Beginner's Guide: How To Use Sewing Machine Step By Step

A sewing machine helps you join fabric pieces. It makes stitches fast. Yes, a beginner can easily use a sewing machine. Many machines are made for new sewers. This guide will show you each step. You will learn to sew your first line.

How To Use Sewing Machine Step By Step
Image Source: i.ytimg.com

Your Sewing Adventure Starts Here

Learning to use a sewing machine is fun. It opens up many creative projects. You can mend clothes. You can make new items. Do not feel scared. Every expert started as a beginner. We will go slow. We will cover each part. You will soon sew like a pro.

Get Ready: Your Sewing Machine Setup

Before you sew, set up your space. Pick a flat, steady table. Make sure you have good light. A comfy chair helps too. Plug in your machine. Make sure the power switch is off. This is a safety rule.

The Parts of Your Machine: Basic Sewing Machine Functions

Your sewing machine has many parts. Each part does a job. Knowing these parts helps you sew better.

Let’s look at the main ones:

Spool Pin: Holds the top thread spool.
Thread Guides: Paths for the top thread. They lead it to the needle.
Tension Dial: Controls how tight your stitches are. We will talk more about sewing machine tension adjustment later.
Take-Up Lever: Pulls thread off the spool. It moves up and down.
Needle Clamp Screw: Holds the needle in place.
Needle: Pushes thread through the fabric.
Presser Foot: Holds fabric down. It keeps the fabric flat.
Feed Dogs: Little teeth under the presser foot. They move fabric along.
Needle Plate: The metal plate under the needle. It has a hole for the needle. It often has lines for seam allowance.
Bobbin Case: Holds the bobbin. The bobbin holds the bottom thread.
Hand Wheel: Turn this wheel to move the needle by hand. Always turn it towards you.
Stitch Selector: Choose different stitch types here.
Stitch Length Dial: Changes how long each stitch is.
Stitch Width Dial: Changes how wide zigzag stitches are.
Reverse Stitch Lever/Button: Sews backward. It locks your stitches.
Foot Pedal: Controls the machine’s speed. This is key for foot pedal operation.

Here is a simple table of these parts and their jobs:

Machine Part	Main Job
Spool Pin	Holds top thread spool
Thread Guides	Directs top thread
Tension Dial	Controls thread tightness
Take-Up Lever	Pulls thread from spool
Needle	Pushes thread through fabric
Presser Foot	Holds fabric flat
Feed Dogs	Moves fabric
Hand Wheel	Moves needle by hand
Stitch Selector	Chooses stitch type
Stitch Length Dial	Sets stitch size
Foot Pedal	Controls machine speed
Reverse Stitch Button	Sews backward to lock stitches

Powering Up and Safety First

Plug in your sewing machine. Turn on the power switch. Most machines have a light. It helps you see your work better.

Safety Tips:

Always turn off the machine when you change the needle.
Turn it off when you change the presser foot.
Keep your fingers away from the needle area.
Do not pull on the fabric too hard. Let the feed dogs do the work.
Always unplug the machine when you are done. Unplug it when you clean it.

Getting Thread Ready: Winding the Bobbin

The bobbin holds the bottom thread. It is vital for a good stitch. Winding it correctly is a must. This is your winding bobbin tutorial.

Most sewing machines wind bobbins in a similar way.

Place Thread Spool: Put your thread spool on the spool pin. It is usually at the top of the machine.
Find Bobbin Winder: Look for the bobbin winder pin. It is often on the top right.
Guide the Thread: Take the thread end. Pass it through the bobbin winding guide. This is a small metal disc or hook. It creates tension. This helps the bobbin wind evenly.
Wrap the Bobbin: Take an empty bobbin. Thread the end of the thread through a hole in the bobbin. Wrap the thread around the bobbin a few times. Do it by hand. Make sure it is snug.
Place Bobbin on Pin: Put the bobbin onto the bobbin winder pin. Push it to the right. It should click into place. This makes it ready to wind.
Foot Pedal Ready: If your machine has a separate spindle for bobbin winding, you may need to move it. Some machines ask you to take your needle out. Some machines have a “bobbin winding” setting. Check your machine’s manual.
Start Winding: Press the foot pedal gently. The bobbin will spin fast. The thread will wind onto it. Keep an eye on it.
Stop Winding: The machine often stops itself when the bobbin is full. If not, stop when the bobbin is full. It should be firm but not overfilled.
Cut Thread: Cut the thread connecting the spool to the bobbin. Take the bobbin off the pin.

