Place your sewing machine on a sturdy table, long countertop, or the square cabinet that came with your sewing machine. Sit at the desk and make sure the chair is the right height for the desk. Position the sewing machine so that the needle end is on your left and the body of the sewing machine is on the right. You will need to check a few things and understand how the sewing machine works, so leave the power plugged up just yet.
Attach the needle securely. Sewing machine needles have a flat side so they can only fit one way, usually with the flat side towards the rear. The other side of the flat surface is the needle groove. When installing, the needle groove must face the direction of thread penetration (the thread moves in the needle groove and penetrates up and down in the fabric). Insert the needle into the tip of the needle bar and tighten the thumbscrew. If your sewing machine has a needle installed, check that it is installed straight, secure and sharp.
Identify the sewing machine foot, the sled-like part that presses against the fabric. Make sure a basic presser foot (pictured) is installed and its screws tightened.
Find out the presser foot bar and practice lifting the presser foot. Usually the presser foot bar is to the right or behind the needle. Raise or lower the presser foot lever all the way.
Wind the bobbin and install it on the sewing machine. Sewing machines use two kinds of thread, a bottom thread and an upper thread, both of which need to be wound on the bobbin before use. Usually sewing machine instructions have detailed steps on how to wind the thread and install the bobbin.
