Published on Sew4Home Janome Week: Out-Of-The-Box Basics: ID the Main Parts of a Sewing Machine Editor: Liz Johnson Monday, 22 April 2013 1:00 Sewing is an art. But is does rely on science and technology as well. And there's math with all those fractions and geometry. But most importantly... there's your machine. A good machine makes the difference – not only in the sewing experience but in the professional look of the finished project. Janome America is the exclusive sewing machine sponsor of Sew4Home and we love our studio Janomes. When you have a great machine, you can literally forget about it, and put your full concentration on the art of sewing. To borrow a line from Janome that explains this phenomenon: the easier the tools, the more creative you become. Janome machines are precise and reliable from the top of the line to the most basic entry level model. One of the very first articles we did on Sew4Home explained the parts of a basic sewing machine. We've decided to update that article today as the first day in Janome Week – for the benefit of all the new sewing enthusiasts out there. Plus, it never hurts for any of us to dust off our skills and knowledge. We're using one of Janome's brand new Magnolia models to show what you can expect right out of the box. Janome Magnolia is a great, full-featured mid-range line of sewing machines and sergers with incredible stitch quality at very affordable prices. Two new models recently debuted and we're featuring the 7360 today. You'll want to pay particularly close attention to this pretty machine, because coming up in the next few weeks, we will be giving away a Janome Magnolia 7360 to one lucky S4H visitor! More on that later. For now... let's open up our new machine and find out what's inside. Unpacking Your machine will come home with you in its shipping box. Make sure, as with anything you get in a shipping carton, there is no damage to the outer box. Most dealers have inspected their shipments previously, but a quick once-over is always a good idea.
Transcript
Published on Sew4Home
Janome Week: Out-Of-The-Box Basics: ID the Main Parts of a Sewing Machine
Editor: Liz JohnsonMonday, 22 April 2013 1:00
Sewing is an art. But is does rely on science and technology as well. And there's math with all those fractions and geometry.But most importantly... there's your machine. A good machine makes the difference – not only in the sewing experience but inthe professional look of the finished project. Janome America is the exclusive sewing machine sponsor of Sew4Home and welove our studio Janomes. When you have a great machine, you can literally forget about it, and put your full concentration onthe art of sewing. To borrow a line from Janome that explains this phenomenon: the easier the tools, the more creative youbecome. Janome machines are precise and reliable from the top of the line to the most basic entry level model. One of thevery first articles we did on Sew4Home explained the parts of a basic sewing machine. We've decided to update that articletoday as the first day in Janome Week – for the benefit of all the new sewing enthusiasts out there. Plus, it never hurts for anyof us to dust off our skills and knowledge.
We're using one of Janome's brand new Magnolia models to show what you can expect right out of the box. Janome Magnoliais a great, full-featured mid-range line of sewing machines and sergers with incredible stitch quality at very affordable prices.Two new models recently debuted and we're featuring the 7360 today. You'll want to pay particularly close attention to thispretty machine, because coming up in the next few weeks, we will be giving away a Janome Magnolia 7360 to one lucky S4Hvisitor! More on that later. For now... let's open up our new machine and find out what's inside.
Unpacking
Your machine will come home with you in its shipping box. Make sure, as with anything you get in a shipping carton, there isno damage to the outer box. Most dealers have inspected their shipments previously, but a quick once-over is always a goodidea.
7360 comes standard with a hard cover, which will be in place over the machine when you remove it from the box.
Pull out any separately wrapped items, such as the manual, parts and/or cords.
Remove the cover. There may be additional packing materials within the machine itself. Our foot control was packaged in thecenter opening and there was an additional styrofoam piece protecting the needle area.
Pull out the manual. It will list all the elements that should be included. Your first job is to identify all the presser feet andaccessories to make sure everything is there and you know what's what.
If your machine has a free arm option, this is accessed by pulling away part of the sewing table. Often, as is the case with theMagnolia 7360, there is additional parts storage within this removable section. Our buttonhole foot was stored inside theaccessory bin. When setting up your machine, use this bin to hold your most used presser feet and other handy tools.
If you are working with a manual model, all your stitches are likely to be printed on the front of the machine and/or on a pull-out guide and/or on buttons or dials. Whichever the method, you'll have a way to navigate to all the included utility anddecorative stitches.
The Magnolia 7360 also has a handy plasticized stitch chart you can attach to the top of the machine. It's a great quickreference, and you simply slide it out and fold away the holder when not in use.
