PLEASE keep making videos about basic beginner sewing stuff. I've gone through so many videos on youtube and gotten nothing out of them, and the way you explain things really clicks with me. This video JUST fixed the issue I was having tonight and couldn't figure out why. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
@prettysimplesara Oh, everything ahah. I've been trying to teach myself how to sew for years but there's so much to learn for garment construction or tailoring, my main focus, that I get overwhelmed and put it down for a year and pick it back up and get overwhelmed and put it down and... So seven years into that and I'm still trying to figure out how to sew straight, even lines and curves for basic shapes. They end up looking wiggly like your other video unless I focus super intently on the marks on the presser foot ruler and kind of strain my eyes. Do you have any sewing drills to recommend, or is it just "keep sewing and eventually it makes more sense?" Also any tips for how to cut straight lines with scissors would be *amazing* since I don't have a rotary set. Don't want to buy a bunch of fancy stuff before I know I'll stick with it this time. Thanks again, you are amazing!
@@TheRealPhantomsAria Thank you for your kind words I mainly sew quilts now, but I did sew garments more often long ago. So my advice is from long ago... 1) about the scissors - it's not quite as important to cut straight for garments as it is for quilts. I did use nice sewing scissors that have that flat bottom and the handles are raised up. Hope that makes sense? It lets you lay your fabrics and pattern out on a table and then glide the scissors along with the handles above the surface. But I do see people using rotary cutters now to cut out garments - there were no rotary cutters when I was sewing garments ;) Sharp scissors always make life easier - you can usually get them sharpened - a sewing store would have a recommendation on who to take them to. 2) Sewing straight. I always start people out sewing on paper. you can draw lines and follow them. You can sew next to the edge and use your seam guide lines just like you were sewing on fabric. Just change your needle before you start your project. I also have a video about sewing straight - ruclips.net/video/jKfSFhal-Ts/видео.htmlsi=iCpiWk35iP4Htmr- 3) Overwhelm. I'm thinking it's because you want it to be perfect the first try. Remember that a baby is amazed at well you walk - because you've had lots of practice! I would intentionally plan that the first few projects are not going look super amazing. You can even buy cheap fabric if you want to. Or start with quilting which is easier than garment sewing (as long as you pick a SMALL SIMPLE project like a tablerunner!!). I have a pillowcase video that's a pretty simple project here - ruclips.net/video/6PXWQuRcwWk/видео.htmlsi=eHqnIbfpSd438izp Just find some way to take the pressure off yourself and focus on enjoying learning the process. :) Easier said than done, I know. I get overwhelmed making videos. I now assume that it's going to take at least three takes of each video before I'm satisfied. Actually one I tried to film last week I just decided needs a 4th! But sometimes I get it in the first. Taking the pressure off myself makes it much less overwhelming. I don't even have a planned schedule anymore - which between that and life happening lately is why I don't publish videos very often LOL - but I'm enjoying it all much more.
I love that you explain *why* this works and don’t just share the quick fix. I find that it much easier to learn/remember things when I know the why and not just the how. Thank you, you’re a great teacher!
Exactly! That’s how I learn best too and I try to do this with every video. I believe everyone is capable of understanding why and that it will help them when they have to solve other issues.
I want to start sewing, but know nothing about it. I've only ever mended stuffed animals by hand (poorly), and that was over 20 years go when I was a child. You are the only person one RUclips that has actually taught me anything. I watched dozens of getting started videos, and they were full of jump-cuts, assumed the viewer had prior knowledge of the basics already, etc. You style of teaching is very effective! I really appreciate you taking the time to share what you know with others. :)
I’m so glad you are learning ❤️. I do want people to learn to sew and enjoy doing it because I love it so much 🥰 Beginners often stop because no one has taught them the basics, and that’s 😞 to me. If you haven’t started on your machine yet, I do have an online course that gets you started from taking it out of the box to starting your first seam. But don’t worry, once you get the basics, things will seem obvious. Just keep pushing through!
OK I just have to say this: I am so grateful and delightfully impressed by your thoughtful demonstration using a Life cereal box and those pretty shoelaces. Thank you so much for your ingenuity in explaining this! I’m a sometimes visual learner and your method is perfect. When I worked in heavy leather manufacturing the ladies used to tease me about the “spider knots” or “spider nests” I’d get from not taking care of my settings on our heavy duty Ferdinand industrial machine. And the first and ONLY time I broke a needle?! They were in absolute hysterics as I’d dived UNDER the sewing table from the tremendous gunshot noise and THUD of the machine as it sent the broken piece flying who knew where! No exaggeration. After that experience I not only gained a great amount of respect for the other more experienced teachings the other ladies blessed me with, but I paid much closer attention to the ‘before and after workday care and daily oiling’ of my Ferdinand, and caution as I worked the thick, hard leather (gun holsters, hunting packs, belts, etc.). Simple care and light cleaning of our lovely home machines is no where near as difficult, and can save time and unnecessary frustration in the long run. Thank you for taking precious time sharing your expertise. ❤
I'm normally frustrated by YT 'explanatory' videos for going fast too fast or way too slowly because they love the sound of their own voices. But you Sara are cut from different cloth - you're informative, you make it easy to understand the how and the why, and your easily my favourite. ❤
There are so many people who can sew really well, but not many people who can break it down to understandable pieces like this. I learned to “sew” about 20 years ago but I’m realizing how much I really didn’t know until I’m watching your videos. It’s clear to me that what I thought I was doing was… very rudimentary. Thank you so much for these videos, please keep them coming!
