Sewing School 201: Meet your sewing machine

No matter what machine you have whether it is one from Grandma or a new dream machine.  Using a sewing machine for the first time can be intimating.  One of the most important parts of your machine is the manual.  This is the map to what your machine can achieve and how to achieve it.  If this is an older machine you can check to see if you can download the manual from the internet.

If you have Singer sewing machine, here is the link to your manual.
If you have Brother sewing machine, here is the link to your manual. 
If you have Viking sewing machine, here is the link to your manual.  

Let’s start to get to know the machine.  Here is where we could say a silly joke like saying “hello machine, how are you doing?”  But seriously, let’s talk about the basics of most sewing machines.

Find your power cord and the on/off switch.  In most machines, this is located on the lower right side of the machine.  Some machines have a separate place for your foot petal and your power cord.  Go ahead and plug in the power cord and turn on your machine.  If you have a home embroidery machine, you might have inputs here for 3.5" disks (like our 2003 Brother machine), USB drives, or embroidery pattern cartridges. 

Threading the machine Although machines may vary, there are some basics that will help you tackle this job.  On the top of the machine, place a spool of thread onto the spool holder.  Take your time with this step so that the tensions are accurate.

Winding the bobbin  Some machines can use pre-wound bobbins but even newer machines cannot use these.  Usually on the top of the machine is a place for the bobbins to be wound.  Thread the bobbin according to instructions in the manual or the arrows on the machine.  So that you don't constantly have to be referring to your manual, some machines have numbers to follow for threading pre-printed on your machine such as on our Brother Pacesetter ULT2003D.   A good bobbin is one that is tightly wound.  Always use the bobbins that go with your machine.  Bobbins are not interchangeable.  It is always a good idea to have extra bobbins so that you don’t find yourself wasting thread by taking off the wrong color.

Sewing a straight seam is the most common stitch you will use in your everyday sewing.  Practicing on a scrap of fabric is a good idea while you get used to your machine and your confidence builds.  Some people draw lines on a paper and follow the outlines on a paper and follow the outline so you get control.  Pinning a seam makes it easy to control the fabric so you can concentrate on your sewing.  Be careful to sew over pins because this can either dull or break the needle. 

Back stitching is the next stitch to master because this stitch is used to secure the beginning of your seam.  It also is used at the end of the row to hold this end as well. 

Join us next week on Tutorial Tuesday for zigzag stitching, applique and finishing seams.