Do you have a new sewing machine? Perhaps you already have one but only finding the time now to learn to use it? If you’re a beginner sewer, it can feel intimidating to sew with a sewing machine. But once you understand a few simple techniques and tricks and give yourself plenty of time to practice, you will start to see a dramatic improvement in your skills and work.
One of the first things you need to learn is how to sew a straight line. Afterward, you can move on to other stitches such as zig-zag, topstitching, and more. With consistent effort, you will be able to master your sewing perfectly straight likes and even your machine. Soon, your feelings of frustration will just be a thing of the past.
Instructions On How To Sew A Straight Line
Step 1: Practice with a pice of scrap fabric
Get a piece of fabric that you can practice with. A scrap of something will do, preferably just a basic cotton-not anything knit or stretchy. You’ll find it easier if you will fold it so that you are sewing through 2 layers of fabric while practicing.
Step 2: Thread your sewing machine
Thread your machine, including the bobbin. Ensure that you have your machine set to sew at an average stitch length. You may want to look at your manual for this since each machine is different. You can take some time to play around with this-testing shorter stitches and longer stitches.
Step 3: Adjust stitch length
You want to make sure you are sewing at the desired stitch length.
Step 4: Time to work on your garment
Place the fabric you’ll sew with a straight line under the presser foot. Line your fabric so that its right edge matches up with the right edge of your presser foot as you look at it.
Lower the presser foot so that it is holding your fabric in place.
Before you start sewing, use your handwheel or the up and down button if you have a computerized machine, to lower the needle. Doing so will place it all the way down to your garment.
Step 4: Backstitch
Now, slowly press your foot pedal down to begin to sew and stitch forward for 1 inch. Then, push the reverse button or lever to backstitch for 1 inch, sewing backward over what you just sewed.
After you have back stitched over that 1 inch, continue with a forward stitch again. You have just created a knot so that your stitches won’t come loose.
You will do this whenever you sew unless otherwise specified.
Step 5: Continue to sew forward
As you do, try to keep the edge of your fabric lined up with the edge of your presser foot. This can help you maintain a straight line. Furthermore, try to keep a nice steady pace. You can also put a piece of tape on your fabric to use as a guide to practice getting a straight line.
Step 5: Continue to sew forward
As you do, try to keep the edge of your fabric lined up with the edge of your presser foot. This can help you maintain a straight line. Furthermore, try to keep a nice steady pace. You can also put a piece of tape on your fabric to use as a guide to practice getting a straight line.
Once you reach the end of your fabric, knot it again. Sew to the end using a backstitch of approximately 1 inch, then sew forward again. Next, raise your presser foot and gently remove your fabric.
Cut the threads that are attached to your fabric. And there you have it! You just sewed your first straight line!
Tips When Sewing Straight Lines
Setting a seam guide
To sew a straight stitch, you will need to reference the seam guide on your sewing machine. The seam guide is a line on your machine that you want the edge of the fabric to align with as you sew. When stitching, guide the edges of your fabric to trace your desired seam guide to achieve the seam allowance needed for your pattern.
Watch the guides
When sewing a straight line, train yourself to watch the guide and not the sewing machine needle. Because the needle is moving steadily, you will not be able to sew straight if you watch it as you stitch. The seam guide does not move, Hence, focusing on it is a good idea as your fabric moves along, which results in much straighter seams.
Speed Control
If you want to learn the speed control of your sewing machine, consider using it without any fabric or thread. Doing so allows you to focus on its speed without the need to worry about anything else. When you’re learning how to sew straight lines, it is vital to control the speed of your machine since it will help control your stitching.
A lot of sewing machine models have a speed setting dial that you can adjust from very slow to very fast. If you have a very basic home sewing machine that does not offer this setting, you may want to consider barefoot to gain control of the foot pedal.
But if you’re sure that you will not be able to sew very fast, find a scrap of wood or an object that you can fit against the foot pedal. This can help prevent your foot from pressing it the whole way down.
Practice is the key
No one sews perfectly on their first try. Remember that it takes plenty of practice to sew even the most basic of stitches. So get some fabric scrap pieces and let yourself practice how to sew a straight line and other sewing techniques. By practicing often, you’ll find yourself gaining confidence overtime to tackle sewing projects.
Consider experimenting with various fabrics and threads. Also, and keep trying until you’re happy and satisfied with your work. Before you know it, you’ll be sewing a straight line even in your sleep.
