Table of Contents
Watch the video: “Machine Threading and Essential Tools with Stacy” by Sewing with Stacy
If threading your machine makes your palms sweat, you’re in the right place. In this beginner-friendly guide, we walk through the exact path your upper thread should take, how to wind and install a drop-in bobbin the way Stacy demonstrates, and which tools to keep within reach. Along the way, we’ll tackle common trip-ups—from vanishing thread tails to tension hiccups—so you can stitch with confidence.
What you’ll learn
- The five-hit upper thread path—exactly where the thread goes and why it matters
- How to wind an even bobbin and drop it in so it feeds smoothly
- The must-have tools Stacy keeps nearby for beginner projects
- Quick troubleshooting: the “reboot” that fixes many sewing woes
Mastering Your Sewing Machine: A Step-by-Step Threading Guide
Meet the Brother ST371HD (and Other Modern Machines) Stacy demos on a Brother ST371HD, a heavy-duty model that can handle tough thicknesses like denim or leather. She notes that most Brother machines—and most modern machines—thread in a broadly similar way, so her steps apply widely even if your model looks a little different.
Pro tip - If your machine offers multiple ways to position the spool, try both. Stacy prefers placing the thread on the bobbin winder post for slightly better tension on her machine.
Step 1: The Upper Thread Path Explained Start at the top and make sure you hit each “guide” in order. Stacy breaks it down as five key hits: 1) First thread guide (the small metal guide)
2) Off the back (follow your machine’s arrows) 3) Down the front through the tension guide
4) Up and through the uptake lever
5) Down again through the last guide right above the needle
Quick check
- Before threading the needle, confirm the thread path really hits all five stops. Missing any one of them can throw off tension or cause skipped stitches.
Now for the needle threading: this machine includes an automatic needle threader. Align the thread so it forms a “number 4” shape, then pull the threader lever. A loop appears behind the needle—just pull it through. That’s your upper thread done.
Watch out
- If the auto threader isn’t pulling a loop through, recheck your alignment and that the thread truly formed the “4” shape. If manual threading is necessary, you can still sew—it’s not specified that you must use the auto threader to stitch.
Step 2: Effortless Bobbin Loading This Brother uses a drop-in bobbin (top-loading). After your bobbin is wound (hang tight—we’ll wind one in the next section), remove the face plate. Hold the bobbin in your right hand, thread in your left, so it unwinds counter-clockwise when dropped in flat. Catch the thread in the housing notch and pull left. You can cut the tail using the built-in cutter and start sewing, or—as Stacy prefers—replace the face plate, tug the upper thread, turn the handwheel, and pull the bobbin thread up so both tails can be placed to the back.
From the comments - If your machine isn’t pulling up the bobbin thread, Stacy suggests using the flywheel to needle down and back up, then gently lifting the upper tail to bring the bobbin thread up. Make sure the bobbin thread is caught in the notch.
Winding the Perfect Bobbin: Tips for Beginners
Choosing Your Bobbins: Plastic vs. Metal Stacy’s Brother machine came with plastic bobbins, and she recommends using the bobbins your machine provides. However, she personally uses metal bobbins she buys in bulk—and commits to that single type. The key is consistency: pick one type and stick with it. She also emphasizes that some brands (like Bernina) can be very machine-specific with their bobbins.
Watch out
- Swapping between plastic and metal bobbins on the same machine can be unpredictable. Choose one type for long-term consistency.
A Kid-Friendly Activity: Bobbin Winding Fun For this machine, Stacy threads through tension guide 1, tension guide 2, then wraps counter-clockwise around the tension wheel before feeding the bobbin. Wrap the bobbin a couple of times and secure the thread in the bobbin’s notch. Push the bobbin winder into its locked position. Ensure the presser foot is up, then press the pedal to wind at whatever speed you’re comfortable with. The machine will stop automatically when full—snip, unlock the winder, and remove the bobbin.
Pro tip - If you’re using a cone of thread, Stacy sets it off to the side and guides it so it unspools smoothly. If the cone doesn’t fit on the machine, don’t force it—just place it on the table behind the machine and use the thread post as an extra guide.
Quick check - Confirm the bobbin winder is actually locked over before you hit the pedal. Also double-check that the presser foot is up.
From the comments - Several viewers noted the winding step is mesmerizing for kids. Stacy suggests it’s a great way to involve younger helpers safely while they learn about the machine’s rhythm. You’ll know the bobbin is full when thread stops feeding and the winder stalls.
Essential Tools for Every Sewing Project
Must-Have Cutting Tools: Shears and Snips
- Fabric shears: Stacy loves a good pair of Fiskars shears. Keep them for fabric only—paper dulls the blades quickly.
