How do I teach a lefthander to use sewing machine

[bubba]

I don't remember being given a choice for right or left handed sewing. I too am left handed. The machines I learned on did not have colt pedals, the had things you pushed with your leg. I doubt I would let a nine year old use a rotary cutter, but when she is ready most Olfa's can be left or right handed. I used left handed one made by Martelli that is ergonomic and would not swap it for anything.

Have fun and watch out for your fingers! My grandgirl nearly sewed mine in her excitement!

[Mchelem]

Buy a left handed sewing machine???

[Peggi]

When you show her how to do things, don't sit or stand next to her - sit or stand facing her.

[Vonnie]

Wasn't the sewing machine designed by a left handed person?

[Iris Girl]

I have taught many to sew. Everyone was taught to use the machine the same way left or right handed. What I did notice because I would tell them to be comfortable and do what works for them. Is sometimes they would switch what was leading and which was following. My right hand tends to lead as my left follows, but they worked just opposite. Cutting is a different story unless they are ambidextrous. No real *right or wrong* way to use a sewing machine as far as left and right goes. Do what is comfortable.

[Doloris]

Lots of lefties in here. I am one too. I never thought about how I use the sewing machine. It is designed one way and you can't turn it around to use it the other way, so you just adapt.
I do like to use the stick type rotary cutters, as I can cut with either hand.
I was trying to show someone how to bind a wall hanging and had to keep thinking backward as I do hand sew with the needle in my left hand.

[rebeccas-sewing]

I would think threading the machine would be the only time it would be a concern. I wonder what our lefties here on the Forum do when it comes to threading? Do they use their right hand or left? I'm so right-handed that it's really hard for me to use my left hand for much of anything.

[Vonnie]

I can't look at my machines right now, they are all packed away for remodeling, but don't we thread the needle from the left side?

[Hulamoon]

Mine all thread from the front.

[CarolynK]

I'm a lefty but grew up in a right-handed world. As far as sewing, it never was an issue for me but being a lefty, I write right-handed, do sports right handed and use the scissors and rotary cutter right handed, but everything else is done left handed. I know, weird and what is really interesting is that when I colored in coloring books then and now (with the great nieces & nephews), I use my left hand, but I have always used my right hand to write.