It's Fun to Sew Aprons and Skirts

by Theta Johnson

Practice sewing on paper

Now that you can run the machine, practice sewing by first stitching on paper. Draw some straight and curved lines on paper as a guide to follow as you stitch. Here is how to do it:

Place the end of a line under the needle.

Lower the presser foot. This holds the paper securely and helps feed it through the machine.

Start the machine by turning the balance wheel. Treadle slowly or press on the foot or knee release of the electric machine.

Guide the paper with both hands. Place the left hand in back of the needle and the right in front of the needle. Keep your hands at a safe distance from the needle when stitching.

When you can stitch straight and control the speed of the machine, you are ready to learn to thread the machine and start sewing an easy-to-make article.