How to Operate a Sewing Machine

There are many different kinds of sewing machines, but most work basically the same way. Each sewing machine has a spool of thread that goes in the top and a small spool of thread (the bobbin) that goes in the bottom. It has a presser foot, or small piece of metal that holds the fabric in place as it feeds through the machine. It also has two ways of moving the needle: the hand wheel (used for raising or lowering the needle) and a foot pedal. Be sure to read the instruction manual for specific directions about your machine.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sewing machine
• Scrap of fabric
• Thread
• Scissors
• Bobbin (a small plastic or metal spool)
• Seam ripper

Wind a Bobbin

1. Unless you are using pre-filled bobbins, you need to wind thread onto an empty bobbin. On most machines, first pull a button on the hand wheel to disengage the lower part of the machine.

2. Find the end of the spool of thread. (It may be encased in a slot, sometimes under the label on the end of the spool.)

3. Place the spool in its holder at the top of the machine by inserting the plastic or metal spoke through the center of the spool.

4. Slide the thread cap over the end of the spool to hold it in place.

5. Slide the end of the thread through the thread guides that lead to the bobbin winder.

6. Insert the end of the thread through the hole in the bobbin.

7. Hold onto the end of the thread and gently press the pedal with your foot. The bobbin winder should start to spin.

8. Take your foot off the pedal and let the bobbin winder stop. Clip off the end of the thread.

9. Press the foot pedal again until the bobbin is full of thread.

Thread the Sewing Machine

10. Leave the main thread spool in its holder. Remove the bobbin from the winder and press the button on the hand wheel back in place.

11. Remove the cover on the bobbin holder.

12. Place the bobbin in the holder and replace the cover.

13. Guide the end of the main thread through all the thread guides. (Some machines have a numbered diagram on the machine or in the manual showing where they all are, and the order to use them.)

14. Insert the end of the thread through the needle.

15. Turn the hand wheel toward you to lower the needle, then turn it again to raise the needle. This should make the main thread catch around the end of the bobbin thread.

16. Use a seam ripper or small scissors to grab the loop in the bobbin thread and pull the end of the bobbin thread out of the holder. Both the bobbin thread and the main thread should be sticking out behind the needle, ready to go.

Start Stitching

17. Place a scrap of fabric under the presser foot of the sewing machine.

18. Lower the presser foot, usually by using a lever to the side of the presser foot or on the back of the machine.

19. Lower the needle into the fabric by turning the hand wheel toward you.

20. Place your foot on the foot pedal and press gently. Continue holding the foot pedal down to keep stitching.

21. To stop stitching, lift your foot off the foot petal. Raise the needle by turning the hand wheel toward you.

22. Raise the presser foot and remove the fabric. Cut the top and bottom threads.

Tips & Warnings

• Guide the fabric gently as it feeds through the machine, but do not push or pull the fabric. The machine has parts (feed dogs) that will feed it through at the right pace.
• Always use caution when using a sewing machine. Keep your fingers away from the needle while it’s moving.