Meet Your Sewing Machine: Beginner Basics

Meet Your Machine: Beginner Basics

Dust off your sewing machine and gain the confidence to use it! In this relaxed, beginner-friendly class, we will take the guesswork out of sewing. You’ll leave with the confidence to start your first project and the skills to fix common issues before they become frustrations.

• Threading with Ease: Master the "upper thread" and the bobbin without the tangles.
• The Anatomy of Your Machine: What all those buttons, knobs, and dials actually do (and which ones you’ll use most!).
• Troubleshooting 101: How to fix common problems like skipped stitches, "bird's nests," and broken needles, and learn what causes them in the first place.
• Pro Tips for Beginners: Helpful hacks for straight seams, smooth starts and beautiful Topstitching.
• Basic Machine Maintenance: How to keep trouble at bay with easy routine care

Level: Beginner

Age Range: Adults and Teens (12-18)

Instructor: Mary Earle-Sigler (Read Mary's bio)

Members: $35

Non-Members: $45

Materials fee: No materials fee for this workshop.

Materials provided by instructor:  handouts, scraps of fabric for practicing on, 2 fresh Universal machine needles

Students should bring: 

• Your Sewing Machine: Including the power cord and the foot pedal.
• The Instruction Manual: If you can’t find yours, try searching your machine's model number online to print a PDF version.
• All Included Accessories: Specifically, the bobbins and any presser feet that came with the machine.
• Spool of All-Purpose Thread: Any color you like!
• Small Scissors or Snips: For cutting thread.
• Straight Pins: If you have a pin cushion or catcher, bring it too.
• Notebook and Pen: To jot down tips and your machine’s specific quirks.

Learn about our cancellation & COVID policy here: Workshop Policies

Interested in applying for a scholarship? Apply here!