1. Thread your needle like a pro
Instead of moistening the tip of your thread before threading your needle, moisten the BACK of the needle. The thread will glide right through.
2. Never watch the needle
Don’t get distracted by the needle while you’re sewing. Instead, watch the marks on your throat plate guide to ensure a straight, even stitch line.
3. Use your spool caps
Don’t just toss those little caps in your sewing basket or accessory case. (Or worse, the trash!) These help keep wind off the spool easier in your machine.
4. Make sure your presser foot is up when threading
This releases the tension discs and ensures your thread will be in the right spot. The tension will lock when the presser foot is down.
5. Keep temporary spray adhesive handy
Shortcuts are okay! Spray adhesive can tame stubborn fabrics that are difficult to sew together, preventing a lot of headaches. It washes out easily in the washing machine.
Spray adhesive IS a good tool, but do NOT use it near your machine. I keep a dollar store, plastic dish tub nearby just for spraying the adhesive. With deep sides, the spray is corralled keeping everything around it safe.
I don’t understand number 3. Spool caps help keep wind off your spools when in the machine??
Hella Roberta,
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Sarah
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They help the thread unwind off the spool without becoming entangled on the spool rod.
I disagree regarding the spool cap. I had my new machine in for repairs and my repair guy told me to never use the spool cap. It causes the thread to get caught between the spool and the cap. I was having so much trouble with my thread breaking, especially with my embroidery thread. I took his advice and now I have no trouble at all with my thread breaking.
If you keep cones of serger thread on a wooden rack, cover each with a sandwich bag to keep them free of dust.
help1 I love sewing but recent changes to my vision prevent me from being able to thread my machine; can you help?
Great question! The ‘Ask an Expert’ section is currently for members of our online community. By becoming a member, you will have access to our expert’s knowledge. With your membership you will also receive discounts on products and hundreds of hours of Premium content.
If you are interested in becoming a member, please click on the offer below:
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Sarah
National Sewing Circle Video Membership
When threading all needles cut the thread on an angle
Bobbin tension – how to adjust stitches
Your tips are so helpful, I’ve learned so much. Thank you all for sharing.
tip on sewing off on a serger? for a clean secure finish
When I use my serger, I sew off the material at the end and leave about a 4”-6” chain past my project. Then, I use a yarn needle to thread the chain back through the stitches on the back side of the fabric. Sometimes though, I tie a little knot with the hanging threads and clip close to the knot.
Well, geeeez, the elephant in the room . . . . Your “Top Ten” list kinda shrank by half, did it not? Do you not have proofreaders?
Hello Susie!
Thank you for letting us know! We thought we had adjusted everything but you helped us out! We will get this fixed asap!
Sincerely,
Jessica
National Sewing Circle Video Membership
Ticket: 26866 – What is the cap of the thread? Is it the paper piece?
The thread cap is a disc shaped plastic piece that probably came with your machine. The sometimes have a felt piece, too. My older machines never had these but my new machine does.
I really like that first tip! I have always learned that I should moisten the top end! I have never top about the back! That’s a really smart idea that I will have to try out. I am learning how to sew currently, and it is proving to be a lot of fun! Do you have any more tips that help with using a sewing machine?
As a long time self taught sewer we don’t realize that not everyone is aware of these tips so good on you for taking the time to put it out there giving everyone an even playing field. Keep up the good work.
After changing machine settings such as stitch choice, stitch length and thread tension, I test the stitch on a piece of white printer paper. It’s very good for testing settings and so far the settings I determine this way are correct for the fabric – and it doesn’t waste fabric. By the way, of you’re organized, you can write the machine settings and fabric descriptions on the same piece of paper and save them for future reference.
Does sewing on paper dull the needle the way cutting paper with good fabric scissors dulls them?
Hi,
Yes, repeated sewing through thicker paper, like printer paper, can dull your needle.
Cheers,
Ashley
That’s a great idea
Hope to get some new tips
Want more tips.
Looking forward to your tips.