Part of Boyd Education
Using a Sewing Machine
Tutorials to help you get started when learning how to use a sewing machine
How stitches are made on a sewing machine
How a stitch is made on a sewing machine
Threading a sewing machine
The Sewing Master website has lots of 'how to' videos for Bernina, Singer, Husqvarna Viking & Pfaff sewing machines & overlockers. The videos include threading, using each of the stitches and other functions of the machines.
#InspiredBy
This display on how to thread a Bernina 1008 sewing machine is one of the displays at Lady Margaret School in London (teacher Tamsin Mitchell). It is very big, meaning it can be seen by students anywhere in the room which encourages independent learning. The display has a 3D effect with the use of yarn to represent thread on top of the images
Download a PDF PowerPoint on threading the Bernina Activa 140 and Bernina Minimatic sewing machines
Watch the videos below for demonstrations on threading the Husqvarna Viking H Class 100Q sewing machine
How to thread a Husqvarna Viking H Class 100Q sewing machine.
How to fill a bobbin used on a Husqvarna Viking H Class 100Q sewing machine.
Trouble shooting problems
Problems with the stitch tension on your sewing machine?
Get tips from this article.
Beginners on the sewing machine often start off by stitching on to lined paper to help them develop their skills for sewing a straight line. Mike Olive from Devizes School in Wiltshire turned this on its head and got students to use their practice stitching on calico to create the effect of a piece of lined paper which they then embroidered on top of. This simple activity is a great way to introduce and develop sewing machine and hand sewing skills with the practice materials also becoming a piece of art. Part of the appeal is also the 'unfinished’ feel the work has because of its experimental starting point.
Mike was inspired by the Post Secret website where people anonymously share secrets on postcards, many of which they've decorated as art works. The website isn't suitable for young people to use but it's a good starting point for teachers to get inspiration from. Websites with poems, soundbites and motivational quotes would be a good starting point for young people to use.
Students drew out a red line for the margin and one blue line at the top of the page. The blue line was then used as a guide for the presser foot to create a series of parallel lines down to the end of the page. Hand embroidered phrases and images were added afterwards. As well as developing hand and machine embroidery skills there is the potential for learning about calico and its properties, weaving, along with designers who use hand and machine embroidery in their work.
Visit our shop for resources on developing your sewing machine skills