Models and makes of sewing machines differ in layout and features, but the basic parts are similar. Your machine's manualshould show a detailed diagram of your specific model. If you don't have a manual, check the manufacturer's website. Often,manuals can be found online and downloaded. Consult your machine's manual for specific instructions on use and care.Below, we've called out the main parts to identify:
1. Spool pin: Holds a spool of thread.2. Bobbin winder spindle: Bobbin is placed here during winding.3. Bobbin winder stopper: Stops winding the bobbin when it reaches capacity.4. Stitch width adjustment buttons: Controls the zigzag stitch. Depending on your machine model, this may be a dial.5. Pattern selection buttons: Allow you to move through the various utility stitches, decorative stitches and buttonholes.
Each stitch number will appear on the menu screen. Depending on your machine model, this may be a dial.6. Handwheel: The large knob on the right side of your machine. Manually raises and lowers the needle.7. Stitch length adjustment buttons: Controls the length of the stitch. Shorter stitches for finer fabrics, longer for heavier
fabrics, basting and gathering. Depending on your machine model, this may be a dial.8. Reverse stitch button: The machine will sew in reverse while the button is pushed. Depending on your machine model,
this may be a lever.9. Speed control slider: Slide from left to right to speed up the stitching speed.
10. Needle up/down button: Push once to drop the needle, push again to raise the needle. This also programs the defaultaction while stitching. Most people prefer "needle down," which means when you stop, the needle stops in the downposition.
11. Lock stitch button: Push to create a neat knot at the beginning or end of your seam. Use this instead of backstitchingto lock your seams. Great for topstitching.
12. Start/Stop control: Unplug the foot control to activate this feature. Start and stop your stitching with the push of a buttonrather than with your foot.
13. Power switch:The off-on switch is usually located on the right side of the machine, beneath the handwheel.14. Bobbin winder thread guide: A thread guide drawing to make sure you have the bobbin inserted correctly. 15. Thread tension dial: Controls the tension on the top thread. If too tight, the bobbin thread appears on the right side of
the fabric. If too loose, the needle thread loops on the underside of the fabric.16. Thread take-up lever: The top thread passes through the thread take-up lever. It moves up and down with the needle.17. Needle clamp screw: This clamp holds the needle in place.18. Presser foot: When lowered, using a lever on the back side of the machine, this foot holds fabric in place.19. Bobbin cover release button: Releases the cover for access to the bobbin.20. Bobbin cover: Covers and protects the bobbin holder while sewing.
21. Needle: A needle pushes the thread through the fabric to form a stitch.22. Feed dog: The feed dog pulls fabric forward while sewing.23. Needle plate: The metal plate beneath the needle and presser foot. It has one opening for the needle to pass through as
it stitches, and others for the feed dogs to emerge and help move the fabric forward during sewing. Also called a throatplate. Handy guidelines on the needle plate help you keep your seam allowances straight and true.
Threading
Find that manual again to confirm the threading pattern for your machine.
Janome models also have handy guide marks embossed in the plastic and/or printed on the machine, making it super easy tofollow and remember.
The next step is to test your stitches. This is not only an important thing to do when you first unpack your machine, it's also agreat idea to do before any project or whenever you change your settings.
I do some straight stitches, some zig zag stitches, and just make sure everything is running smoothly and I haven't threadedincorrectly. Even if you're an old hand at sewing, you can mis-thread, which will mess up your stitches. You don't want to startoff your project with skipped stitches or thread tangles so take the time to test!
Do pay attention to your manual. I know most people find it the least interesting thing in the world to read, but you'd beamazed at how much work goes into putting one together. One thing we've learned in our work with Janome is thetremendous amount of effort on the part of the factory technicians in Japan as well as the education department at JanomeAmerica to make sure the information you need to stitch successfully is included in that trusty manual. Obviously, the moreadvanced your machine, the more information (and pages) in your manual. Take advantage of it. Any time you are having aproblem, the manual is the first place to turn.
So there you have it. You're ready to go right out of the box to make stitching magic. Make sure you stay tuned for that GreatGiveaway we mentioned above. Thank you again to Janome America for providing the machine for today's article, and forbeing so super generous to provide a brand new Magnolia 7360 for a lucky Sew4Home visitor. We're not letting on exactlywhen the giveaway will happen quite yet. Guess you'll just have to come back every day!
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Janome Week
Sewing Tips & Tricks
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