Now you have a full bobbin. Keep it neat. Do not let the thread unwind.

Putting in the Bobbin

After winding, you need to put the bobbin in. There are two main types of bobbin cases: front-loading and top-loading.

Front-Loading Bobbin:

Open the small door at the front of your machine. This is usually under the needle plate.
Pull out the metal bobbin case.
Place your wound bobbin inside the case. The thread should unwind in the direction your manual shows. Often, it’s clockwise.
Pull the thread through the small slit in the bobbin case. It should snap into place. Let about 4-6 inches of thread hang.
Push the bobbin case back into the machine. Make sure it clicks securely. Close the door.

Top-Loading (Drop-In) Bobbin:

Remove the clear plastic cover on the needle plate. It is usually on top.
Place the bobbin directly into the bobbin holder. Again, check your manual for the correct thread direction. It’s often counter-clockwise.
Pull the thread through the guiding path. There will be small arrows. They show you where to pull the thread.
Leave about 4-6 inches of thread hanging. Put the plastic cover back on.

The Top Thread: Threading Your Sewing Machine

This is one of the most important steps. Correct threading sewing machine is key for good stitches. Each machine is a bit different. Always check your manual first. But most follow these basic steps.

Raise the Needle: Turn the hand wheel towards you. This makes the needle go to its highest point. Also, make sure the take-up lever is at its highest point.
Place Spool: Put your thread spool on the spool pin. Make sure the thread comes off the spool correctly. Often, it’s from the back of the spool.
First Guide: Pull the thread from the spool. Guide it through the first thread guide. This is usually a hook or a loop. It’s near the spool pin.
Down the Channel: Bring the thread down the right side of the main thread channel. This is a long groove on the front of your machine.
Around the Loop: At the bottom of this channel, loop the thread around a small U-turn.
Up the Channel: Bring the thread up the left side of the main thread channel.
Through Take-Up Lever: Thread the take-up lever. This is the part that moves up and down. Make sure the thread goes through the eye or hook of the lever. This is a very common place for mistakes!
Down to Needle: Guide the thread down again. It goes through a few more guides. These are usually small hooks above the needle.
Thread the Needle: Now, thread the needle. Push the thread through the eye of the needle. Push it from front to back. Or it might be from right to left. Check your manual.
Pull Thread Back: Pull about 4-6 inches of thread through the needle eye. Put it under the presser foot. Lay it towards the back of the machine.

Bring Up the Bobbin Thread

Now you have the top thread ready. You need the bottom bobbin thread too.

Hold the top thread with your left hand. Pull it gently.
Turn the hand wheel towards you. Do it slowly. The needle will go down into the needle plate hole. It will pick up the bobbin thread.
The needle will come back up. It will bring a loop of bobbin thread with it.
Use a small pin or your finger. Hook the loop of bobbin thread. Pull it up through the needle plate hole.
Now you have two threads: the top thread and the bobbin thread. Both should be under the presser foot. Both should go towards the back of the machine.

You are now fully threaded! Great job!

Picking the Right Needle: Changing Machine Needle

Using the right needle is important. It depends on your fabric. Using the wrong needle can cause problems. It can break. It can damage your fabric. Or it can skip stitches. Changing machine needle is a simple task.

When to Change Your Needle:

Every 8-10 hours of sewing.
When it bends.
When it hits a pin.
When you hear strange noises.
When stitches skip.

Types of Needles:

Universal Needles: Good for most woven fabrics. (Cotton, linen).
Ballpoint/Jersey Needles: For knit fabrics. They have a rounded tip. This tip pushes fabric fibers aside. It does not cut them. This prevents holes in stretchy fabrics.
Denim Needles: Stronger needles for thick fabrics. (Jeans, canvas).
Quilting Needles: Strong but fine. They go through many layers.
Sharp/Microtex Needles: Very sharp. For fine fabrics. (Silk, microfibers).

How to Change a Needle:

Turn Off Machine: Always turn off and unplug your machine.
Lower Presser Foot: Lower the presser foot for better access.
Unscrew: Use a small screwdriver or your fingers. Loosen the needle clamp screw. It is usually on the side of the needle bar.
Remove Old Needle: The old needle will drop out. Be careful not to lose it.
Insert New Needle: Look at your new needle. It has a flat side on the shank (the top part). This flat side usually faces the back of the machine.
Push Up: Push the new needle all the way up into the clamp. Push it as far as it can go.
Tighten Screw: Tighten the needle clamp screw. Make sure the needle is firm. It should not wiggle.

