Machine sewing

Machine Sewing

You may initially feel intimidated by a sewing machine, but they are in fact very simple and intuitive to use.

Winding the Bobbin

The bobbin is located at the base of the sewing machine underneath the needle. It supplies the thread that comes up and locks with the thread that comes down from your needle to create a tight stitch. Every sewing machine is slightly different, but each will have its own instructions on how to wind and install the bobbin.

The Pedal

Similar to to the accelerator in a car, you can control the sewing machine with a foot pedal. Pressing fully down will push the machine to a higher speed, while a gentler press will create a more steady pace.

Threading the Machine

Follow the instructions in your manual to guide the thread from its spool on the top of the machine, through and down to the needle. A freshly cut piece of thread is best when trying to thread the eye of the needle. Manually twist your the wheel of your machine to start the looping process.

Using the Right Tension

Identify the control on your machine that adjusts the tension, and experiment to find the level that gives you the best result.

Straight Stitch

Sewing machines will often come programmed with a range of different stitches; however, the only stitch you will ever need for curtain making is a straight stitch. The length can be adjusted, and typically the shorter the stitch the stronger it is. I generally stick to a stitch size of around 3.

Practise

Trial and test on scraps so that you can troubleshoot anything that might be wrong. Take this opportunity to get used to your machine, practise your straight stitch and find the right speed for you.