How to Sew (using a sewing machine)

Step 5 Other Hints to Help You Sew

Other factors can be a help or hindrance when sewing. Here are a few:

a. Where to sew - Lighting: Make sure you have bright lighting available on your sewing area. Most machines will come with a "sewing light". This is a great start, but you should also invest in a gooseneck lamp that can direct more light at your Presser Foot. Position it behind and to the right of your machine, with the light directed to the sewing surface and not into your eyes at all. Additionally, if possible, have a decent room light on, so you won't be blinded by the contrast of a well-lighted work space and a dark room.

b. Where to Sew- Machine placement: Have your machine on a surface that is comfortable to work at. Too high and your shoulders and neck will cramp up. I like to have my machine at the same height as a computer keyboard should be, or possibly a little higher.

c. Where to Sew- Surface: Make sure the surface will be stable enough to handle the up and down action of the needle. If you have a very large table (like a dining room table), try to have your machine close to a table leg, where there's more stability. also, make sure the surface isn't slippery, or else you may find your machine "travelling" as you sew.

d. Use of pins: If you want to use pins to hold fabric pieces together, get into the habit early of removing them before sewing with your machine. More often than not, you'll be able to sew over a pin with no problem, but on those rare occasions when your needle hits a pin right on, the results could be disastrous.

e. (Almost) always wash your fabric before you start cutting and sewing (I say "almost" because there are specialty fabrics, like sequined, some silks and wools, etc. that are ruined if you wash them. Take special precautions when working with these unusual textiles). Most fabrics come with "sizing". By washing your fabric, you'll wash out the sizing and your fabric will show it's true shape, often much more supple and sometimes shrinking (very likely when your fabric is 100% natural fibers).

f . HAVE FUN! Really, if you're not having fun, you'll never put in enough time to get good at sewing. Don't be discouraged if you first few attempts seem like complete dreck. They're not, they're the things you've made that'll get you to understand what works and what doesn't. Nothing is a waste of time, it's a chance to learn!

Comments

[mjohn38]

Thank you very much for the info. Very helpfull indeed!

[chezybezy]

Thanks a lot for these tips im just starting out and it helps to have clear examples with pics and good explanations. this may be off topic but i have some fabric i want to start stitching about 2 inches from the end/ edge; normally (i believe) you begin the stitch from the edges of the fabric, but i want to begin the stitch 2 inches from the edge - is this possible and how would i go about it? thankyou once again.

[LindyGirlThay]

You could use a water-soluble marking pencil or pen (if that it advisable for your fabric choice) and mark the amount in from the edge (2"). Then position your mark under the needle, with the edge behind the feed dog, manually bring the needle down through the fabric for the first stitch, and you're off.

[kmcculley]

I was wondering if you could expand on tension. I'm sewing straight lines and the front of the stitch looks fine but then I turn it over and it's very loose and not very attractive. I was told my tension is incorrect. What does that mean and how do I fix it?

[belenium]

You need to adjust the thread tension. That means that either the machine is not correctly threaded or the tension is too loose. First check if the thread is going through all the places it must go. If that is ok, check the round dial on front of the machine, above the needle (the exact position depends on your machine model, but its around there) You need to adjust it to a higher number. Normally 4 or 5 should be fine, but the only way to know is trying and testing it. BTW you need to adjust depending on the kind of thread and fabric you are using. Just try on a spare piece of fabric and see if the stitches are too loose or too thight and adjust until they are good.

[Misspea]

I thought this series of tips was brilliant. I am a total beginner and have just joined a sewing class. These tips have given me clearer examples and I shall use them as I start my new hobby. Thank you.

[tanabug]

Thanks for the tips:)