sewing machine help!

[midorionna.livejournal.com]

i finally set up my new sewing machine, got some supplies to begin a project and now i realize i don't even remember how to thread the needle.

i've used a sewing machine before, i just need a basics crash-course in sewing to get myself back on track.

if anyone feels confident in their abilities to guide me past the "turn on sewing machine" stage, i'd happily pay you for your time or take you out for lunch/coffee in gratitude.


ps: this
is the machine i have.

Comments

[sasha-bee.livejournal.com]

i can't help you myself but you might ask at the singer store in davis for lessons or help. or better yet, go to the store where you bought your machine and ask them what they offer for support. lots of places give you free lessons when you buy a machine from them.

[midorionna.livejournal.com]

good idea. i just stopped there today after work for some supplies, i'll check back with them.

[hauntmeister.livejournal.com]

Second the recommendation for the Davis Square Singer store! Let's help weird small local businesses stay in business!

(They were my first thought when I needed to sew some extra drumsticks onto my New Year's Eve turkey....)

[midorionna.livejournal.com]

i enjoyed my visit today- the man who rung me up was whistling happily and super friendly :)

[sugersh.livejournal.com]

I third that the singer store is awesome.

But actually I'm just posting because I can't resist mentioning how entertained I am by that icon. You win at life.

[midorionna.livejournal.com]

aw gee.

[raysimoto.livejournal.com]

I fully concur! Sifl + Olly = ROCK!

[mrpet.livejournal.com]

I could help you. I'm in Davis. What machine do you have?

[midorionna.livejournal.com]

i updated the post for sewing machine info.

[mrpet.livejournal.com]

It's a pretty basic modern machine. I have over ten years of intense sewing and design experience (corsets and dresses). You can check my website (http://www.curiouscouture.com) for some of the stuff I have sewn recently. I collect antique sewing machines as well as keeping them running to sew with. Let me know if you want me to show you how to use it. I am away this weekend so my only night would be Thursday.

[lentower.livejournal.com]

Good news: i be happy to help you learn how to use your machine in exchange for use of it for an hour or so.

Bad news: i'm out of town for a week.

i'm not a super sewer, but my mom taught me to do simple patches on my everyday clothes.

thanks either way -len

[snowwand.livejournal.com]

You can also sign up for sewing lessons at Sparks...I haven't been there yet, but I'm sure the people there would be more than happy to help you set your machine up.

I would explain, but it can be hard over the internet. I did find this link: http://www.ehow.com/how_5839_thread-sewing-machine.html

[kvarko.livejournal.com]

Yay sewing!

I'm guessing that you don't have an instruction booklet with your machine? I found the pictures in the instruction booklets to be helpful my first time.

If you don't have them, then going to the sewing store in Davis sounds like the easiest thing to do. But here are some other thoughts:

Go to the library and check out a book on sewing. I found books like "The Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing" to be useful -- there are plenty of big fully illustrated reference guides to sewing, which tell you how to do everything from making the different types of stitches, to making collars, to making alterations, to how to make a bed skirt, etc. I found those books to be invaluable when I started sewing, because you could just look up what you wanted to do and there was a step-by-step picture! I'm sure they'd have good pictures of how to thread the machine.

Try searching for "how to thread a sewing machine" online -- I don't think your machine is all that different from the norm, but if you're worried, you could try going to the Brother website and seeing if they have the instruction manual for that specific machine available for viewing online -- in fact, they do (http://www.brother-usa.com/manuals/default.aspx)! But just about any web page on how to thread a machine should work. I did a quick search, but the top results are just text, no pictures! Unless you know what the names of all the hooks and pieces are, text is not going to help you thread :) I need pictures from two different manuals, and some experimentation, to get threading right the first time :)

Here's How to thread a modern sewing machine (http://www.instructables.com/id/ENHBIOHZ1KEP286MZ4/) in picturess/ Before that, you'll first need to wind a bobbin.

[kvarko.livejournal.com]

By the way, I'm looking for ways to be more social with my sewing -- like, find a sewing buddy and meet regularly to work on projects. If anyone would be interested, let me know :) Although I moved out of Davis, to Waltham.

[midorionna.livejournal.com]

i do have a manual, but it's all a little difficult to put together and actually do.
for me, skills are learned more quickly and retained better if i see someone do it first, and then i can practice with them. i've been looking online, but i think having a human teach me will be much more successful.

[siderea]

Yes, it does.

[ifotismeni]

yea, go to that store. you *can* try to learn from written directions but it's infinitely easier to learn from someone in person.