Are you ready to start your sewing journey but feel unsure about how to use a sewing machine? Don’t worry—you’re not alone! Mastering the basics of your sewing machine is the first step to creating beautiful projects and I’m here to guide you through it. Whether you’re quilting, crafting, or just mending something at home, this beginner-friendly guide will help you get started with confidence. Click here to see the video guide.
In the video, I’m demonstrating on my Bernina 475 Quilters Edition, a step up from a basic machine, but rest assured, you can start quilting beautifully on a basic machine. I did back in my 20s! Most sewing machines have similar buttons and functions, so even if your model is different, the tips I’m sharing will still apply. Just refer to your manual if you need help finding specific features.
Stable Sewing Surface
The first priority is to have a stable sewing surface. I often use a sturdy desk by a window so I get lots of natural light but I also sew at my kitchen table to stay connected with the family when I'm deep in a project. Avoid flimsy tables like card tables—they’ll vibrate as you sew and make the experience frustrating.
Plugging in Your Machine & Foot Pedal
Once your sewing surface is set, plug in your machine and foot pedal. I like my cables out of the way and run them behind my desk. The foot pedal controls the speed of your stitching, so the deeper it's pressed, the faster the needle will go up and down. Place it on the floor where it’s comfortable for you—most people use their right foot, but you can experiment to see what feels best.
Selecting the Right Presser Foot
The presser foot holds the fabric down during sewing. Machines come with a standard foot, which works for general sewing. For quilting, we use a ¼-inch seam allowance (the distance between the edge of the fabric and the stitching), so a ¼-inch foot is helpful (but not necessary). This foot has a narrower design, allowing you to align the fabric edge with the foot’s edge for precise seams. If you don’t have one, you can use a standard foot. Move your needle position to the right, sew on a scrap then measure the seam allowance, repeat until you've got a ¼-inch seam. Then take a picture of the needle position settings for future reference.
Choosing a Needle
Piecing a quilt (sewing fabric pieces together to make a quilt top) works best with a sharp needle. I prefer a Microtex needle for its precision but a universal needle can be used too. For the lightweight cotton fabrics used in quilt making, use a 70/10 or 80/12 needle. Bigger numbers mean thicker, heavier duty needles which leave bigger holes in the fabric. Save those for working with denim. Needles have a flat side that aligns with the flat side of the hole in your machine—make sure it’s facing to the back as you insert it.
Thread Selection
The numbers on thread are the opposite of the numbers on needles. So the larger the number, the finer the thread. For piecing quilts, I recommend using a 50-weight thread. It’s durable and a medium weight. Cotton thread pairs well with cotton fabric, as both age at the same rate. However, polyester thread also works if that's what you have on hand. I’m using Aurifil cotton thread these days, which is perfect for piecing. Choose a color that blends well with your fabrics.
Loading the Bobbin (see me do this in the video guide at 8:09)
A sewing machine requires thread both on top of the machine going through the needle and underneath in the bobbin. To load the bobbin:
Place your thread on the spool holder.
Follow the threading path on your machine, guiding the thread around and into the tension plate.
Wrap the thread around the bobbin a few times, cut off the excess and push the knob in toward the bobbin to start winding it (some machines will also require the foot pedal to be compressed). Most machines will stop automatically when the bobbin is full.
Once your bobbin is wound, insert it into the bobbin case. Ensure the thread is rotating clockwise as you pull it. Slide the thread into the small slot and under the tension plate. Then with the needle in the fully upright position and the arm on the bobbin case going horizontally to the right, insert the bobbin case back into the machine until it clicks.
Threading the Top of the Machine (see me do this in the video guide at 14:15)
Threading both the top and bobbin threads are really important, skip one hook or turn and all sorts of problems can happen. This is something better seen that read so check out the video and your manual to make sure it's right.
What is tension?
A sewing machine loops the top thread around the bottom thread to create a secure stitch so there has to be balance between the two threads. Think of tug-a-war, if one team is stronger, they pull the other team to their side. Similarly, if one thread is pulling stronger, it will pull the other to it's side. So if you see the threads pulling to the top, the top tension is too tight. In most situations though, tension issues arise from the machine not being threaded properly not from the tension settings being off. Before adjusting any tension settings, check your bobbin and rethread the top thread. Rethreading may sound like a lot of work but with a bit of practice, it's quick to do. The only time I adjust my tension settings is when I'm using a decorative thread.
Tips for Success:
Secure Your Threads: When starting to sew, hold both the top and bobbin threads to prevent them from being pulled into the machine (unless your machine has a thread cutting function).
Use a Leader Scrap: For machines with a thread cutting function, when the threads are cut, the bobbin thread will be too short to show and hold and the machine is designed to allow sewing to start again without needing to pull up and hold the bobbin thread. This system isn't perfect though and knots can form with the first few stitches so start sewing on a scrap then move to sewing on your project without cutting your threads. Chain piecing becomes really handy for machines with this function.
Practice: Draw some lines on a piece of paper and without thread in needle, practice stitching on the lines. To get sharp turns, leave the needle down through the paper then lift the presser foot a little and turn the paper to easily realign. Put the foot back down and continue on. When comfortable following lines, try it again with thread.
Sharp and quality: If you're taking the time to make something, make it worthwhile. Using quality fabric makes a quilt, bag, and clothing last. Change your needle and rotary blade often and sharpen your scissors (you can do this at home). You'll be so glad you did!
I was fortunate to learn how to sew early on from my mom and my grandma. I even took a semester of clothing construction in college. All this gave me the skills and confidence to bring my creative ideas to life. I hope sharing this inspires you to dive in and create the projects you've been dreaming of. Have questions about sewing machines or getting started? I'd love to help—drop your questions in the comments below!
Here's a quilt pattern that's perfect for beginners:
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