
**Step-by-Step Guide to Threading Your Brother LS-1217**
The threading process can be broken down into two main parts: winding the bobbin and threading the upper thread.
**Part 1: Winding the Bobbin**
The bobbin holds the thread that forms the underside of your stitches. Winding it correctly is the first crucial step.
1. **Position the Spool of Thread:**
* Place the spool of thread on the spool pin located on the top of your machine. Most Brother LS-1217 machines have a horizontal spool pin. Secure the spool with the spool cap to prevent it from unwinding unevenly.
2. **Guide the Thread to the Bobbin Winder Tension Disc:**
* Locate the bobbin winder tension disc, a small metal disc, usually located to the right of the spool pin. Refer to your manual for the exact location if needed.
* Bring the thread from the spool, around the bobbin winder tension disc, ensuring the thread sits snugly within the disc. This creates the necessary tension for winding the bobbin evenly.
3. **Thread the Bobbin:**
* Insert the end of the thread through one of the small holes on the empty bobbin, threading from the inside to the outside. It doesn’t matter which hole you use.
4. **Place the Bobbin on the Bobbin Winder Spindle:**
* Place the bobbin onto the bobbin winder spindle, usually located to the right of the machine’s top surface, near the bobbin winder tension disc. Push the bobbin onto the spindle until it clicks into place.
5. **Engage the Bobbin Winder:**
* Push the bobbin winder spindle to the right (towards the machine body) to engage the bobbin winding mechanism. You should feel a slight click or resistance.
6. **Start Winding:**
* Hold the thread end firmly, then gently press the foot pedal. The machine will start winding the thread onto the bobbin. Wind a few rounds manually to secure the thread before releasing it.
* Once the bobbin has a few layers of thread, trim the excess thread tail close to the bobbin.
* Continue pressing the foot pedal until the bobbin is nearly full. The machine should automatically stop winding when the bobbin is full enough. If it doesn’t, stop manually.
7. **Disengage and Remove the Bobbin:**
* Push the bobbin winder spindle back to the left (away from the machine body) to disengage the bobbin winding mechanism.
* Remove the wound bobbin from the bobbin winder spindle.
**Part 2: Threading the Upper Thread**
Threading the upper thread involves guiding the thread through a specific path that creates the necessary tension and ensures proper stitch formation.
1. **Turn Off and Raise the Presser Foot:**
* Turn off the sewing machine for safety. Always turn off the machine before threading or making any adjustments.
* Raise the presser foot using the presser foot lever located at the back of the machine. Raising the presser foot releases the tension discs, allowing the thread to slide easily into place.
2. **Position the Spool of Thread (Again):**
* Ensure the spool of thread is properly positioned on the spool pin with the spool cap in place.
3. **Guide the Thread Through the First Thread Guide:**
* Locate the first thread guide. It’s usually a small metal hook or slot located near the spool pin. Refer to your machine’s manual if you can’t find it.
* Bring the thread from the spool and guide it through this first thread guide. Ensure the thread is securely seated within the guide.
4. **Thread the Tension Disc:**
* This is a critical step. The thread must pass correctly between the tension discs to ensure proper tension. The path usually involves guiding the thread down, around a hook or guide, and then back up between the discs.
* Refer to the threading diagram printed on your machine or in the instruction manual. This diagram provides a visual guide to the correct threading path.
* Follow the diagram carefully, ensuring the thread sits snugly between the tension discs. You should feel a slight resistance as you pull the thread through.
5. **Thread the Take-Up Lever:**
* Locate the take-up lever. It’s a metal arm that moves up and down as the machine sews. The take-up lever controls the amount of thread pulled from the spool for each stitch.
* Bring the thread down from the tension discs and guide it through the eye of the take-up lever. Ensure the thread passes through the eye from right to left (or as indicated in your manual).
* Turn the handwheel towards you (counter-clockwise) to raise the take-up lever to its highest position. This makes it easier to thread.
6. **Thread the Lower Thread Guides:**
* Below the take-up lever, you’ll find one or more lower thread guides. These guides help direct the thread towards the needle.
* Guide the thread through each of these lower thread guides, following the threading diagram. Again, ensure the thread sits securely in each guide.
7. **Thread the Needle:**
* This is the final step in threading the upper thread. Thread the needle from front to back. Your machine might have a needle threader which will simplify this step. If using a manual needle threader, follow the instructions specific to that tool.