Wow! I have been sewing for years, and just happened upon your channel this morning. You are so informative and easy to listen to. It’s never too late to learn (or relearn) something new. Thanks you so much!
You are so clear with your explanations which makes everything you teach immediately make sense. Not to mention great visual instruction to complete everything! Love your videos. ❤
I totally agree withTheRealPhantomsAria, please keep these videos coming. It helps me so much to understand why something happens, or doesn't happen and you explain things so well! Thank you for making it easier to understand!
Yes, I agree with @TheRealPhantomsArira PLEASE keep making beginner sewing tutorial videos, please.🙏 Your videos are the best videos out there. You are an amazing teacher. You explain things in a way that is very easy to understand with clear instructions. Your videos are short and to the point and that’s just perfect! Absolutely perfect. It works for me anyway and I’m sure for a lot of others too. I’m subscribing to your channel after finding you a few minutes ago. Thanks again!
Can you give me an idea of what you’re struggling with or what kinds of things might help? I have a few ideas, but hearing from someone who is just starting out would help me make more useful videos. 🙂. Thanks🙂
Well done explanation. Using the cereal box and shoe laces as a visual was brilliant. Now, it's etched in my mind. Not only do you know how to sew, you know how to teach. Many know how to sew on YT but some don't know how to teach. You do. Thank You!
Wow! How come I never knew to how the tails after all these years! Thank you for taking the time to explain this basic stuff so well. This kind of information is invaluable.
I love this video so much! It's such a small, particular issue and I thought it was just my machine being funny, but turns out there's actual common science behind it. Now not only do I know how to prevent it from happening, but also why it happened and why this solves it. 😊 Thank you so much! ❤
Thank you so very much. Being a beginner, I have been struggling with such a problem. Your videos are invaluable for me. God bless you, all the way from Assam, India.❤
Brilliant explanation and illustration with the cereal box. I have been sewing for years and had no idea how the two threads interlock. Now if possible could you explain why the tangled mess sometimes happens in the middle of a seam please. It’s so frustrating when you hear that bobbin chatter and have to break off to clear the mess. The threads can really get jammed in to the bobbin race too!
@louisemorris1581 This is one of those I wish I could be there and see. I know what you are talking about looks like. I'm thinking that the needle thread is getting caught up somehow intermittently. If it stretches and then is released you could have some extra needle thread. This could be the way that your spool is installed on the spool holder combined with what kind of wind the thread has. I have a TikTok on this - www.tiktok.com/@prettysimplesara/video/7019314646716779781?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7257899859051021826 (I don't think you need to download the app to watch it - email me if you do need to download and you don't want to, I can forward it to you.) Because I sew off a cone I have a separate thread stand, the stand inevitably gets moved around and sometimes the needle thread ends up going around weird things LOL Usually this causes a thread break, not a snarl though. If it's not that, it can also be because your bobbin isn't wound nice and neat, your bobbin isn't the right one for your machine, your bobbin isn't threaded just right, your machine needs to be cleaned or that your thread isn't really seated in between the tension discs (thread with your presser foot up), or the takeup lever not being threaded (it hops out on some machines). If you're still stymied, my next step would be to thread the bobbin and needle with two different colors of the same thread and see if that helps in figuring out which is going nuts. It's often the needle thread making all the extra on the bottom. I hope that helps. Please let me know how it goes!
I am so pleased I have come across your channel, everything is making more sense to me. Brand new sewer, and I’m eager to learn everything there is to begin with so I can enjoy slowly learn my new hobby xxx
Thank you! That is so clear. I've been using starters and enders to prevent this mess, but I never knew why that worked. Well, now I see that it serves as the first few stitches, so no tangled mess.
Excellent video! I was able to deduce my excess bobbin thread had somehow gotten involved. Through studying a few other diagrams and explanations, I was able to figure out how my sewing machine worked. This video offered (1) a more reliable fix than taking the bobbin thread off to the side and crossing my fingers, but also (2) put together a really great explanation for a friend of mine who has always struggled to understand how sewing machines work. The model is perfect as it doesn’t complicate the explanation with deep details of how the parts work - those can be learned after the basic idea is understood. Great stuff!
Hi Sara - I learned to sew many years ago from my mother and I love to sew because it brings her back to me (she's been gone for nearly 30 years now). Your way of explaining is very much like Mom's way. You are wonderful at explaining things and making it ... Simple! :) Thank you so much and I have definitely subscribed to your channel.
Thank you. Can you do a tutorial on self cutting machines that don’t leave tails, please? I have this problem on my juki, which the manufacturer says should not happen!
