Detailed entries for one subject from the INDEX TO HOW TO DO IT INFORMATION.
Click on a see also (sa) or tracing (xx) to view detailed entries about a related subject.
The entries are in alphabetical order by magazine name and then in chronological sequence.
To obtain a copy of any magazine article contact your local public library or the publisher.

How to pick the best sewing machine for your needs.
BETTER HOMES & GARDENS Nov 1971 (v.49#11) pg. 160

Tips on sewing machine care.
BETTER HOMES & GARDENS Nov 1972 (v.50#11) pg. 160

How to select a sewing machine.
BETTER HOMES & GARDENS Dec 1979 (v.57#12) pg. 34

A guide to buying a new sewing machine.
BETTER HOMES & GARDENS May 1980 (v.58#5) pg. 192

Cloth cover for a sewing machine features a design using the "couching" technique. A pincushion using the same technique is also shown.
BETTER HOMES & GARDENS Feb 1982 (v.60#2) pg. 44, 48

Causes of skipped stitches, crooked stitching and damaged fabric and how to avoid them. Emphasis is on use of correct needles.
CLOTH DOLL Summer 1984 (v.2#4) pg. 28

Tip: How to use an invisible hemmer attachement on a sewing machine to stitch 1mm to 2mm from a finished edge.
CLOTH DOLL Fall 1989 (v.7#2) pg. 39

Tips for fine-tuning a sewing machine when you don't have an instruction manual.
CLOTH DOLL Fall 1989 (v.7#2) pg. 39

How to adjust tension and pressure on your sewing machine.
DECORATING & CRAFT IDEAS Mar 1980 (v.11#2) pg. 63

Constant-speed sewing-machine motor controller circuit uses feedback. Works only with universal motors (not AC induction motors).
ELECTRONICS NOW Dec 1997 (v.68#12) pg. 15

Repairing an old Singer sewing machine when the bobbin won't wind.
FAMILY HANDYMAN #286 Feb 1988 (v.38#2) pg. 76

How to buy a sewing machine.
HANDMADE Summer 1982 (v.2#2) pg. 4

A look at the positive and negative features of overlock (serger) machines. Several specific seam finishes are described.
HANDWOVEN May-Jun 1988 (v.9#3) pg. 24

Troubleshooting sewing machines.
HANDY ANDY Dec 1980 (v.5#3) pg. 55

An evaluation test of the White top-of-the-line Model 710, First Lady sewing machine.
HOMEOWNERS HOW TO Jan-Feb 1978 (v.3#1) pg. 52

How to maintain a smooth-running sewing machine. Guidelines on oiling, uncovering electrical faults, and solving mechanical problems.
HOMEOWNERS HOW TO Mar-Apr 1978 (v.3#2) pg. 95

A test report of the Husqvarna Viking 6460 sewing machine.
HOMEOWNERS HOW TO Jul-Aug 1978 (v.3#4) pg. 85

"Calico-cat" dustcover for a sewing machine.
McCALLS NEEDLEWORK & CRAFTS Jun 1987 (v.32#3) pg. 44, 65

How to mate a modern sewing machine to a treadle-powered sewing machine stand to produce a modern version of the treadle sewing machine.
MOTHER EARTH NEWS #70 Jul-Aug 1981 pg. 172

How to remedy typical sewing machine malfunctions.
MOTHER EARTH NEWS #80 Mar-Apr 1983 pg. 110

Tips on reconditioning a vintage treadle sewing machine.
NEEDLE & CRAFT Apr 1989 (v.12#2) pg. 32

Sewing machine maintenance and repairs.
SCIENCE & MECHANICS Apr 1966 (v.37#4) pg. 70

A description of the benefits of using a serger on handwoven fabric.
SHUTTLE, SPINDLE & DYEPOT #98 Spring 1994 (v.25#2) pg. 48