* If threading manually, moisten the end of the thread to make it easier to pass through the needle eye. Hold the needle steady and carefully guide the thread through the eye.
* Pull several inches of thread through the needle eye.
**Part 3: Inserting the Bobbin and Drawing Up the Bobbin Thread**
Now that the bobbin is wound and the upper thread is threaded, you need to insert the bobbin into the machine and draw up the bobbin thread.
1. **Access the Bobbin Case:**
* The Brother LS-1217 typically has a front-loading bobbin. Open the bobbin cover located on the front of the machine. You may need to slide a release latch to open the cover.
2. **Insert the Bobbin:**
* Hold the bobbin so that the thread unwinds in a counter-clockwise direction when you pull on the thread end (as viewed from the top). This is crucial for correct bobbin tension.
* Insert the bobbin into the bobbin case. Ensure it sits snugly and clicks into place.
3. **Thread the Bobbin Thread:**
* Guide the thread from the bobbin through the slit in the bobbin case. There’s usually a small arrow indicating the direction to thread the thread. This is important for proper tension and prevents tangling.
4. **Close the Bobbin Cover:**
* Close the bobbin cover securely. You should hear a click.
5. **Draw Up the Bobbin Thread:**
* Hold the upper thread loosely with your left hand. With your right hand, slowly turn the handwheel towards you (counter-clockwise) one full revolution. This will cause the needle to go down and up, catching the bobbin thread.
* Gently pull on the upper thread. This should bring a loop of the bobbin thread up through the needle plate.
* Use a pin or the tip of your scissors to gently pull the loop of bobbin thread completely through the needle plate.
6. **Position Both Threads:**
* You should now have both the upper thread and the bobbin thread extending from under the presser foot. Gently pull both threads back and under the presser foot, towards the back of the machine. Leave about 6 inches of thread tail.
**Troubleshooting Common Threading Problems**
Even with careful attention to detail, you might encounter some threading issues. Here are some common problems and their solutions:
* **Thread Breaks Frequently:**
* **Problem:** Incorrect threading, especially through the tension discs. Check the threading path and ensure the thread is properly seated in each guide.
* **Problem:** Thread is too old or weak. Use a fresh spool of thread.
* **Problem:** Needle is damaged or bent. Replace the needle with a new one.
* **Problem:** Tension is too tight. Adjust the tension dial to a lower setting.
* **Skipped Stitches:**
* **Problem:** Incorrect threading. Double-check the threading path, especially the take-up lever and needle.
* **Problem:** Needle is the wrong size or type for the fabric. Use the correct needle for your fabric type.
* **Problem:** Needle is inserted incorrectly. Ensure the needle is fully inserted and the flat side of the needle shank is facing the correct direction (usually towards the back).
* **Tangled Thread Underneath Fabric (Bird’s Nesting):**
* **Problem:** Incorrect threading of the upper thread or bobbin thread. Rethread both completely.
* **Problem:** Incorrect bobbin insertion. Ensure the bobbin is inserted correctly and the thread is threaded through the bobbin case properly.
* **Problem:** Presser foot is not down. Always lower the presser foot before starting to sew.
* **Uneven Stitches:**
* **Problem:** Incorrect tension. Adjust the tension dial until the stitches are balanced.
* **Problem:** Fabric is not feeding evenly. Ensure the feed dogs are engaged and the fabric is being guided smoothly.
**Tips for Success**
* **Refer to Your Manual:** Your Brother LS-1217 instruction manual is your best resource. It contains detailed diagrams and explanations specific to your machine model.
* **Use Quality Thread:** Invest in good quality thread. Cheap thread can be weak, uneven, and prone to breaking.
* **Change Your Needle Regularly:** Needles become dull and damaged over time. Replace your needle after every 8 hours of sewing or when you notice skipped stitches or thread breakage.
* **Clean Your Machine Regularly:** Lint and dust can accumulate in the bobbin area and tension discs, affecting the machine’s performance. Clean your machine regularly with a small brush.
* **Practice Makes Perfect:** Threading a sewing machine can seem daunting at first, but with practice, it will become second nature.
**Conclusion**
Mastering the art of threading your Brother LS-1217 sewing machine is essential for unlocking its full potential and creating beautiful sewing projects. By following these step-by-step instructions and troubleshooting tips, you can confidently thread your machine and enjoy the rewarding experience of sewing. Happy sewing!