I do not have a self cutting machine to test on....but my guess is that it might have something to do with where the take up lever is when you start sewing again. Have you read whatever manual they have about the machine that might give details about if having needle up or down will affect the thread cutter? Are there adjustments for how long the thread tails are? Maybe longer tails would help?? These are my guesses, I don't have experience with thread cutters :) Also, did it work when you first got it and have you cleaned it recently? I hope something in there helps.
Excellent explanation. Just this week I was going to ask how all the videos I see on RUclips start sewing without any problem of accumulating thread at the beginning, I think they edit them and do not show reality. I am, generally, pulling the tails as you have explained, but I also learned to put a small piece of fabric at the beginning before sewing my work in such a way that the knots stay there and my work is clean. You just have to cut the piece at the end.
If holding the tails isn’t working enough that you are still needing a leader, you might want to make sure you always start your seams with the take up lever in the very top position or slightly past it.
Excellent demonstration with shoestrings 👏- wow, such ingenious idea ! Thanks so much for explaining how stitching actually happen and how to fix starting "mess". However, I have problem with ending seams and especially when I have to go back and forth 😭, I always end up with bunch of strands hanging off the final edge end, sometimes not even tangled, just MULTIPLE 😵. I joke that my machine is possessed lol . I have no idea how to fix it or what to do except stopping doing back and forth move to secure end and beginning of a seam ☹.
This might be because your machine doesn’t automatically stop in the full needle up position. If so, try just turning the hand wheel towards you until it’s all the way up and when you pull out your work there should be only two threads. Let me know if that helps 🙂
@@prettysimplesara Thanks so much for taking time to give me advice 💖. I will definitely try it. I think that you are very close to deciphering my crazy machine since yes, I forgot to say, sometimes when this happens I even have trouble rising a needle by hand completely - multiple threads pull on fabric down and needle can not move up completely even though there is no entanglement on the fabric. I have a feeling that some kind of entanglement happens in the bobbin area ?🤷♀ Sometimes it is impossible to pull fabric out of the machine and when I cut threads than some of multiple would fall off if I pull gently on them. Some of threads would stick up out of the sewing plate 🤷♀and I would be able to pull them out with ease when I finally succeed to remove fabric with surgical procedure. Also, this all happens exclusively if I go back and forth or if even one stitch goes off the fabric (in empty space) after I am done with a seam. When I open bobbin area it looks normal and no entanglement obvious there BUT I have to go through re-threading a needle and pulling new thread from bobbin up. My bobbin area is not with transparent top and it is not on top of plate, it is in front down, and hidden so I can not peek and see what is happening in real time 😫. Thanks again for trying to help, it is much appreciated 🙏. It really makes me feel panicky every time I come to the end of any seam and I now resort to turning fabric 180 to make a u-turn to stabilize a seam 😞...
@@SandyV-cg4xd I am wondering if maybe you need to make sure the needle is all the way up before you change directions (forward to reverse)? It’s hard without being there 🙂. And of course, is everything nice and clean and are you using exactly whatever bobbin the manufacturer recommends?
@@prettysimplesara Thank you very much for further suggestions 🥰. I will pay attention where the needle is in this process ! My machine is brand new and bobbin came with it (and several extra) and I am brand new to sewing 😬, so it might be that I am doing something wrong 😵💫also. BUT, when I was a teen I did some simple things on my mom's Singer machine and never had this happening, so maybe she had much, much better machine *sigh 🤷♀ Mine is Janome 2222. I will definitely try your suggestion - 1) stop, 2) rise the needle and than 3) go back. May sewing fairies be with me ☺ lol !!! Thanks again for your time and for caring💖
I have a Singer 4423 that I bought to be a demo of a bottom loading bobbin machine for the videos in my Master Your Machine course. It has all the basics. It’s definitely not as nice as my old Bernina-BUT it didn’t cost anything near what it would cost to replace my Bernina. So with the Singer you will be able to do ‘all the things’, especially as Singer has lots of inexpensive feet, but some day way down the road, after you know exactly what you want, you might want to invest in another machine. Or maybe not 🙂 Beyond that, I haven’t gone around looking at all the different machines. I picked the Singer because it was popular and well liked on Amazon, I think it’s a good bet :). You don’t need any other bells or whistles or electronics🙂
I use to sew often, I was so much better at it years ago. I promised my daughter I’d make her a baby wrap carrier, I think I got in over my head. The material I got is knit, I’m not sure how I need to reinforce the seam. Any ideas on that?
First off: I am mainly a quilter now. I have sewn other things in the distant past, but new fabrics have come out since then. That said, I know you need to use a very narrow zig zag on seams so the thread in the seam doesn’t break when the fabric stretches. So do that. But to keep it from stretching too much, you can reinforce the seam allowance. I found this article, written in 2020 about the products out there nowadays. www.thelaststitch.com/how-to-stabilise-shoulder-seams-on-knit-tops/ But again, not something I know much about. But I think that post looks good. Hope that helps. I’m happy you are sewing again!
