October 2006
A Quick Guide to Purchasing and Using a Sewing Machine
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In the past three lessons we learned how to pick the right fabric for a given project, how to choose a pattern for a beginner sewer and read and cut out garment pieces using the instructions on a pattern. This lesson will be a tutorial on purchasing a sewing machine and learning how to properly use a sewing machine.
Purchasing A Sewing Machine
If you’re interested in buying a new sewing machine, for a beginner, a reasonable amount to spend would be around $100. New sewing machines can cost anywhere from $80 to $8000! loaded with a plethora of bells and whistles catered to specific needs. With the selection out there, if you don’t know much about sewing machines, buying one can be pretty overwhelming. There’s electronic sewing machines, computerized, basic computerized, mechanical and embroidery sewing machines. Feel free to do research on the internet and ask around for advice on what brand and what model would be the best for you to buy. Singer seems to be the most popular and well-known brand, but that doesn’t mean other brands aren’t just as good if not better.
J&O Fabric Store Tip: Did you know that the Sears’ Kenmore brand Sewing Machine is actually made by Singer?
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J&O Fabric Store Tip Exclusive: Used Sewing Machines
Another option for purchasing a sewing machine would be to purchase one that is used. Almost any garage sale and about every single flea market across the country will have at least 1 or 2 old Singer sewing machines for sale ranging from $5- $60. You could even look on Ebay for a used machine. Older machines that are made of all metal run as well as modern industrial machines, meaning they have the ability to sew through several layers of fabric. For a beginner your best bet would be to purchase a used machine, so that if for some strange reason you loose interest, you wouldn’t have invested a lot of money.
If you already have an old sewing machine in your home and it needs repairs, go to your local Sew and Vac. The cost may vary depending on what needs to be repaired.
Most used sewing machines will come with the original Instruction manual but if yours does not, go to the manufacturer’s website and see if they have manuals that can be downloaded. You can also shop on Ebay for old sewing machine manuals.
Using A Sewing Machine
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Once you have a sewing machine, look over the sewing machine’s instruction manual to familiarize yourself with the various functions and parts. For this section it will be very important to go through the instruction manual of your particular machine to figure out the specifics of how your machine works. Not every machine is made the same so the instructions for how to load the bobbin and thread the machine will vary.
The following tutorial is a step by step guide specific to a Kenmore Model 15408.
Assuming the machine is plugged in and turned on, the first step in operating a sewing machine is to thread the bobbin.
Threading the Bobbin
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Look at the first two pictures below. Place thread on spool located on the top right of the machine. Wrap thread around tension nob and place thread end through one top hole on a empty bobbin. Pull a few inches through and place over bobbin winding spindle. Pull handwheel out so the needle will not move while threading the bobbin. While holding the end of the loose thread, press foot pedal a little to get thread securely on the bobbin. Once the thread is sec
ure, cut excess thread and continue to press the foot pedal until the bobbin is full. The machine should stop automatically. Cut threaded bobbin from thread spool.
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Look at bottom two pictures above. Remove bobbin case from bottom machine gears. Drop the threaded bobbin into bobbin case making sure to feed thread end through small slit. Reload the bobbin in bottom gears. Be sure the bobbin case is secure, it should only move a little. Leave a little string loose. Once the machine is operating the string will automatically feed upwards to form a stitch.
Threading the Sewing Machine
Once your bobbin is in place the next step is to thread the machine. Threading the machine correctly is the most important aspect in operating a sewing machine. Some machines will still operate if threaded wrong but most will jam up and fail to operate.
Place thread on spool and follow thread guides marked 1,2,3 and 4. Don’t forget to thread the small hook directly above the needle on the left before threading the eye. See pictures below. There are various sizes in machine sewing needles ranging from 11-16, a size eleven being for light materials such as chiffon to a size 16 which can sew leather. Make sure the size needle you’re using corresponds to the type of fabric you’re sewing. Refer to your
instruction manual for specifics.
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On the knobs facing you, select a basic straight stitch and place the width knob somewhere in the middle around 3. For more information on width and length options refer to your instruction manual. Next wind handwheel towards you until the needle is at its highest position. Pull the handwheel towards you a few times until you see the bobbin thread feeding from underneath.
Raise the presser foot and slide a piece of scrap fabric underneath. Be mindful of the plate diagram that reads 3/8 and 5/8. These measurements will be used later when constructing your garment. Drop presser foot down and begin stitching by pressing on the foot pedal. When you want to complete a stitch press reverse button and stitch, then raise presser foot, slide fabric from underneath and slide excess thread over thread clipper.
Practice running a few scraps through the machine until you get the hang of it. Next lesson we’ll move on to actually sewing the garment together.
Until next time!
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