New: the free 3D Sewing Machine Doctor - turn the machine, tap where it hurts, get the fix
Sewing, quilting & embroidery, made clear

Sew it right. Fix it fast.

Fixes for every sewing machine problem, machines matched to what you really sew, fabric and quilting guides - and five free 3D tools, from a machine doctor to a quilt calculator.

Skipping stitchesThread nest under fabricNeedle keeps breakingTension problemsBest machine for beginnersHow much fabric for a quilt

Open the Machine DoctorFind my machine type

Sewing guides since 2019

Where is the trouble? Drag to turn the machine, then tap a dot - needle, bobbin, thread, feed - to see what usually goes wrong there.

The Sewing Room

Five free tools, drawn in 3D. Nothing to install, and nothing you type leaves your browser.

01 Sewing Machine DoctorTurn the machine in 3D, click where the trouble is, get the fix.Open tool 02 Needle & Thread FinderPick your fabric: the needle, thread, stitch length and foot to use.Open tool 03 Fabric Yardage CalculatorYour pieces and fabric width in, the yards to buy out.Open tool 04 Quilt CalculatorBlocks, backing, batting and binding for any quilt size.Open tool 05 Sewing Machine MatchmakerFour questions; the machine reshapes into the type that fits you.Open tool

What is your machine doing?

Pick the mess. Every fix starts with a new needle and a fresh threading - the free fixes first.

Skips stitchesgaps in the seamBird's nest underneatha tangle under the fabricNeedle keeps breakingsnaps on thick seamsBobbin thread won't catchno loop comes upTension looks wrongloops, pulls, puckersFabric won't feedstays under the footThread keeps breakingtop thread snapsJammed, won't turnhandwheel is stuckLoops on topbobbin side problemSeams puckerwavy, gathered seamsLoud and clunkyknocking or grindingNeeds oil?where and how often

What are you making?

The right machine, fabric and tools depend on the project. Start from yours.

My first machineeasy to learn, not a toy Quiltsthroat space and a walking foot Upholstery & canvasstrong motor, high foot lift Embroidery & nameshoops, designs, software Denim & thick layersa true heavy-duty machine Leather & shoe repaircobbler and walking foot A sewing cornera table and a chair that fit Learn onlineclasses for beginners

The fabric library

Run a finger along the shelf. Each swatch opens what to make with it and how to sew it.

Quilting cottoncrisp, easy, the beginner's friend Denimjeans needle, longer stitch Linencool in heat, frays fast Jersey knitballpoint needle, stretch stitch Canvaswalking foot, 100/16 needle Leatherclips not pins, no backstitch Silk & chiffonfine needle, tissue underneath Fleece & minkysheds - clean the bobbin area Velvetnap runs one way Cotton lawnprewash, it shrinks

Every corner of the sewing room

Fixes, buying guides and how-tos, sorted the way you work.

Sewing Machines50 guides
Machine Problems & Fixes24 guides
Learn to Sew33 guides
Quilting32 guides
Embroidery28 guides
Fabric Guide31 guides
Sewing Tools & Notions23 guides
Upholstery, Leather & Heavy-Duty18 guides
Fabric Paint & Dye19 guides
Knitting & Crochet19 guides

Start with these

The guides each section is built around.

Beginner sewing machine with fabric under presser foot and clear bobbin cover Sewing MachinesWhich sewing machine features help beginners finish projects easilyLearn which beginner-friendly features prevent jams and skipped stitches so your first seams come out clean and flat. Close-up of a sewing machine throat with a quilt under the presser foot QuiltingWill a regular sewing machine quilt, and when you need more throatFind out how throat space and machine features affect quilting on a regular machine and when you need a specialized quilting setup. embroidery machine stitching fabric in home sewing room EmbroideryWhich embroidery machine fits your home or small business needsLearn which embroidery machine fits your home, beginner, or small business needs with clear, condition-based advice. Lightweight fabrics laid out for sewing in bright natural light Fabric GuideHot humid weather: what fabric stays cool and won't clingChoose breathable, quick-drying fabrics like cotton lawn or linen for hot humid weather to stay cool and avoid cling.

Fresh off the machine

New and re-checked guides, newest first.

  1. Quilting · 8 minQuilt Sizes Chart: Crib to King, With the Drop That Fits11-12
  2. Learn to Sew · 8 minHow to Hem Pants With a Sewing Machine: A Clean Finish11-12
  3. Sewing Machines · 8 minBest Sewing Machine for Beginners: The One to Buy First11-12
  4. Learn to Sew · 8 minHow to Thread a Sewing Machine Without the Tangles11-11
  5. Learn to Sew · 8 minHow to Sew a Zipper: Centred, Invisible and Lapped11-11
  6. Learn to Sew · 7 minHow to Finish Seams Without a Serger: Five Clean Finishes11-11
  7. Machine Problems & Fixes · 8 minSewing machine not feeding fabric: six checks that fix it11-10
  8. Learn to Sew · 8 minHow to Sew a French Seam for a Clean, Fray-Free Finish11-10

How we write our guides

1Free fixes first

A new needle, a fresh threading and a clean bobbin area solve most problems - every fix starts there.

2The maker's own word

Settings, limits and specs come from the machine makers' manuals and listings, not from guesses.

3Picks without paid places

Some links earn us a commission. That never decides a pick, and we say when the machine you have will do.