My most common problem is the fabric jams in one spot and stops feeding through, and the needle makes several stitches right there, creating a huge lump which is jammed under the surface, and I have to take the machine partway apart and try to forcibly push the lumped fabric back up out of the hole on the metal surface . Often I can’t, and I have to cut the fabric, and it makes a hole in the fabric.
@@prettysimplesara It happens in the middle of a seam occasionally but most often at the beginning of the the piece of fabric. I don’t know how to know if changing the needle is necessary. My mother only changed her needles when they broke, but she had a commercial machine. Mine is a home sewing machine.
@@heard3879 Changing your needle is definitely necessary. :) A needle has a very fine point, it gets worn out and doesn't pierce the fabric as well - which makes it more likely that it will push the fabric down into the machine instead of sliding through it. You also want to use the right needle for the project - needles are designed to work with specific fabrics. Machine manufacturers and needle manufacturers recommend that you change them every 6-8 hours of sewing, which is about every project. It's kind like the tires on your car, they just wear out and don't work as well and we expect to have to replace them. I have some TikToks about needles but I don't have a blog post or video here yet. Try changing your needle - make sure it's the right size and type for your project - and let me know if that helps?
@@prettysimplesara I went and got a brand new needle and followed the instructions in my manual to change out the needle. And tried sewing some lace together. I only sewed about half an inch and it happened again. I try to sew a lot of very fine materials like lace ... maybe Brother is just not a good brand of sewing machine for lace and thin materials. The material that is thinnest is the most likely to get destroyed.
@heard3879 ah! I didn’t realize you were doing fine fabrics. Try using some thin paper or stabilizer underneath and a fine sharp needle. You may be able to get a special throat plate that only has a small hole instead of the slot you need for zig zag. There are also special feet with small holes. The small holes help stabilize the fabric so it doesn’t get pushed through. I’ll link a video about stabilizing starting at points with paper to give you the just of that. I’ll try to reply more tomorrow -I’m out and about but I can tell you are frustrated. Hugs.
@@prettysimplesara thanks for your reply 😃 it is an old Hugin 3200 (swedish brand i think). since i am a beginner, it is probably something i am doing wrong. but in my defense, i barrowed another singer and i seem to be able to solve the same issue by adjusting the tension there. but the same dont go with my hugen.
@@nh6162 so it’s like it’s inconsistent tension? If so, you can try cleaning out the tension discs, and also making sure that the spool is unwinding smoothly. If it’s old it might just need some TLC service.
PLEASE keep making videos about basic beginner sewing stuff. I've gone through so many videos on youtube and gotten nothing out of them, and the way you explain things really clicks with me. This video JUST fixed the issue I was having tonight and couldn't figure out why. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Thanks. I’m glad it helped. I’m not stopping, but it will be slow due to life stuff. What are you most struggling with?
@prettysimplesara Oh, everything ahah. I've been trying to teach myself how to sew for years but there's so much to learn for garment construction or tailoring, my main focus, that I get overwhelmed and put it down for a year and pick it back up and get overwhelmed and put it down and...
So seven years into that and I'm still trying to figure out how to sew straight, even lines and curves for basic shapes. They end up looking wiggly like your other video unless I focus super intently on the marks on the presser foot ruler and kind of strain my eyes. Do you have any sewing drills to recommend, or is it just "keep sewing and eventually it makes more sense?"
Also any tips for how to cut straight lines with scissors would be *amazing* since I don't have a rotary set. Don't want to buy a bunch of fancy stuff before I know I'll stick with it this time. Thanks again, you are amazing!
@@TheRealPhantomsAria
Thank you for your kind words
I mainly sew quilts now, but I did sew garments more often long ago. So my advice is from long ago...
1) about the scissors - it's not quite as important to cut straight for garments as it is for quilts. I did use nice sewing scissors that have that flat bottom and the handles are raised up. Hope that makes sense? It lets you lay your fabrics and pattern out on a table and then glide the scissors along with the handles above the surface. But I do see people using rotary cutters now to cut out garments - there were no rotary cutters when I was sewing garments ;) Sharp scissors always make life easier - you can usually get them sharpened - a sewing store would have a recommendation on who to take them to.
2) Sewing straight. I always start people out sewing on paper. you can draw lines and follow them. You can sew next to the edge and use your seam guide lines just like you were sewing on fabric. Just change your needle before you start your project. I also have a video about sewing straight - ruclips.net/video/jKfSFhal-Ts/видео.htmlsi=iCpiWk35iP4Htmr-
3) Overwhelm. I'm thinking it's because you want it to be perfect the first try. Remember that a baby is amazed at well you walk - because you've had lots of practice! I would intentionally plan that the first few projects are not going look super amazing. You can even buy cheap fabric if you want to. Or start with quilting which is easier than garment sewing (as long as you pick a SMALL SIMPLE project like a tablerunner!!). I have a pillowcase video that's a pretty simple project here - ruclips.net/video/6PXWQuRcwWk/видео.htmlsi=eHqnIbfpSd438izp Just find some way to take the pressure off yourself and focus on enjoying learning the process. :) Easier said than done, I know.
