How to Use a Sewing Machine: A Beginner’s Manual

482 Pages·2014·8.23 MB·English

by  Marie Clayton

AUTHOR ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
With thanks to everyone at Collins & Brown for their support of
this book. Thank you to Kuo Kang Chen for the excellent
illustrations, Cheryl Brown for her thorough editing and Smith &
Gilmour for the stylish design. I would also like to thank
Deborah Shepherd, Ron Stower and Maureen Brown at Janome,
Stephen Bogod at Singer and Dawn Cowling at Bernina for all
their help with technical information and for answering endless
questions.
Marie Clayton
CONTENTS
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
CHOOSING A MACHINE
Types of Sewing Machine
Sewing Machine Features
The Right Machine

KNOWING YOUR MACHINE
A Place to Sew
Sewing Machine Anatomy
Presser Feet
Needles
Bobbins
Threading Techniques
Serger Anatomy
Threading a Serger

USING YOUR MACHINE
Getting Started
Stitch Glossary
Stitching Fabrics
Troubleshooting
Getting Started with the Serger
Serger Stitch Glossary
Serger Troubleshooting
Sewing Basics

SEWING SEAMS
Straight Seams
Enclosed Seams
Shaped Seams
Darts

SEWING HEMS
Basic Hems
Circular Hems
Covered Hems
Decorative Hems

ZIPPERS AND BUTTONHOLES
Zippers
Buttonholes
Other Closures

GATHERS, TUCKS AND PLEATS
Gathers
Tucks
Pleats

BINDING AND TRIMMING
Binding
Piping
Trimming

DECORATIVE TECHNIQUES
Embroidery
Appliqué
Patchwork
Machine Quilting

GLOSSARY
INDEX
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Sewing is a practical skill that is useful for
running repairs and it can also be a great outlet
for your creativity. There are so many interesting
fabrics available today, as well as wonderful
buttons and trims, that you can make something
unique and personal with just a little time and
effort.
THE BOOK FOR YOU
Modern sewing machines and sergers have so many exciting
features that they can look a bit daunting to a less experienced
sewer – but these not only make repetitive or complex tasks
quick and stress-free, they can also open up a new world of
decorative techniques. This book is designed to help you to
choose the right machine for you, and then explains how to get
the very best from it whatever you want to make.