Sewing machines need frequent cleaning to prevent dust and fabric
or thread residue from clogging up their inner workings. If you use
your machine regularly, take the following steps to keep it running
smoothly:
or thread residue from clogging up their inner workings. If you use
your machine regularly, take the following steps to keep it running
smoothly:
- Wipe the surface of the sewing machine with a damp cloth, then
dry with another - Remove the needle plate and clean lint from the surface of the
feed dogs and top of the shuttle race (compartment where the
bobbin is held) - Remove the bobbin case and clean lint from the case
compartment and shuttle race - Oil the sewing machine where indicated in the instructions
| Clean around the sewing machine's bobbin case, presser foot and feed dogs regularly |
How to Remove and Replace Sewn Stitches
There are sewing tools to remove stitches. They are called
seam rippers. Seam rippers come in a variety of shapes and
forms. Some are safer than others. Most sewing machines come
with the type of seam ripper that is shown here.
It is not advisable to use razor blades or sharp knives to
removes stitches. This type of tool will not only cut the thread
you want to remove but also will cut through the fabric easily.
seam rippers. Seam rippers come in a variety of shapes and
forms. Some are safer than others. Most sewing machines come
with the type of seam ripper that is shown here.
It is not advisable to use razor blades or sharp knives to
removes stitches. This type of tool will not only cut the thread
you want to remove but also will cut through the fabric easily.
There are many reasons to remove stitching... the most
common is that they are not straight. It is only necessary to
remove the stitches that are not straight not all of the sewing.
Start at one end of the stitches you would like to remove.
Insert the tip of the seam ripper between the thread and the
fabric, keeping the seam ripper perpendicular to the fabric.
Gently pull the seam ripper upward away from the fabric to cut
the thread.
Repeat at the opposite end of the stitching you want to
remove.
common is that they are not straight. It is only necessary to
remove the stitches that are not straight not all of the sewing.
Start at one end of the stitches you would like to remove.
Insert the tip of the seam ripper between the thread and the
fabric, keeping the seam ripper perpendicular to the fabric.
Gently pull the seam ripper upward away from the fabric to cut
the thread.
Repeat at the opposite end of the stitching you want to
remove.
Keep the side of the fabric that you cut the ends of the thread
toward you.
Move the seam ripper a few stitches in away from the cut
thread. Use the seam ripper to tug the thread out of the
fabric. Most of the time the thread will stay intact but it may
break. If the thread breaks, move to the stitches between the
two cut thread ends and try tugging it again.
If you have sewn with quality thread, many times you can pull
the thread, as if you were gathering the fabric, to remove the
area of stitching.
Continue until you reach the end of the stitching you want to
remove.
toward you.
Move the seam ripper a few stitches in away from the cut
thread. Use the seam ripper to tug the thread out of the
fabric. Most of the time the thread will stay intact but it may
break. If the thread breaks, move to the stitches between the
two cut thread ends and try tugging it again.
If you have sewn with quality thread, many times you can pull
the thread, as if you were gathering the fabric, to remove the
area of stitching.
Continue until you reach the end of the stitching you want to
remove.
Turn the fabric over, cut the thread at the beginning and
ending of the stitch removal.
Stitches that remain in the fabric can be removed as described
in the previous step.
ending of the stitch removal.
Stitches that remain in the fabric can be removed as described
in the previous step.
Sometimes you will confront stubborn stitches. Take a deep
breath and remain patient. Plowing through those stubborn
stitches is apt to cut your fabric and render the fabric
unusable.
Start removing the stitches as previously described. At an area
where the stitches are removed, open the seam so that the
stitches are exposed in the seam line. Use the tip of the seam
ripper to cut the stitches in the seam line. Pull the seam ripper
away from the fabric rather that toward the remaining
stitches. It takes more time than plowing the seam ripper
through the the stitching but it is much less likely to cut the
fabric.
breath and remain patient. Plowing through those stubborn
stitches is apt to cut your fabric and render the fabric
unusable.
Start removing the stitches as previously described. At an area
where the stitches are removed, open the seam so that the
stitches are exposed in the seam line. Use the tip of the seam
ripper to cut the stitches in the seam line. Pull the seam ripper
away from the fabric rather that toward the remaining
stitches. It takes more time than plowing the seam ripper
through the the stitching but it is much less likely to cut the
fabric.
To resew an area of stitching that has been removed, insert
the sewing machine needle in the existing stitching a few
stitches back from the removed stitching area.
Sew until you reach the end of the removed area and sew over
a couple of stitches the same as where you started.
Trim the tail threads.
the sewing machine needle in the existing stitching a few
stitches back from the removed stitching area.
Sew until you reach the end of the removed area and sew over
a couple of stitches the same as where you started.
Trim the tail threads.
Step 1
Choose a sewing needle that will be appropriate to your sewing project. Sharps are commonly used
for hand sewing and come in a variety of sizes.
Step 2
Choose a thread that's a darker shade than your fabric if you're unable to find thread that matches
exactly.
Step 3
Cut a 24-inch length of thread and pass the end of the thread through the eye of the needle. You may
need to dampen the thread end in order to make it pass through easily.
Step 4
Pull the thread through the eye far enough to create a tail of thread that's 3 to 4 inches long. This end
remains unknotted.
Step 5
Take the other end of the thread between your thumb and forefinger. Wrap the thread loosely around
your forefinger one or two times and continue to keep the thread in place with your thumb.
Step 6
Slide your forefinger down toward the base of your thumb, twisting the threads together until the
loop that's formed is pushed off the forefinger end.
Step 7
Grasp the loop between your thumb and forefinger at the point where the loop joins the rest of the
thread.
Step 8
Pull the loop until a knot is formed.
Choose a sewing needle that will be appropriate to your sewing project. Sharps are commonly used
for hand sewing and come in a variety of sizes.
Step 2
Choose a thread that's a darker shade than your fabric if you're unable to find thread that matches
exactly.
Step 3
Cut a 24-inch length of thread and pass the end of the thread through the eye of the needle. You may
need to dampen the thread end in order to make it pass through easily.
Step 4
Pull the thread through the eye far enough to create a tail of thread that's 3 to 4 inches long. This end
remains unknotted.
Step 5
Take the other end of the thread between your thumb and forefinger. Wrap the thread loosely around
your forefinger one or two times and continue to keep the thread in place with your thumb.
Step 6
Slide your forefinger down toward the base of your thumb, twisting the threads together until the
loop that's formed is pushed off the forefinger end.
Step 7
Grasp the loop between your thumb and forefinger at the point where the loop joins the rest of the
thread.
Step 8
Pull the loop until a knot is formed.
| How to Thread a Needle |