When the bobbin has been wound, place it in the bobbin cage below the needle on the lower half of the sewing machine. Sometimes the bobbin simply drops in (the bobbin case is built in). In this case it is important to pass the thread through a small notch at the front of the case and then pulled to the left. Leave the end of the thread outside. It will need to be brought up through the hole in the needle plate after you have threaded the top thread. Follow the link above for detailed instructions on winding and inserting a bobbin.
You may also be able to follow the guides printed on your machine. Usually, the thread follows this general pattern: “left, down, up, down, into a hook, through the needle. " Another way to know how to thread the machine is “Spool pin, tension, take-up lever, needle, using thread guides provided between these parts”. [5] X Research source The needle might be threaded from the left, the right, or from front to back. If it is already threaded, that is a clue to the direction; if not, the last thread guide before the needle, is located nearest to the direction from which you must thread the needle.
Plug the pedal into the machine, too. Place the pedal in a comfortable spot under your feet.
A straight stitch is used to sew most seams. The next most common stitch is the zigzag, usually used to prevent edges from fraying.
If you give the fabric a gentle tug while the presser foot down, you’ll feel that the machine grips it pretty firmly. While you sew, the machine uses a feed dog under the presser foot to advance the fabric at the correct speed. There’s no need to pull the fabric through the machine; in fact, pulling can bend the needle or damage your project. You can adjust the speed and the stitch length on the machine.
Your machine may have a knee bar rather than a foot pedal. If that’s the case, use your knee to push it to the right. You can use the balance wheel on the top, right side of the machine to get the machine spinning or to move the needle by hand. The machine will advance the fabric automatically away from you. You can “steer” the fabric in a straight line or a curve by guiding it through the machine with your hands. Practice sewing in a straight line and try sewing some curves. The only difference is how you guide the fabric. Do not force the material or pull the material while it is going under the needle. This can cause the material to stretch or the needle to break, or the stitches to clog up in the bobbin. If you feel like the fabric is not moving fast enough, press the foot pedal harder, adjust the stitch length, or (if you must) buy a faster machine.
At the end of a seam, sew a few stitches in reverse back over the last few stitches you just made. This finishes the seam and helps keep it from pulling out. [7] X Research source
Fabric is pinned right sides together so that the seam allowance will end up on the inside. The “right” side is whichever side of the fabric you will want on the outside when the piece is done. On printed fabric, it is generally the side with brighter colors. Solids may not have an obvious right side. Place the pins perpendicular to the line where the seam will go. You can sew right over straight pins, and still remove them later with no damage to the machine, the fabric, or the pins. It is safer to remove pins just before stitching reaches them, as accidentally striking a pin will break, or at least dull the needle. Avoid sewing over the heads of the pins, however. While you’re looking at the fabric, notice which way the fabric itself goes. Seams may go any direction, but most sewing projects are cut so that the main seams go parallel with the lines of the weave. Also note the direction of the print if your fabric has one, and arrange it so it will be “right side up” such as with a floral or animal print or so that stripes or other patterns run a certain direction.
If the needle is not at the top of its travel, the thread may not move when you pull on the ends. Look for lines on your sewing machine indicating seam allowance. This is the “normal” space between the edge of the fabric and the stitching line. Generally, you should use the line at 5/8” (1. 5cm) or 1/2" (1. 3cm). Use a ruler measure on either side of the needle. This should already be marked on your machine’s “throat plate” (the flat metal piece that the needle goes through). If not, mark it yourself with masking tape.
