hen not using scissors or shears make sure they are closed • After using the sewing machine be sure to unplug & cover the machine
Sewing & pressing equipment • The feed dog: two small rows of metal teeth that moves the fabric evenly through the machine • Tape measure: used to take body measurements to help in purchasing or making clothing. Ex: arms, neck, waist, chest, and ect. • A bobbin provides thread for the bottom side of the stitch
Basic Construction • When tracing markings from a pattern piece onto fabric be sure the tracing paper is on both of the wrong sides of the fabric and put enough pressure on the tracing wheel to transfer the markings • When forming a thread shank: sew on a button, then wind the thread several times around the stitches under the button
Basic Construction • Notches are diamond shape designs on pattern pieces that you are to cut around • Best place to find for information about your pattern is to look on the pattern guide sheet. It will tell you which pieces to cut out, how to lay pieces out on fabric, step by step instructions for cutting, marking, and sewing.
Basic Construction • To begin sewing - Place the fabric under the presser foot on the sewing machine. Always start to sew with the sewing machine needle down inside the fabric. • When cutting out pattern pieces, the cutting line is a solid dark line to cut on. • To change a stitch design (ex: from zigzag to straight) adjust the stitch width control.
Basic Construction • When sewing on buttons to a garment use 2 strands of thread • When pinning pattern pieces to fabric, place the pins perpendicular to the fold lines & cutting lines. Be sure to pin through both the pattern piece and fabric • Seam allowances should be 5/8 “of an inch
Basic Construction • To sew a simple seam, backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam to secure thread. This means you will not be able to pull the thread out • While sewing a seam on a sewing machine, watch for both items: the edge of the fabric and the guideline mark on the metal plate
Basic Construction • First step to take when hemming a garment is to mark where the new hem should be • To cut fabric use long even strokes • The shank on a button is there to allow room when the button is closed
Basic Construction • Pinking shears are used to create a seam finish • Notches on a pattern piece are used to match pieces together with one another (right & left side of pattern) • “Care instructions” for fabric that you buy are found on the end of a bolt of fabric