My Journey Into Sewing

[marsh ginkgo]

Today I started my journey into learning how to sew, I have a Singer 401A from 1961 that was my great grandmothers, I hope to eventually be able to make organizational pouches and very eventually... clothes! Thought it might be fun to document the process of me learning this new skill. Everything from the stupidest of fails to the biggest of successes. And to start, a fail!

I'm not exactly sure what went wrong here, but I suspect that a big part of my problem is that I didn't clean the machine out well before using it (Yes I was told to... yes my eagerness got the better of me). Think I'm going to move the machine downstairs to where I can actually comfortably work with it, then work on teraing it to bits and making sure everything is functional, clean and oiled.

[full pebble]

Take lots of pics while you take it apart. Nothing is worse than having a random widget on the desk after you put something back together.

Sounds like a super fun project! Enjoy it and keep us posted on your progress! 😁

[nimble cosmos]

A few things to check. First being if you missed a step in threading the machine. Especially if the thread isn't seated properly between the tension discs. Second is to adjust the tension on the bobbin case so it moves maybe an inch or two when holding it by the thread. Only tiny increments are needed, maybe an 1/8th of a turn at a time

Next, try turning up the upper tension.
Lastly, make sure you hold the thread towards the back for the first few stitches so it doesn't get tangled

[lapis vigil]

I agree with Kiera. If the bottom thread is messing up, try rethreading the machine first. There's an arm that pulls up the thread that may not have been threaded

[nimble cosmos]

If you are still getting stuck, please let me know

[marsh ginkgo]

I'll work on it tomorrow night (Have class tonight)

[marsh ginkgo]

Dumb question, am I supposed to pull the material towards me through the sewing machine or push it away from me?

[nimble cosmos]

it will "feed" automatically using the feed dogs, that goes from front, to back, so you feed it away from you. You really don't need to be heavy handed in holding the fabric (unless it's really heavy and the presser foot doesnt hold onto it). If you take a strip of your practice muslin, and put it into the machine, it should feed through the needle and away from you with you barely touching it. With that said, when you're ready to sew, and everything is set up, be sure to have the presser foot down, as that is what tensions the tension discs that hold, and feed your thread through the machine. If you don't, you'll have a bunch of birds nests of thread

[marsh ginkgo]

Ah... So I made a lot of mistakes then.

[nimble cosmos]

possibly. Like many machines, there is an order of operations

https://tenor.com/view/sewing-sewing-machine-kitty-kitten-cats-gif-15648314

example, this is the direction of the fabric that this kitty is sewing

see how they're feeding it with their paws from front to back? That is the universal method for 99.9% machines out there, unless you backstitch to secure your thread (which there should be a reverse mechanism on yours somewhere)

the really, really old machines don't have a reverse function

there are some functions on more modern machines that will stitch backwards, but that's typical of very, very specific functions like button holes

[marsh ginkgo]

Gotcha, I think I must have not started with the foot down. Idk what made me think that was a good idea. Also, great use of a gif lol

[nimble cosmos]

thanks! As a tip for later, sometimes you may need to lift up the presser foot, but keep the needle in the fabric, to pivot around sharp corners, to sew something. Keeping the needle in will help you to make that pivot, and its a very handy tip to have when doing collars on shirts, or V shaped things

[marsh ginkgo]

Got it

[marsh ginkgo]

Ok, I finally got a chance to look at it. Looks like its all bound up due to the thread going here.

@nimble cosmos Any ideas? (Lmk if you prefer not to be pinged)

[nimble cosmos]

ok, did you take that numbered and lined plate off and see if you can dust all that area out?

There's likely a ball of thread and lint that needs to be dislodged

and I'm ok with being pinged

[marsh ginkgo]

wow... yeah

[nimble cosmos]

find a lot of lint in there?

[marsh ginkgo]

Yep!

[nimble cosmos]

that's usually the source of a lot of problems if it's not cleaned out regularly. I generally recommend every 2-3 projects to give it a clean out and oiling

now once it's cleaned and reassembled, try threading it again and go slow to make a practice seam, to see how it goes

[marsh ginkgo]

so uh... it was completely full.

