SEWING BASICS
Useful Sewing Tips
Various ways to achieve better results for your sewing projects are described below. Refer to these tips when sewing your project.
Trial sewing
After you have set up the machine with the thread and needle appropriate for the type of fabric being sewn, the machine automatically sets the stitch length and width for the stitch that is selected. However, a trial piece of fabric should be sewn. Depending on the type of fabric and stitching being sewn, the desired results may vary. For trial sewing, use a piece of fabric and thread that are the same as those used for your project, and check the thread tension and stitch length and width. Since the results may vary depending on the type of stitching and the number of layers of fabric sewn, perform the trial sewing under the same conditions that will be used with your project.
Changing the sewing direction
a When the stitching reaches a corner, stop the sewing machine.
Leave the needle lowered (in the fabric). If the needle remained up when the machine stopped
sewing, press 
(Needle position button) to lower the needle.
b Raise the presser foot lever, and then turn the fabric.
Turn the fabric using the needle as a pivot.
Sewing curves
Stop sewing, and then slightly change the sewing direction to sew around the curve. For details on sewing with an even seam allowance, refer to "Sewing an even seam allowance" (page 70).
When sewing along a curve while using a zigzag stitch, select a shorter stitch length in order to obtain a finer stitch.
Sewing thick fabrics
■If the fabric does not fit under the presser foot
Raise the presser foot lever even higher to bring the presser foot to its highest position.
c Lower the presser foot lever and continue sewing.
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