How to Use a Sewing Machine
Table of Contents
The Anatomy of a Sewing machine
How to begin learning how to use a sew machine ? When you sew you begin with … a machine !
It doesn ’ thymine matter whether you went out and bought a new one, or great aunt Bessie gave you her old one, you need to know and understand the basic terminology of your ‘ new ’ machine.
As a first-time machine sewer, it is important to be conversant with all the bits and bob of the machine from the power switch to the presser foot. Take time to check through each detail on the machine noted in the manual. Look for these simple points. Some may seem identical obvious but going through the list before you start sewing will make your travel smooth .
Sewing machine Parts
How to use a sewing car by identifying parts :
- On/off switch – Start by knowing where the machine is switched on and off. This is generally on the side of the machine.
- Bulb – The light bulb in the needle area. Try it out. If your light is not bright enough you may need to move your machine nearer to a window for some additional natural light.
- Pedal – The foot pedal that operates the machine…your accelerator!
- The speed regulator so that you don’t break the speed limit. Some machines will have a switch on the foot allowing you to choose between high and low speeds.
- Stitches – Stitch length and width buttons including decorative stitches and zigzag. Many cheaper beginner sewing machines will have set stitches and lengths whereas more expensive machines will allow you to set length and width independently. This includes the buttonhole stitch settings
- Tension wheels – usually at the front or top of the machine. These are important for getting nice even stitching with no loops.
- Presser foot and the plate with the stitch guides.
- Needle and small screw that holds the needle in place. You will need to know where this is to change needles.
- Bobbin – The lid that opens to expose the bobbin case and the bobbin itself.
- Bobbin tension screw –These are generally found on the bobbin case of front loading machines.
- Oiling – And don’t forget to look for the marked oiling points and make sure you have the correct oil for your machine. Some newer machines are sealed units and don’t need oiling so double check this before you start squirting oil everywhere.
How to Use a Sewing Machine – Anatomy
How to Use a Sewing Machine – weave
There are two sides to the learning how to use a sewing machine floor – the upper and lower. The upper thread and sewing machine latent hostility are linked to the needle and the lower weave and tension are linked to the bobbin .
Upper Threading
start by looking at the upper berth string and follow your manual as you trace the steps the thread goes through. The string will start at the top of the machine where the bobbin goes, all the room down to the bottom where the ribbon meets the acerate leaf .
Most machines all follow the same path through hooks and tension wheels until they reach the needle. The train of thought must enter the needle from the front to the back and should pull through nicely with a snatch of tension but not besides tight .
If you do n’t have a manual for your machine see these spare on-line resources to download most brands sewing machine manuals .
Further Reading: How to Thread a Sewing machine
How to Use a Sewing Machine – Upper Threading
Lower Threading – The Bobbin
bobbin casings The lower threads and tension are linked to the bobbin. Be certain to check your manual cautiously as different machines have different bobbins and casings. The bobbin may be inserted from the top or the front of the machine .
top load bobbins go uncoiled into a encase ( photograph on right ) which is attached to the machine. Front loading bobbins first go into a case ( photograph on leave ) and then that is loaded into the machine .
Winding the bobbin is an authoritative partially of the procedure, so be sure that you know how to wind a bobbin excessively .
This is generally done by placing your main thread on the spool pin, winding it around a ribbon template and across to the bobbin winder. All bobbins will have a hole in the exceed through which you can insert the screw thread to start it off .
Push the bobbin winder across and start wind ! Some machines will besides require you to disengage the flywheel to stop the needle going improving and down while you are winding .
Further Reading: How to Wind a Bobbin
How to Use a Sewing Machine – Winding a Bobbin
Join the amphetamine and lower threads
When the amphetamine and lower threads have been sorted, it is time to join the two together and start learning how to use a sew machine .
Turn the flywheel ( the large attack wheel on the right ) of the machine towards you. It may besides be labeled as a hand rack in your manual of arms. This will allow the circus tent threaded needle to travel to the bobbin area .
Watch how well the upper ribbon curl around the lower string and pulls it up to the upper flat of the machine. Always remember to turn the wheel towards yourself until you can see that lower ribbon emerging. Pull the lower thread out and then keep the threads together towards the back of the machine .
How to Use a Sewing Machine – Bobbin
How to Use a Sewing Machine – Stitching
footfall 1 – start stitching with a sample
It is always a good idea to test drive your machine on a sample distribution of fabric first. The best fabric to get started with would be stiffly cotton. Quilting cotton is always easy to sew and can be purchased in fat quarters which are a minor piece of pre-cut fabric. Calico is besides a bum easy to sew framework for beginners. This cream-colored fabric is normally a little stiff and because it is a alight color, you can make notes on the samples as you go .
Check Before you Start
- Double Fabric – Always test the machine on a double piece of fabric because sewing seams and making articles for your home will always require fabric doubled. You will find that a little extra thickness is much easier.
