The lid which covers the thread spools on Designer 1 popped off

1. Turn the power on the machine.
2. Open the bobbin winder cover at the top on the right side of the sewing machine.
3. Swing up the bobbin thread spool pin. Move the bobbin thread spool pin up as far as possible.

1-Bobbin thread spool pin
4. Place the bobbin on the bobbin winder shaft so that the spring on the shaft fits into the notch in the bobbin.

1-Notch
2-Bobbin winder shaft spring
5. Slide the bobbin winder shaft to the right.

NOTE: If the correct size bobbin is not used at this time; when the bobbin winder is engaged; the bobbin winder will make a usual noise and not wind the bobbin correctly.
6. Place the spool of thread for the bobbin onto the bobbin thread spool pin.
7. Slide the spool cap onto the bobbin thread spool pin.
NOTE: If using thread that winds off quickly, such as nylon or metallic thread, place the spool net over the spool before placing the spool of thread onto the spool pin.
8. Pull out some thread, and then thread the thread guide for the bobbin winding. Hold the thread with both hands, and then securely pass the thread as far as possible into the two slits in the thread guide.

1-Thread guide for bobbin winding
2-Two slits
9. While using your left hand to hold the end of the thread that wraps around the thread guide for bobbin winding, use your right hand to wind the free end of the thread clockwise around the bobbin five or six times.

10. Pull the thread to the right and pass it through the slit in the bobbin winder seat.

There probably are some plastic tabs holding it in place, (much like a laptop computer case) You'll need a couple thin screw drivers to carefully release those

Depends on the model, for detail but basically: Ensure the takeup arm / needle is at the top of its motion - with electronic models this is easiest done just by 'blipping' the foot controller and the needle will automatically return to top. Put your spool of thread on the spool pin. On older models with the vertical spool pins ALWAYS use a felt pad underneath to prevent the spool spinning when the thread is drawn off. On later models with a horizontal spool pin, hold the spool in place with the correct size retainer, with the larger diameter facing away from the spool. Make sure the foot is up (this is important). Draw thread off the spool and route it through the pre-tensioner on the back of the machine, then through the slot until it passes through the tension discs next to the tension control. The thread is then brought down the right-hand-side of the takeup arm cover, and pulled-up the left-hand side (it should be pulled into the check spring at the bottom, automatically. Pass the thread around the right-hand-side of the takeup arm and then the left-hand-side so that the thread is left running through the takeup arm. Drop the presser foot. Route the thread behind the lower thread guide at the bottom of the takeup arm cover and then through the thread guide at the bottom of the needle bar, just above where the screw that retains the needle is situated. The thread guide might be a simple loop of wire or a clip on the botom of the needle bar. Thread the thread through the eye of the needle either manually or using the needle threader, if fitted and off you go. It's important to have the foot raised when routing the thread through the upper tension discs to make sure the thread sits properly within the discs rather than just going over the top of them. Raising the foot holds the tension discs open.

You need to remove the gray cover next to the needle plate and bobbin cover. First remove the bobbin cover, needle plate, hook cover, and bobbin case. Next, take a small straight slot screw driver, about 3mm wide, and insert it under the gray cover that is just left of the hook area. Pry up the cover just slightly, and at the same time slide the cover towards you. It should just pop off. If you having cutting problems, you should the cutter blade, the cutter holder (black plastic piece), the fetcher (gray metal arm), and the thread bread (copper piece with the little velcro piece at the end). Viking has upgraded a couple of these pieces from the original versions, so you should have better cutting results. And of course clean out this area while your at it.

Can you find the bobbin winder? You need to lift the "lid" and it is on the right-hand side - a small white spindle pointing towards you. Put a HV bobbin on the spindle. Look at the bobbin first - on one side the Husqvarna symbol is embossed - a crowned "H" in a circle. Be sure this H is facing you. Push the bobbin onto the spindle firmly, but not with so much force that you push the spindle into the machine (it takes a pretty big push to do that, but it has been done!) then using your right-hand thumb push in a downwards motion (towards the table). The spindle with the bobbin on it will go about one inch downwards. The bobbin winder is now engaged and you should have a pop-up on your screen. I often reduce the speed by two or even three clicks before I push the spindle down.

