Paper Sewing
I LOVE Paper Sewing! It is the perfect way to get started on a sewing machine as an adult or kiddo. It allows you to truly get the feel before jumping into everything else. This is how I personally start all the newbie beginner lessons, Adults and Kiddos alike, and what I would highly recommend for anyone that just getting started, is not quite comfortable, or wants to better their skill.
Now, what is paper sewing you may ask?? Well it’s pretty much exactly as it sounds. Instead of sewing with fabric like you would normally think you use your basic old computer paper but with pre drawn lines on it to practice control on your machine.
To get started you first need to download our paper sewing templates and print. Or you can always just take your paper and draw some of your own lines on it for you to follow. I always have my students start with the straight lines. So go ahead and get that prepped. You also want to make sure you use an empty machine. DO NOT thread your machine or unthread it if it is already! This is a practice to get the feel of the machine before worrying about everything else like using thread.
Once you have your paper/s all ready to go it’s time to get sewing! Choosing whichever line your heart desires go ahead and center the top of that line with your machine needle. As soon as you feel you have that needle lined up, you can lower your presser foot, adjust your foot pedal on the floor, and turn your machine on!
SLOWLY start pressing your foot on the foot pedal moving your needle. Your paper will start to move through the machine. You want to try to keep the needle centered on the line as the paper moves through the machine. To do this you may need to wiggle your paper slightly to the right or left to keep it straight. Do small adjustments only if needed.
“Work on controlling your speed as you are going, NOT the Paper!!!”
The number one thing I always see my students do, kids and adults, is try to hold on tighter to the paper to control it, keeping it in one spot and not allowing it to move under the machine, instead of controlling your speed with the foot pedal. You want the paper to be able to move! Otherwise you are just creating a dozen of little tiny stitches all in one spot and not going anywhere. Instead use that foot pedal on the floor only lightly push. The harder you push the faster it will go. The lighter the slower. And work on slowing down controlling that speed to help keep you on the straight line with small wiggles. You want to be able to do a consistent, steady speed throughout.
After you make it to the end of your line, lift your needle (if needed), lift your presser foot, and remove the paper. Start again on the next line and KEEP PRACTICING! If you have finished all your lines then I like to have my students repeat the process but instead of centering your needle on the line you are going to place the line to the right of the presser foot, keeping that line right along the edge. Go ahead and start again but this time using the presser foot this time as a guide to keep a straight line. Your stitch marks will now be approx. 1/4 inch from the printed line and helps you practice sewing with seam allowances.
And of course, once you feel you are a master of the the straight line you can always try curves or really want to get fancy shapes but that could be a whole other blog post itself!
And there you have it folks! Paper Sewing for sewing machine newbies. It’s truly the perfect way to get started for teaching a kiddo or learning as an adult. Hope this technique can help you all and keep you sewing!