Are You New to Sewing Machines and Nervous About Getting Started? Perhaps you have recently purchased a sewing machine and are eager to get started with its use, yet confused by all its various gears and gadgets? If this sounds familiar then here is some help for getting you up-and-running as soon as possible!
Don’t fret! Anyone can sew with their sewing machine. This article will teach you the fundamentals so you can begin creating projects of your own!
Threading
Sewing machines contain two threads – an upper thread at the top and one from the bobbin – that you must thread to make stitches on fabric. Each machine varies, yet many have similar threading processes for optimal use. Check out for the best sewing and embroidery machine.
Start by setting your machine into “safe mode”, so as to avoid accidentally sewing yourself! Lift your presser foot lever, then slowly turn the hand wheel towards yourself – this will bring up your needle to its highest position.
Secure your spool of thread to the “thread pin” at the top of your machine (it should point sideways – this is normal), and add any applicable caps or covers if available.
Thread the needle through the first tab called a “thread guide” at the front of your machine, and up and around a second tab called a “thread take-up lever” at the back – there may also be arrows showing you where to direct it.
Loading the Bobbin
A bobbin is the tiny spool that stores thread for making perfect stitches. There are various sizes and types, and to use one efficiently you must know how to load it correctly.
First and foremost, ensure the machine is turned off – you wouldn’t want an accidentous sewn-in finger!
Your sewing machine may feature either a front-loading bobbin or top-loading bobbin; to find out which it has, consult its instruction manual.
To wind the bobbin, use either your machine’s hand wheel or button to raise needle and presser foot to their highest positions, remove bobbin case and insert wound bobbin into round slot on machine – leaving approximately 4′ of thread tail unwound for best results when sewng.
Now push the bobbin spindle all the way to the right and place the bobbin into its case along with its hook pin (a small post located in the center of its case) before closing its cover.
Stitch Length
Stitch length is one of many factors that determine the quality and strength of sewing machine stitches, from basic straight stitches to decorative or specialty designs. Knowing how to adjust stitch length for different fabrics as well as for different purposes is vital.
Your sewing machine’s stitch length setting is typically measured in millimeters (or stitches-per-inch). As its number increases, more stitches fit within an inch of stitching for tighter seams.
Lighter fabrics such as cotton voile and lawn require shorter stitch lengths (1.5-2mm); long stitch lengths will cause puckering of these fabrics and cause them to look uneven. Denim and cotton canvas require longer stitches (3-3.5mm); this length also applies for quilting applications which need more durable, stronger stitches.
Feeding the Fabric
Sewing machines are usually quite straightforward to operate, until they start making mistakes. Tension issues, bird’s nests on fabric backside or skips may arise as a result of using improper thread or its improper installation; other times it might simply require servicing for optimal operation of your machine.
As part of your efforts to fix a wonky sewing machine, the first step in loading/winding/winding/loading the bobbin correctly should be making sure its winding/winding is accurate and winding/loading correctly. Your machine’s bobbin case contains this small compartment that houses and supplies lower thread when sewing – to load it, lift your needle and presser foot to their highest positions using hand wheel or button and remove cover; place the bobbin thread through its circular slot and thread end through tension spring before replacing cover when finished.