A few things to set up before you begin threading that make a big difference to the result.

• Turn the machine off before re-threading
• Raise the presser foot - this opens the tension discs so the thread seats properly
• Turn the handwheel towards you until the needles are at their highest position - this puts the looper in the correct position to accept the thread
• Set all tension dials to the default or middle setting before threading
• Have your manual to hand - threading paths vary between models and going from memory is one of the most common causes of problems

Threading order is critical on a cover stitch machine. Always follow this sequence - threading in the wrong order will prevent the stitch from forming correctly.

• Looper first
• Needles last

Follow the looper thread path carefully, making sure the thread passes through every guide in the correct order. The looper thread forms the chain on the underside of the fabric - if it's not threaded correctly the stitch won't form at all.

• Work slowly through every guide - missing even one can cause thread breaking or poor stitch formation
• Refer to your manual for the exact path on your machine

Thread the needles after the looper, in the correct order for your machine.

• Thread the right needle first, then left, then centre if using three needles
• Make sure each needle thread passes through the correct guides for that needle - check your manual as paths vary between models
• Pull at least 10-15cm of thread through each needle

Before sewing, confirm these settings are correct for the stitch you're doing.

• Make sure the differential feed is set to 1 as a starting point
• Check the stitch width and needle position are correct for the type of cover stitch you're doing - 2 needle narrow, 2 needle wide or 3 needle
• Check your manual if you're unsure of the correct settings for your specific machine

Don't go straight to your project - check the machine is running correctly first.

• Place a piece of scrap fabric under the presser foot before doing anything else
• Turn the handwheel manually a few times to check everything is running smoothly and the threads are moving freely
• Then use the foot pedal to sew a few stitches, holding the thread tails to prevent them being pulled down into the machine on the first stitch
• If everything looks and sounds right, move on to step 7
• If not, remove all threads completely and start the threading process again from scratch - don't try to fix individual threads as this rarely resolves the problem

Always test on scrap fabric of a similar weight to your project before starting. A well-threaded cover stitch machine should produce a balanced stitch straight away - if not, small tension adjustments will get you there.

• Check the top of the fabric shows two or three even parallel lines of stitching with no loops or puckering
• Check the underside shows a neat chain linking the needle threads together
• If the stitch doesn't look right, adjust the tension dials gradually - increasing the number tightens the tension and decreasing it loosens it
• Make small adjustments one dial at a time so you can clearly see the effect of each change