This tutorial assumes that you know how to safely operate your power tools. Always refer to manufacturer instructions if you are unsure how to use your tools.

Any wood worker needs to take a board from lumber yard or their local sawyer and make this board a uniform thickness, length and width. This board needs to have all four edges square to each other. This is referred to a milling a board four square and is a pre-requisite to any wood working project.

This is best accomplished by using a jointer, thickness planer, miter and circular saws and a table saw. In this example we will mill a board 30" x 4-1/2" x 5/8" with all for edges square to each other.

Step 1: Rough cut your stock

Rough cut your stock to 30-3/4" x 4-3/4" and maintain same overall thickness. Start by selecting a piece of stock larger then your finished size (obviously) and use a framing square to square off one end of board. Be sure end isn't checked (cracked) and if it is square board off just beyond where cracks end.

Make cut using a circular saw being careful to make a fairly square cut. Now measure 30-3/4" and square off board using your framing square make second cut same way you made first. Be careful to cut on waste side of line.

Step 2: Rip to rough width

The table saw is best tool for this cut. Set rip fence so it is 4-3/4" from blade and set height of blade so gullet of teeth is same height as stock. Following directions included with your table saw start blade and make cut, being sure to use a push stick.

Step 3: Truing one face

Now that your piece of stock is rough size needed it is time to true up one face. This is best accomplished with jointer.

As always with jointer it is advisable now to take more than 1/16" per pass. Taking more wood per pass will overwork machine and give results that are less than optimal.

Threading machine is something that is pretty basic, yet a little different on every machine. It is VERY important to refer to your manual when first learning procedure. If threading isn't correct, nothing else will work either.

Here is a basic rundown of threading a sewing machine. Remember, each machine is different. This is just general idea.

1. Put your spool of thread on spindle on top of machine.

1a. A vertical spindle or post - position spool so that thread runs clockwise as you sew.

1b. A horizontal spindle - spool is held in place by an end cap. If your spool has a small cut in it, be sure to have cut to right.

NEWBIE TIP: If your spool is brand new and there are labels covering holes, uncover yhour holes completely to allow spool to turn easily.

2. Pull thread to left of spindle and thru your first thread guide.

3. Draw thread down thru your tension guide. (It is extremely important to have your presser foot UP when threading your machine.)

4. Draw thread thru next thread guide.

5. Insert thread thru take up lever.

6. Bring thread thru next thread guide.

7. Finally! - thread your needle. Most needles are threaded from front to back, some from left to right.

Practise threading your machine. It is no small chore if you are a beginner, but after a while you will be able to do this with your eyes closed.

WINDING YOUR BOBBIN - THE NEXT STEP

Follow instructions from your manual carefully when winding your bobbin.

If your bobbin case is built in, bobbin will be wound in place with machine fully threaded.

Removable bobbins are wound on top or side of machine. Your machine must be threaded before bobbin filling.

Your bobbin thread must be drawn thru tension spring. For wind in place bobbins, this is already taken care of. You MUST make sure this is done if you are using a bobbin that already has thread in it.

BALANCING THE TENSION:

Balancing your tension is a huge issue when you first start to learn about your sewing machine. There is nothing that will cause you more grief than your tension.