Sewing Machine Sampler

This is a guide that is meant to be used WITH the full video tutorial, NOT in place of. The video explains details and gives tips that need to be demonstrated through video. Use all of the resources you have been provided to make this great!

Step 1: Laying Out Your Pattern Pieces and Fabric

Use the layout guide provided to you to lay your pattern pieces in the correct configuration. Pay attention to which side the fold of the fabric must be. Put pieces close together. You will have scrap left at the end which will be helpful to you for practice or to recut any lost pieces or if you mess a piece up and need to cut a new one. Once your pattern pieces are laid out on your fabric, call the teacher over to check before you pin. Pin all pieces in place keeping the pins in the paper space and not extending into the path of the scissors for cutting.

Step 2: Cutting Out Your Pieces

Work with your partner to cut the pieces out using the rotary cutter or scissors. Watch the video for details and safety tips while using the rotary cutter. Be careful not to hit any pins while cutting. Be sure you are working on top of one of the protective mats. Cut carefully to the shape of the pattern pieces. Once everything is cut out, separate the two sets of pieces for you and your partner. Cut the scrap section at the fold so you each get a piece of scrap. DON'T throw your paper patterns away! You still need them!

Step 3: Pressing With the Iron

Label your pieces A-F with a PENCIL in a corner. Take pieces C-F to an ironing board. Iron as shown in the video tutorial.

Step 4: Zig Zag Stitch to Finish Edge of a and B

Use stitch 04 at a stitch width of 5.0 to zig zag along the un-notched edge of A and B. The stitch should go around the edge of the fabric. While the machine is stitching it should go on and off the edge as the needle moves left to right.

Step 5: Blind Hem for C and D

Find pieces C and D. You should have pressed a double fold on the un-notched edge during Step 3 for both pieces. To prepare to blind hem, you need to change your stitch selection to 09, the blind hem stitch. If you are using machines #11 or #12, the blind hem is stitch 10. All other machines, #1-10 it is stitch 09. The video will show how to fold back the hem to properly position the blind hem fabric. Watch carefully! Stitch both hems using the blind hem. Once sewn, open the blind hem fold on the front side of the fabric and press the hems out flat with NO FOLD in the hem. Watch the video for specific steps.

Step 6: Pressing Pleats

Transfer the dots shown on the paper pattern to the WRONG side(back side) of piece D if you haven't done so yet. The dots need to be matched up as shown in the video and pressed accordingly. The dot matching and pressing will create four pleats, two on each side of center.

Step 7: Three Seam Allowances

Find pieces A and B. These are the two pieces you have sewn a zig zag stitch on an edge. You are to match up the two wide notches. These two edges will be sewn using three different seam allowance measurements: 1/4", 1/2", and 5/8". Watch the video to see how to properly measure the distance between the needle and the fabric edge. Once all three seams are sewn, press piece A toward piece B. See video for details.

Step 8: Attaching the Pleated Piece

Match up the single notch of piece D(has pressed pleats in it) with the single notch on A. Be sure you are putting right sides together(front side of D to front side of A). Pin it into place matching edges of fabric. Sew together using a 1/2" seam allowance.

Step 9: Creating and Attaching the Gathers

Find piece C. It is the other long piece that you made a blind hem on the edge. Sew using a basting stitch, 00 with a stitch length of 5.0, at 1/2" seam allowance. DO NOT backstitch at the beginning or end. Leave the threads long on both end. Gently hold on to one thread, either top or bottom but not both, while you push the fabric away from the ends of the thread to push the fabric in bunches. Watch video for details and to see how this is done. Keep the gathers evenly distributed. Make the notches on piece C match the distance of the notches on piece A. Pin in place with RIGHT SIDES(front side to front side) together. Sew the two pieces together sewing at 5/8" seam allowance or just below the basting stitch line. See the video for details and instructions.

Step 10: Pressing

Press the seam allowances from piece C and D toward piece A. Arrange the gathers so they lay pleasingly from the seam. See video for steps.

Step 11: Attaching the Pocket and Casing

Center the casing, piece F, in the middle of piece B. Sew down each side, very close to the edge. Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of each side. See the video for demonstration.

Sew the hem edge of the pocket. Open the side folds so you are sewing edge to edge near the fold line. Refold the sides and center the pocket, piece E, in the middle of piece A. Sew the three sides with one stitch line by pivoting on the needle in the corners. Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of the process. See the video for a demonstration.

Step 12: Trim Threads and Pass a Ribbon Through the Casing

Look over your whole project and trim any threads that need to be trimmed. Check the front and the back. Pick a ribbon from the ribbon bin and use the drawstring pull tool or a safety pin to pass the ribbon through the casing. Tie it in a bow or knot as demonstrated in the video.

You are done!