Sewing Machine Introduction

From CoMakingSpace Wiki

This is the content required for an introduction to our sewing machine - reading this does NOT replace the mandatory session with a tutor! It will make it a lot quicker though ;-)

If you need this introduction, please reach out to the following tutors: Utis, Anita

Let's begin! First off, make sure you have read the machine's manual.

Safety

Dangers Precaution
Danger - sharp objects.svg
sharp needle
DO NOT put your fingers under the needle while working with the machine - use the presser foot as a minimum distance guide
Danger - hand injury.svg
exposed moving mechanical parts
ensure the machine is turned off and disconnected from power when changing the needle, thread, or accessing any of the inner parts
Danger - heat.svg
hot lamp
DO NOT touch the lamp after the sewing machine has run for a while

Demonstration

The tutor will show you these steps in detail:

  • where to oil the machine regularly (manual: pages 45-48)
  • thread the yarn both from the bottom and the top of the machine
  • spool your choice of thread onto a bobbin (Unterfadenspule)
  • free up the thread in case it gets tangled up
  • change the needle
  • change the presser foot
  • change the sewing direction
  • change the seam pattern - always lift the needle before changing anything, otherwise a sideways adjustment may break the needle!
  • operate the machine
    • at this point, you will create a trial seam
  • cleaning up for the day
    • turn off the machine and store the foot pedal in one of the boxes on the table
    • get rid of lint (Fussel) on the transporting teeth (manual: page 46) by brushing them off, NOT blowing them deeper into the machine
    • do the same for the inside of the bobbin case (manual: page 45); may easily be combined with oiling this part
    • put a piece of scrap fabric on the needle plate, lower the needle and put down the pressure foot
    • last but not least put the dust cover back over the machine!