Hi Everyone! Here is video 2 for the Learn to Sew Series! Is your sewing machine still in the box?? My challenge to you is pull it out this weekend! This video goes nice and slow.. it's like spending 25 with me in the sewing room showing you all about your machine. Let's get ready for our first tutorial that goes up in 1 week!
Melanie-I have been sewing for many years..now I am teaching my daughter in law to sew. These videos are fantastic for her ..right now she's coming to my house and making a beginner quilt using my machine..Thanks for the detailed course
OMG...after my kids bought me a Brother sewing machine about 7 years ago, I've brought it out to "play" for the second time . Watching your video here, Melanie, I took off my "arm" for the first time and when you said that yours had storage, I looked in mine and WAALAA!! It was like Christmas...I never knew that was there! Thank you so much for these vids. I'm a Gramma and learning to use my very first sewing machine. I also watch and learn from you crochet videos. God bless you and thank you!
Thank you for doing these... I use to sew “a bit” many moons ago so even the basics are a bit vague lol... I have recently treated myself and purchased a new basic machine hoping to get back into it so this is perfect timing! Thanks for the refresher and the added tips! I actually couldn’t remember that what I’ve been calling a “doohickey” is a screw driver! Looking forward to seeing more!
Yes on the defective bobbin! More likely to happen with plastic bobbins. Newer machines are engineered with precision - while there are a lot of 'generic' parts that are interchangeable, there are a few places where you may need to use genuine parts. I have a Brother machine and can only use their branded bobbins - even though it's an established size (SA156) I found the Class 15 sized bobbins from other manufacturers were off by the slightest angle at the top (< 1 mm). This was after I spent a whole weekend cursing my machine. Stuck in a bobbin that came with the machine and worked like a charm. And don't be afraid to buy 5-10 bobbins - you'll generally use one per thread color.
Oh cool!!! My 98 year old mom is giving me hers. It's super nice but I'm clueless as how to use it. I took sewing in 4H many moons ago lol. I know all machines are different but you could possibly help me!!! :)
thank you for that feedback ;) I find that I rarely have to change that setting, mostly with fabric that is very thin which is not really a beginner friendly material. Is there a material you are thinking of using and are curious about? I can add some details to the blog post for you ;)
Melanie Ham yes thanks so much for reply, I want to repurpose old sweaters into hats etc, always something gets stuck when I try to sew two pieces together.
Hey Melanke, thanks for the video. Its really amazing to see all the details.I have a problem with my singer 9960. Somehow my needle is not pulling the bobbin thread. Can you share any troubleshootingbideas?
Haha my Singer is 40 years old no digital looks like mine is going to be a whole new ballgame. I will have to look for a youtuber who has slightly lower tech - is your mum around Mel maybe she can help me? My auld dear did show me how to use it but i've forgotten major bummer! I think trying to sew my kilt is going to be somewhat problematic maybe i should start with a pillowcover lol Men and sewing machines definitely do not go together - I can reprogram a computer and build a car engine but i am afraid this sewing lark is a bit beyond my skillset haha
I want to start sewing so i can make some quilts for the babies in the family but i dont want to spend too much on a machine just in case I dont enjoy sewing as much as I think I will. Walmart sells some machines for around $100. Do you think it matters which machine i get at first just to learn the basics on?
It's hard to say, if you love it you can always upgrade which is a good argument for getting a very inexpensive machine. However, I just don't want you to get frustrated and discouraged with an inexpensive machine. Overall, you are probably fine to get one at $100, try to find one with a warranty or a store with a good return policy on the off chance you have trouble with it, but it will likely be just fine ;).
Hi Melanie. Just came to know of your videos recently and have found the sewing projects doable for me who is just returning to sewing after a long hiatus. Am currently in the market for a sewing machine. Can the Juki HZL 5020 sew through thick layers of fabrics like denim, thick canvas and quilts? Thanks in advance for any feedback you can give.
I would just add, be sure when you are threading the top thread that your presser foot is up. if your presser foot is down, the tension disks are closed and the thread will not go between the tension disks like it ought to. after you get THROUGH the tension disks (the downward threading on front of the machine) you can lower the presser foot so that the thread is not just pulling and pulling off of the spool. definitely, lower the presser foot before pulling the BOBBIN thread up. this will let you pull the correct thread. if you feel resistance, you are probably pulling the top thread: try pulling the other one so you don't have a LONG top thread by the the time you get a decent length of bobbin thread, if that makes sense. I hope this is helpful.
I’m scared 😱 lol I got my machine in mail about 3 weeks ago and just took it out of box 2 days ago and it’s just sitting still on table waiting to be touched and played with lol 😝 I got the Janome 500 . The only thing is u say ur machine u are showing us on is very basic but it’s not lol it’s all computer and fancy. Would love ❤️ a whole beginner tutorial on ur very very basic non computer machine 😉
this was an amazing tutorial. You are a fabulous teacher. Have wanted to sew for years but it seemed so daunting to me i have not attempted yet. I have just subscribed and look forward to learning from you…thank you!!
I never tried to see if my machine stops when bobbin is full. I have the manual but I cant find the English version so I will look for it online..Thanks!!!
Great tutorial on the sewing machine. Great idea to check both sides of fabric for stitching. I have had a problem with this before. I am late watching this video, my mom was in the hospital for two weeks with phnumonia. Glad you linked it in the third video. Thanks for sharing. Have a blessed day.
I really appreciate your close up views. It is really helpful for my sewing students. few teachers really show that. I have been watching various sewing teachers to see what I might need to be teaching my students and you are really good at teaching. thank you for what you are doing.
It's amazing how sewing machines work! It's a bit like magic. My mom got me my own old sewing machine which still had the user manual in it luckily! It's not as fancy as yours, but it works :) I already hemmed a pair of jeans and can't wait to start on making my very first dress ^_^
Thank you Melanie! I have an old none- electric machine but it’s in very good condition, my mum gave it to me plus it has a manual too. I enjoy your channel
hello great video very nicely presented please kindly film how to operate the sewing machine electric foot pedal how it's used to sew please ok? and I think it has a start stop button to sew without using the sewing machine electric foot pedal? Yes please kindly reply back ok? Thank you very much
Thank you Melany but I see my neddle has the eye on the sides I mean not to the back so in that case i put the thread from outside to inside i mean from left to right? Thank you