- Speed – Now before you do anything, check if your foot pedal has a speed control. My Janome has a fast and slow switch that I can adjust. Not all machines have this option, but if yours does it really can help with your first seams. Set it to SLOW. If your machine has no speed adjustment, just put your foot down on the pedal really gently when it is time to sew.
- Settings – For your first seam, put your machine on a straight stitch with a width of 0 and a length of 3.0. If your machine has preset settings and is not adjustable, then use a medium-length straight stitch. ‘
How to Use a Sewing Machine
- LIFT FOOT – Lift the presser foot (usually a lever to the back or side) and put your fabric sample underneath. Most sewing patterns will specify how far from the raw edge you will be sewing. For example, it might say the seam allowance is ½ inch (12mm). If you are just doing a test, put the fabric ⅝ inch (15mm) from the right side of the foot. This is a little wider and will be a bit easier for beginners.
- PULL – Pull the threads to the back. We do this so the threads don’t get tangled and stop us from sewing forwards. Threads that get caught in the feet or dog feed underneath can cause machine jams.
- LOWER – Lower the presser foot. Forgetting to lower the presser foot is a common mistake beginners make.
- RELEASE – Hold the threads for the first few stitches only just to get started. You can then let go.
- SECURE – After you have done a few stitches, press reverse and stitch backward a few stitches to where you started. This will prevent your stitches from coming undone at the beginning and end. It is called backstitching.
- STITCHING – Release the reverse stitch and start stitching forwards.
- FINISHING – When you get to the end press reverse again a do a few back stitches to secure the seam.
Further Reading:
- How to Stitch and Tie Ends – Stopping and Starting
- How to Sew a Seam – How to sew a straight seam with a machine
How to Use a Sewing Machine – Your First Seam
Congratulations!! You have sewn your first stitch trace and are ready for more adventures of the sewing kind. fortunately no license is required and any error can always be unpicked with a wrinkle ripper ( unpicker ). Do n’t feel bad if you have to unpick some stitches. even experienced sewers have days when they need to use a seam ripper .
Further Reading: How to Use a Seam Ripper ,
step 2 – Checking Your tension
You can now check the latent hostility of your rowing of stitches and adjust if necessary. This just means looking at your sample and assessing if the sew looks nice and bland or if it has loops showing on either the peak or bed of the fabric .
Further Reading: Sewing Machine Tension
How to Use a Sewing Machine and Adjust Tension
MORE TROUBLESHOOTING ARTICLES
Sewing is a very forgiving craft so find free to experiment and try a diverseness of fabrics and the unlike stitches your machine has to offer. Make full use of your manual to guide you through the steps of sewing buttonholes, using the zigzag zigzag sew or early cosmetic stitches .
Test your fabric scraps and learn how to gather and how to finish seams. There are so many exciting avenues to explore .
How To Use a Sewing Machine – novice Tutorials
If you bought your first machine from a reputable dealer there should be how to use a sewing machine lessons available to help you with your new- receive hobby. The lessons often work their means through a sampler bible and you will always have that as a reference to your lessons and the stitches and different techniques .
In addition, my Treasurie sewing web log is filled with specific tutorials for sewing and troubleshooting and can be referenced at any time .
The sewing for beginners section is a big locate to start with lots of links to all my absolute novice articles. here are some of the most popular novice sewing tutorials that may help you on your room :
How to Use a Sewing Machine for Beginners
How to Use a Sewing Machine – Beginner Projects
now you know the basics of how to use a sewing machine, are you ready to let your new skills loose on some easy projects ? Look for some founder type items to make as you build up your skills and your confidence with the machine .
It is always a good theme to try new skills out on a scrap first and then when you are sure you know how to do the steps to complete any raw proficiency then set about applying the skill .
here are a few fantastic and easy projects for the founder to tackle. Most of these have accompanying videos to make your learning travel even easier. I post weekly craft and sewing videos on my YouTube channel therefore make certain you subscribe .
Bunting
Gift Bags
Sleep Mask
Scrunchies
How to Use a Sewing Machine for Beginner Projects
Cushions and Pillows are amazing beginning projects as all the sew is straight. There are no curves or anything catchy. This envelope cushion cover is one of the easiest things a novice can sew. The back is a simple overlap so there are no buttons or zippers to worry about. These can in truth transform your sofa board .
How to Make a Cushion Cover
Envelope Pillow
How to Use a Sewing Machine – In termination
Your new machine sewing skills will give you then much pleasure. Sewing is a wonderfully creative and practical hobby and learning how to use a sewing machine is the first step in an amazing commission. You may not be ready to be a formula one rush driver but with your infantry on the pedal of the sew machine, you can subspecies up the path of hardheaded and creative sew and you will love every part of the travel !
Further Reading: Sewing Machine Vs Serger Vs Coverstitch
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