~ “LAY-IN” THREADING LOOPING UNDERNEATH THE FABRIC

The most common cause of a malfunction in stitch quality in the new "lay-in" type of sewing machines is mis-threading.

The new machines that have recessed thread tension mechanisms are prone to mis-threading by even the most experienced machine user.

The older machines that have tension assemblies that protrude from the front of the machine are far superior at maintaining stitch quality than the newer machines because the thread comes in contact with twice as much of the surface of the tension discs in the assembly.

The manufacturers of new machines are "recessing" the assemblies, not because it works better, but because it eliminates shipping claims from damaged tension assemblies.

In other words, IT'S CHEAPER.  Which is the reason why most features on the newer machines are inferior to the older ones. (Pre 1970)

STEP ONE:
RAISE THE PRESSER BAR LEVER

STEP TWO:
FOLLOW THREADING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED BY THE MACHINE MANUFACTURER TAKING GREAT CARE TO BE SURE THAT THE THREAD IS BETWEEN THE TENSION DISCS, BEHIND THE CHECK SPRING, AND THROUGH THE THREAD TAKE-UP ARM.

STEP THREE:
LOWER THE PRESSER BAR LEVER

STEP FOUR:
PULL DOWN ON THE THREAD BEFORE YOU THREAD THE NEEDLE.

STEP FIVE:
IF THE THREADING WAS SUCCESSFUL, YOU WILL FEEL A FIRM RESISTANCE LIKE SOMEONE IS ACTUALLY HOLDING ON TO THE THREAD. IF IT PULLS FREELY WITHOUT RESISTANCE, THE THREAD DID NOT "SEAT" PROPERLY IN BETWEEN THE TENSION DISCS. (MAKE SURE THE THREAD TENSION IS SET ON FOUR.)

STEP SIX:
PLACE A SAMPLE PIECE OF FABRIC IN THE "SEW POSITION" AND TEST THE STITCH.