A consumer's guide to overlock machines (sergers) that can simultaneously trim, overcast and seam the edges of fabric. Describes how the machine works, who needs one, what to look for and how to select a machine. Top-of-the-line machines are compared in a chart.
THREADS #3 Feb-Mar 1986 pg. 42
Added Info THREADS #5 Jun-Jul 1986 pg. 4

Tip: An easy way to gather fabric using a zigzag stitch on a sewing machine.
THREADS #5 Jun-Jul 1986 pg. 10

Tip: What to look for in a simple, heavy-duty sewing machine.
THREADS #6 Aug-Sep 1986 pg. 8

How to buy a computerized sewing machine. Includes a checklist to help you evaluate your sewing needs.
THREADS #12 Aug-Sep 1987 pg. 34
Correction THREADS #14 Dec 1987-Jan 1988 pg. 4
Added Info THREADS #15 Feb-Mar 1988 pg. 4

Tub mat on a slick floor under a sewing machine's foot pedal keeps it from slipping.
THREADS #14 Dec 1987-Jan 1988 pg. 10

How to check thread tension on a sewing machine by using different colors for bobbin and top threads.
THREADS #19 Oct-Nov 1988 pg. 8

Tip: How to topstitch close to corners without the fabric being pulled down into the sewing machine's throat plate.
THREADS #20 Dec 1988-Jan 1989 pg. 8

A tip to make it easier to line up the eye when inserting a round serger overlock needle.
THREADS #20 Dec 1988-Jan 1989 pg. 8

Tips on choosing and using a sewing machine for making large machine-appliqued murals.
THREADS #22 Apr-May 1989 pg. 6

Tip: How to use a sewing machine as a pleater or smocker.
THREADS #22 Apr-May 1989 pg. 10

An explanation of the function of the differential feed system found on some sergers.
THREADS #27 Feb-Mar 1990 pg. 8

How to make a temporary cord guide for a sewing machine.
THREADS #27 Feb-Mar 1990 pg. 12

Why stitches skip and fabric puckers. How to improve stitch quality of a sewing machine.
THREADS #32 Dec 1990-Jan 1991 pg. 65
Added Info THREADS #34 Apr-May 1991 pg. 4

Tip on how to stiffen a thread end when threading a serger.
THREADS #34 Apr-May 1991 pg. 14

Tip on a hassle-free serger threading when changing from one color thread to another.
THREADS #35 Jun-Jul 1991 pg. 14

Advice on how to select a basic sewing machine, a high-quality, no-frills workhorse. A suggestion of commercial machines to consider. Advice on buying a used sewing machine. Where to look and how to test one.
THREADS #35 Jun-Jul 1991 pg. 55

Desperately seeking sergers. A look at a state-of-the-art overlock machine. Advice on how to select a serger.
THREADS #40 Apr-May 1992 pg. 50
Added Info THREADS #41 Jun-Jul 1992 pg. 4

Tip shows how to make a wedge that supports the sewing machine foot when stitching over bulky jean seams, etc.
THREADS #43 Oct-Nov 1992 pg. 8

Mechanical, electronic or computerized sewing machines. A comparison of what each can do. An explanation of how to test a sewing machine.
THREADS #43 Oct-Nov 1992 pg. 46

Tip shows how to adapt a wooden thread spool so coned thread can be used on a conventional sewing machine.
THREADS #50 Dec 1993-Jan 1994 pg. 14

Tip explains how to avoid seam puckers by avoiding plastic bobbins.
THREADS #52 Apr-May 1994 pg. 8

How to adjust the bobbin-case tension on a sewing machine to make balanced stitches when using an unusually thick or fine thread.
THREADS #53 Jun-Jul 1994 pg. 20

Tip shows the correct way to pull up the bobbin thread at the start of stitching.
THREADS #53 Jun-Jul 1994 pg. 20

How to fasten a sewing machine foot pedal to a desk so it can be operated with knee pressure.
THREADS #54 Aug-Sep 1994 pg. 14

How to adjust feed dogs that don't lower when doing free-motion machine quilting.
THREADS #55 Oct-Nov 1994 pg. 16

