How To: Threading your Sewing Machine

So this may seem, like the simplest and easiest of tasks, but i have seen many people struggle or get this wrong so here’s a little how to guide on how to thread your sewing machine properly.

(As you will see in the pictures, my sewing machine, and most modern machines these days, have a little picture/arrow guide printed onto the casing to also give you a little helping hand.) 

You want to lift up your spool pin and place your chosen thread onto it. (You can add the spool cap, if you machine comes with one, to the end to keep the thread from falling off when in motion.

Pull some thread from the spool and place under the upper thread guide.

You want to then guide your thread through the pre-tension spring.

Next pull your thread down the right hand gap, this will thread the tension module, which are two metal disc placed inside the machine.

Then pull down and around the check spring holder.

Once you have pulled your thread up to the top, pass it through the eye, of the take-up lever, from right to left and then once again pull your thread downwards.

You want to pass the thread behind the flat, horizontal thread guide.

Pull about 10cm of thread through, ready to thread your needle.

Threading your Needle (Using Needle Threader)

Make sure your needle is at the highest point.

First pull the needle threader down until the hook lower through the eye of the needle. 

Pull the thread down and place under and up against the needle threader hook (which is sitting through the eye of the needle). Hold the thread horizontally to the left to keep the thread in place.

Pull the needle threader backwards, this will cause the hook to withdraw from the eye of the needle taking the thread with it therefor threading the needle. 

Pull the thread all the way though and place to the left.

 There you have it, your sewing machine is now all ready to go! 

Here is a little video to show you the process a little bit more clearly:

I hope this helps you guys and i shall talk to you all soon...

Much Love

Louise

XOX

Getting to Know your Sewing Machine

By the fact that you are reading this blog i am going to guess that you are as arty/crafty as i am and probably own, want to own or have access to a sewing machine, and this little post is going to explain everything you, beginners, will need to know about your machine.

(Just a little side note.... every sewing machine’s appearance is different, so yours  probably wont look identical to mine and the items might not be in the same places in the photo’s but the general principles will be the same on all models.)

So this is my sewing machine, its a Silver 1035 Electronic Sewing Machine:

Main Power Switch

To turn your machine on and off.

Foot Controller

This is positioned under your work desk/area and stepped on to start your machine going. The harder you press down the faster your machine will sew. 

Machine Needle

This needle can be changed depending on the work you are sewing.

Presser/Machine Foot

Like the needle this can be changed depending on your work you are sewing. The foot is used to keep the fabric straight and flat whilst you are working.

Presser/Machine Foot Lifter

This little lever lifts the foot up and down so you can place your fabric underneath it to start sewing, and take your fabric out once you have finished. 

Auto Needle Threader

This little extra takes the fiddliness out of threading your needle by using it’s little hook to pull the thread through the needle eye.

Handwheel

This little wheel does the same job as the foot pedal, but at a slow controlled speed. By turning the wheel you will raise and lower your sewing needle.

Thread Spool/Spool Cap

Where you place your reel of thread, and the cap keeps the thread from falling off the spool.

Bobbin Winder Spindle

This little spindle is where you place your empty bobbins to be wound with your current choice of thread.

Tension Dial

This dial can be turned to increase and decrease the tension of your stitching depending on the type of fabric that needs to be sewn.

Needle up/down Position Button

By pushing this button, your sewing machine needle can stop whilst in the material instead of in the up position, it is perfect if sewing corners.

Auto-Lock Button 

This button can be used to tie off your stitching. It sews 3 locking stitches at the start and end of your sewing.

Reverse Button

This button is used to back stitch which can be used instead of the auto-lock button.

Thread Cutter

By pulling your thread onto this little blade, it cuts the thread, so you don’t have to keep reaching for a pair of scissors every time you finish sewing. 

Bobbin Cover Plate

This clear plastic plate covers up the bobbin to stop dust and fabric getting caught.

Measuring Plate/Guide

This little plate has a handy little measuring guide on it, perfect when sewing seams. 

Accessory Box

This little built in storage box is handy to keep extra bobbins or different types of machine feet in.

Pattern Selection

These buttons change the way your needle sews. It ranges from the most basic straight stitch, zig-zag, button holes and also a full decorative stitch range.

Stitch Width Adjustment

This changes the width of your stitches. It works best when using a zig-zag stitch it can create small zig-zag to big zig-zags.

Stitch Length Adjustment

This adjusts the length of your stitching. By making your stitches longer it is perfect for machine tacking, and by making the stitches shorter it will strengthen corners on your sewing.

I hope this has helped you guys, and i’ll talk to you all soon....

Much Love

Louise

XOX

Advance Stitches.

So we’ve started off/learnt the basic stitches now lets move onto the more advanced/decorative techniques to give our sewing crafts a little extra oomph.....

Topstitching

This is a pretty much just an extra row of stitching, which can be used as a decorative row or a functional one. It can be used to hold seam allowances flat, keep facings in place and even to attach pockets. 

Stretch Stitch

This is just a variation of the zig-zag stitch. The stitch consists of overlapping angled stitches which provide the fabric with the needed stretch after the seam is sewn. This can be used on lycra or spandex fabrics.

Satin Stitch

This is again another variation of the zig-zag stitch. It is stitched very close together and can be used to add appliqués, make decorative stitching or to cover up raw edges. 

Blind-hem Stitch

This stitch is normally used when adding lining to curtains as the idea is to create invisible stitches that hold the material in place. It is usually sewn by hand but can also be done on a sewing machine.  

(By using this stitch with a sewing machine it will not be as precise and invisible as it is by hand but if the thread colour is a good match it should blend right in.) 

Decorative Stitching

This explains itself to be honest. Its stitching that is only used to decorate your sewing projects rather then to perform any other function or purpose.

Heirloom Stitching

This again is decorative stitching but it’s a term used to describe the more traditional decorative stitches often used on christening outfits and tableware.

Talk to you all soon,

Much Love

Louise

XOX

Basic Stitches.

Whether you’re at beginner or intermediate level of stitching, heres a handy little guide or a refresher on the basic stitches we all should and need to know.

Straight Stitch

This is the most common/basic stitch, that everyone uses to sew two or more layers of fabric together. The length that should be used, all depends on the type of fabric you will be sewing but a good start off length is 2.5mm which is best for lightweight materials such as cottons. The bulkier the fabric the longer your stitches should be. 

Back Stitching

This stitch basically is what it says on the tin, a straight stitch that is sewn backwards. This sewing technique is used to secure and strengthen you sewing at the start and end of your stitches.

Zig-Zag Stitch

A zig-zag stitch can be used to neaten the edge of your fabric if you do not have access to an overlocker. It can also be used to sew seams on fabric that has a stretch to it such as knit fabrics or lycra based materials.

Stay Stitch/Tacking

Stay stitch or tacking is usually done by hand sewing but they can also be achieved on a sewing machine. 

A stay stitch is usually used to prevent a curved pattern piece or fabric cut on the bias from stretching out of place as you handle them. 

Tacking stitching is straight stitch but of a longer length. It is to hold layers of fabric together temporarily. This stitch is perfect to use if you have a lot of layers to be sewn together or with delicate fabrics that pins can easily snag or pluck. 

(Tacking can be quickly and easily removed once your permanent stitches are in place.) 

Overcasting

Overcasting/overlocking is a neatening stitch which is usually created by using an overlocker. This stitch is used to stop your fabrics from fraying and also creates a neat, professional finish.

Overcasting can also be achieved on a sewing machine. I created this sample by using my overlocking machine foot. 

Overlocking is sewn right on the edge of the seam allowance.

(This can also be created by using a zig-zag stitch)