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Rediscover Your Sewing Machine
by Mary Wilkins

We all get in a rut. We use the same functions on our sewing machine over and over again. You may have a myriad of attachments and stitch design that have never been utilized.

Go dig out your manual and re-read to remind yourself just what your sewing machine is capable of. Tests drive all of your attachments and educate yourself as to their possibilities.

Decorative stitches are pretty much a basic on machines today. Try them all out, do a row of each one. Combining rows can give a totally new look. Even the common zigzag can look great when paired up with a rounder, filled in stitch. The contrast causes interest and your results will be both eye catching and uniquely "yours".

Attachments are another source of new ideas. Always be sure the attachments you buy are for your particular brand of machine. Generic parts are ok, but they can also result in damage to your machine and no one wants that. It's just not worth the hassle.

While you are at it, give your machine a good cleaning. Tiny brushes used in cleaning camera equipment or men's razors work well if you don't have any that came with your machine. The dust and lint in the bobbin area alone can cause problems. The feed dogs are also an area that needs to be looked after. Fuzzies and threads can become packed in and the feed dogs won't do their job properly. If your machine needs periodic oiling, then by all means service your machine. Some of the new ones today require no oiling. If you follow the recommendations in your manual, your machine will run smoothly and that's all we ask of them.

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About the Author
Mary Wilkins is the owner/editor of Sew What's New, an online community for the sewing inclined.

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