do you read the instructions before starting to use anew machine?
 

Or do you just " start in" and hope for the best?

A Well -written manual does have a lot of useful information in it.

I have been amazed at how much I learned when I read the instructions!;)

I read everything, then keep it near by for future reference.

All my friends make fun of me.....I never read manuals on anything until I have at least tried to make it work! I am 72 and this works for me! Those same friends call me to come over and troubleshoot their machines (and appliances) because they can't figure them out even with a manual...so I guess it depends on your comfort/confidence level! I have found I can sit down and thread any sewing machine without direction (sergers are a different story, so I have the BL, problem solved) and there are only so many ways to make a bobbin work, trial and error never broke anything....yet!

When I got my little portable Europro machine I did just start using it. It is a very basic machine, and much like using my Singer 15-91. But when I got my Janome 6600P there was so much more to it, I did need the manual and some instructions to make it fully functional. From taking the first 2 classes it made the manual make more sense. Then I bought my Husqvarna embroidery/sewing machine it was demonstrated - appeared to be easy to use, but I wanted the additional class to help me understand all the machine could do. I bought the embroidery computer software from a place 110 miles up the road, wish I had bought it locally so I could have had more training on it.

Once I know the basics then I am able to play around more with the machine to get the results I want.

I didn't read the manual on my first machine (even though it was super short). Years later, I was struggling with something & read through everything and learned I was doing some things "wrong". Started following the manual & low and behold, my sewing dramatically improved and thread stopped breaking so often. Now I consider the manual a must-read.

I am a read the manual first person.

Absolutely!

Hugs

Caroline

I just jump in but with my Baby Lock I got free lessons included and took advantage of those. The manual does come in handy to trouble-shoot or when I want to use a feature that is not committed to memory.

Generally I just skim over it because many machines are similar enough that you can start right in. However when I bought my Juki 2000 I found I did have to read it first because there are differences, such as the way the needle is inserted, threading etc. I keep the manual handy so I can refer to it as needed-usually for the self-threader.

Yes, I read the manual first. I also take it with me to classes.

I read it over and over and keep it nearby in my sight to be able to refresh my memory. These new machines are so much more techy than the old ones. I even keep the older one's manuals nearby those machines.

I read everything as they are differences in most machines.

I always read the manual. Sometimes not even with the machine in front of me. And I keep the manuals to everything. Now that we are moving, I am cleaning out and I have manuals to things we don't even own anymore!

With my first machines, I don't think I bothered. But as machines became more expensive to buy/repair, I read the manual, keep it handy for quick reference and try very hard to follow the general guidelines for care and maintenance.

I read the manual as I sit in front of the machine. Just got done looking at a video with manual in front of my 401. Made copy of a chart of my 401 for trouble shooting, printed larger for my eyes. I have a binder for the 401. Amazing how the videos coincide with the charts. When we put old appliances out to the curb, we throw in the manuals. Many are more resourceful at jigging than we are. And why not, manual isn't going to do us any good.

very rarely do I read the instructions. I forget what I red. if I get tangled up, then i'll read them. I look t the pictures though.

Depends - with the older mechanical ones, most of the time I don't even get a manual with the machine!

And they are easy enough to use without any special instructions.

However, with my newer Pfaff - it's all electronic and I could not figure out how to set ANYTHING without getting out the manual and figuring out how to navigate the touch screen to even get to what I needed. I really don't like having everything controlled by a computer.

I read the manual, I try out every step in the book and I keep it handy for when something comes up, or to refresh my memory if I'm going to do something I haven't done in a while ,( like button holes)

I skim first, then read as I go.

Depends on the machine. I started with a Pfaff 1471. I read the manual backwards and forwards, and tried just about any stitch or program recommended in the manual. I traded for a Pfaff 1475. Read the manual eventually for new things, but a lot was quite similar. Same for the 2144. I did get the newer manual for the 2170 as the 2140 and 2144 had hard upgrades to make them identical to the 2170. I haven't been interested in newer machine.

