How to Use a Sewing Machine

All inventions are great in their own unique way. Among all the great inventions, there lies the sewing machine.

Many might not consider this to be a great or among the greatest inventions but trust me when I say that this is, indeed, one of the greatest inventions.

Imagine if there were no sewing machines then would we be able to wear such pretty and colorful clothes all the time?

Yes, handmade dresses and shirts are always an option but the process rather takes too long.

The sewing machine does the same job in a matter of minutes.

In fact, temporarily shorten the strap on a dress, and making a single piece of dress, or cloth, sewing machines could produce twice the number of clothes.

Thus, the sewing machine is the greatest invention in the fashion world.

Also see: Best Sewing Machine for Beginners

There are many modern techniques available in the market today that act as an alternative to sewing machines.

These gigantic alternatives to sewing machines may produce thousands of clothes per minute but cost huge electricity bills.

Moreover, not everyone can afford those machines due to various reasons.

The main reasons are…

• Lack of storage space
• Costs are out of reach for the buyer.
• Other huge amounts of charges are involved in maintaining the machine.

Also, small, easily movable sewing machines work as a source of income for many people living in the rural parts of the world.

Those who have not studied much and cannot afford to find a job for themselves rely on making and stitching clothes using a sewing machine to earn a living.

Hence, sewing machines can serve as a source of income for many people in dire need.

All that is needed or required to be done is to buy a brand new or second-hand sewing machine and get started with it.

Now, of course, before you start earning by sewing clothes and dresses using a sewing machine, you need to learn how to use a sewing machine.

Just by looking at a sewing machine for the first time, it may look like the toughest job in the world to learn.

A sewing machine looks extremely complicated to all beginners but once they get accustomed to the sewing machine, and know the parts properly, it is going to be their best friend.

Important Parts of a Sewing Machine

So before we learn about how to use a sewing machine, let us first learn about the integral parts of a sewing machine, what are they called, their uses, and everything else related to those parts.

So here are the different parts of a sewing machine.

Let us take a quick look at the parts and their uses and importance.

Power switch–

The most important and integral part of a sewing machine is the power switch.

It may be a tricky thing to locate the power switch for the first time but it needs to be located at the very beginning otherwise the sewing machine cannot be operated.

This sewing machine’s power switch is situated in different places depending on the model of the sewing machine but in most cases, it is located on the right side of the sewing machine.

Spool Pin–

The spool pin is an elongated pin-like structure that is either made up of metal or plastic depending on the quality of the sewing machine.

It is used to hold the spool of the thread.

The thread guide–

The thread guide is a small metal structure that usually sticks out from the top of the machine and serves the purpose of guiding the thread from the spool pin to the bobbin winder (mentioned in the next point) so that it can be used for sewing purposes.

The bobbin winder and bobbin stopper–

Usually located on the right side of the spool pin, the bobbin winder is a small round structure. Besides the bobbin winder is the bobbin stopper.

They both work together and help the thread through to the bobbin where it is then used for sewing clothes and dresses and shirts.

The stitch adjustment buttons–

The stitch adjustment buttons are used to adjust the stitch size and its movements.

With the help of these stitch adjustment buttons, we can alter the length of the stitch or the backward or forward movements of the stitch.

These buttons are located at different places on different sewing machines and work differently as well.

Thus, to learn how to operate these adjustment buttons it is best to refer to the manuals provided along with the machine.

Also see: Best Sewing Machine for Quilting

In modern computerized sewing machines, the stitch adjustment button is what mainly differs.

It comes with a digital display and a set of switches with which similar work is done in an easier and error-free way.

The adjustments are continuously displayed on the digital screen of the machine so that one need not work harder and make out what the setup or arrangements were previously.

Thread take-up lever–

The threading lever takes the thread from the thread guide and it works to help the user to decide the movement of the threading.

There are clear writings, numbering, or markings right next to the thread take-up lever that guides the user properly.

The tension dial–

Just as the name suggests, the tension dial manages the tension in the thread and is around the coil.

Needle clamp screw–

Usually sticking out on the right side, the needle clamp screw is an important part of the machine that holds the needle in its due place.

The Presser’s foot–

Another very important part of the machine is the presser foot that stands right below the needle clamp screw.

The clothes that need to be sewn are placed through this presser foot to the thread. It folds the cloth at points and guides it to the needle for a better sewing experience.

Presser foot lever–

The presser foot lever can be easily located and this is used for raising and lowering the foot lever.

The foot pedal–

Located at the bottom of the machine is the foot pedal. It is usually made up of steel or plastic and can be easily spotted. This controls the speed of the sewing.

The other parts of the sewing machines are called the needle plate, the feed dog, and the bobbin release and bobbin cover.

Steps to Use a Sewing Machine

Having known the parts of the sewing machine, now one needs to set the sewing machine up.

It is better to set it up on a hard base such as on the study table or random wooden or steel tables.

Having done that, now one needs to follow the following steps, and voila! 

You just learned how to use a sewing machine.

Here are the steps:

Step:1- Put or rather install the needle properly and securely to its place with the sharp end pointing downwards. Be careful while doing so and do not get hurt.

Step:2- Thread the machine. For threading the machine, one will need to wind up the bobbin with the thread from the spool pin.

Having wind the bobbin with the thread, leave the other end of the thread free.

This free end then needs to be inserted into the threaded plate after bringing it through the small hole present in the machine, on the top.

Take the free end and insert it in the stitch through the hole in it on the top, after passing it through the thread guide and then through the take-up lever. And you are done threading the machine.

Step:3- Now plug the machine, and turn it on by pressing the power switch button.

Place the cloth on the needle plate and with one hand hold the ends of the threads dangling. Now carefully stitch the cloth to some extent.

After doing so, hold the cloth with both hands to avoid any unnecessary folding and direct the cloth safely through the needle plate.

Do not forget to continuously paddle the foot paddle to maintain the desired pace.

Step:4- After completing the stitching work, following the above guidelines, now cut the thread from the cloth, and you are done.

You have finished sewing your first cloth.

For any further doubts do refer to the manual or handbook provided with the sewing machine.

For better and perfect results, practice first before starting to sew or mend clothes.

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