How to Work a Sewing Machine

There are many, many different models of sewing machines for sale today, and because home sewing machines have been around for more than 150 years, there are many more that are no longer for sale but are still in use. It would be impossible to describe the specific operation instructions for every machine, but there are several common attributes that nearly all modern machines share. If you understand the basics of sewing machine operation, you likely will be able to perform a simple straight stitch on most machines.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Scissors

1. Install the upper thread of the machine. Most machines have a spool holder on top of the machine. Put the spool on the holder and hold the end of the thread. Pass it through a series of loops or guides that lead the thread through tension discs and a thread take-up lever on the front or side of the machine. Depending on your model, you will go down, up and down again. The final step is putting the thread through a needle near the bottom of the machine. Search on the machine for a diagram that shows the route that the thread should take.

2. Thread and install the bobbin. A sewing machine must have a threaded bobbin in order to operate. A bobbin is a small, narrow spool of thread that is inserted into a bobbin case under the machine. The top thread and the lower bobbin thread work together to create interlocking stitches. Your machine probably has a door that flips open or a plate that slides open to allow access to the bobbin case. The case is located directly under the needle. Again, look for a diagram on the machine that shows how the case should be threaded.

3. Catch the bobbin thread to pull it up and out from under the machine. On the side of the machine, you will find a wheel that can be turned by hand to make the needle go up and down. Holding the end of the thread that was put through the needle, turn the wheel toward you once or twice to catch the lower bobbin thread. If it does not catch after several turns, you probably don't have the bobbin case threaded properly.

4. Put your fabric under the pressure foot. This is the part of the machine that the needle goes through and that holds the fabric down against the surface of the machine. There is a lever behind the pressure foot that can be raised to allow you to lift the foot to put the fabric in place. When your fabric is under the point of the needle, lower the lever to put the foot down onto the fabric.

5. Push a pedal to make the machine sew and feed the fabric along. Most machines have a foot pedal, but some machines have a lever at knee level that is pushed sideways instead. Gently depress the pedal to make the machine start. If you hear only a humming sound, you might need to turn the hand wheel to get it started, or apply more pressure to the pedal.

6. Continue depressing the pedal until you want to stop sewing. If the needle is not in the raised position, turn the hand wheel to bring it up and out of the fabric. Lift the lever to raise the presser foot and pull out your fabric. Snip the thread.

Tips & Warnings

• Look up your brand of sewing machine on the Internet to see if the manufacturer offers an operation manual for your specific model.