How does the needle go in the sewing machine and which way do I thread the needle?
 

It seems like there is always someone having a problem with figuring out which way the needle goes in the machine and which way the thread goes in the needle.

Let's examine a NEEDLE BAR. Do you see a groove? [ATTACH=CONFIG]483974[/ATTACH]


The flat side of the needle always hugs the needle bar so it can be securely held in place.
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Then when you thread the needle feel the groove on the needle - the thread goes in the groovy side. Some Singers have an arrow on the throat plate to show you which way to thread the needle. You will still have to get the needle in the right direction.
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Look at your needle. You will see a flat side and a rounded side at the top. Flat side toward the needle bar. At the bottom of the needle you will see a hole or eye. On one side of the hole most likely you will see a curve. On the other you will see a groove going from the eye of the needle to the rounded part at the top of the needle. Thread goes in the groovy side.

There are machines that take needles that do not have a flat side at the top or a curve at the eye. You will need to learn more if that is what you are using.

Where's the like button again? Thanks Miriam, I'm sure many of us thought this would be a good idea, but you did it.
Y'know, I've seen those arrows but never thought about them. I think a link to this from the vintage machine resources might be in order. Just give me a minute.

The light went on, I've always seen that arrow now I know what its for. (Like the the little gas pump in my car that shows me which side the fill door is on.)Thank you M

I never knew exactly what those arrows were for. Thank for the info.

Always love refresher courses. Thanks!

Thank you for the groovy tute!

Thanks Miriam! You're right. This is one of the most common reasons a machine won't sew. I think you've just helped a lot of people.
Rodney

Don't forget that the pointy-end of the needle usually goes down.

CD in Oklahoma

oh my how could i ever forget to include that?????????

CD,

That put me on the floor. Great!

Cathy

I usually read the manual, but this would be so much easier! Thanks for writing it down.

I don't always have the luxury of finding a manual. I have a machine I would love to have a manual for. It is a mystery how the levers on the top work.
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No problem figuring out the buttons and knobs but the top levers don't make any sense.

That BAM lever seems familiar but I can't quite place it. Built in buttonhole function maybe. It's entirely possible I'm completely wrong too.
Rodney

If it is button hole how does it move from one part of the button hole to another?

It looks like a needle position lever - not sure what the letters stand for though. Does it move your needlebar? They are often gummed up, at least in the Necchi's I've seen.

Great tutorial! Now I know what that silly arrow means....

I thought the arrow indicated the direction to stick your finger for the best needle penetration ..... :eek:

B A M = What kind of sewist you are ... :D

Beginner
Advanced
Master

Moving the lever gives you increased performance. You know, like those switches that increase the performance on the Corvettes ..... :cool:

NOTE:
I realize this is not true for every machine. If you want to be sure, look to be see that the curved part of the needle goes next to the hook. That is the sure fire way to have the needle in right on every machine. The info about the flat part of the shank going toward the shaft should work for your Singer 15s and 221s and 201s and many others - double check which side the hook goes compared to the needle.

[QUOTE=miriam;6818722If you want to be sure, look to be see that the curved part of the needle goes next to the hook. That is the sure fire way to have the needle in right on every machine. [/QUOTE]

What's a hook? ;) I have had that question multiple times in the last couple of months, so I thought I'd raise it so that someone else wouldn't have to, or if there was someone who was too "shy" to ask.

Here's a good explanation: http://www.sewitworks.com/timing/

Miriam,

You're the greatest! You always come up with the answers someone needs! Thanks!

Jeanette

It's worth noting that there are sites out there that show this without trying to sell anything too. ;)

The hook question is why I didn't bring that up on page one window one but Ray White corrected me... :o It is true that you need to look at the hook (if you know what one is) to be sure - but on the most common machines that needle going flat against the needle bar will get you there.

Thanks so much, Miriam, you are the greatest!!! I've learned so much from you and the guys here on the QB!!! Hope you all know how much we appreciate you.

They were trying to sell something? I just looked at the pictures :)

I used to do it the way you originally showed us. I moved to doing it using the hook way when I got the Longarm because it uses needles without a flat.

If Ray White corrected you, does that mean you're in his class again? Was this post for extra credit? ;) Thanks for it. I'd kept meaning to do something similar.

Gee! Usually I hear it the other way around... "I was just reading the articles... honest"... ;) It was on the right side of the screen.

yup I was there after I did the tutorial. The official way to put in the needle IS to look at the hook but so many people don't do the hook thing and YES if the needle is round it won't work out to do the groove. I know that from my industrials. It is just an easy way for quite a few home machines.

Bumping pump

Miriam I've always threaded a machine following the flat of the needle, I learned this long before I knew anything about the hook or round shank needles. Thread the needle towards the flat. Flat side to the right, thread left to right, etc.

Cari

Cari, the flat side goes against the shaft. Since you are mostly using Japanese machines it is easy but if you get an old singer it can be hard to tell. Flat side against the shaft - thread goes in the groovie side.

Miriam I was just using the "flat to the right" as an example. We're saying the same thing, just a different perspective. Most of my Japanese machines have the flat to the back so they thread front to back. If the flat is to the left, it threads right to left, towards the flat. See?

Cari