Greetings, new to using sewing machines...
 

Greetings, I've never been part of a forum or discussion group. I'm a bit excited and a bit nervous. I am very new to using sewimg machines, (so new i have yet to use one, been a hand sewer for 25years) Im finally ready to learn, is there any tips or tricks y'all wish you would have had as a beginner.

Welcome from Tennessee. The biggest tip is to learn where your 1/4 inch setting is on your machine. If you can adjust the speed on your machine, turn it down just a bit until you learn to control it. Happy quilting

Welcome to the QB! This is a great place for beginners and all the way to professional sewers and quilters. We love to have new quilters and sewers. Have you purchased a sewing machine yet? For someone like yourself I would start with a simple machine to familiarize yourself with the basics before spending a larger amount of $$ on a big machine that you may or may not use. Walmart carries some basic machines if you want something new. For now I would stay away from thrift store models only because of your inexperience in knowing if something is not working right or wrong and not knowing what part is what part. As you learn your way around a sewing machine that would become a great option for someone looking for vintage machines (like me). Get with you machine some thread and fabric and a couple of other tools. Scissors, rotary cutter, self healing cutting mat, and an acrylic ruler. Becoming a quilter is easy enough as you can start with easy shapes and make a beautiful quilt.
I am excited for you!! Feel free to ask questions. People here are very helpful. Again welcome to the QB!

Welcome from Southern Indiana. The main thing is....enjoy!

Welcome to the Quilting Board.

This is probably one of the the safer sites on the internet!

Read/study the manual/instruction book that comes with your machine. Familiarize yourself with the parts.

Try whatever it is that is being talked about in the manual when you come to it.

Even if you never, ever use that feature/function again - you will know that it is available.

If the instructions in the book/manual are not making sense - go to YouTube for help. Sometimes it takes more than one pass at learning something new.

If you want to practice "driving" - unthread the machine and "sew" on lined paper.

Then get some scrap material (rethread the machine now - lol) - or worn out garments - different types of old clothing - denim - socks - underwear - and just play with it. Figure on using a couple of spools of thread just for practicing/playing around.

Move the levers, push the buttons, touch the screen - see what it can do.

Welcome to the forum. A vast wealth of information. Fantastic supportive group of people. So inspirational!

Welcome from Texas!

Welcome to the QB, you’re gonna love it here. There are many helpful and talented quilters on this board, I pop in almost daily for inspiration along with tips and tricks that are shared.

My first quilt was a simple pattern as to not get overwhelmed and like CJ added, get to know your 1/4” confidently and enjoy the journey.

Welcome from Michigan!:)

I agree with several ladies: read your manual, play and practice on scraps, and learn how make an accurate 1/4" seam. When you are familiar with your machine, choose a smaller easy project first.

I started out as a hand sewer, too. Welcome aboard!

Also, I just purchased my first new machine so I feel right there with you. There are videos available for some new machines which I found far more helpful than the manual. You may be surprised at what you can do with all that hand sewing experience----it really comes in handy on advanced quilting projects. Every new machine has a learning curve as you get comfortable with it. Give yourself some grace and you'll do great.

Welcome aboard to both the boards and to machine sewing.

If you will be quilting, our standard seam is 1/4" which seemed impossibly tiny to me when I started with a background in clothing construction.

Other than working with that seam allowance, my big advice is to change your needles often. If you ever hear your machine going pooka-pooka that means your needle is beyond dull and is punching holes in your fabric.

The internet is such a wonderful resource, not just manuals and helpful people but actual pictures and videos. We've got all sorts of people here at all sorts of skill levels and all sorts of areas of expertise, quilting and other! Glad to have you join us.

Hello, GwensBlaze! I am new here, as well! But everyone is so helpful, it is quite touching. My best advice in learning to sew is this: Be patient with yourself. Focus on the small successes, and soon they will increase more and more. Just enjoy the process. Everyone has different parts they enjoy the most. Some love the machines, themselves. Others love the feel of the fabric. Some live the colors. Some love the cutting. Others love the sewing. Some like the quilting. Others love the giving or using of the handmade treasure. Some have several parts that they love. You will find what you love the most! With time, you learn to maximize that aspect. It really is quite a fun process to sew anything if you don’t expect to be perfect right From the start. Even experienced sexist make mistakes, they just learn how to deal with them. Enjoy!

Welcome from Southern California. The best tip I can give is to take things slowly, going step-by-step instead of trying to rush ahead. You'll find lots of help here, and you have a whole new world of fun, excitement and accomplishment ahead of you.