Learning How To Sew With A Machine

[SooperJake]

I figured it out. The flywheel wasn't tight enough and had been slipping.

[mikesmith648]

My toro did that too. Tightened it up an voila!!

[Rayban]

Is there a class somewhere for learning how to use an industrial sewing machine (441 clone)?

Jake

I've always thought it would be a good idea for someone to host a work-shop or some sort of class...but with us spread out all over the world, that would be costly for most of us to attend.

Learning what makes a machine tick is also very important if we're to get the optimum usage out of our machines.

I'm very fortunate to have Toledo Bob just half hour away from me...and a lot closer via email and phone.

[SooperJake]

If some expert put together a dvd, or a dvd set, with all their accumulated knowledge in it, I'd buy it in a second. From set up to maintenance. What needle and foot combo to use, how to choose thread and needle for what you are sewing, trouble shooting, practice exercises...you get the idea.

Jake

[Ferg]

Jake,

One of the problems with this scenario is there being some differences in the machines. Act of sewing not much different from one to another.

We visited an Art Fair couple weeks ago where a lady had a gazillion purses, wallets, etc. None were tooled, she uses expensive leather and does some fantastic stitching, most French Seams. I spoke with her briefly. She will be using Italian leather for all her products soon.

This lady had done a lot of practicing.

ferg

1346648571[/url]' post='262890']

If some expert put together a dvd, or a dvd set, with all their accumulated knowledge in it, I'd buy it in a second. From set up to maintenance. What needle and foot combo to use, how to choose thread and needle for what you are sewing, trouble shooting, practice exercises...you get the idea.

Jake

Edited September 3, 2012 by 50 years leather

[Northmount]

I think a video could be very useful. It could show what the various parts of a "typical" machine are, how the top thread is controlled, how the loop is formed under the feed dogs/ plate, how the hook comes around and grabs the loop to pull it over the bobbin, how the top thread is pulled back up, how to adjust the tension, how to start a stitch, how to back tack, how to turn corners, follow curves, etc.

Comments could be made about timing, walking foot versus not, how to adjust presser foot pressure. For specific brand names threading, timing, and that sort of stuff, viewer should be referred to the machines manual.

More could be added to following segments on using edge guides, a little about routine maintenance, oiling, etc.

One of the first things in the video should be how to correctly install a new needle.

Charts don't need to be in the video, but reference locations (urls) should be given.

Some good and bad examples of sewing should be included. Wrong tension, wrong needle and thread size combination.

We could start off with an outline, followed by a text write up with photos. That could be followed up using it as the basis for a script to do video segments.

There are a number of photos in various posts that can be used for illustrative purposes, both in a text document, and later for video either as direct insertion or guide for action in the video.

What do you think? Will it get support and input, enough to make it worthwhile, or a good idea that goes off the rails and never gets finished.

Some of the vendors here have done nice shorts promoting their machines and showing how to thread. Would they be interested in formally supporting, or taking over the actual video production?

CTG

[Rayban]

Sounds good northmount....I believe such a DVD would be very useful.

[SooperJake]

Or an online content...either way the greenhorn machine owner would certainly benefit...someone like me!

I'm actually a little surprised DVD's on the subject don't already exist. It's a potential add-on sale for every sewing machine sold, I would think.

How many "help" phone calls it could save the dealers, particularly if it was machine specific?

All good theory, but is it practical? What would make for interesting content, I think, would be to take an absolute beginner and sit them down and film the lesson.

Jake

[Wizcrafts]

Or an online content...either way the greenhorn machine owner would certainly benefit...someone like me!

I'm actually a little surprised DVD's on the subject don't already exist. It's a potential add-on sale for every sewing machine sold, I would think.

How many "help" phone calls it could save the dealers, particularly if it was machine specific?

All good theory, but is it practical? What would make for interesting content, I think, would be to take an absolute beginner and sit them down and film the lesson.

Jake

If you're ever in mid-Michigan, you're welcome to visit my leather shop, where my CB4500 lives. I'll be happy to show you how I adjust and operate my machine and how the optional attachments work. Take all the photos or video footage you want.

[SooperJake]

Wiz, I may take you up on that the next time I come home.

Jake