Delonda’s hands-on tutorial takes the fear out of threading a multi-needle Ricoma embroidery machine. This guide condenses her process into easy, confidence-building steps, complete with community insights from experienced embroiderers. Whether you own a 10-, 15-, or 20-needle system, you’ll gain clarity on each eyelet, tension disc, and lever that brings a professional embroidery setup to life.
Table of Contents
Getting Started: Understanding Your Ricoma Machine
Delonda opens by welcoming new embroiderers and reassuring viewers that every expert once faced their first threading adventure. Her Ricoma multi-needle machine hosts 20 spools—the gray spool, labeled #20, becomes the teaching focus.
To orient beginners, she counts the spools across the rack, clarifying which hold active threads and which are extras. Spools are numbered left to right in groups of color-coded rows. If spool #20 is empty, that’s your cue to practice threading from scratch.
Essential Tools Used: the machine’s included threading tool, a pair of snippers, and optionally a small piece of card stock—perfect for backing the needle eye. Having these tools within reach keeps interruptions away when delicate moments arrive. A community commenter asked how much space the Ricoma occupies; Delonda mentioned it’s under three feet wide, compact enough for most creative corners.
[Pro tip]: Keep the area above the spool rack free from drafts; even a ceiling fan can tangle thread mid-process. This small mindfulness makes the upcoming steps easier, especially if you use accessories like magnetic embroidery hoops for ricoma for your projects.
Step-by-Step Threading Process
Routing Through Top Eyelets and Tubes
Threading begins at the top. Delonda pulls the gray thread from the spool and threads it through the first eyelet, then the second—always checking for smooth movement. Tangled lines? Just backtrack gently and re-feed.
One viewer wished for a closer view of that very moment, and Delonda later confirmed she positioned her camera as near as the lens allowed—a testament to community-driven clarity.
After threading both eyelets, she makes sure the thread runs freely; any snag can cause tension problems later.
Navigating Tension Discs and Knobs
Next, she lays the thread between the shining metal plates of the top tension disc—flat, not wrapped. It’s all about creating even pressure without warping thread fibers.
Then comes an unsung hero: the threading tool. By hooking thread through its loop, she guides it smoothly through a narrow plastic tube that protects the thread path.
Once pulled through, the top and bottom tube caps are reattached.
Community members praised this clear view—especially those moving from single-needle to multi-needle setups, which can look intimidating at first. Beginners tackling new hooping accessories like magnetic hoops for embroidery machines can mirror the same mindful precision Delonda uses here: deliberate movements and checks at every stage.
Threading the Needle Bar and Lever
After securing tension up top, the thread runs through the lower tension knob (#20), looping once clockwise around its wheel. The direction matters—clockwise ensures smooth flow when the machine runs.
Pulling the thread gently confirms engagement; the knob should respond with a tiny motion.
She continues down through each eyelet on the needle bar, finishing by sliding the thread through the lever, even though one lever appeared slightly bent.
For anyone nervous about similar quirks, commenters suggested using needle-nose pliers to align parts. Delonda hesitated, wisely opting for caution. In such situations, consulting Ricoma’s support team is the safest route.
Finishing the Threading Journey
Needle Threading Techniques
Finally, the thread reaches the needle. If resistance builds, a small twist left on tension knob #20 loosens the grip just enough.
Delonda trims the thread tip for precision using small snippers—an underrated but satisfying moment.
She notes a creative alternative: slip a scrap of card stock behind the needle eye for visibility. This trick, praised by embroidery pros in her comments, spares you minutes of eyestrain.
If your hoop of choice—perhaps a setup like embroidery hooping station—requires quick needle checks between colors, this technique speeds up re-threading cycles considerably.
Securing the Thread at the Presser Foot
Once through the needle, the thread slides beneath the presser foot and seats snugly under a small spring.
A quick snip to tidy the end, and the Ricoma is officially ready for embroidery.
That clean pull under the spring signals success: tension aligned, discs aligned, path complete.
[Quick check]: pull lightly—smooth motion means you’ve matched Delonda’s flow perfectly.
Some viewers reported a sense of relief on reaching this point, echoing comments like “made it not so scary to thread one.” For those transitioning from other brands like brother embroidery machine or exploring equivalents such as tajima embroidery machine hoops, the underlying threading logic remains similar—right-to-left flow, consistent tension, and confirmed freedom at each stage.
Tips for Beginners and Professionals
- Maintain Proper Thread Tension: Always test pull from the spool before starting. If the thread jerks, reassess disc placement.
- Use Auxiliary Tools: The manufacturer’s threading tool is invaluable, but simple household items—like card stock—help in a pinch.
- Listen to the Machine: A soft hum and steady pull mean everything is balanced.
- Don’t Over-Tighten: Turning the knob too far right can snap delicate thread.
For advanced setups, accessory management—whether your go-to is magnetic embroidery hoop embroidery or another frame—balances tension across the design area. Consistency from start to finish equals flawless stitching lines.
Why Proper Threading Matters
Threading impacts more than setup time. Misrouted threads cause skipped stitches, puckering, and even machine alarms. When tension aligns correctly, threads flow evenly, giving a glossy, professional finish to embroidered monograms or logos.
Beginners frequently underestimate this foundation. Delonda’s calm pace proves there’s value in doing it slowly and right—especially when upgrading to multi-needle systems.
Correct threading also extends machine life; components suffer less friction and heat buildup.
[Watch out]: forcing the thread can bend levers or misalign guides. Let the machine’s engineering assist you—it’s built with precision in mind, just like similar professional gear that pairs beautifully with magnetic embroidery frame.
From the Comments: Real-World Advice
The comment section reinforces Delonda’s approachable teaching style:
- Viewers found this guide “so helpful” and “made threading less scary.”
- One user confirmed Delonda’s tip: removing the small white spool supports requires a twist and gentle pull.
- Another viewer spotted the tight needle arm; a fellow embroiderer advised careful straightening with pliers, echoing professional repair etiquette.
- Beginners expressed gratitude, saying they saved the tutorial for future reference.
This collaboration—questions, feedback, and gratitude—builds a supportive loop between teacher and learners. As one commenter advised, using brand support when uncertain keeps both safety and precision intact.
Community dialogue like this turns a solitary setup task into a shared creative ritual.
Join the Crafting with Delonda Community
Delonda wraps up by thanking her audience and inviting them to explore affiliate resources for different Ricoma machine sizes. Whether tackling your first 10-needle or eyeing a grander system, the journey begins with one confident thread.
Stay connected to share progress photos, compare timing across projects, and experiment with new accessories such as magnetic embroidery hoops that simplify hooping and reduce stress on your fabric.
Because once the thread path becomes second nature, creativity flows as effortlessly as a well-tensioned stitch.
Next Steps: Download the Ricoma Threading Checklist mentioned above, and consider practicing with scrap fabric until movement feels fluid. Every repetition builds the muscle memory that transforms a beginner into a confident embroiderer.