1. Sewing machine basics

 Here is the first class in my dress making series! The kind of dress we will be making is a simple sleeveless a - line made from black fabric. 

First, you’ll need to know your way around a sewing machine. 

The instructions might be different based on your machine. Refer to your manual. 

Once your machine is threaded,  make sure the end of your thread is at least three inches long, or else it will get unthreaded while sewing. 

Look at the sewing machine under your sewing needle. See the lines with the measurements? When you’re sewing, make sure your fabric is lined up with the 5/8 line, for super straight seams!

When sewing, make sure your garment is inside out. When you’re finished sewing, flip the garment back and the seams will be invisible. 

First, practice sewing to feel confident. Grab a piece of scrap paper. 

Here’s what to do. 

Line up your fabric against the 5/8 line beneath your pressure foot. Make sure the machine is plugged in, and the pedal is under your table. Turn the machine on. 

Lower your needle by turning the knob on your sewing machine towards you. Check once more to make sure everything is lined up. Put the presser foot down.

Keep your hands away from the needle at all times. Keep one hand on the opposite side of the fabric, and have the other gently feeding the fabric through the presser foot. Basically, just let the machine do its thing. 

After you sew a few stitches, press the backstitch button. This isn’t really necessary on a flat piece of scrap fabric, but when you are sewing a real dress, the backstitch button will help keep it secure. 

Don’t constantly backstitch. Just every once in a while, at the end of a seam. 

When you reach the corner, don’t panic. Stop about 5/8ths of an inch from the edge, and lift up the presser foot. Turn your fabric so the next section is lined up with the 5/8 line. Make sure the needle is down at all times.

Continue sewing. Backstitch on your corners. 

For practice, try sewing two pieces of fabric together using the same method that I told you about to make a little pillow or tote bag. 

Whenever you’re fiddling with the needle, turn off the machine. You don’t want to sew your fingers!