My first venture with the sewing machine..

My mum owns an early 70s Alfa sewing machine. I got it out today and begged her to teach me how to use it. We got it going but the needle kept unthreading. Mum was never too good (I have a feeling I won't be either!) and we can't get the tensions right. Is it possible for you guys to explain how to do it, or does each machine vary? (This is a hand one, not an electric)

 

If it's been in a closet and hasn't been touched for more than a week you will need to clean and oil the machine prior to sewing. Get a vacume cleaner out and vacume all the dust out of the bottom part of the machine, the bobbin area, and also where the (upper) workings are. Do this prior to adjusting the tension bc/s you can break your machine if you use it and the workings are not properly oiled (or the oil that *is* there is gummed up (or evaporated) and not lubricating the workings.Your sewing machine manual should give you all the details on how to oil your specific machine.

how to clean a machine basics:
http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/t00022.asp
http://sewing.about.com/library/weekly/aa082998.htm

how to clean a machine with a bit on tension:
http://cahe.nmsu.edu/pubs/_c/c-102.html

Once the machine is cleaned and oiled (and if possible apply sewing machine grease to the gears) then make sure that the machine is threadedproperly and that you are using a good quality thread. If your machine isn't threaded properly, the thread is old or cheap, or you aren't using the right thread/needle/fabric combination the thread will break. So make sure you're using nice thread, the machine is threaded properly (no skipped loops), and the right thread/needle/fabric combo.
troubleshooting:
http://sewing.about.com/library/weekly/aa081999.htm

If your thread is still breaking ***now adjust the tension***.

beginners sewing info:
http://craftandfabriclinks.com/sewingbook/sewbook.html

 

That's some great advice and links,from LostCove. Can't stress enough how important sewing machine maintainence is...especially the oiling. It's one of those things where an ounce of prevention goes a long way.

 

LostCove, i gotta hand it to ya. Yer very helpful. Thats a good thing escpecially when theres people like me who dont have a clue what their doing.

 

Thanks guys!