Pull the second thread spool - the one closest to the bobbinwinder - so it sits at a right angle to the machine. Put one of the spool holders (white plastic disks) - preferably the bigger one - onto this spool. This gives your thread a base to sit on. Put the thread onto the spool so that the thread unwinds from the right-hand side (closest to the bobbin). Take the thread end directly across to the silver "button" that is near to the first tension slot on the left-hand side. The instructions say to wind it around this and then across to the bobbin winder, but I prefer to take the thread under the silver button, around the left-hand side and then across the top of the button (sort of figure-of-eight style). Just be sure the thread goes in beneath the button i.e. does not sit in a big loose loop around the button.
The thread is then taken across towards the winder by going under the white plastic hook (looks a bit like a beak), then up and over the top of the next little silver button (smaller than the other one). Then you wind the thread around the bobbin four or five times and take the thread end over to the cutter located directly to the right of the bobbin winder. Cut the thread (if it is too short to be cut, just leave it flop down) and press the Start/Stop button.
The bobbin will fill and stop of its own accord when it is done. If it does not fill right up or is uneven (more on one side than another) there is a fix for that too. Write back here if you need to do this.
Don't forget to take the speed back to normal before sewing.
You can wind the bobbin from the needle but be sure you have a metal foot on, not one of the plastic ones. Personally I find I get a better bobbin wind the way described above and it only takes a few seconds to re-thread ready for sewing. I tend to have a big bobbin winding session and do lots of bobbins at once, especially embroidery bobbinfill. At any one time I would have at least six bobbins filled with bobbinfill and a dozen of various thread colours for normal sewing.

Do hope this helps you. Write back if this is still not clear. Did you try to Google for a video of this? I have never looked for one, but it is very likely that someone has made a video and made it available online.

My guess is that it is the thread spooling off the reel that is the problem. Some of those specialty quilting cottons come on reels with plastic ends that have rough spots particularly knicks where you are supposed to "park" the thread end when you are done sewing. Run your fingers around the rim at each end of the reel and choose the smoother one to be the one closest to the threading mechanism. If neither end is suitable, flip the spool holder upwards so it is standing at a right angle to the machine, make sure the large spool holder is on then put the thread on - you won't need the smaller spool holder on top. Let the thread feed off from the right-hand side i.e. "under" the thread spool, across to the tension disks etc. Also be sure that the thread is not jumping out of that first thread tension slot.

If only we could put video links in here! But here goes:

Raise the presser foot;
Turn the hand wheel until the take-up lever (the hook bit that goes up and down, above the needle ) has reached its highest position;
Remove the small spool holder from the horizontal thread holder that is under the lid. Put thread reel onto spool, replace spool holder;
Pull thread behind first thread guide - it is the cream flat plastic bit towards the back - about 1" x 3/4" (i.e. the thread takes the first exit at the back);
Bring it down the left-hand long slot on the front of the machine, back up the right-hand slot, over the hook of the take-up lever, back down the right-hand slot and pass it from the side between the thread guide (silver metal bit just above the needle - looks a bit like curled metal). I found this last guide the most difficult to figure out - tried to get the thread into the curled bit - but you don't do that - it just slips in behind;
Thread goes through the eye of the needle. You can use the needle threader or not. Instructions for needle threader:

Lower sewing foot (makes more room and clamps the thread in the upper tension discs so it is less likely to keep spooling off while you are trying to thread);
Turn handwheel until the needle is in highest position;
Pull the needle threader straight down and then twist it to the front so the tiny hook on the threader goes through the eye of the needle;
Take thread under the larger metal hook on the left, put your thumb on it to stop it coming off, thread goes back towards the needle and under the small hook that is poking through the needle from the back;
Twist the needle threader towards the rear, releasing the thread carefully and allow the threader to move upwards. There should be a loop of thread left in the eye of the needle and you can now pull it all through to the back.

