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Step 1
Mark the path you are sewing with tailor's chalk or some other method. Be careful not to use something that could bleed through the fabric and show up on the "good" side.
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Step 2
Make sure that you account for a seam allowance, if possible, of 1/2 inch. Of course, this will depend on the size of the fabric.
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Step 3
Pin the fabric that you will be sewing so that the pins go across the line, rather than with it. Some machines will allow you to sew with the pins in. Others require that you remove the pins as the needle advances.
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Step 4
Lift the presser foot by using the presser bar lever located at the back of the sewing head on your machine.
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Step 5
Place your fabric so it is just behind the needle bar, then lower the presser bar lever so that the presser foot is on top of the fabric, keeping it in place. Make sure you have placed the fabric so that when the needle comes down, it will be on the line you have drawn.
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Step 6
Start sewing by stepping on the foot pedal, pressing your knee against the knee lever or rocking the treadle with your feet.
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Step 7
Slow down the machine when you are making a broad turn in the fabric, and turn the fabric in the sewing machine by with your hands.
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Step 8
Stop the machine when you need to sew a more abrupt turn in the fabric. At the point where the more abrupt turn begins, stop the machine, lift the presser bar and turn the fabric gently with your hands.
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Step 9
Turn the fabric in a sewing machine when you are making an abrupt turn only when the needle is down, piercing the fabric. This allows the needle to keep the fabric from moving too much, so that when you resume sewing after turning the fabric, the needle will continue on the sewing line you have made.