I played with a lot of mechanical machines, so the Brother 1500 and the Juki 2100 weren't that difficult. I posted the maintenance schedules on the wall where I could see them.

I just start sewing to play with it at first but I do read the manual later on. I am like a kid in a candy store and can't wait until I read the manual to play at first.

They have manuals?

Always. Each machine I have is different, thread differently, needle inserted flat side in different directions, bobbin winding. I wouldn't know these things if I didn't read the manual.

You sound like me! I jump right in with new stuff and when I get stumped, read the manual.

This has a down side, though. This is my technique for resolving pc issues; it takes time, but it works. Unfortunately, my DH now considers me 'tech support'.

Many times directions for a product are incorrect or written so poorly that you might as well not have them. Other times, they are superior. You never know.

Nope, the only time I'll take out the manual, is if I'm having a specific problem or can't figure out how to make the machine do something.

Janome 6600 They gave me an hour long lesson in the store. Then I jumped in. I had to use the manual to remind me of stuff and when I tried new stuff they hadn't shown me I used the manual. It was right next to me for the first month or so. Haven't read any of the stuff I'm not using.

Not always.

I jump in, but have the manual handy -- just in case I need it for reference (especially for the newer electronic machines).

Oh dear, I am such a literal person...reading the manual or watching you tube instructions has me so intense and tunnel visioned I get myself into all sorts of dilemmas trying to do things precisely as they should be done! I take everything to the nnnnth degree and then still manage to get into some pickles. I forget things easily so keep my manual close by, and you tubes for my machine bookmarked on the 'puter!

Any product that you buy you should glance thru the instructions first.

Yep....me too.

I love a good manual. I sit in front of the machine, get out the manual and find out all of the things that these marvelous computers can do.

I have a small Singer with minimal instructions. I did not know how to oil it and emailed the company. They gave me the reference to another machine with the instructions in one page. I now have a Janome and I not only read the manual, I took the lesson with it - learned a lot. I refer to the manual for things I could not do on the Singer. And it does not need oiling, which I found out only by reading the manual!!! I now use the Singer for travel and leave the Janome at home as it is computerized and the Singer is not. Amazing what a web site and manual can teach you.

My manual is right on top of the row of notebooks and more notebook that line the floor just under my cutting table. It is reach for often, even though I have had this "computerized" machine since about 2005. I have even written a few notes-to-self in the back of the manual where they left a few empty pages.

I usually just jump in with manual right close by to look up what problem I am having.

Same here. I read instructions/manuals for everything I get--cameras, appliances, etc and save them. All my appliance manuals go in a three ring binder I keep in my utility room. Never know when you might need spare parts, etc and the listing in the manuals give that info.

Yes definitely read manual . Although I may start to thread and have a go on a sample short stitch just to hear my new machine purr. Then read.
My nephews stood with me and listened to the sales person giving us instructions on the features of the machine . they undid the machine and started sewing while I got tea. They never read the booklet until they broke a needle and needed to know how to change it. Even with instructions they couldn't do it as it took brute strength from my brother to undo the screw. Wasn't I lucky the boys wanted to use the machine. I live 20 miles away and would have been stuck at home trying to release the needle when I wanted to change it.

you need the manual for some features but not others. I save my manuals online don't like the booklets which fall apart if they are used too much. Bernina do the best with spiral binding.

Yes, Read First.

Yes! and I also took the lessons the dealer provides. I've learn much more then the manual provides working with a teacher who knows the in' and outs.I learn better by doing. I do keep my manual close because I can't remember everything and need to go back for reference.<object type="cosymantecnisbfw" cotype="cs" id="SILOBFWOBJECTID" style="width: 0px; height: 0px; display: block;"></object>

Lately, I have been referring to my owners manual for my machine and WOW I have learned a lot that it will do that I will actually use. I thought most of that stuff was just so much fluff, but there is some very useful information there. I also have been going to the Viking Website and getting some input there too. Momma always said when all else fails, follow directions