How To Use Sewing Machine for Beginners | EP. 04, by Glory Allan on YouTube. 22 min 48 s.
- Video length
- 22 min 48 s
- Time to do it
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Set the machine on a sturdy table and plug in the power cord and pedal. Turn the handwheel toward you to check the needle moves freely before you switch on.
Learn the main parts: the spool pin, thread guides, tension dial, take-up lever, needle, presser foot, presser foot lever, bobbin winder and handwheel. Find each one on your own machine.
Wind thread onto the bobbin. Put the spool on the pin, run the thread through the bobbin winder guide, and press the pedal until the bobbin fills evenly.
Load the bobbin into the bobbin case under the needle plate, following the arrows or slots on your machine. Pull the thread up so it sits in the case tension.
Thread the top of the machine: spool, thread guide, tension dial, take-up lever, then down to the needle. Pass the thread through the needle from front to back and pull about 10 cm of tail.
Raise the presser foot and turn the handwheel toward you once to bring the bobbin thread up through the needle plate. Pull both threads back under the presser foot.
Set the stitch type to straight stitch, stitch length around 2.5 mm and width at 0. Set the tension to the middle number, usually 4. Check your manual for exact values.
Place two scrap fabric pieces right sides together under the presser foot. Lower the presser foot lever and turn the handwheel to take one stitch, then press the pedal slowly.
Sew a straight line, keeping the fabric edge on the seam guide. At the end, press the reverse lever for a few stitches to backstitch and lock the seam.
Lift the needle, raise the presser foot and pull the fabric out to the left. Cut the threads and check the seam on both sides.
Tips and common mistakes
Always keep fingers away from the needle and unplug the machine before changing the needle or cleaning the bobbin area.
If the thread tangles underneath, rethread the top and bobbin and make sure the presser foot is up while threading.
Sew on scrap fabric first to test stitch length and tension before starting a real project.
Change the needle for a fresh one if it snags or skips stitches, and match the needle size to your fabric.
Questions
Do I need to use the pedal, or can I sew without it?
Most machines let you sew with the pedal only, but many have a start and stop button. Check your manual, since the pedal gives you finer control of speed while learning.
Why does my bobbin thread keep tangling?
Usually the top thread is not fully in the tension dial or take-up lever, or the bobbin is loaded the wrong way. Rethread both with the presser foot raised.
What fabric should I practice on first?
Use a plain woven cotton or scrap fabric. It feeds evenly and shows mistakes clearly, so you can adjust tension and stitch length before trying stretchy or thick fabrics.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