[nimble cosmos]

oof

so it was probably never really cleaned out

which would definately give problems

[marsh ginkgo]

yep

also got everything else oiled up and cleaned

checked all the "gears", they all go in well.

[nimble cosmos]

ok great!

so try another test seam and see how it goes, and feel free to check back in with me if you get stuck again

[marsh ginkgo]

Will do, aloso moved it downstairs so I can actually sit while trying it out now.

What number should I set the tensioner to?

[nimble cosmos]

how many numbers does it go up to?

There also should have a setting for stitch length, which should be, if between 1 and 4, set it at about 2.5

[marsh ginkgo]

0-9

[marsh ginkgo]

its 1-5

[nimble cosmos]

ok try starting it at 3 for the tension, and for stitch length, 2.5 should be fine, or do 3 if you can't go halves

[marsh ginkgo]

Yeah, 3 it has to be

Gotcha, thank you!

[nimble cosmos]

ok

sure thing let me know how it goes

[marsh ginkgo]

Ok so I think it's not tensioned enough

It did the same thing again

I also think I'm going too fast

That is... A sewed line!

[marsh ginkgo]

That's something!

Starting to learn that uh... It doesn't much like stitching over previous stitches

Well, needle down!

But to reward myself for these successful(ish) seams, I'm gonna buy myself the fabric and components for my EDC pouches, and some ok fabric scissors

Unfortunately shipping is $16 for the fabric, grosgrain, and zipper coil

so gonna hold off on the rest for a bit.

[nimble cosmos]

thats about average for shipping supplies in general unless you can hit a free shipping pricepoint. Now, while you're sewing, you have to let the feed dogs do the work, and be careful you don't jerk the fabric around too much, as that causes needle snapping. You should be able to go over the same seam, but the trick is you have to clip all those tails first, before you go over a seam a second time, to prevent the tails from getting stuck in the shuttle hook or the feed dogs

[marsh ginkgo]

ooooooooooh

Yeah I basically was doing the opposite of everything you just said 🤣

Thankfully, seems like mistakes in this are pretty cheap

at worst a snapped needle, lost fabric, and a bit of thread

Assuming you dont like stick your finger into the needle

[nimble cosmos]

yeah, also I strongly recommend in eye protection if you have some. A stray broken needle jetting into your eyeball at speed from a break is no joke

[marsh ginkgo]

Yeah, I wear glasses to be able to see and if I remember will put on safety glasses

[nimble cosmos]

also nothing sucks more than a scratch on the lense of your glasses-glasses, or them getting broken (especially at the nose or the ear piece join)

[marsh ginkgo]

I have lifetime warranties on my glasses glasses and work pays for a new pair of them every year, very fortunate to be in that situation.

[nimble cosmos]

that's always good! I know for some people getting glasses, eyewear, and other life aids is difficult

[elfin nebula]

That is the first I have herd that one...

On a side note...
When oiling you need to makesure to use sewing machine oil.
Most off the shelf hardware oils have a tendency to dry out over time and collect gunk and the gunk then fucks everything up

[nimble cosmos]

I've had a few close calls, going over corset boning channels or really chonky denim seams

[elfin nebula]

That would make sense....
Why are you going through bones?

[nimble cosmos]

accidental clipping of the boning caps when trying to sew on the bias tape around the edges with the needle to finish the upper and bottom seams to keep the bones contained

[elfin nebula]

That would do it

Bias tape?

[nimble cosmos]

with that said there is some plastic boning that can be sewn through

[elfin nebula]

True

[nimble cosmos]

I make my own rather than store bought most times. Bias tape is good for going around to seal curvy seams depending on the finish of a corset or garment

[elfin nebula]

Iron on tape? That you then stich over?

[nimble cosmos]

nope. it's a tape, cut on the bias of a straight woven fabric, that is folded then sewn on the fold, to fold over the raw edge, then handsewn down over top of the raw edges, or topstitched in place

[elfin nebula]

Oooohhhh

Huh

[nimble cosmos]

Very fun to make for finishing the insides of garments, hems, and such if you make it out of bias cut scraps, or sometimes it can go all the way around the outside of sleeves or even a whole garment for a pop of color or contrast, like the 50s walkaway dress

[elfin nebula]

Cool!

[marsh ginkgo]

I am, thank you!

