Two tips to threading your machine
 

Thanks BellaBoo!

I was taught to always turn the handwheel toward me,she turned it the other way. Any thoughts?

All these years later, I learn that now!

Same here.......always turned it TOWARD me

The first thing I noticed, she turned the wheel away from her.

Thanks for the link...

I don't think you are supposed to turn the wheel the opposite way. You can get the same result by turning the wheel toward you (unless its a White or other brand that is supposed to turn away from you.). Just my opinion.

The main reason we're taught not to turn the handwheel backwards is that the thread (when making a stitch) can get bound up in the bobbin case area. (On the old treadles, it would usually snap the thread)

It doesn't hurt the machine in any way, and if it's not threaded, it really doesn't matter. The biggest thing is... basically muscle memory. If you always turn it towards you, you always will, and you won't mess your work up.

Often if the take up is way closer to the top if I turn to the back, I will, if I'm threading or whatever. I turn both ways when servicing my machines. Whichever gets me to the grunge faster

Presser foot down, needle up, thanks! I think I've been putting the presser foot down to see the needle better, who would have thought it affected the tension disks?

For new machines it doesn't matter which way you turn the wheel to raise the needle.

Presser foot UP! Needle UP! As long as there was no thread in her machine, it didn't matter if she turned the knob forwards or back, she was just showing that the thread take-up needs to be at its highest point. Otherwise, when you start to sew, as soon as that take-up lever goes UP, it will pull your thread right out of the needle. And then you can start over again. :(

I meant Presser foot UP, which is why I went on to say I had been putting it down. It might take me a while to remember to put it up though.

I've had the thread come out by turning the wheel. I bought a new lightweight Brother to take to class and I have to actually hold the thread and line up the hand wheel each time I stop stitching or it will do that. It will also create a big mess from attempting to get to the right position to start the first stitch. I couldn't figure out what was wrong with it till I read the manual -- :p imagine that? You're supposed to read the manual?? There is a raised plastic line on the hand-wheel where it should be lined up and I darkened it with a permanent Sharpie.

It's a real pain to remember since I learned to sew on my Janome which returns itself to the right position.