How to Sew for Beginners // How to use a Sewing Machine // Sew an Easy Tote Bag // SEW WITH ME, by Jenna Phipps on YouTube. 25 min 45 s.
- Video length
- 25 min 45 s
- Time to do it
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Set the machine on a sturdy table, plug it in, switch it on and raise the presser foot. Check the needle is straight and sharp before you start.
Wind thread onto the bobbin using the bobbin winder, then drop it into the bobbin case so the thread tail points the right way.
Thread the top: run the thread through the guides, around the tension dial, up through the take-up lever and down to the needle. Thread the needle front to back.
Turn the handwheel toward you one full turn to pull the bobbin thread up through the needle plate, then pull both threads back.
Sew a test line on scrap fabric with the stitch length set around 2.5 mm. If loops or knots appear, adjust the tension dial and test again.
Cut two fabric rectangles the same size for the bag body, about 35 by 40 cm, and place them right sides together.
Pin the sides and bottom edge, then sew a straight stitch along both sides and across the bottom. Backstitch at the start and end of each seam and leave the top open.
Trim the seam allowance to about 1 cm, snip the corners diagonally and turn the bag right side out. Press the seams flat with an iron.
Fold the top edge under 1 cm and topstitch around it. Sew two fabric straps in place, then stitch a small square with an X inside it over each strap end for strength.
Tips and common mistakes
Always backstitch a few stitches at the beginning and end of a seam, or it will pull open with use.
Keep your fingers clear of the needle and unplug the machine before you change a needle or clean the bobbin area.
Press each seam with an iron as you go. It makes the finished bag look far neater than sewing alone.
Use a fresh needle and a straight stitch for woven cotton. A blunt needle causes skipped stitches and thread snags.
Questions
Do I need an expensive sewing machine to start?
No. Any basic machine with a straight stitch and adjustable length is enough for a tote bag. Learn the threading route and tension on the machine you already have.
Why is my thread looping underneath the fabric?
Loops under the fabric usually mean the top thread is not seated in the tension dial or the bobbin is loaded the wrong way. Re-thread both and test on scrap fabric.
How do I sew a straight line as a beginner?
Watch the edge of the fabric against a guide line on the needle plate rather than watching the needle. Slow, steady speed gives you more control than pressing the pedal hard.
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.
