Get to Know Your Machine

Let's get your machine working properly

Whether simple or complex, manual or computerized, all domestic machines work along the same basic principles to form stitches. Don't be intimidated! Let's learn the principles together.

Has sewing been a struggle? Perhaps you believe your machine is malfunctioning and fear that it needs an expensive repair. If it is a new machine it may simply be that you are not threading it properly. If it is an old machine perhaps it all it needs is a little love—oil, cleaning, balanced tension, a new needle, or all of the above. Let me help you with all that and teach you some sewing and maintenance tips and tricks along the way.

Bring your instruction manual if available.

If you don't have a machine, you can learn on one of my machines.

Learn the basics and sew safely

After you have mastered winding the bobbin and threading the machine, lets learn more about forming stitches. Your machine has knobs and dials that control thread tension and stitch style, length, and width.

Learn the parts of the machine and their functions.

Lines on your machine are used to guide stitching to create various seam allowances. Learn what this means through practicing basic seams. Knowing how to stop, start, and steer is of course essential!

Most importantly, stay safe. Avoid jams and broken pins and needles.

Over decades of teaching sewing I am grateful to have kept all if my students safe and injury free!

Pricing and availability

Individual/personal lesson

Single 2 hour lesson: 55.00

(Price includes HST and materials for creating fabric using ribbon and specialty stitches)

Group lesson

Single 2 hour lesson (2 to 4 students): 35:00 each

(Price includes HST and materials for a small project, e.g., scrunchie)