Top Tips On How To Stop Your Sewing Machine From Swallowing Fabric
We are all going to get in this situation. You are making a beautiful project when the fabric gets under the needle plate. I know how annoying it can be so here I will share with you some tips on how to prevent this from happening.
Choose A Fine Needle
Choosing the right needle size is the key to stop the machine from swallowing fabric. If you use a too thick one, it can push the delicate fabric through the hole on the needle plate. Lightweight fabric should come with a needle labeled 60 or 70.
Change to a new needle after every project. A blunt one can also do the same thing.
Even a simple model is accompanied by a manual that gives you the most basic information on which needle size to use. If you haven’t had one yet, see this article on the best basic sewing machine for beginners which offers you the best quality sewing machines that worth the money.
Work with the best sewing machine to avoid problems
Cover The Holes
If you are dealing with a piece of fabric that is extremely thin, covering the holes can be the best solution.
Use the piece of tape over the holes that are directly beneath the needle. Be careful not to cover the feed dogs too.
When you do this, before you sew with the main piece of fabric, make the needle pierce through the tape. If you worry it can make the point blunt, switch to an old one.
Avoid Sewing On The Raw Edge
Delicate fabric is easy to be pushed down the needle plate and their edge is prone to this even more. The edge can be folded down and get stuck there, causing you trouble.
A better way is to start from the inside and then move to the edges. When you cannot avoid starting from the edge, like when you are sewing a seam, for example, move inside a bit, about 10 mm will do.
With this trick, any machine can sew thin fabric. In case you haven’t found yourself a machine to start, I have a decent collection on How To Find a Good Sewing Machine For Beginners - Reviews and Comparison right here to give you some suggestions.
Avoid sewing on the raw edge
Use Chain Stitching
Chain stitching is basically sewing from your piece of fabric to a piece of scrap to avoid pushing the edge down through the hole when you are about to stop.
To do this trick, prepare a piece of scrap. Sew as normal and slow down a bit when you are near the edge. Put the piece of scrap next to the edge, which the needle is moving forward to. Sew from the piece and move like normal to the scrap without lifting the presser foot up or stopping at the edge.
When the needle has made a few inches on the piece of scrap, cut the piece loose and secure the thread.
Clean The Machine Regularly
Dirt getting stuck in the machine is another cause of sewing machine swallowing fabric. So clean it and maintain it regularly to keep it clean.
If you don’t know how to do this, consult the manual. It will give you a thorough guide on how to clean your particular machine. Don’t worry, even the best sewing machine for beginners nowadays provides this information. In case you want to know about some good machines for newbies, visit CraftsSelection.com to learn more. Now you have a good understanding of how to stop your sewing machine from swallowing fabric, try these tips and enjoy sewing.
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