New sewers may find using their machine a little daunting at first, so here are some helpful tips to get you started.
Take photos
Photograph your machine so you can clearly see how it is threaded. This will be helpful and save time when you need to rethread it in the middle of a project. If you cannot do this, there is a useful guide available from Felt Magnet.
Ensure the thread guide is up
When you begin to sew, the thread guide above the needle should be at its highest point. If it isn’t, you are likely to pull the thread out of the needle when you turn the handwheel. If you can remember to always leave the guide up when you stop sewing, this will help.
Begin by hand
You can check that your stitches are smooth by doing the first couple of stitches by turning the hand wheel towards you. This also helps to ensure your stitches are correctly placed and will avoid the thread tangling. Once you have learned it by hand you will be on your way to success.
You could practice on older clothes and still get your newer clothes like a Bugatti Short Sleeve Shirt from a retailer for instance https://www.ejmenswear.com/men/bugatti/short-sleeve-shirts.
Corners and curves
When sewing corners or curved seams, where you may need to move the fabric slightly, it is important to keep the needle in the fabric to ensure your work stays in the right position. You can lift the presser foot but leave the needle down while you adjust the fabric.
Stitch problems
If your stitching becomes uneven or stitches are skipped, you may need to rethread the machine, including both the spool and the bobbin. Use the photos you took earlier as a guide. Check to ensure there is no lint in the bobbin compartment. This will often resolve your problem.
Use the right needle
If you are sewing something like a cotton poplin fabric, widely available from suppliers, a universal needle should be fine, but for heavy fabrics, you need a larger needle. Similarly, a finer needle is required for sewing sheers and a ballpoint needle for knit fabrics.
Thread type
It is important to use the same type of thread on the spool and bobbin. You can choose to use different colors for the top and bottom stitches if you prefer.
Clean regularly
Keeping your machine clean will ensure it lasts longer. Remove lint and dust after each project and check your manual for instructions on oiling your machine.
