People who don't know how to use sewing machines look frightening.Don't let the fear of an unknown machine and skill set keep you from making great textile wonders!This step-by-step guide will show you how to set up a sewing machine and begin crafting your own items.
Step 1: Find a power switch.
The power switch is the most important step.This is on the right side of the body and can be found in different places depending on your sewing machine.
Step 2: The pin is located inside the spool.
A small plastic or metal pin is stuck to the top of the sewing machine to hold your thread.
Step 3: Look for the thread guide.
There is a thread guide on the top of the machine.There is a piece of metal on the left side of the sewing machine.
Step 4: Search for the bobbin-winder.
There is a small horizontal wheel next to the plastic or metal pin on top of the sewing machine.This is the bobbin winder.These are used to wind thread onto your bobbin prior to sewing.
Step 5: The stitching adjustment buttons are there.
There is a small screen next to a few physical buttons on the front side of the sewing machine in different locations.The type of stitch, length, and direction of the stitch are selected by the buttons.Check the manual for your machine to find out the functions for the buttons.
Step 6: The thread take-up lever has to be found.
When you're ready to thread your sewing machine, you can use the thread guide and takeup lever.There is a lever on the left side of the sewing machine.The way in which to thread the machine can be clearly seen by the numbers and arrows printed next to it.
Step 7: The tension dial is what to look for.
The takeup lever is near the tension dial.If the tension of the thread is too tight, the needle will be pulled to the right.The thread will loop on the bottom of the fabric if the tension is too loose.
Step 8: There is a needle clamp screw.
The metal piece is used to hold the needle in place.It sticks out from the right side of the needle under the sewing machine arm.
Step 9: The presser foot is important.
The metal attachment looks like a small ski.This holds the fabric in places and guides it through the sewing machine as you sew.
Step 10: Practice raising and lowering the presser foot by locating the lever.
There is a lever to the right or back of the needle assembly.Move the presser foot all the way up and down.
Step 11: The needle plate is what you should be looking for.
The silver plate is below the needle.Simple enough?
Step 12: You can find the feed dog.
The name of the dog.The metal guide under the presser foot is used to move the fabric through the machine.There are two metal rows underneath the presser foot.
Step 13: The bobbin cover and bobbin release should be found.
The thread for the backing is supplied from the bottom of the sewing machine by the bobbin.There should be a cover release button or pin under the metal plate where the needle is.This will be used to put the bobbin in place.
Step 14: In front of you, place the machine on a table, desk, counter or sewing cabinet.
The chair you sit in should be comfortable for the height of the table.The body of the machine is on the right side while the needle end is left.Don't plug it in just yet, you will have to check a few things first and get to know the machine a bit.
Step 15: Place the needle in a secure location.
The flat side of the needles means they can only go one way.When installing a needle, the thread must be facing the direction from which the needle is threaded in order to travel up and down through the fabric.Refer to your machines manual if you are still having trouble.
Step 16: Put the bobbin into the wind.
A bobbin is used to store two thread sources, a top and a lower thread.The bobbin can be winded on the top of the bobbin winder.The thread should be wrapped around the guides and the bobbin.Wait for the bobbin to be full before turning it on.Place the bobbin below the needle on the lower half of the sewing machine when it has been wound.The bobbin case is built to hold the bobbin.The thread should be passed through a small notch at the front of the case and then pulled to the left.The end of the thread should be left outside.After threading the top thread, it will need to be brought up through the hole in the needle plate.Follow the link for detailed instructions on winding.
Step 17: The sewing machine should be threaded.
The thread must be unwound and attached to the needle in order for it to reside on the top of the sewing machine.Pull the thread through the guide at the top and then down and around the takeup lever to do this.Small numbers and arrows should be printed on the machine to show how to thread it.The guides printed on your machine may allow you to follow them.The thread usually goes left, up, down, into a hook through the needle."Spool pin, tension, take-up lever, needle, using thread guides between these parts" is a way to know how to thread the machine.The needle can be threaded from one side to the other.The last thread guide before the needle is located closest to the direction from which you must thread it.
Step 18: Both threads need to be out.
In your left hand, hold the needle thread taut.Turn the hand wheel toward you to make one complete needle down/up revolution.Pull up the needle thread with your left hand.When the threaded needle went down and up, the bobbin thread was caught.Pull on one side of the loop to bring up the bobbin thread tail, or just release the needle thread and pass a pair of scissors between the presser foot and plate.The ends of the threads should be from the needle and the bobbin.
Step 19: Plug the machine in and then turn it on.
A built-in light is a good way to tell if there is power to the sewing machine.The power switch is usually on the right side of the machine.As soon as they're plugged in, some machines don't have a separate switch.Plug the pedal into the machine as well.You can place the pedal under your feet.
