Sewing machine lesson

This week in my textiles  I have had a basic lesson on how to use a sewing machine. First I was given a sewing machine that I would be using I had the machine called brother STAR 40E.  

Brother STAR 40E

This machine was quite easy to use when you learnt how to handle it and it wasn't too complicated to find the buttons to set it up. 

To set up the machine I had to check the stitch sectors, the stitch width dial, the stitch length adjuster and the needle position. The stitch sectors are found at the top of the sewing machine and it is a panel that shows you all the different stitches your machine can do and is able to chose whichever stitch you want. If you want a straight stitch you use 0 if you want the zigzag stitch you use 1. The stitch width dial is found at the front of the machine and controls the width of your stitch. Then the stitch length adjuster controls the length of the stitch and is normally set at 2. The needle position is in the center of the stitch width dial and it changes the placement of the needle and it is set at 0 for a normal stitch. 

Parts of a sewing machine

After checking these settings I started sewing on some practice sheets without any cotton in it so that I could try to control where I was stitching. 

   

Practice sheet 1

This sheet was pretty simple and I learnt that if you leave the needle in and lift up the pressure foot you can turn the material so it carries on sewing in a different direction. 

Practice sheet 2

Then I did a second practice sheet that was a little harder and I thought I did well with this one even though I spent more time on this one.

Then I was told about the reverse button that makes you go back over the stitch to secure the thread when you come to the end to make sure the stitch doesn't unravel. And the feed teeth that are found under the presser foot and they grip the fabric and help move the fabric flatly while you are sewing.

After this I then learnt how to put the bobbin into the machine and how to put the thread on the spool. My bobbin was simple to set up all I had to do was take the shuttle cover out, slot the bobbin in and then follow the arrows round with the thread from the bobbin and put the cover back on . Then the spool for the top was put on the spool pin and then I followed the arrows with the thread up around the take up leaver and the thread guides and then down to thread it through the needle. 

Then I had a go sewing with some material and thread and changing the type of stitch I was using.

Sheet with different stitching

I really enjoyed my first sewing lesson and had fun trying to do the practice sheets. Altogether I think I did well with learning the basics although I am still not sure on some things but I'm glad it has gone well.