Do you know that the motor of an industrial sewing machine can store energy?
It can, which is why you need to follow good safety precautions before, during, and after you sew on an industrial sewing machine.
In our latest video tutorial, I take you through safety precautions for sewing, using our Class 7 sewing machine, I explain the basic parts of the machine, and then show you how to start sewing, whether you’re working with webbing or another type of material.
Sewing Safety Precautions
- Anytime you’re sitting in front of a sewing machine, make sure you’re wearing safety glasses.
- Before you touch the machine, make sure it’s turned off and the table isn’t vibrating.
- Get familiar with how the treadle and the two auxiliary foot pedals work. Press your toe up on the treadle to make the machine go, and put your heel down to make the machine stop. One foot pedal makes the machine go in reverse, while the other one lifts the presser feet up around the needle. You can also perform these functions using hand levers on the machine.
- Make sure the machine and the bobbin are threaded correctly through the center foot and up through the throat plate respectively.
Steps for Sewing
- Step 1: Move the presser feet up.
- Step 2: Place the webbing or other material to be sewn under the presser feet where you want to start stitching from. Move the presser feet down so that the material is ready to be sewn.
- Step 3: Hold both the top and bottom threads in the 2 o’clock position and start the machine. Hold the threads for a couple of stitches, couple of stitches, then let go and continue sewing.
- Step 4: Start your sewing line with a lock stitch to lock in the threads so the seam won’t rip apart easily.
- Step 5: Let the machine’s robust feed mechanism move the material under the needle rather than pushing or pulling it manually, which could add stress to the parts and cause extra wear or even damage.
- Step 6: Sew a straight line by guiding the material gently with your hand, holding it steady. Make gradual adjustments if you need to.
- Step 7: When you reach the endpoint and have to take a 90-degree turn, make sure the machine is stopped with the needle down inside the material. Then, lift the presser feet up, rotate the fabric 90-degrees, and put the presser feet down. Start stitching straight again until you finish the end of the material.
Final Thoughts and Tips
These steps for sewing will help you operate any industrial style machine. When sitting down to sew...
- Make sure you have safety in mind.
- Make sure the machine is properly oiled before you begin sewing, especially if it’s a new machine.
- Make sure you’re not forcing the material through the machine. Let the machine do the work.
- Some operators may need the machine to operate slower until they get familiar with the operation of the machine and material being sewn. See my other blog on Determining Sewing Speed for more information on sewing speeds.
Service Thread manufactures sewing thread and yarns for industrial manufactures and offers technical support to our sewing thread customers. If you have a Class 7 or heavy-duty sewing machine and have a sewing thread or machine issues, contact Service Thread, we are here to help.
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