1. Sewing Machine Safety
7/18/2019

2. Good Afternoon! Today’s Agenda: Sewing Safety
Terminology – Scavenger Hunt
7/18/2019

3. Important Things you need to know about…. Scissors and Shears
Always carry and hold blades closed and facing downward.
Pass them to another person holding blades closed with the handle towards the other person
When not in use, place them on the tables with blades closed.
Never pretend to cut another person’s clothing or hair.
7/18/2019

4. Important Things you need to know about…. Pins and Needles
Pins stay on the pin cushion when not in use.
Pins and needles are never to be removed from class
Never put pins or needles through your skin
Do not put pins or needles in your mouth when you sew.
Never pretend to stick anyone
7/18/2019

5. Important Things you need to know about…. Keeping the Classroom Clean
You are given a participation grade each day of sewing. If materials are left out or you do not clean up, points will be deducted.
NEVER leave straight pins laying around.
Place all tools in their designated areas when clean-up time is announced.
7/18/2019

6. Important Things you need to know about…. Sewing Machines
NEVER put your finger under the needle while the machine is moving
Avoid wearing clothes that can get caught in the machine.
Always keep the presser foot down while sewing (this helps to move the fabric along
Do not force or pull fabric through the machine
Always turn the handwheel toward you
Stitch SLOWLY when learning how to use the machine
Do not sew over pins. Pull them out as you sew
Be very gentle with the sewing machine as they are expensive to repair or replace.
7/18/2019

7. Important Things you need to know about…. Sewing Machines
Always turn off the machine before changing or threading the needle, threading or changing the bobbin, or changing the presser foot.
Do not use bent needles
Do not push the fabric while stitching
Don’t try to be a sewing machine mechanic!
7/18/2019

8. When you are done sewing for the day….
Put the needle down on the machine by using the hand wheel.
Put the presser foot down.
Turn off the machine.
Cover the machine.
Place all tools, thread
needles, etc. back in the
appropriate bin.
Place your sewing project in your own bin.
7/18/2019

9. Sewing Machine Scavenger Hunt
For each sewing tool, write down its name and what it is used for.
7/18/2019

10. Choosing a Thread and Needle
Choose a sewing needle that will be appropriate to your sewing project.
It should be small enough to easily slide through the fabric, yet large enough to not bend or break.
Use needles with larger eyes when you are using unusually thick thread or multiple thread strands.
Choose a thread that is a slightly darker shade than your fabric if you are unable to find a thread that matches exactly.
7/18/2019

11. Threading a Needle
Cut a length of thread (no longer than 18-24”) at a 45 degree angle
Pass the thread through the eye of the needle. (You may need to dampen it to make it pass through easily or use a needle threader).
Protect yourself when hand sewing by using a thimble.
7/18/2019

12. Where’s My Button??
If you find a garment is missing a button and cannot find the missing button…
Check the clothing for a button that wouldn’t be noticed if you removed it.
Check the tail of the shirt
Shirts and blouses sometimes come with spares sewn on them.
7/18/2019

13. HOW TO SEW A BUTTON
-2hole-buttons.html
-4hole-buttons.html
sewing-on-shank-buttons
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14. Let’s Practice Hand-Stitching
Running Stitch: Poke up from the back of the fabric, poke down and up to create a dotted line on front and back of fabric Backstitch: A strong stitch used to repair seams. Begin with a tiny running stitch, back up into the last threads, poke out under, poke through ahead of it and pull. Overcast or Top Stitch: A very strong stitch sometimes called the “ugly” stitch. Put two edges of fabric together. Poke up from the bottom and pull, repeat poking the needle up from the bottom. Stitches are one on top of the other and the thread wraps over the edge of the fabric.