So you’ve bought your first sewing machine. Congratulations! Now, what do you do first? We have a few practical suggestions for beginner sewists. These are the most important things you need to know after buying your first sewing machine.
1. The first step – read the owner’s manual before starting your sewing adventure
This is the one source you can turn to for any information you might need. Every machine is different, and you should always read and understand the manual before installing and using the machine.
If you have lost your manual, no problem – you can download almost all sewing machine manuals online.
Nevertheless, most people would rather not read the complicated instructions in the manual and just assume they can figure it out by using common sense.
This method sometimes leads to errors and unnecessary frustration. Most common problems can be very well solved on your own, no need for a trip to the repair shop.
In truth, most of the problems you’ll have with your machine will simply be user error.
The user manual is seriously your best friend, and you should always keep it at your fingertips when sewing.
Related: The best sewing machines for beginners
2. Each sewing project requires different size needles and thread
Keep in mind that there are many different types of fabric. So you can’t really expect to get your machine out of the box and immediately start to sew whatever material you have on hand, be it socks fabric, satin, spandex or denim.
Always make sure you choose the appropriate thread for your sewing project and the appropriate needle for your fabric/thread combination.
3. Learn how to care for your sewing machine
Store it under a dust cover at room temperature in a dry place to prevent rust.
Don’t cut costs on thread and needles, as it can lead to bigger repair bills later on. Always use high-quality thread to reduce interior lint buildup and avoid damaging the tension disks.
Make a habit of cleaning inside the bobbin case with a soft brush. Sweep all the lint out of the feed dog and bobbin area only after unplugging the power cord of the sewing machine to prevent injuries.
Quick sewing machine troubleshooting
If you own a Singer sewing machine, the SINGER® Sewing Assistant application would be of great help. The app has been custom developed to educate and guide you through the machine, and help you learn how to get started.
The Brother company offers free customer phone and online technical support for the life of their sewing machines – you might want to take advantage of this service.
Moreover, if you are just starting out in the sewing world, there are plenty of sewing tutorials on the internet with helpful tricks and tips, or you could join one of the many Facebook groups aimed at helping beginners. Youtube is another great tool for troubleshooting common sewing machine problems.
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