How to Use a Brother Sewing Machine for Beginners

Ever wanted to know how to use a sewing machine? You’re not alone, most people don’t even know how to thread a sewing machine, let alone sew something. Many people think that using a sewing machine is hard, but it’s not. It just takes practice. After all, you wouldn’t expect to be able to play the piano after only having played once or twice before. The same goes for sewing.

If you’re a beginner, it can be overwhelming to use a sewing machine for the first time. You might not know how to thread it or how to use the different stitches and functions. ( Is Sewing Hard – How Long Does It Take to Learn to Sew )

How to Use a Brother Sewing Machine for Beginners

In this article, we’ll talk about how to set up and start using your Brother sewing machine.

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Choosing a Sewing Machine

Starting a sewing project is much easier when you have the right tools. Having the right supplies and accessories can make your project easier and more efficient.

When deciding on a sewing machine, there are many things to consider.

A good quality machine doesn’t need to cost a fortune, but it’s worth spending a little extra for features that make it easier to use or that extend its use beyond basic projects.

Brother sewing machines are a perfect choice for beginners. They aim to create excellent quality products that provide great value. Their machines can help you create beautiful projects from clothing to home decoration items.

Beginners often find it helpful to start with a basic machine and upgrade as their skills improve. Keep in mind that you can always upgrade your machine later.

Read about: What To Look For When Choosing A Sewing Machine

Here are some of the best Brother sewing machines for beginners

How Does a Sewing Machine Work Step by Step?

If you’re new to sewing, it’s important to understand how the machine works. Sewing machines come equipped with many moving parts and understanding how each one works will save you from the frustration that sometimes comes from working with a sewing machine.

Let’s take a look at each part of a sewing machine and find out what it does:

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How to Use a Brother Sewing Machine for Beginners 4

Power Cord

In order to use your sewing machine, you must plug it in. The power cord is typically located on the back of the machine or the side, depending on how you position it. The power cord connects your machine to a power source, either directly into the wall or through a power strip.

Pedal

Some machines have a foot pedal to control the speed of your stitching. This is convenient because it allows you to quickly adjust your speed as needed without having to stop and turn a knob on top of the machine.

Presser Foot

The presser foot holds fabric firmly against a feed dog so it can move smoothly under the needle as it moves up and down during stitching. Most sewing machines have a lever that lets you raise or lower the presser foot which makes threading easier because you don’t need to hold your fabric in place while you sew.

Thread Path

The thread path is the route for the thread from the spool all the way to the needle. The majority of the time, it will run from the spool on the top of the machine, down through guides on the thread tension assembly, to a hook on the bobbin case called a take-up lever. From there it wraps around under the needle and backs up again.

Tension

The tension settings on your sewing machine determine how tight or lose the stitches will be when sewn through your fabric. Doing a test stitch on a scrap piece of fabric before sewing it into your garment is always a good idea as you may need to adjust the tension.

Needle

A sewing machine needle is made of steel and is threaded through an eye at its top end so that it can be secured in place with a small screw. The shaft will pass through a hole in your presser foot, before passing up and down through a hole in your throat plate at high speed when your machine is operating.

Stitch Settings 

Stitch settings determine what type of stitch you are going to sew with. Straight, zigzag, and backstitches are some examples of stitches that can be set with the stitch settings dial on your sewing machine.

Reverse Button

The reverse button allows you to sew in reverse so you can reverse stitch at either end of a seam for reinforcement or to sew in reverse when performing decorative stitching or other special functions.

Bobbin

The bobbin is a small spool that holds a second thread underneath the fabric. A flywheel tensioner provides even tension to the bobbin thread, making sure it’s not too loose or tight as it feeds through the machine. 

When the needle stitches through the top layer of fabric and backs down again, it loops around the bobbin thread, pulling it upward to create a lock stitch. The angle at which this happens is called the sewing angle and varies depending on your machine.

Setting Up Your Brother Sewing Machine

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How to Use a Brother Sewing Machine for Beginners 5

The following steps will walk you through the process of setting up your Brother sewing machine. ( How to Set Up Brother Sewing Machine Full Guide)

Read the instruction manual

This step is very important as every sewing machine varies slightly in its operation. The instruction manual will help familiarize you with all aspects of your machine, such as how to change needles, adjust settings and properly thread the machine.

Thread the machine

The first thing you have to do is thread the machine. Thread your machine according to the directions in the instruction manual. Threading a Brother sewing machine is similar to threading other brands of machines, but each model has its own instructions.

Load a wound bobbin

A bobbin is a small, round spool of thread that sits in the base of the sewing machine. Before you can sew, you need to load your machine with one. When you buy a sewing machine, it usually comes with an empty bobbin. You need to fill it out before use. If you don’t know how to fill a bobbin, follow these four simple steps:

Catch the thread

The thread is caught by a hook on the arm of the machine. It’s important to make sure that this hook is adjusted properly and in good working order.

Install The Bobbin

Install your bobbin into its slot at the bottom of your sewing machine. Make sure that it feeds from the left-hand side of the bobbin case and that it does not slide around in its case.

Adjust Settings

At this point, you should adjust the settings for your current project. This includes choosing a stitch type (straight stitch, zigzag, etc.) and setting appropriate tension settings. If you’re new to sewing, start with a straight stitch on medium tension settings and adjust from there as needed.

How to Adjust Bobbin Tension on Brother Sewing Machine

How to Use a Brother Sewing Machine for Beginners

Learning how to use a sewing machine can be tricky, especially if you’re a complete beginner. But with a little bit of practice and patience, you’ll get the hang of it in no time.

Gather your supplies. 

Before you start, figure out what tools and supplies you’ll need. First, you’ll need the machine itself, a foot pedal, and a power cord. And don’t forget the actual fabric or garment that you want to sew. It’s helpful to have scissors on hand for cutting thread or fabric if needed.

Connect the foot pedal

Connect the foot pedal to the electrical cable on the back of your sewing machine. Place the foot pedal on the floor so that it is easily accessible when you start sewing.

Turn on your Brother sewing machine

Turn on the machine by pressing the power switch located on the right side of your machine or by pressing down on the foot pedal until it clicks over into an “on” position to turn on your machine without using your hands.

Selecting Your Stitch

Each stitch has its own purpose, so choosing the right stitch depends on what type of project you are sewing. For now, let’s just stick with a straight stitch or a zigzag stitch. These two stitches can be used for almost any basic sewing project.

Setting Your Stitch Length and Width

Once you have selected your stitch, you will likely want to adjust the stitch length and width to suit your project. Most machines have a dial or slider that allows you to do this. The length of your stitch will vary depending on what kind of project you are working on.

Raising the Presser Foot

To raise the presser foot so you can put your fabric under it (which holds it in place while you sew), push either the presser foot lever or a knob on the side of your machine to lift up the foot. 

Place your fabric

Place your fabric under the presser foot, between the needle plate and presser foot. The fabric should lie flat between the feed dogs (the ridged teeth underneath). Lower the presser foot to secure the fabric in place while you sew. Then start sewing.

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Final Words

Sewing machines can be a little overwhelming at first, but once you get used to using them, there is simply nothing like the thrill of transforming a pile of fabric and thread into something that you made. However, once you get your machine home, it will be hard to know where to begin. These tips should help you feel more confident with your new machine and its basic functions.

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