Step 20: You can choose between a straight stitch and a medium stitch length.
Do you know how to do this on your machine?The stitches are set by rotating the lower knob on the right side of the machine.It's a good idea to set the stitch with the needle up and out of the fabric.Most seams are sewed with a straight stitch.The next most common stitch is the zigzag.
Step 21: Some scrap material is being used for practice.
For your first sewing experience, choose a woven material, not a knit one.Don't use fabric that is too heavy for machine sewing.flannel and denim can be hard to sew because they are too thick.
Step 22: Under the needle, line the fabric up.
Crowding the bulk on the right side of the machine can cause messy stitching.
Step 23: The presser foot should be lowered onto the fabric.
The lever that raises or lowers the presser foot is on the side of the needle assembly.The machine grips the fabric pretty firmly if you give it a gentle tug.The machine uses a feed dog to advance the fabric at the correct speed while you sew.Pulling the fabric through the machine can bend the needle or damage the project.You can change the speed and stitch length on the machine.
Step 24: The loose ends of both threads need to be held.
For the first few stitches, you'll need to hold these ends to keep them out of the fabric.You can use both hands to control the machine after you've finished stitching.
Step 25: Press the pedal on the foot.
Your speed is controlled by the foot pedal.The harder you push the gas pedal, the faster you will go.To get the machine going, push it slowly.The machine may have a knee bar instead of a foot pedal.To push it to the right, use your knee.You can use the balance wheel on the right side of the machine to move the needle or you can do it by hand.The machine will move the fabric away from you.By guiding the fabric through the machine with your hands, you can steer it in a straight line or curve.Try sewing some curves with a straight line.How you guide the fabric is the only difference.Don't pull the material or force it to go under the needle.This can cause the needle to break or the stitches to get stuck in the bobbin.Press the foot pedal harder, adjust the stitch length, or buy a faster machine if you feel the fabric isn't moving fast enough.
Step 26: You can try the reverse button.
As the machine sews, it reverses the direction it feeds so that the fabric goes towards you.You must hold the button down to sew in reverse if it is spring loaded.You can sew a few stitches in reverse back at the end of a seam.This helps keep the seam from pulling out.
Step 27: The needle should be moved to its highest position by using the hand wheel.
The presser foot needs to be raised.The fabric should be easy to pull out.Check the needle position if the thread pulls back when you try to remove the fabric.
Step 28: The thread can be cut.
There is a small notch on the back of the post that holds the presser foot.To cut the thread, you can hold both ends of it and draw it down over this notch.If you don't have a notch, use scissors to trim the thread.The machine should have a tail for your next seam.
Step 29: A seam is a good place to practice sewing a one.
There are two pieces of fabric near the edge.The seam will go from the edge to the side.Since the goal of most machine sewing is to join two pieces of fabric, you should get used to sewing with a couple of layers and pins.The seam allowance is pinned on the inside of the fabric.The "right" side is where you want the fabric to be on the outside.The side with brighter colors is on printed fabric.Solids might not have an obvious right side.The pins should be placed parallel to the line where the seam will go.If you sew over straight pins, you can remove them later with no damage to the machine, the fabric, or the pins.If you accidentally strike a pin, it will break, or at least dull the needle, so it's better to remove pins before stitching begins.Don't sew over the heads of the pins.You should notice which way the fabric goes while you look at it.Most sewing projects are cut so that the main seams go parallel with the lines of the weave.If you have a floral or animal print in your fabric, arrange it so it will be right side up, such as with stripes or other patterns that run a certain direction.
Step 30: The fabric should be moved to another part.
To remove the fabric from the machine at the end of a seam, move the needle to the top of its travel and use the hand wheel on the right side.You can move to another area of the fabric you're working on with this lift.The thread may not move when you pull on the ends if the needle is not at the top of its travel.The seam allowance is indicated by lines on your sewing machine.There is a space between the edge of the fabric and the stitching line.You should use the line at either 1/2 or 5/8".Measure on either side of the needle with a ruler.The flat metal piece that the needle goes through should be marked on your machine'sthroat plate.You can mark it yourself with masking tape.
Step 31: It's a good idea to learn to sew a sharp corner.
If you want to turn the corner, lower the needle all the way into the fabric.The hand wheel can be used to lower the needle.The presser foot needs to be raised.The needle should be left in the fabric.Remove the needle from the fabric and place it in a new position.Lower the presser foot with the fabric in the new position.
Step 32: It is possible to try a simple project.
Try sewing a pillow, pillowcase, or cloth gift bag when you feel comfortable with the basics after making an assortment of test seams.