Eli and the Kids Home Sewing
Studio will introduce the basic skills that will keep the student eager to try
their hand at any kind of sewing project.
Students will be introduced
to the following:
- Sewing machine
parts
- How the machine operates
- Sewing safety
- Sewing Terms
- Measuring
- Hand Sewing
- Simple Alterations
- Cutting material
- Recycling and repair
Have you read your sewing machine manual yet?
Sewing Machine Parts Education for Beginners.
Let’s go over the basics. Ok… let’s start from really bare basics. I have
had some students in the past weeks and even though they are soooooooo ready to
get started and SEW something… anything! I am excited about their “let’s do it” spirit but when I ask them
to position their “foot controller,” I get “The
Look.” Therefore, if you have sat in
front of a sewing machine and just gave “The
Look” then this is for you. And just know… sometimes I still give “The Look” when I’m sitting at the
machine. For me, it usually comes when I want the machine to perform miracles. This
when I have to stop and take a break..
Sewing
Machine Parts
Every sewing machine comes with a manual.
If you do not have yours you may use this as a guide but know that although
machines are the same, they do differ from models to model and brand to brand.
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Some are shown and some are not shown.
- Thread cutter. (not shown) You are able to cut your threads with
this cutter rather than reaching for your scissors. This is fast and easy.
On some machines the cutter is position on the back.
- Presser foot thumb screw. Unscrew this to take off and change the
presser foot. Make sure it’s screwed on firmly and all times.
- Presser foot. There are different presser foots for
different types of sewing. Raise the needle to its highest position be
turning the hand-wheel toward you (counterclockwise), then change your
presser foot. Straight stitch, zigzag, satin stitch, sliding buttonhole,
zipper foot are the basics.
- Feed dogs. These are the metal teeth-like ridges
that emerge from the hole in the needle plate of a sewing machine. Feed
dogs gently grip the underneath of the fabric, coaxing it to move away
from the needle as stitches are sewn.
- Cornering guides. Are very useful when
turning a square corner. Helps you to detect 90
degrees angles or corners when you are sewing.
- Seam guides. This helps you to measure seams on the sides of the
fabric. This helps you to keep the fabric straight especially if your
cutting is not straight. Usually measured in 1/8 or 1/4-inch. I have also
place a piece of tape on the plate of the machine to help guide me while
sewing.
- Needle clamp screw. This will vary from machine to machine. Unscrew
this to change the needle. Check your manual for specific instructions on
how to do that and which needles to get for your specific machine.
- Needle plate. The one on your machine probably allows the feed
dogs to help pull the fabric through while you are sewing. To have total
control of your fabric, without the feed dogs, you can change the needle
plate to a darning plate that covers the feed dogs. You would use this for
darning or sewing buttons.
- Presser foot lever. This lever allows you to move the presser foot up
and down. This is found on either just above the needle plate, or on the
back of the machine. The presser foot holds the fabric in place while you’re
sewing.
- Reverse stitch control. (not shown) There will be a button on the front of
the machine on the right side. This will allow the fabric to move backwards
while sewing. You would use this to secure your stitch at the beginning and
at the end.
- Hand wheel. (not shown) Located on the right side of the sewing machine. To manually make the needle go up and down, you will turn the hand wheel. Also use the hand wheel to catch the bobbin thread before you begin sewing.
- Foot control or foot pedal. Pressing the foot control on the floor makes the needle go up and down and varies the sewing speed. The harder you press the foot control, the faster the machine runs. You will also use it to wind the bobbin.
