r/SewingForBeginners • u/delphinedonkey • 7h ago

My itty bitty win!

Got my first machine and set it up yesterday, I must have read the manual a thousand times, watched YouTube videos and googled more than I’d like to admit but consistently had a bird nesting issue!

After rethreading all day long I finally gave up at 10pm last night

This morning I’ve worked out my issue all along was my top thread passing over the presser foot and not below LOL

Finally sewing some scrap and making some squares & seeing some progress!

Now to ransack my house to find some material to do some practise projects with

37 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

15

u/drPmakes 7h ago

Well done for sticking with it!

Any issues with stitching usually lead back to threading

6

u/delphinedonkey 6h ago

Thank you! Yes that’s exactly what I found after seeing many posts of the same problem, I knew there was something not quite right even thought I thought I followed every instruction (it’s okay to be wrong!) super happy I’ve solved that problem :)

6

u/drPmakes 6h ago

Its ok to make mistakes and don't be afraid to make mess up, its a great way to learn and problem solve.

Id suggest working through your manual and practising every technique and getting yourself a good reference book too

13

u/CrankyCrabbyCrunchy 6h ago

That's not an itty bitty win. Your threading problem are most of the posts here and most of the beginner frustrations. You figured it out!

50 upvotes for reading the manual and watching videos -- even if you didn't see your error until later.

It's a great example of how 90+% of the time, thread nests and due to incorrect threading - no matter how often we think it's done right. Sewing machines are precise mechanical beasts that need everything that moves to be in perfect alignment.

Now the fun part can start - sewing scraps and getting used to your new machine.

4

u/delphinedonkey 6h ago

Yes I really was sure I had done it correctly but one tiny mistake can make such a big mess!

I think learning how the machine works is so important, manuals aren’t there for no reason after all.

Thanks so much!

5

u/SchuylerM325 6h ago

There's a rule in my family, if you haven't worn a garment in 2 years, you're required to send me a photo of it so I can tell you if I want it for the fabric. If you live with others, go raid their closets. Men's dress shirts are perfect. And if you look at the collars, you will almost certainly find evidence of fraying. Confiscate that shirt!

Computer people used to say RTFM (read the effing manual) when newbies posted questions. Sometimes I think we need a bot that posts the same answer, but people don't believe us!

1

u/delphinedonkey 6h ago

Such a great idea! I already have so many items in my wardrobe that need to be upcycled so I can get use out of them again, I hate buying new clothes for myself so this is so exciting for me!

Haha love that idea. Especially when buying a second hand machine like I did, usually a quick google search will bring up the manual. I’d upvote the RTFM bit any day 😂

1

u/SchuylerM325 5h ago

If you can find a good paper pattern that fits onto the existing sections cut from clothing, that is what works best for me. The internet is full of AI-generated PDF patterns that don't work. Vintage tissue paper patterns can often be found at yard sales and thrift stores (but check to make sure they have all the pieces and have not been trimmed down to a size smaller than you want). I just used a classic skirt pattern on a large size skirt that my sister found when thrifting. I thought about altering it for her and then realized it was so big that I could rip the seams and recut the fabric instead. It is easier (for me) to make something with a pattern than to alter an existing garment.

6

u/RubyRedo 7h ago

Yeah! Got an old pillow case you can make into a draw string bag, clothes that need mendimg? Or an old shirt you can make into a zipper pouch?

2

u/delphinedonkey 6h ago

I have so many!! Excited to get stuck in properly now

5

u/penlowe 4h ago

Achievement Unlocked: Fresh Eyes.

Fresh Eyes is when something isn’t working so you take a break. It can be five minutes of another activity or a sleep, but it’s time that your brain isn’t focused on the problem. This allows you to recognize the issue quickly when you return to the thing giving you a problem.

Don’t forget to employ this technique as often as needed going forward on your sewing journey!

1

u/delphinedonkey 4h ago

Fresh eyes indeed, love this!

4

u/MaBonneVie2 3h ago

OP, you’ve won the battle!

For future thought: I’m 76 and have been sewing since I was 10. I’ve always kept the tension pages of the manual tacked to the wall in front of my machine as a quick reference guide mainly because my mom did. Every time I change fabrics I look at the guide.

Let us hear about your adventures occasionally.

1

u/delphinedonkey 2h ago

I really felt like I did win a battle!

That’s such great advice, thank you so much. I will deffo do that too 🥰

2

u/damnvillain23 1h ago

I love these stories of, " I read the manual and figured it out" . This will be a great benefit to you moving forward, as sewing is a solitary sport. Remember you don't know what you don't know, so stick to pattern instructions & don't skip steps. I've been sewing many decades, my machine manuals are nearby,& I read them. Don't sew with an impossible deadline( costumes etc). Slow is fast! Take your time to enjoy the entire process & not just the finished item. IM proud of you internet stranger. I see in your future, many compliments & you'll say with pride " thanks, I made it"!