Sewing Machines for Beginners

For someone not familiar with sewing machines, it may be awkward to first sit down and start putting pressure on the foot pedal. With the buzz of the motor and your fingers right next to a large needle, it's clear there's a lot to learn about sewing machines. What is a bobbin, a presser foot or a walking foot? Sewing machines have been filling households for decades and are useful tools once you learn how to operate it.

History

While sewing has been going on for thousands of years, it has only been just over a century since the home sewing machine was invented. With a treadle machine, women of the home finally had the ability to sew clothing and quilts much faster. With electricity, a new electric machine freed up the feet from peddling. The sewing machine has never been more evolved than it is today with computer technology, design software, and stitch regulators that control the needle based on the speed in which you move the fabric.

Features

Modern sewing machines can have several different features. Aside from the straight stitch, a sewing machine can have dozens of other decorative stitches available from zigzag stitches to feather stitches like those found in crazy quilts. There are also the possibilities of sewing button holes, embroidery, embellishing and machine quilting with your standard home machine.

Considerations

Keep in mind that the type of machine you purchase could be useful or could be a waste. Most sewing machines are fairly affordable, but some can cost thousands. If all you need to do is sew in a straight line, then what good would paying for a 26-stitch option machine with computerized embroidery be? Know what you want and look around before you buy. Some machines can now be operated with the push of a button, others still rely on the foot pedal.

Benefits

A sewing machine can allow creative-minded people an outlet to express themselves through fabric art and designing wall quilts. It also makes sewing faster than with hand piecing. A good sewing machine practically runs itself. Similar to quilting bees, hold a sewing day with friends to have a social gathering while also creating something or making repairs.

Prevention/Solution

Learn about your machine. Learn how to clean it, operate it and tweak the tension. The more you learn about the machine, the better off you will be. A sewing machine needs to be cleaned and oiled regularly and serviced by a professional once a year. For the best performance from your machine, take care of it.

Function

Sewing machines piece together everything from curtains, pillowcases and clothing to quilts and fiber art. The sewing machine revolutionized the world for industry and for the home. With a little knowledge, the sewing machine allows the average person to sew quickly without much effort. The sewing machine has made hand sewing go from a necessity to more of a hobby.