A Beginner's Guide to Machine Sewing

Table of Contents

Before starting 8
Your sewing machine 10
Preparing the bobbins 12
The ideal sewing box 14
Commonly used terms 17
Sewing simple items 20
Prepare your work 24
Sewing using a straight stitch 25
Make a corner seam 26
Finish off a seam: reverse stitch or knot 28
Oversewing 30
Cutting 30
Closing up a seam 31
Simple cushion 32
Working from a template 36
Sewing shapes 37
Adding a piece of fabric 37
Sewing several layers of fabric 38
Covering a button 40
Sewing a button using your presser foot 41
Closing up a seam by hand using small, invisible stitches 41
Soft toy 42
Using a zigzag stitch 48
Sewing bias binding in one single seam 49
Bunting 50
Embroidering a buttonhole 54
Topstitching a pocket 56
Sewing on a flat button 57
Preparing drawstring casing 58
Preparing a tape 60
Sliding a tape or piece of elastic into a drawstring casing 61
Small drawstring bag 62
Sewing frills 66
Following guide marks 67
Frilly flower brooches 68
Sew your own clothes 70
Sewing darts 74
Sewing facings 75
Making a fine tape 76
Hem by machine 77
Simple, strappy top 78
Work with raw edges and seam allowances 82
Make bias binding 83
Sew bias binding 84
Sew on press studs 85
Skirt 86
Sewing a shoulder 90
Inserting a sleeve 91
Making a reversible garment 92
Baby’s reversible kimono 96
Sew accessories 98
Add rickrack braid 102
Attach heading tape 103
Make a flat hem 104
White curtains 106
Stiffening fabric 110
Sewing an appliqué 111
Inserting a zip fastener 112
Cushion with star appliqué 114
Quilting 118
Quilted throw 122
Preparing and sewing simple patchwork 126
A patchwork throw 130
Prepare and sew piping 134
Attaching piping to a cushion 136
Cushion with piping 138
Sew a bag 140
Making a reversible bag 144
Preparing and attaching straps 145
Adding a braid 147
Shoulder bag 148
Embellishing with decorative stitches 152
Removing excess fabric 153
Denim bag 154