- Some sewing machines will only stitch straight lines or zigzags, some are programmed with hundreds of different decorative stitches and effects, but they all have some basic functions in common. If you have never used a sewing machine before or have purchased a new machine, use the manual to help you identify the basic controls. You need to know how to thread the top thread, how to load the bobbin and how to change the needle and presser foot. You need to know how to change the type, length and width of the stitches, how to reverse stitches and how to adjust the stitch tension. Most machines have dials, switches, buttons or computer screens for making the necessary adjustments.
- Sewing machine needles come in different sizes and are intended for different sewing purposes. For successful machine sewing you should try to use the appropriate needle for the thread you are using and the type of fabric you are stitching. A general-purpose needle is good for most fabrics and the size should match the weight of the thread, which should match the weight of the fabric. This means that for lightweight fabric you should use thinner thread and a thinner needle and thicker threads and needles for heavier fabrics. For stretch fabric and knits, use a ballpoint needle, if possible. A wedge-point needle is needed for sewing leather and vinyl. Change the needle often, especially if you have sewn over a pin; a blunt needle can damage fabric.
- Most sewing machines come with a few different presser feet and you can buy specialized ones when needed. Using the correct foot will make a difference when performing different sewing tasks. The straight-stitch foot has a left-hand section that is longer than the right-hand section and allows for close control. A zigzag foot can be used for zigzag or straight stitches and is good for general-purpose sewing. A zipper foot, buttonhole or button foot, over-edge foot and blind-stitch hem foot are all designed for those specific jobs. A walking foot mechanically feeds layers of fabric for even sewing and is essential for free-motion quilting and fabrics that stretch or slip.
- Tension is probably the most important factor when it comes to neat, even, presentable sewing. If the stitch tension is wrong you will get excess loops of thread at the top or bottom of the fabric and risk getting your project tangled in the machine. Before sewing anything, check the tension on a test piece of fabric. If the fabric puckers or gathers up, there are loops of thread on the top layer and/or the stitches are uneven in length, the tension is too high and needs to be adjusted to a lower number. If the stitches are weak and unbalanced with loops of thread on the bottom layer, then the tension is too low. Turn the dial to a higher number. Make sure the tension is perfect and stitches are smooth, even and sturdy before you start working on your sewing project.
