What to do first with your new sewing machine.

So you’ve just gotten a new or new to you sewing machine, what should you do first? Here’s what to do first with your new sewing machine.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve just brought home your very first brand new sewing machine, or if you were given a sewing machine, or even if you’ve bought a used machine. The very first thing you should do with your new sewing machine is to READ THE MANUAL!

First, Read the Sewing Machine Manual!

If you bought a new sewing machine, be sure to save the manual when you unbox your machine. If you’ve been given or bought a used (new to you) sewing machine, it may have come with a manual.

However, if your sewing machine didn’t come with a manual, you can still get a copy of your sewing machine manual.

Where to Find Sewing Machine Manuals

Manuals from Sewing Machine Manufacturers

If your sewing machine didn’t come with a manual, you may be able to find one on the manufacturer’s website. Here are a few links:

• Baby Lock
• Bernette
• Bernina
• Brother
• Elna
• Husqvarna/Viking
• Janome
• Juki
• Pfaff
• Singer

Manuals from Online Sources

If you aren’t able to find your sewing machine manual or the manufacturer’s website, you can try one of these sites:

• Sewing Machines Plus
• Sewing Parts Online
• The Sewing Directory

Manuals from Facebook Groups

Another great source for sewing machine manuals or help in general with your sewing machine is, believe it or not, Facebook. You’re sure to find a Facebook Group specific to your make and/or model of sewing machine.

Here are a few:

• Baby Lock Machine Owners Group
• Janome Sewing Classroom

Here’s how to search for and find Groups in Facebook:

1. Go to Facebook and login under your personal account (Some groups don’t allow pages to join, so be sure you’re logged in under your personal account.)
2. Click on Groups. Then type a name in the search field and press enter.
3. Browse through the groups and click Join when you find a group you’d like to Join. Some groups may have questions. Simply answer the questions and then click on Submit. A moderator will review your answers and you’ll receive a notification in Facebook once your request to join has been approved.

Why Read the Manual First

Your sewing machine manual can be a wealth of information. In fact, I swear that everytime I read my manual, I discover something new.

Your manual will help you to:

• identify all the parts of your sewing machine
• thread the sewing machine properly
• learn how to wind a bobbin
• identify all the accessories and feet
• perform routine maintenance
• use the special stitches

5 Things to Do First With Your New Sewing Machine

Step One: Read the Manual

The most important thing you can do to help you get your sewing off to a great start is to read the sewing machine manual. If your machine did not come with a manual, please refer to one of the links above that will help you to download your manual.

Once you download the manual, I recommend you print it out and store it in a 3-ring binder for easy reference. You could also have your manual spiral bound at your favorite office supply store.

Step Two: Install a New Sewing Machine Needle

Refer to your sewing machine manual and purchase the sewing machine needles the manufacturer recommends. I like to use Organ, Schmetz, or Organ brand needles. Again, use the needles your sewing machine manufacturer recommends for best results.

You’ll also want to refer to your sewing machine manual to learn how to properly install your sewing machine needle. There is usually a sewing machine screwdriver that is required to use to install/remove a needle.

Step Three: Wind the Bobbin(s)

Use a good quality all-purpose thread like Gutermann. If your machine didn’t come with blank bobbins, refer to the manual and purchase the appropriate bobbins for your machine.

I like to wind several (aka many) bobbins at a time. You’ll want to wind bobbins before you thread your sewing machine. Once the bobbin is wound, install the bobbin in your sewing machine. Again, refer to the manual.

You can learn more about How to Wind a Bobbin in this blog post.

Step Four: Thread the Sewing Machine

Once you have a new needle installed in your machine and have a couple of bobbins wound, you’re ready to thread your sewing machine. Refer to the sewing machine manual to learn how to properly thread your machine.

Learn How to Thread the Janome 8200 HERE!

Step Five: Practice, practice, practice!

Once you’ve threaded your sewing machine you are ready to practice sewing. I can’t stress enough how important it is to practice, practice, practice.

So grab you some fabric, thread, and a pair of scissors and practice sewing.

Read the Manual!

I hope you can see from these five steps just how important it is that the first thing you do when you get a new sewing machine is to READ THE MANUAL. You’ll also want to keep your manual handy so you can easily and quickly refer to it when needed.

In fact, I often re-read my manual – just for fun! I learn something new every single time! And just when I think I know everything there is to know about my machine, I learn something new!

My Sewing Machine

I currently sew with a Janome Memory Craft Horizon 8200 QCP Special Edition Sewing Machine.

For a list of recommended beginner friendly sewing machines, you can read that here and here.

If you are looking for the manual to the Janome Memory Craft 8200 QCP Special Edition Sewing Machine, you can find it here on the Janome website.

And if you’re new to sewing, be sure to check out my Learn to Sew series!