- Snips: A small ergonomic pair is perfect for trimming thread tails and tight spots near the presser foot.
Beyond Cutting: Seam Rippers and Pliers
- Seam ripper multi-tool: Stacy’s version includes an ergonomic handle and a pointing tool, both stashed in the handle for travel.
- Rounded-nose jewelry pliers: Handy for light metal tasks or tiny adjustments (not for heavy-duty cutting).
Watch out
- “Do not sit with snips in your pocket.” Stacy closes with this safety reminder for a reason—it’s easy to forget where snips end up during a project sprint.
Troubleshooting 101: Your First Fix for Machine Problems
Think of this as sewing’s version of restarting a computer. If your stitch goes haywire—loops underneath, thread snapping, bird’s nests—start by re-threading the upper path from scratch and re-winding/re-inserting the bobbin. This “reboot” solves many common problems. Stacy specifically highlights correct tensioning and thread path as the essentials for smooth stitching.
From the comments
- Upper thread “disappearing” at start? Stacy suggests pulling a longer tail before you sew so it doesn’t get yanked back by the machine’s moving parts.
- Using a large cone? Set it on the table behind the machine and route it cleanly to avoid snagging.
- Still stuck? The creator points to a separate troubleshooting video for deeper dives.
Quick check
- Before you change needles or tweak dials, re-thread top and bobbin fully and confirm you’ve hit every guide.
Ready for Your First Project?
Your machine is now threaded, your bobbin is wound and loaded, and your tools are within reach. Stacy hints at a project “from a galaxy far, far away” on her channel—so if you want to put these basics to work right away, that could be a fun starting point.
From the comments
- Beginners shared that threading felt intimidating until they followed these visuals. One viewer came from a decades-old machine and appreciated the clarity on auto-feed and threading. Another finally pulled up the bobbin thread after re-watching the hand-crank step.
Frequently asked (and what’s not specified)
- “What are the default settings?” The video doesn’t list default numbers. Stacy notes elsewhere that a straight stitch is the go-to for many basic tasks, but specific numbers aren’t provided here.
- “Buttonholes on this model?” The creator mentions a buttonhole video is coming, but buttonhole settings aren’t demonstrated in this tutorial.
- “Can this sew very thick stacks?” The video says the ST371HD is heavy-duty and can handle tough thicknesses like denim or leather. It doesn’t specify exact layer counts.
Field notes from Stacy’s demo
- Model: Brother ST371HD (heavy-duty)
- Upper thread path: five hits ending at the guide above the needle; use the auto threader by forming a “4” with the thread
- Bobbin type: drop-in (top-loading), insert so it unwinds counter-clockwise, catch the notch, pull left
- Winding basics: through two tension guides, around the tension wheel counter-clockwise, presser foot up, push winder to lock, pedal to wind; auto-stop when full
- Tools to keep nearby: fabric-only shears, ergonomic snips, multi-tool seam ripper, rounded-nose jewelry pliers
- First fix when things go wrong: re-thread and reset the bobbin
A few extra pointers
- Keep tails: Before you take your first stitches, hold or position both thread tails to the back. This reduces start-up tangles.
- Respect the path: Those five threading hits are there for a reason—skipping the uptake lever or a front guide can instantly show up in your stitch quality.
- One bobbin type: Whether you choose plastic or metal, consistency helps the machine behave predictably over time.
If embroidery is in your future If you ever expand into embroidery on a compatible setup, you’ll run into specialized hoops and frames. Many sewists later explore options like magnetic embroidery hoop systems for easier fabric handling, or brand-specific solutions such as brother embroidery hoops and brother magnetic hoop when they move into embroidery workflows.
For multi-brand research, some crafters compare magnetic hoops for embroidery machines across ecosystems, or browse accessories grouped under brother accessories when building out a compatible kit. If your path eventually includes a dedicated embroidery unit, resources that cover a brother embroidery machine or a hybrid brother sewing machine with embroidery capability can help you evaluate hoop sizes and attachment styles without guesswork. And when you’re ready to go deeper on compatibility, broader roundups of brother hoops can save time sorting what fits what.
Safety and setup reminders
- Keep the workspace clear around the machine.
- Presser foot up for bobbin winding.
- Don’t use fabric shears on paper.
- Never pocket snips.
That’s it—you’re threaded, bobbin-ready, and equipped. Re-thread as your first troubleshooting step, and you’ll solve more issues than you expect. When you’re ready, pick a simple project and sew a few inches just to feel the rhythm. Confidence comes quickly once the thread is flowing.