I get overwhelmed making videos. I now assume that it's going to take at least three takes of each video before I'm satisfied. Actually one I tried to film last week I just decided needs a 4th! But sometimes I get it in the first. Taking the pressure off myself makes it much less overwhelming. I don't even have a planned schedule anymore - which between that and life happening lately is why I don't publish videos very often LOL - but I'm enjoying it all much more.
@@ANGE__LICA 🎉🥳🎉
I love that you explain *why* this works and don’t just share the quick fix. I find that it much easier to learn/remember things when I know the why and not just the how. Thank you, you’re a great teacher!
Exactly! That’s how I learn best too and I try to do this with every video. I believe everyone is capable of understanding why and that it will help them when they have to solve other issues.
You are the Paul Sellers of sewing machines, I can't pay you a higher compliment. Thank you
Wow! Thanks 🥰. Wish I had his accent 😘
I want to start sewing, but know nothing about it. I've only ever mended stuffed animals by hand (poorly), and that was over 20 years go when I was a child.
You are the only person one RUclips that has actually taught me anything. I watched dozens of getting started videos, and they were full of jump-cuts, assumed the viewer had prior knowledge of the basics already, etc.
You style of teaching is very effective! I really appreciate you taking the time to share what you know with others. :)
I’m so glad you are learning ❤️. I do want people to learn to sew and enjoy doing it because I love it so much 🥰
Beginners often stop because no one has taught them the basics, and that’s 😞 to me.
If you haven’t started on your machine yet, I do have an online course that gets you started from taking it out of the box to starting your first seam.
But don’t worry, once you get the basics, things will seem obvious. Just keep pushing through!
If everyone had a teacher like you from the beginning, there would be no tears in learning to sew! Nice job!
Thanks! That exactly what I’m trying to accomplish with my beginner courses 🥰🥰
I totally agree with you.
This is the single best video explaining how a sewing machine actually works that I’ve ever seen!! Really helpful ❤
Glad it was helpful!
OK I just have to say this: I am so grateful and delightfully impressed by your thoughtful demonstration using a Life cereal box and those pretty shoelaces. Thank you so much for your ingenuity in explaining this! I’m a sometimes visual learner and your method is perfect. When I worked in heavy leather manufacturing the ladies used to tease me about the “spider knots” or “spider nests” I’d get from not taking care of my settings on our heavy duty Ferdinand industrial machine. And the first and ONLY time I broke a needle?! They were in absolute hysterics as I’d dived UNDER the sewing table from the tremendous gunshot noise and THUD of the machine as it sent the broken piece flying who knew where! No exaggeration. After that experience I not only gained a great amount of respect for the other more experienced teachings the other ladies blessed me with, but I paid much closer attention to the ‘before and after workday care and daily oiling’ of my Ferdinand, and caution as I worked the thick, hard leather (gun holsters, hunting packs, belts, etc.). Simple care and light cleaning of our lovely home machines is no where near as difficult, and can save time and unnecessary frustration in the long run.
Thank you for taking precious time sharing your expertise. ❤
Thank you for your kind words🥰. I can only imagine how scary a needle breaking must have been on an industrial machine!!!
You take the time and explain things so well! I am a beginner sewer and your channel is a gem! I wish i found you sooner!
Thank you so much!
I'm normally frustrated by YT 'explanatory' videos for going fast too fast or way too slowly because they love the sound of their own voices. But you Sara are cut from different cloth - you're informative, you make it easy to understand the how and the why, and your easily my favourite. ❤
Aww, thank you so much 😊. I’m glad you found it helpful. 👍
I'm a guy and use a sewing machine to do all sorts of basic stuff, these little videos are very useful. Great job.
Cool, thanks!
There are so many people who can sew really well, but not many people who can break it down to understandable pieces like this.
I learned to “sew” about 20 years ago but I’m realizing how much I really didn’t know until I’m watching your videos. It’s clear to me that what I thought I was doing was… very rudimentary.
Thank you so much for these videos, please keep them coming!
Thank you so much for your kind words 😊
I've never seen such a clear and complete explanation!👏👏👏👏
Glad you think so!
Wow! I have been sewing for years, and just happened upon your channel this morning. You are so informative and easy to listen to. It’s never too late to learn (or relearn) something new. Thanks you so much!
You are so welcome!
You are so clear with your explanations which makes everything you teach immediately make sense. Not to mention great visual instruction to complete everything! Love your videos. ❤
Wow, thank you! Glad I can help😊
I've been sewing for over 60 years & I'm still learning from your videos. Amazingly well explained! Thank you so much for doing them. 😁
You are so welcome!
I was today old when I learned how this all works! Great explanation, thank you so much!!!
Happy to help!
Wow. So clear! Thank you for showing it on the vintage machine.
Love the older sewing machines🙂
I totally agree withTheRealPhantomsAria, please keep these videos coming. It helps me so much to understand why something happens, or doesn't happen and you explain things so well! Thank you for making it easier to understand!
