# Sewing machine-help me thread, please.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sewing-machine-help-me-thread-please/356312>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [May 11, 2006, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sewing-machine-help-me-thread-please/356312 "2006-05-11T01:59:42Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\
**Post date:** [May 11, 2006, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sewing-machine-help-me-thread-please/356312/1 "2006-05-11T01:59:42Z")

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I recently purchased an ancient Kenmore 1703 sewing machine. I need to thread it, both upper thread, and bobbin. I followed steps in book, but a. the bobbin jumped the last step. I got the bobbin assembly back in, with a few inches of thread hanging free, per the instruction book. Next thing you know, you have the happy homemaker sewing away! What’s the interim step?  
Next: I have the thread tensioner to wrap thread around. diagram has either faded, or never was clear enough. I have 4 tracks possible to thread, and diagram shows 0-3 ways to thread it, depending on how you want to read it.  
Can somebody direct me to a site that will show me how to thread this accursed thing? This is my first machine, and my first attempt.  
Thanks,  
hh

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**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\
**Post date:** [May 11, 2006, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sewing-machine-help-me-thread-please/356312/2 "2006-05-11T02:02:27Z")

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Sorry, wrong forum!  
hh

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**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\
**Post date:** [May 11, 2006, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sewing-machine-help-me-thread-please/356312/3 "2006-05-11T02:48:35Z")

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There will be a guard keeping your thread from going into the wrong track on the ‘tensioner’ part, or at least there should be.

You can find the manual here: [http://www.singerco.com/accessories/manuals.html](http://www.singerco.com/accessories/manuals.html) so that you’ll have the proper diagram for it.

I loved my mom’s old Kenmore. It was a real workhorse.

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**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\
**Post date:** [May 15, 2006, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sewing-machine-help-me-thread-please/356312/4 "2006-05-15T14:59:01Z")

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**GingeroftheNorth** thank you for your help!  
I’m sewing like a madman!  
Sorry I didn’t get back sooner.  
Thanks again,  
hh