That sounds really complicated but I find the Pfaff needle threader works really well, unlike that of some other machines. I also have a Husqvarna Designer 1 whose needle threader works great, but the one on my friend's Designer SE is useless. Go figure!

Hope this helps. In the order I would recommend:

1. "Floss" the tension disks - this is nothing more than running a heavy thread (12 weight or upholstery) through the thread path, grasping the thread at the spool and the end that is through the needle and "flossing" just like you would your teeth - slide the thread back and forth through the disks/thread path. This will often-times pull through whatever is stuck!
2. If the thread is more deeply tangled than "flossing" will fix, you CAN remove the top of the machine to better see it. I would, however, recommend you take the machine to a Pfaff-trained tech if this is the case - things that can be damaged if you're not trained on the machine. However, if you're wanting to give it a try (the thread may be easily visible and easy to get to):
   
• Remove the stitch lid - there are little metal clips at the base of the lid that you can push outwards to remove the lid - can't get the top off without removing lid.
• In the well of the machine top are a few screws (2 if I'm remembering correctly). The screws are star-shaped as opposed to Phillips or Flat - special screwdriver is required. Just make sure you don't remove the screw that's holding the bobbin-winding mechanism on.
  
• Once the screws are loosened, you'll have to maneuver the top out of it's position - this requires a little wiggling but is not impossible (just impossible to describe how to wiggle it!!)
• Turn machine OFF and UNPLUG it. Too many electrical connection points you will be working around to take a chance!
• VERY CAREFULLY... turn the handwheel towards you (never turn backwards) until you are able to view the entire race/thread path. If you can EASILY remove the stuck thread, go ahead and do it. If you have to do too much pulling and tugging, be VERY careful - if the thread is wrapped around the check spring, you may bend/break it.

Again - hope this helps!

Happy sewing,
Kim

I looked forever to find this darn green bobbin screw. Around the opening for your bobbin is a plastic cover. If you slide it forward it will pop right off. Once you remove this, the bobbin case will lift right out. On the front you will see your green screw for adjusting your bobbin tension.

The machine is relatively simple to thread. This is what I do and I've had no threading problems. 1. Put thread spool on the spool pin and put spool guard over spool pin to hold spool onto pin. 2. Take thread and put it under the bent tab by the circle tensioner. bring the thread around the right side of the circle tensioner and bring around the front of the circle tensioner thing back to the top hook on the far left side of the machine. 3. Take the thread around the backside of the top hook think until it threads through the flat piece on the left side of it. 4. Bring the thread down through the first (right side) channel and under the plastic piece to the second (left side) channel. 5. Bring the thread up the second channel and around the moving thread holder and past it's flat metal piece to hold it. 6. Tuck the thread around the small wire thread holder below the needle screw. This may take a few passes to catch it. 7. Thread the needle from the front and run the thread between the teeth of the presser foot. 8. Put a bobbin in the bobbin case so that the thread pulls off the bobbin from the left side of the bobbin if you look at it from above. 9. There is a small channel in the bobbin case that is covered by the bobbin tension flat piece. Pull the bobbin thread through this channel and into the empty space where the needle thread will catch. 10. Place the bobbin case into the machine with the little set bobbin arm pointed to the sky so that it fits into the machine without wiggling to the right or the left. 11. Turn the, uhhh brain fart, the hand wheel until the needle comes back up with the bobbin thread hooked over the needle thread. Take a narrow thing, like scissors or a seam ripper and pull both threads until the bobbin thread comes up. Now your machine is threaded. Use these directions with the pictures in the book to get this machine threaded.