Got this pouch made by just messing around, Ik its not good but its something

[elfin nebula]

We all gotta start somewhere!

[nimble cosmos]

for a first pouch, it functions as a pouch and looks very cute!

Well done!

[marsh ginkgo]

Fabric scissors make things much easier.

[nimble cosmos]

yes they do, it is best to maintain them by not cutting hard to cut plastics, or paper, and keep them only for fabric. It's also best to get a separate pair for leathers, or things like plastic tarps/heavy plastic canvas

Keep also in mind that if that means just getting different scissors for different uses at the dollar store, this is also fine (i did that for years)

[marsh ginkgo]

Got it. I got some fairly affordable fiskars ones ($10), planned to use those for the waxed fabrics I use in the future then splurge on a nice set for the fabrics that are easier on scissors.

[nimble cosmos]

Fiskars isnt terrible. I have their rotary cutters and a pair I use for paper cutting for travelling to school

[marsh ginkgo]

Yeah I really try to stay away from cutting paper with any scissors. Have a utility knife for that.

[marsh ginkgo]

I'm learning more and more that everything with sewing seems to be made much easier if you just take it slow

Just having a very hard time keeping good control over the speed with the foot pedal, wonder if I could make one with finer adjustment.

This is what it is, hard to get control with that tiny little button thing. https://www.ebay.com/itm/176280252363?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=176280252363&targetid=2299003535955&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9059194&poi=&campaignid=21220402061&mkgroupid=160061831726&rlsatarget=pla-2299003535955&abcId=9408390&merchantid=6296724&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw9IayBhBJEiwAVuc3fnjiWdR7RiqQW9jGRU_y_3OEMZmffiMBAOZrWwmY8uxvAhbOCs8OIBoCGEoQAvD_BwE

Ok, so it keeps like

taking the thread out of the needle in the middle of me sewing?

its really frustrating

[elfin nebula]

That sounds like the machine is not threaded correctly

[marsh ginkgo]

Got it. I will try and get a god video/pictures of how it's threaded

[marsh ginkgo]

Yep, it was going around the extra thread spindle.

[marsh ginkgo]

Another pouch!

Trying to improve a bit each time

I THINK the stitches seem a bit weak tho?

Like easy to pull apart.

[lapis vigil]

uuuhhhhhh my best guess is setting a max limit?

[nimble cosmos]

ok so first things first, the pedal to make the machine go. This if I remember correctly has to be oriented where you can push it like a car. If you find yourself a little bit lead footed, move your heal back and only step on it with the ball of your foot instead of the arch.

As for threading, you have to make sure that you're not skipping a step, or missing the thread going into the tension discs

For your seams, its a good idea to make really sturdy seams at first, by double stitching the way you had. To prevent fraying, you can get a set of pinking shears to cut the raw edge a little, or do a straight seam around it as normal to construct the item, then zig zag around the raw edges of the seams, to prevent them from fraying

[marsh ginkgo]

Got it on the pedal and threading part. Is zigzag a different seeing pattern?

[nimble cosmos]

there should be something that says stitch width, which the wider it is, the more it will zig with each stitch to a certain point. Stitch length is how far apart those zigs will zag

[marsh ginkgo]

Ok, I assumed that the stitch width controlled how long the stitch is.

[nimble cosmos]

There's a difference between "width" and "length"

Length is how many stitches per inch. Width is the position and distance of the needle from center

[marsh ginkgo]

Ok, I thinj I've got ir figured out more now

I'm going slow bcz I keeo getting distracted by 5000 other thinfs

[nimble cosmos]

its ok, no worries

[marsh ginkgo]

Also wow I can not spell on my phone

[nimble cosmos]

lol its ok it happens to the best of us

[elfin nebula]

That extra spindle is likely only used for winding the bobin...
Can't tell for sure tho as the every maching does it difriently

[marsh ginkgo]

Durawax fabric came in, I'm intimidated by it.

It's very thick and pretty stiff.

Also the cardboard tube this came on will prove useful for other projects.

[elfin nebula]

Nawww
That is best used for wacking friends and making fun sounds

[marsh ginkgo]

I mean I was thinking lightsaber but sure

[elfin nebula]

I mean that works too