What did we do . . .

. . . without YouTube. 

I had an idea for a little project and started this morning, hoping to get it done before the light went. It did not go well. In fact everything that could have gone wrong - did go wrong. Finally I had to admit that I had forgotten, or never knew, how to properly work my sewing machine. 

I have been using a sewing machine since childhood so of course, when I got a new one a year or so ago, it never crossed my mind that I might need to learn how to use it. Wrong! When I bought the machine I had a demonstration and I did have a bit of a practice when I got it home. But I haven't really had much need of it since and . . . well I had forgotten how to use it. 

I had a feeling that the uneven stitching and the constant snagging was as a result of incorrect threading. It's very hard to follow a manual, so eventually I found a video . . . fantastic. This lovely lady went through the whole setting up very carefully, demonstrating on her machine as she went. I learnt so much - even some of the basics. I even learnt how to use the needle-threader, something I was never able to do on my previous machine. She told me to practice - ten times. I did so and now . . . fantastic. 

So, I never did get my little project done, maybe another day. But I have learnt how to use my machine!! I wonder whether this experience applies to other machines . . . you think you know how to use it and then you realise that it might be an idea to have some humility and learn.