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How to Use a Handheld Sewing Machine

by Domenica Tootell | Mar 10, 2021 | 0 comments

If you are looking for a guide on how to use a handheld sewing machine then you are in the right
place. below you will find a step by step video and photo instructions for how to use one. I
promise it is so much more useful than a handheld sewing machine instructions PDF or handy
Stitch manual! 

At the end of these instructions, I will even provide a link to the video I made showing you what
to do if your portable sewing machine is not working or not stitching.

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**This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may get a commission if you choose to click
through and make a purchase. It doesn’t cost you any extra if you make a purchase and I sincerely
thank you!

 
How to do a Ladder Stitch or Invisible Stitch

How to Use a Handheld Sewing Machine Step by

Step Instructions
I will be using the Handy Stitch mini sewing machine in the video, but the setup and function are
the same for the Singer handheld sewing machine as well as many other brands. 
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You may also find the mini sewing machine tutorial helpful.
I purchased mine from Amazon but they are also found on eBay and may also be sold locally too.
In Australia, you can purchase these at Cheap as Chips where they are called Sew Maxx Portable
Sewing Machine.  They go by various other names too. My goal here is to provide education on
how to use this machine as many beginning sewers purchase these to do an odd sewing project
here or there or some quick sewing repairs, but then find that these machines can be
temperamental. They function very differently from a traditional sewing machine.

If you’re looking for an inexpensive sewing machine that may last a bit longer check out my
tutorial on how to use the FHSM 505 Portable Mini Sewing Machine here.

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Please note: This is not a handheld sewing machine reviews type post, but if you would
like something like that then let me know

Video Tutorial for handheld Sew Machine

How to Operate a Handheld Sewing Machine - …

You can watch the handheld sew machine video here on YouTube

Step by Step Photo Instructions

Your machine will probably come with thread in it already, but I will be unthreading my machine
and showing you how to thread it up from the beginning. This will be particularly helpful if you
need to change thread colour.

Step 1 – Load 4 AA batteries into your machine. Be sure to have your

machine locked before you do this!
Engage the lock to ensure you don’t accidentally press the power button while you are threading
up the machine. You can also load the AA batteries in after the machine is all threaded up as well.

Load in the AA batteries into the bottom of the machine. I like to use rechargeable batteries so
I’m not spending more on batteries than the actual machine costs, but use what works best for
you. 

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You may also be able to use a Handy Stitch power adaptor instead of batteries. You can find
them on Amazon here or at various other online locations by doing a quick online search.

Step 2 – Attach your desired thread using the spool pin

The Handy Stitch comes with a short thread spool and a longer thread spool or thread spindle.
The short thread spool can be used with thread wound onto a bobbin or you can use the longer
thread spool if you want to use a standard spool of thread. 

In the video I am loading on some thread on a bobbin, but you can also see me demonstrate how
to use the larger spool. 

Tip: Be sure not to drop the tiny spring located on the spool pin holder. These things can 2
disappear into Never Never Land if dropped onto the floor. I’m speaking from experience!
Step 3 – Pass the thread through the first thread guide
The first thread guide will be a little notch above the thread spool pin. Pass the thread through
from the bottom and out through the top. 

Step 4 – Run the thread through the tension disks

Guide the thread so it is running through the two tension disks. This will help give you a tighter-
looking stitch. The knob here can be used later if you need to adjust the tension at all. 

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Step 5 – Place thread through the hook on the needle arm
This has to be one of the trickiest steps as the hook under the needle arm is hard to get to. I
encourage you to watch the video instructions if these instructions are not clear.

Step 6 – Thread the needle

To thread the needle you must ensure the tip of the thread is being threaded from the back of
the needle and out towards the front. 

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To make this task easier, I recommend using the needle thread that comes with your handy
sewing machine. 

Step 7  – You are now ready to use your mini handheld sewing machine!
These a few extra tidbits you should know about this machine before you sew with it. The wheel
you see on the side is called the rotary wheel. This enables you to manually bring the needle up
and down. You can use it in any direction.

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You also have a fastening plate and this holds the fabric in place while you are sewing. This can
be lifted up to place the fabric under it. Beware!! If you do not have the lock in place this is when
you can accidentally make the machine sew. I’m speaking from experience. You don’t want to go
sewing your finger now!

How to Use Hand Sewing Machine Step by Step

Now that your machine is all threaded up it is ready to sew.

I like to sit my machine on a tabletop so my left hand can operate the power button and my right
hand is guiding the fabric. 

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You can lift up the fastening plate slightly to slip your fabric underneath (like in the photo above).
Unlock the machine and then press the power button to start sewing!

The Chain Stitch

From the top of the fabric, it will look like a standard straight stitch. If you flip the fabric over you
will see that this machine actually sews using a chain stitch. This is why it can sew using only one
thread as opposed to two threads like on conventional sewing machines. A chain stitch is where
the needle goes down taking the thread through the fabric. There is a hook underneath which
catches the thread as the needle travels back up. When the needle comes back down the needle
catches the previous loop and the process happens all over again creating the chain stitch. 

Now because this machine uses a chain stitch you need to be careful how you finish your
stitching with this machine. If you leave it, it will all unravel at the slightest pull.

To avoid your stitching unraveling, hold the last stitch with your finger and thumb and continue
to stitch until you have about 6″ (15cm) of excess thread. 

Once you have enough excess thread you can snip the thread away from the machine.  
Turn your fabric over. Here you will see the chain stitch. Find the last loop and pull that loop until
the thread tail comes through to this other side. Just doing this step alone will prevent your
stitches from unraveling.

If you want to secure the stitching even more then you can tie the thread around the previous
stitch and secure it with a knot. In the video, I show you an easy way to do it using the needle
threader provided. 

Use This Sewing Machine to Hem Pants

If you are wanting to use this mini hand held sewing machine to hem pants then I recommend
these few extra bits of advice.

Ensure the needle is in the highest position and the machine is locked. Lift up the fastening plate
and place your pant leg under the needle where you want to start sewing. 
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Unlock the machine and start sewing. It may be a bit tricky when you come to the end of the
sewing, but you will need to detach the thread from the bottom hook to enable you to pull the
thread and remove the fabric from the machine. The rotary wheel may come in handy here. 
Depending on the type of sewing you are doing, this handy machine could be the answer.

If you find your handheld sewing machine is not stitching then you might like to check out the
video. Here you will see the needle size as well as what to do with the needle if your machine is
not sewing. This quick-fix works the majority of the time! 

I hope you have found this tutorial useful and you now have the confidence to sew.

Until next time, happy sewing!

Domenica

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How to Thread a A Step By Step How to Use a A Step-By-Step

Mini Sewing Guide for How to FHSM 505 Guide for How to
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