I received a sewing machine for Christmas. I am excited about using it, but boy am I a novice! Can anyone recommend a good website to teach someone totally ignorant about using a sewing machine - and who needs very easily understood directions? I'm even having trouble understanding the manual that came with the machine! Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
An all thumbs seamstress...
BBB from Greenville, AL
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Sweetie...your best bet would be to find a beginner sewing class in your area...it would be VERY WELL WORTH YOUR TIME AND MONEY to do this, if you are serious about learning...most of the time you take your own machine and someone there will go over the points for you. When I bought my first machine, I spent a little more to get it from a dealer that worked with me and the machine until I got it down pat. So I assume that you perhaps got this from a chain type store that can not offer you help.
Good luck with your learning process
I decided a few years ago that I wanted to start sewing. I really hadn't done any since home economics class at school. After I got my machine I bought "Sewing for Dummies" and that book has been so very helpful. It explains all the terms used in sewing and breaks down even the most basic things for you. It's been a few years now and I can sew just about anything! good luck and enjoy!!
Call your local fabric store to find out about classes. Also, if the machine brand is sold locally, that store may have classes. And check out the local Parks & Rec center classes.
www.craftandfabriclinks.com/
jeanie in MO
Here is a site that you might want to check out for all kinds of things you can do as far as sewing goes: www.sewing.org. I wish they had something like this when I started. It would have saved me many days of ripping seams! sewingmamma
Also a novice! I went to a fabric store and bought a couple of books. The most useful one for me is by Singer. It covers step by step with lots of pictures.
I'm looking for instructions on how the tiny serger
works, a sewing manual. jkelee @ hotmail.com (remove spaces)
Go to sewing class. Nothing's better than learning something hands on.
Send me a note on ThriftyFun & I'll get back to you... If you like, I'll walk you through the WHOLE thing over the phone... I've been sewing for 40 years & I have a brand new Brother computer type machine, PLUS a 1919 treadle & I've had or now have a machine from each decade (the 20's, 40's, 50's, 60's, 70's, & 80's)... I collect them, Crazy huh!? ($20 at most thrift stores) Each is good for something special & each has different "feet" & attachments... So if you need to be "walked through" your new machine, & want to learn to sew, just send me your machine's brand & I'll get back to you... I'm a 53 year old gal who has taught painting classes for beginners for many years & I just LOVE to teach!
* If you have the time & just a bit of money, a BEGINNING sewing class would help you considerably!... Back in my day we could learn in school, so I started classes in the 7th grade & took all I could... They teach you everything, from the way to thread your machine, to how to make sure your tension is right, to the names of the machine's parts, to how to troubleshoot any problems... to how to read a pattern. You can't beat it!... I still remember my first sewing teacher (& the old Singer I learned on!) ... If I could, I'd give her a BIG hug & an even BIGGER, thank you for getting me started on a hobby that has saved me a whole LOT of money & made my life a lot happier & more creative! ... When I was a new mom, I made all my baby clothes, curtains for her bedroom & even her bed sheets... As my kids grew, I continued to sew (mostly for the girls) all through school... (They dressed well, on a budget!) ... And now that my kids are grown I make clothes for myself & my granddaughter... She received fancy clothes for her stuffed animals for Christmas. Her favorite gift! ... A WARNING! -- Sewing can be addictive!
---> For you guys that buy used, older machines, Here's some cool info:
FREE THREADING DIAGRAMS:
www.sewusa.com/
MACHINE MANUALS FOR SALE:
www.sewusa.com/
I've ben sewing for ages too (like 48 years) and one of my best pleasures is having a sewing buddy. Someone who helps see or pin where you can't. I miss my Mom who was mine for so many precious years. There might be someone just down the street from you who would be willing to coach you through your first times, most of us would love to be passing on our habit. Try posting a note on a community bulitin board, your laundry room board at the apartment, or the bulitin board of your fabric store. Like the people on this site, we'd love to help.
Each pattern has simple instructions with them. Start with an easy things to make like an apron, napkins, cushions & etc. Get patterns from fabric stores, good luck.
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Let me start by saying, I know almost nothing about sewing machines, so try to be thorough in your answer. I just purchased a Elgin zig zag Model S-1145 sewing machine and when I plug it in it just starts running. I cannot find a switch anywhere to turn it off. I know I am just overlooking it but if someone would be so kind as to point me in the right direction, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you!
By Jenna K
Jenna, I see you've posted a link to the machine manual on the quilting forum, I hope that helped answer your question. Will you update and let us here know what the solution ended up being?
www.google.com/
This is what I googled by putting in Elgin zig zag sewing machine manual and when you click on images, it will give you all the information you need. Find the model you have and click on the photo. You can also call the company. I hope this helps. PBP
where you find two plugs, one is for the light and the other is for the motor. unplug them and switch where they are plugged in.
