All right ladies, it is time to get sewing and just like your first day of school, we need to get to know each other and the tools that will help us get where we want to go. My name is Michelle. I am passionate about sewing. I try to make sewing as simple and easy as possible. That is why I began Oh, So Sassy. I promise to show you the right AND the easy way to do things so that you will enjoy sewing as much as I do.
Now let's get to know your machine. Let's face it, your sewing machine can be your BFF or it can be like that girl in your fourth grade class that looked and acted like your friend, but when it came right down to it was never there when you needed her. (I have had friends and sewing machines like the latter and there not worth having if you ask me.)
My favorite machine has been my old Bernina that we got off ebay. It is an old work horse of a machine, not too fancy but gets the job done. It has become my BFF.
You really can sew on any machine, just like you can be friends with anyone, but some take care of you better than others.
If you have a manual for your machine, get it out and look over each part on the outside of the machine. You can go to sewusa.com and order a manual if yours is lost. Here is a basic picture and explanation of each part you will use.
- Power Switch: This turns the machine on.
- Presser Foot: Holds fabric in place while you sew. It can go up and down. Lower the foot while sewing and lift to take fabric out.
- Presser Foot Lifter: This is the lever that lowers and lifts the presser foot.
- Throat Plate: Metal plate between needle and presser foot.
- Feed Dogs: Pulls the fabric forward and backward during sewing.
- Needle: Goes up and down through fabric to make stitches. Needles come in different sizes. The bigger the number the bigger the needle. For sewing cotton fabrics use size 10 or 12.
- Thread Take-up: Part of threading the machine. Moves thread up and down while sewing.
- Upper Tension Regulator: Determines tension on thread. Set on middle setting for cotton fabric and all purpose thread.
- Thread Guide: Guides the thread while sewing. This is part of threading the machine.
- Spool Pin: Where you place the spool of thread.
- Bobbin Winder: Used to wind bobbin.
- Balance Wheel: When turned, moves needle up and down.
- Stitch Length Regulator: This determines how long your stitch lengths will be. Set at 2.5-3 for sewing most seams and 6-8 for basting or gathering.
- Stitch Width Regulator: This determines how wide you zigzag stitch will be. During normal, straight stitch sewing this will be on zero.
- Bobbin: Holds the thread that goes underneath the presser foot.
16. Foot Control: Press this with your foot to make your sewing machine go.