Part 2 – Getting To Know Your Machine (1)
This video touches on some important parts of the machine. For example:
Thread Spool Pins:
- There are usually two thread spool pins. These are the tall spindles on top and all the way to the right.
The back pin holds the top thread that threads the machine.
The front pin holds the spool of thread that is used to wind the bobbin.
In some older machines, the top thread spool is also used to wind the bobbin. This is somewhat inconvenient because you have to remove the spool that threads the needle and replace it with the spool used for winding the bobbin.
We’ll discuss threading the machine later on, but I just wanted to point out that there are two thread guides. One is for threading the needle of the machine, and the other is for winding the bobbin.
Bobbin Winding Spindle
- This is the small spindle that holds and winds the bobbin. The spool of thread sits on one of the tall thread spool pins, and the thread goes around the bobbin thread guide to the bobbin. The bobbin snaps against a small post that will detect when the bobbin is full, and the winder will stop spinning automatically.
I use Coats & Clark Dual Duty All-Purpose Thread. Start out with some basic colors – black, white, brown, navy blue. When purchasing fabric, always buy matching thread. Then with each sewing project you can add to your thread collection.
Presser Foot Pressure Regulator:
- This is what you use to adjust the pressure of the presser foot on the fabric.
To increase the pressure, push down on the inner pin. For ordinary sewing, the inner pin should be pushed all the way down. To decrease the pressure push down on the outer ring.
Insufficient pressure may cause poor feeding of the fabric, skipped stitches, or difficulty in guiding the fabric.
When sewing multiple thickness or heavy fabric, decrease the pressure. When sewing lighter weight fabric, increase the pressure. If feed dog or presser foot marks appear on the fabric, decrease the pressure.
Most home machines don’t have a pressure regulator. If it does, it is usually preset by the manufacturer and very rarely requires adjusting. Refer to your manual to identify the parts to your machine.
This video was created by Niler Taylor and placed on YouTube with embedding enabled. Visit her Playlist on YouTube.com.
You might find the following posts to be very helpful:
Sewing Accessories & Supplies.
Happy Sewing!
Continue on to How To Sew For Beginners, Part 3 – Getting To Know Your Machine (2) – Click Here!
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