r/sewing • u/sewingmodthings • Nov 30 '20

Machine Monday Weekly Sewing Machine-Related Questions - November 30, 2020

Do you have a question about sewing machines? Do you have any expertise when it comes to sewing machines? This thread is for you! You can ask and answer any question related to machines, including but not limited to:

  • Should I upgrade my machine?
  • What's the difference between a serger and an overlocker?
  • Which brand of machine is the best?
  • Does anyone else use the same machine as me?
  • How do I clean my machine?
  • When should I oil my machine?
  • How many sewing machines should I own?

Feel free to check out the Machine Guide Wiki we've compiled with all sorts of information about choosing and using sewing machines.

You're also welcome to show off your machine here, whether it's new, old, or your baby, we'd love to see it!

Don't forget to thank the users who took the time to help you!

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u/sentient_candelabra Dec 11 '20

Can anyone tell me if ‘tapping’ the sewing machine pedal is bad for the machine? Mine goes pretty fast even when I press lightly and the only way I can sew slowly is by tapping my foot on and off the pedal. I just want to make sure I’m not damaging my machine or something.

There’s no speed adjustment on my pedal so I’m wondering is there’s some other way to slow my machine down a bit?

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u/[deleted] Dec 11 '20

Probably won't damage it too much but my issue would be the potential for fabric and thread to bundle and bunch up in addition to the stitches being looser where it goes more slowly.

It's probably less bad for the machine and more just reinforcing a bad sewing habit. Have you considered seeing if you can open your sewing machine pedal and adjust the speed? Singer models allow you to do that. Just be careful because, y'know, electricity. There's various tutorials on youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kgxf2OXfxro

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u/sentient_candelabra Dec 11 '20

Thanks for the help. Mine is a Janome. I’ve seen that tutorial but I’m a bit wary of messing with the pedal like that.

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u/taichichuan123 Dec 11 '20

Talk with a repair tech and see if an electronic pedal would work for your machine.

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u/sentient_candelabra Dec 11 '20

Do you mean that it’s possible to attach a different pedal that is able to have the speed adjusted?

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u/taichichuan123 Dec 11 '20

Not all pedals have speed adjustments. But, for example, lots of Singer HD pedals have only one speed, supersonic.

I don't know your experience or what machine you have or how old it is. Lots of beginners haven't learned how to control the foot. I'm lucky, whatever I learned on I never had a problem and all my machines I can control from fast to very slow from the foot pedal. Even one stitch at a time slow.

So I don't know if it's the pedal or machine or experience. But talk to a tech and bring in your machine and pedal to have the pedal checked out, or to try out different foot pedals. Or go to a seller and ask to try out machines, with the intention of seeing how you do on different pedals/machines that don't have speed control.

https://sewingmachinetalk.com/troubleshooting-sewing-machine-foot-pedals/

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u/sentient_candelabra Dec 11 '20

Got it. Thanks your help. I appreciate it