Choosing Your Presser Foot: Presser Foot Guide

The presser foot holds your fabric down. It keeps it flat as you sew. Different tasks need different feet. This is your presser foot guide.

Common Presser Feet:

Standard/All-Purpose Foot: Comes with your machine. Used for most sewing. (Straight stitches, zigzag stitches).
Zipper Foot: Narrow foot. Helps you sew close to zipper teeth.
Buttonhole Foot: Used for making buttonholes. Many are automatic.
Blind Hem Foot: Helps make invisible hems.
Walking Foot: Has “feed dogs” on top. Helps feed multiple layers of fabric evenly. Good for quilting.
Overcast/Overedge Foot: Helps finish raw edges. It makes stitches that stop fraying.

How to Change a Presser Foot:

Raise Needle and Presser Foot: Turn the hand wheel to raise the needle. Use the presser foot lifter to raise the foot.
Find Lever/Button: Most machines have a lever or button at the back of the presser foot holder. Push it. The foot will drop off.
Attach New Foot: Line up the bar of the new presser foot. Line it up with the slot on the presser foot holder. Lower the presser foot lifter. The foot will snap into place.

Always check your manual for exact steps.

Speed Control: Foot Pedal Operation

Your foot pedal controls how fast you sew. This is foot pedal operation.

Gentle Press: Press the pedal lightly. The machine will sew slowly. This is good for beginners. It helps you control the fabric.
Harder Press: Press the pedal harder. The machine will sew faster. Use this when you feel more confident.

Practice pressing the pedal. Learn to control the speed. It’s like learning to drive a car. Slow and steady wins the race when you start.

Your First Stitch: Beginner Sewing Stitches

You are ready to sew! Let’s start with a straight stitch. This is a key beginner sewing stitch.

Choose Straight Stitch: Turn your stitch selector dial. Pick the straight stitch (usually a dashed line).
Set Stitch Length: Set your stitch length. For practice, a length of 2.5 is good. This is a medium stitch.
Place Fabric: Take a scrap piece of fabric. Place it under the presser foot. Align the fabric edge with one of the lines on the needle plate.
Lower Presser Foot: Lower the presser foot. This holds the fabric firm.
Hold Threads: Hold the two threads (top and bobbin) gently behind the foot.
Start Sewing: Press the foot pedal slowly.
Sew a Few Stitches: Sew about 3-4 stitches forward.
Reverse: Press the reverse stitch lever or button. Sew backward over those first stitches. Do 3-4 stitches. This “locks” your stitch. It stops it from coming undone.
Sew Forward: Release the reverse lever. Continue sewing straight forward.
Guiding Fabric: Use both hands to gently guide the fabric. Do not push or pull it. Let the feed dogs do the work. Just keep the fabric straight.
Finish Stitch: When you reach the end, press reverse again. Sew 3-4 stitches backward. This locks the end of your seam.
Raise Needle & Foot: Turn the hand wheel to raise the needle to its highest point. Lift the presser foot.
Remove Fabric: Pull your fabric gently from under the foot. Pull it towards the back.
Cut Threads: Cut the threads close to the fabric. There is often a thread cutter on your machine. Or use scissors.

Practice sewing straight lines. Draw lines on your fabric. Try to follow them. This builds your control.

Fixing Stitch Quality: Sewing Machine Tension Adjustment

Your stitches should look balanced. The top thread and bottom thread should meet in the middle of the fabric. If they do not, you need sewing machine tension adjustment.

Look at Your Stitches:

Top thread loops on bottom: Top tension is too loose. Turn the tension dial to a higher number.
Bottom thread loops on top: Bottom (bobbin) tension is too loose. Or top tension is too tight. Start by loosening the top tension (lower number). If that does not fix it, the bobbin tension might be the issue. Bobbin tension is tricky. It is best to leave it alone unless you are very sure.
Perfect Stitch: Looks like a row of small “x” marks. The threads interlock in the fabric.

Tips for Tension:

Always use the same type of thread for top and bobbin.
Use the right needle for your fabric.
Make sure your machine is threaded correctly. This is often the real issue, not tension.
Start with the tension dial at the middle setting (often 3-5). Adjust in small steps.

Simple Stitches for Beginners

Once you master the straight stitch, try others. These are good beginner sewing stitches.