Sizing up commercial-grade sewing machines. A look at how they compare with domestic machines, some of the available options and tips on where to find one.
THREADS #57 Feb-Mar 1995 pg. 51

Guidelines for cleaning and oiling a sewing machine.
THREADS #59 Jun-Jul 1995 pg. 41

Quick, easy way to wind elastic thread onto a bobin without stretching the thread.
THREADS #63 Feb-Mar 1996 pg. 18

The ruffler, not for ruffles only. A guide to using this multipurpose sewing machine foot for gathers, pleats, making textures and inserting piping.
THREADS #66 Aug-Sep 1996 pg. 70
Added Info THREADS #68 Dec 1996-Jan 1997 pg. 8

How to make samples that record the range of decorative stitches and presser feet uses on a sewing machine or serger.
THREADS #67 Oct-Nov 1996 pg. 16

The dream machine. Advice on sewing machine features to choose for the best sewing ever.
THREADS #67 Oct-Nov 1996 pg. 50

Information on wider neck openings on sewing machines and tricks to help you sew large items on a domestic model with only 7"-8" of space in the neck area.
THREADS #69 Feb-Mar 1997 pg. 12

Make buddies with your binder. A look at the variety of jobs the binder foot on a sewing machine can simplify and speed up.
THREADS #69 Feb-Mar 1997 pg. 32

Demystifying the serger. A look at the machine's anatomy, thread selection and tensioning.
THREADS #69 Feb-Mar 1997 pg. 54
Added Info THREADS #71 Jun-Jul 1997 pg. 6

Safety goggles recommended when doing certain types of machine sewing.
THREADS #72 Aug-Sep 1997 pg. 14

Introducing the circle maker sewing machine attachment. Includes description for making one. How to use one to make circles, cables, S-curves and spirals.
THREADS #72 Aug-Sep 1997 pg. 50

An explanation of the anatomy of a presser foot and design variations for different functions.
THREADS #73 Oct-Nov 1997 pg. 16

A brief refresher on utility stitches on a sewing machine and some ways they are used.
THREADS #75 Feb-Mar 1998 pg. 20

Sew in comfort. How to set up an area for a sewing machine that puts things at the correct height and angle.
THREADS #76 Apr-May 1998 pg. 56
Added Info THREADS #78 Aug-Sep 1998 pg. 8
Added Info THREADS #80 Dec 1998-Jan 1999 pg. 8

Soup up your sewing machine. Five do-it-yourself accessories to boost sewing efficiency.
THREADS #77 Jun-Jul 1998 pg. 48
Added Info THREADS #79 Oct-Nov 1998 pg. 8

Understanding thread tension. How to adjust a sewing machine's tension settings and when not to.
THREADS #78 Aug-Sep 1998 pg. 39

A guide to serger stitches and when to use each one.
THREADS #80 Dec 1998-Jan 1999 pg. 41

Sewing machine care that goes beyond cleaning and oiling.
THREADS #82 Apr-May 1999 pg. 47

How to make a cone thread adapter for a regular sewing machine.
THREADS #83 Jun-Jul 1999 pg. 18

How to use built-in, evenly-spaced sewing machine stitches as a basic measuring tool.
THREADS #83 Jun-Jul 1999 pg. 56

Quiltmaking 101. Tips for using a sewing machine when quilting. Covers tools, sewing habits and solutions to common problems.
TRADITIONAL QUILTWORKS #8 Jun-Jul 1990 pg. 17

Tip on converting a sewing machine into a lathe for turning small items.
WOODWORKER May 1990 (v.94#5) pg. 493

Tips on repairing a sewing machine.
WORKBASKET Jan 1984 (v.49#3) pg. 67

Sewing machine maintenance. Part 1. Cleaning, oiling, and adjusting.
WORKBENCH Jul-Aug 1968 (v.24#4) pg. 62

Sewing machine maintenance. Part 2. Timing and tension adjustments.
WORKBENCH Sep-Oct 1968 (v.24#5) pg. 56

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