I’m working on it 🙂🙂
But…what are you having trouble with??
This is the best description I have ever seen on why this happens. Thank you!
You're so welcome!
Yes, I agree with @TheRealPhantomsArira PLEASE keep making beginner sewing tutorial videos, please.🙏 Your videos are the best videos out there. You are an amazing teacher. You explain things in a way that is very easy to understand with clear instructions. Your videos are short and to the point and that’s just perfect! Absolutely perfect. It works for me anyway and I’m sure for a lot of others too.
I’m subscribing to your channel after finding you a few minutes ago.
Thanks again!
Can you give me an idea of what you’re struggling with or what kinds of things might help? I have a few ideas, but hearing from someone who is just starting out would help me make more useful videos. 🙂. Thanks🙂
I've sewn quilts consistently for about 15 years. Your explanations are so easy and simple that I'm learning new things every video. Thank you!
Happy to help!
I really like the model of fabric and thread that you made.
🙂 that has been very popular in my videos and was something just made on the fly. I’m so glad it’s been helpful to people (and cheap!)
Well done explanation. Using the cereal box and shoe laces as a visual was brilliant. Now, it's etched in my mind.
Not only do you know how to sew, you know how to teach. Many know how to sew on YT but some don't know how to teach. You do.
Thank You!
🥰
Wow! How come I never knew to how the tails after all these years! Thank you for taking the time to explain this basic stuff so well. This kind of information is invaluable.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you this helps me understand because I kept getting frustrated
So helpful to understand what’s happening and why holding the thread when starting a seam is a good method.
🙂
I love this video so much! It's such a small, particular issue and I thought it was just my machine being funny, but turns out there's actual common science behind it. Now not only do I know how to prevent it from happening, but also why it happened and why this solves it. 😊 Thank you so much! ❤
Thank you!
What a fantastic video.
I am trying to gather information to help me better my sewing machine skills. Thank you so much for sharing your advice.
I’m
So glad it was helpful! I have a few tips on my blog too if you check out my link prettysimplesara.com/links/
Excellent job explaining, and thank you for the visuals! Your videos are always so clear and concise. Also, thank you for speaking clearly.
Thank you for the kind words 🙂
So much of using a sewing machine is not intuitive. Thank you for making it simple for us newbies.
You are so welcome!
Love your videos! Keep teaching us please!
I’ll do my best!
Thank you so much - I had always wondered why this happened!
Happy to help!
Great explanation, thanks.
You're welcome!
Thank you! These videos are very helpful and I appreciate the way you model how the machine works. Excellent educational tools. Well done
Glad it was helpful!
A new comer, I learned a lot and will be following your teaching methods. Thank you and God's blessings be upon you and your family.
Thank you for the blessings 🙂
Thank you so very much. Being a beginner, I have been struggling with such a problem. Your videos are invaluable for me. God bless you, all the way from Assam, India.❤
You are so welcome!
Best explanation I have ever heard - thank you!
Thanks😊
Thank you so much! Clear and concise!
Thanks for watching!
Learn something new everyday. Thanks
Brilliant explanation and illustration with the cereal box. I have been sewing for years and had no idea how the two threads interlock. Now if possible could you explain why the tangled mess sometimes happens in the middle of a seam please. It’s so frustrating when you hear that bobbin chatter and have to break off to clear the mess. The threads can really get jammed in to the bobbin race too!
@louisemorris1581
This is one of those I wish I could be there and see. I know what you are talking about looks like. I'm thinking that the needle thread is getting caught up somehow intermittently. If it stretches and then is released you could have some extra needle thread. This could be the way that your spool is installed on the spool holder combined with what kind of wind the thread has. I have a TikTok on this - www.tiktok.com/@prettysimplesara/video/7019314646716779781?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7257899859051021826
(I don't think you need to download the app to watch it - email me if you do need to download and you don't want to, I can forward it to you.)
Because I sew off a cone I have a separate thread stand, the stand inevitably gets moved around and sometimes the needle thread ends up going around weird things LOL Usually this causes a thread break, not a snarl though.
If it's not that, it can also be because your bobbin isn't wound nice and neat, your bobbin isn't the right one for your machine, your bobbin isn't threaded just right, your machine needs to be cleaned or that your thread isn't really seated in between the tension discs (thread with your presser foot up), or the takeup lever not being threaded (it hops out on some machines).
If you're still stymied, my next step would be to thread the bobbin and needle with two different colors of the same thread and see if that helps in figuring out which is going nuts. It's often the needle thread making all the extra on the bottom.
I hope that helps. Please let me know how it goes!
@@prettysimplesara thank you.
I love this video!!!!! I’ve been sewing for years, but have never seen. It explained this way. I think it’s awesome. Thank you.
You are so welcome!
I am so pleased I have come across your channel, everything is making more sense to me. Brand new sewer, and I’m eager to learn everything there is to begin with so I can enjoy slowly learn my new hobby xxx
❤️enjoy slowly ❤️. Definitely the way to learn!