Zigzag Stitch: This stitch goes side to side. It helps finish raw edges. It stops fabric from fraying. It is also good for sewing stretchy fabrics.
- How to Use: Select the zigzag stitch. Adjust the stitch length (how far apart the “zigs” and “zags” are) and stitch width (how wide the zigzag is).
- Common Use: Seaming knit fabrics, finishing raw seams.
Backstitch: We talked about this. It is a straight stitch sewn backward.
- How to Use: You use the reverse lever or button. Sew 3-4 stitches at the start and end of a seam.
- Common Use: Securing the beginning and end of a seam.
Basting Stitch: This is a long, loose straight stitch. You use it to hold fabric pieces together temporarily. It is easy to remove.
- How to Use: Set the stitch length to the longest setting (e.g., 5). Do not backstitch.
- Common Use: Holding zippers in place, gathering fabric, trying on a garment before final sewing.

Solving Common Problems: Troubleshoot Sewing Machine

Even good sewers face problems. Knowing how to troubleshoot sewing machine issues saves time.

Problem	Possible Cause	Simple Fix
Skipped Stitches	Wrong needle type. Bent needle. Worn needle.	Change needle. Use the right needle for your fabric. Re-thread machine.
Thread Breaks (Top)	Improper threading. Tension too high. Wrong needle.	Re-thread machine (every guide). Loosen top tension slightly. Change needle.
Thread Breaks (Bobbin)	Improper bobbin winding. Bobbin case issue.	Re-wind bobbin. Check bobbin case for lint. Make sure bobbin is in correctly.
Fabric Won’t Move	Presser foot not lowered. Feed dogs not engaged.	Lower presser foot. Check if feed dogs are set correctly (not dropped for free motion sewing).
Jammed Machine	Thread tangle. Too much lint.	Turn off machine. Remove needle plate. Cut tangled threads. Remove bobbin case. Clear all lint. Re-thread.
Uneven Stitches	Incorrect tension. Incorrect threading.	Adjust tension. Re-thread machine (top and bobbin). Make sure bobbin is wound evenly.
Loud Noises	Machine needs oil. Lint buildup. Bent needle.	Oil machine (check manual for oil points). Clean machine. Change needle.
Needle Breaking	Wrong needle size/type. Pulling fabric. Hitting pins.	Use correct needle. Do not pull fabric. Remove pins before sewing over them.

Always remember to check your manual first. It has specific answers for your machine.

Care and Keeping of Your Machine

A clean machine works best. Dust and lint build up. They can cause problems.

Clean Regularly: Use a small brush to remove lint. Clean under the needle plate. Clean around the feed dogs. Do this often.
Oil Your Machine: Some machines need oil. Check your manual. It tells you where and how often to oil.
Cover Your Machine: Use a dust cover when not in use. This keeps dust out.
Store Needles Safely: Keep needles in a box. This stops them from bending. It also keeps them safe.

Following these steps will help your machine last longer. It will also make your sewing better.

Your Next Steps

You have learned a lot. You know how to set up. You can thread. You can sew a basic line.

What’s next?

Practice, Practice, Practice: The more you sew, the better you get. Sew scraps. Sew straight lines. Sew curves.
Simple Projects: Start with easy projects. (Pillowcase, simple tote bag, scrunchie).
Read Your Manual: It has more details. It explains all your machine’s features.
Watch Videos: There are many sewing videos online. They show you things in motion.

Sewing is a rewarding skill. Enjoy your journey!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What kind of fabric should I start with?
A: Start with woven cotton fabric. It is easy to work with. It does not stretch. It does not slip much.

Q2: My machine makes a loud clunking noise. What does that mean?
A: A loud clunk often means a jam. Turn off the machine. Remove the fabric. Clear any tangled threads from the bobbin area. Check if the needle is bent. Re-thread everything.

Q3: Can I use any thread in my sewing machine?
A: Use good quality polyester or all-purpose cotton thread. Cheap thread can break easily. It can leave a lot of lint. Avoid very thick or very thin threads for general sewing.

Q4: How do I sew a curve?
A: Go slowly. Lower the needle into the fabric. Lift the presser foot slightly. Pivot the fabric a tiny bit. Lower the foot. Sew a few more stitches. Repeat this process for smooth curves.

Q5: Why are my stitches loose or loopy?
A: This is usually a tension problem. Or it is a threading problem. Re-thread your machine completely. Make sure the top thread goes through all guides. Make sure the bobbin is wound right. Then, adjust tension if needed.

Q6: Do I need to oil my machine?
A: Some machines need oil. Some do not. Check your machine’s manual. It will tell you if and where to oil. Use only sewing machine oil.

Beginner’s Guide: How To Use Sewing Machine Step By Step