A free arm on a sewing machine is a type of attachment that allows you to sew difficult-to-reach areas more easily. It consists of a metal or plastic rod that extends from the side of the machine and has a small platform where you can rest your fabric while you sew. This attachment is particularly useful for sewing sleeves, cuffs, and other hard-to-reach places on garments.
What is a sewing machine free arm (and when do you use it)?
If you’re new to sewing, you might be wondering what a free arm is on a sewing machine. Essentially, it’s a smaller version of the flatbed surface that you sew on, and it’s great for sewing small areas or hard-to-reach places. Free arms are usually found on portable or compact sewing machines, although some full-size models have them as well.
To use the free arm, simply remove the flatbed plate from your machine (if it’s detachable) and slide the fabric under the needle. The free arm will allow you to maneuver the fabric more easily, and you won’t have to worry about bunching or shifting.
One other advantage of using a free arm is that you can sew sleeves and other cylindrical garments more easily.
Simply feed the sleeve onto the free arm and stitch away!
Sewing Machine With Small Free Arm
Sewing Machine With Small Free Arm:
A small free arm sewing machine is a great choice for those who want to sew in tight spaces or who need to sew on the go. These machines are lightweight and compact, making them easy to transport from one place to another.
Additionally, they usually come with all of the same features as a full-size sewing machine, including a variety of stitch options and an automatic needle threader.
Credit: www.cucicucicoo.com
Do You Need a Free Arm Sewing Machine?
No, you do not need a free arm sewing machine. While they can be helpful for certain projects, they are not necessary for most sewing. Free arm sewing machines typically have a smaller throat than regular machines, which can make them more difficult to use for large projects.
They also often have fewer features than regular machines, which can limit your options when sewing. If you are just starting out or only plan to do small projects, a free arm machine may not be the best investment.
How Do You Use Free Arm?
When you are sewing a garment, free arm is when you can lower the extension table on your sewing machine and sew with just the arm of the machine. This is helpful when you are working with smaller pieces or need to maneuver around something like a sleeve. Free arm can also be helpful when you are topstitching or quilting.
How Do You Hand Stitch on a Sewing Machine for Free?
When it comes to hand stitching on a sewing machine, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First, make sure the needle is in the correct position. Second, use a straight stitch plate.
And third, use the proper presser foot. Here are more detailed instructions:
1. To start, raise the needle to its highest position by turning the handwheel towards you.
Then, insert your thread from back to front through the eye of the needle.
2. Next, pull 5-6 inches of thread through and place it under the presser foot. Be sure to leave a tail of thread at the beginning so you can tie it off later.
3. With your thread tails tucked underneath the presser foot, lower the needle into the fabric and begin sewing slowly forward until you reach your desired length or endpoint. Remember to keep your stitches even!
4. When you’re finished hand stitching, simply raise the needle back up to its highest position and cut off the excess thread tails before tying them off securely with a knot.
How Do You Thread a Free Arm Sewing Machine?
The first step is to find the free arm on your sewing machine. This is generally a small, round opening near the needle on the right side of the machine.
Once you have located it, unscrew the plate that covers it and set it aside. If there is a foot attached to this plate, also remove that and set it aside. Next, take your bobbin case and thread it with thread.
Make sure to leave a long tail of thread so that you can easily pull it through when you need to. Once the bobbin case is threaded, insert it into the free arm of the sewing machine. Now it’s time to thread the needle.
Start by pulling some thread off of the spool and feeding it through one of the guide holes on top of the machine. Then, wrap it around the tension disk (usually found just behind where the thread comes off of the spool) a few times before feeding it through both eyes of the needle from front to back. Finally, pull enough thread through so that you can comfortably hold onto both ends while still leaving a little slack.
Conclusion
A free arm on a sewing machine is a type of attachment that allows you to sew sleeves and other hard-to-reach places. It’s a great way to get professional-looking results without having to pay for expensive alterations.