Thank you! That is so clear. I've been using starters and enders to prevent this mess, but I never knew why that worked. Well, now I see that it serves as the first few stitches, so no tangled mess.
Exactly!
Excellent video! I was able to deduce my excess bobbin thread had somehow gotten involved. Through studying a few other diagrams and explanations, I was able to figure out how my sewing machine worked. This video offered (1) a more reliable fix than taking the bobbin thread off to the side and crossing my fingers, but also (2) put together a really great explanation for a friend of mine who has always struggled to understand how sewing machines work. The model is perfect as it doesn’t complicate the explanation with deep details of how the parts work - those can be learned after the basic idea is understood.
Great stuff!
Thank you for the kind words. I’m so glad it helped you and your friend.
Hi Sara - I learned to sew many years ago from my mother and I love to sew because it brings her back to me (she's been gone for nearly 30 years now). Your way of explaining is very much like Mom's way. You are wonderful at explaining things and making it ... Simple! :) Thank you so much and I have definitely subscribed to your channel.
Thanks for sharing❤️ and welcome 🙂
Thank you. Can you do a tutorial on self cutting machines that don’t leave tails, please? I have this problem on my juki, which the manufacturer says should not happen!
I do not have a self cutting machine to test on....but my guess is that it might have something to do with where the take up lever is when you start sewing again. Have you read whatever manual they have about the machine that might give details about if having needle up or down will affect the thread cutter? Are there adjustments for how long the thread tails are? Maybe longer tails would help??
These are my guesses, I don't have experience with thread cutters :)
Also, did it work when you first got it and have you cleaned it recently?
I hope something in there helps.
That was a great video!!!
Thank you!
Wow. Amazing, thankyou.
Glad you liked it!
Had no idea! WOW. Thank you!
Happy to help!
AWESOME! ty so much for this information. Especially! How simple you make it seem ; ) and how caring you are, while explaining.
You are so welcome!
Thank you very much for the very clear and understandable explanation, it really helps!
Glad it was helpful!
This was very helpful! Thank you!
Oh my gosh thank you!!!!!
You are very welcome!
Wow thank u❤❤❤❤ i love youuuu❤❤❤. This is what i need ❤
You're welcome 😊
Thank you so much!
You're welcome!
Excellent explanation. Just this week I was going to ask how all the videos I see on RUclips start sewing without any problem of accumulating thread at the beginning, I think they edit them and do not show reality. I am, generally, pulling the tails as you have explained, but I also learned to put a small piece of fabric at the beginning before sewing my work in such a way that the knots stay there and my work is clean. You just have to cut the piece at the end.
If holding the tails isn’t working enough that you are still needing a leader, you might want to make sure you always start your seams with the take up lever in the very top position or slightly past it.
@@prettysimplesara Good to know!
This is great. Thank you!
You're very welcome!
Ty❤
wow ❤thank you so much- so helpful
Glad it was helpful!
Excellent demonstration with shoestrings 👏- wow, such ingenious idea ! Thanks so much for explaining how stitching actually happen and how to fix starting "mess". However, I have problem with ending seams and especially when I have to go back and forth 😭, I always end up with bunch of strands hanging off the final edge end, sometimes not even tangled, just MULTIPLE 😵. I joke that my machine is possessed lol . I have no idea how to fix it or what to do except stopping doing back and forth move to secure end and beginning of a seam ☹.
This might be because your machine doesn’t automatically stop in the full needle up position. If so, try just turning the hand wheel towards you until it’s all the way up and when you pull out your work there should be only two threads. Let me know if that helps 🙂
@@prettysimplesara Thanks so much for taking time to give me advice 💖. I will definitely try it. I think that you are very close to deciphering my crazy machine since yes, I forgot to say, sometimes when this happens I even have trouble rising a needle by hand completely - multiple threads pull on fabric down and needle can not move up completely even though there is no entanglement on the fabric. I have a feeling that some kind of entanglement happens in the bobbin area ?🤷♀ Sometimes it is impossible to pull fabric out of the machine and when I cut threads than some of multiple would fall off if I pull gently on them. Some of threads would stick up out of the sewing plate 🤷♀and I would be able to pull them out with ease when I finally succeed to remove fabric with surgical procedure. Also, this all happens exclusively if I go back and forth or if even one stitch goes off the fabric (in empty space) after I am done with a seam. When I open bobbin area it looks normal and no entanglement obvious there BUT I have to go through re-threading a needle and pulling new thread from bobbin up. My bobbin area is not with transparent top and it is not on top of plate, it is in front down, and hidden so I can not peek and see what is happening in real time 😫. Thanks again for trying to help, it is much appreciated 🙏. It really makes me feel panicky every time I come to the end of any seam and I now resort to turning fabric 180 to make a u-turn to stabilize a seam 😞...
@@SandyV-cg4xd I am wondering if maybe you need to make sure the needle is all the way up before you change directions (forward to reverse)? It’s hard without being there 🙂. And of course, is everything nice and clean and are you using exactly whatever bobbin the manufacturer recommends?
@@prettysimplesara Thank you very much for further suggestions 🥰. I will pay attention where the needle is in this process ! My machine is brand new and bobbin came with it (and several extra) and I am brand new to sewing 😬, so it might be that I am doing something wrong 😵💫also. BUT, when I was a teen I did some simple things on my mom's Singer machine and never had this happening, so maybe she had much, much better machine *sigh 🤷♀ Mine is Janome 2222. I will definitely try your suggestion - 1) stop, 2) rise the needle and than 3) go back. May sewing fairies be with me ☺ lol !!! Thanks again for your time and for caring💖
@@SandyV-cg4xd please let me know how it goes! Don't forget to be curious and have fun :)
Love your videos.super!! Good you advice on a singer model for a beginner? I was planning a 4423 but woul lover your advice.
I have a Singer 4423 that I bought to be a demo of a bottom loading bobbin machine for the videos in my Master Your Machine course. It has all the basics. It’s definitely not as nice as my old Bernina-BUT it didn’t cost anything near what it would cost to replace my Bernina.
So with the Singer you will be able to do ‘all the things’, especially as Singer has lots of inexpensive feet, but some day way down the road, after you know exactly what you want, you might want to invest in another machine. Or maybe not 🙂
Beyond that, I haven’t gone around looking at all the different machines. I picked the Singer because it was popular and well liked on Amazon, I think it’s a good bet :). You don’t need any other bells or whistles or electronics🙂
I use to sew often, I was so much better at it years ago. I promised my daughter I’d make her a baby wrap carrier, I think I got in over my head. The material I got is knit, I’m not sure how I need to reinforce the seam. Any ideas on that?
First off: I am mainly a quilter now. I have sewn other things in the distant past, but new fabrics have come out since then.
That said, I know you need to use a very narrow zig zag on seams so the thread in the seam doesn’t break when the fabric stretches. So do that.
But to keep it from stretching too much, you can reinforce the seam allowance. I found this article, written in 2020 about the products out there nowadays.
www.thelaststitch.com/how-to-stabilise-shoulder-seams-on-knit-tops/
But again, not something I know much about. But I think that post looks good.
Hope that helps. I’m happy you are sewing again!
Or change the tension!
My most common problem is the fabric jams in one spot and stops feeding through, and the needle makes several stitches right there, creating a huge lump which is jammed under the surface, and I have to take the machine partway apart and try to forcibly push the lumped fabric back up out of the hole on the metal surface . Often I can’t, and I have to cut the fabric, and it makes a hole in the fabric.
Is the spot in the middle of a seam? How often do you change your needle?
@@prettysimplesara It happens in the middle of a seam occasionally but most often at the beginning of the the piece of fabric. I don’t know how to know if changing the needle is necessary. My mother only changed her needles when they broke, but she had a commercial machine. Mine is a home sewing machine.
@@heard3879 Changing your needle is definitely necessary. :) A needle has a very fine point, it gets worn out and doesn't pierce the fabric as well - which makes it more likely that it will push the fabric down into the machine instead of sliding through it. You also want to use the right needle for the project - needles are designed to work with specific fabrics. Machine manufacturers and needle manufacturers recommend that you change them every 6-8 hours of sewing, which is about every project. It's kind like the tires on your car, they just wear out and don't work as well and we expect to have to replace them.
I have some TikToks about needles but I don't have a blog post or video here yet.
Try changing your needle - make sure it's the right size and type for your project - and let me know if that helps?
@@prettysimplesara I went and got a brand new needle and followed the instructions in my manual to change out the needle. And tried sewing some lace together. I only sewed about half an inch and it happened again. I try to sew a lot of very fine materials like lace ... maybe Brother is just not a good brand of sewing machine for lace and thin materials. The material that is thinnest is the most likely to get destroyed.
@heard3879 ah! I didn’t realize you were doing fine fabrics. Try using some thin paper or stabilizer underneath and a fine sharp needle. You may be able to get a special throat plate that only has a small hole instead of the slot you need for zig zag. There are also special feet with small holes. The small holes help stabilize the fabric so it doesn’t get pushed through. I’ll link a video about stabilizing starting at points with paper to give you the just of that. I’ll try to reply more tomorrow -I’m out and about but I can tell you are frustrated. Hugs.
I was wondering if I could ask you a question?
Ask away. 🙂
👍👍👍🙂
i have similar issue but it keeps happening in the middle of stitching, not in the beginning :(
Have you tried rethreading? Are you sure your thread spool is feeding smoothly? What type of machine do you have?
@@prettysimplesara thanks for your reply 😃 it is an old Hugin 3200 (swedish brand i think). since i am a beginner, it is probably something i am doing wrong. but in my defense, i barrowed another singer and i seem to be able to solve the same issue by adjusting the tension there. but the same dont go with my hugen.
@@nh6162 so it’s like it’s inconsistent tension? If so, you can try cleaning out the tension discs, and also making sure that the spool is unwinding smoothly. If it’s old it might just need some TLC service.
@@prettysimplesara i will try that. Thank you so much for the advice :)