How do I teach a lefthander to use sewing machine

[Kgrammiecaz]

I am going to start my 9 year old granddaughter on a sewing machine this weekend. Is there anything I need to do to be sure I dont mess her up since she is left handed and I am not. Like does she use her left foor for the pedal? Or do the 1/4 inch seam opposite.

I just want to respect that she uses her left hand.

[Denis]

As a left-hander myself, I use my right foot on the pedal. To be honest, I don't think using either foot matters. It's whatever is comfortable. When my arthritis/gout flares up in my right foot, I can use my left foot without any problem.

As for the 1/4" seam allowance, that will always remain on the right side of the needle as left handed 1/4" feet with or without guide don't exist ( I believe). You also want the bulk of your work to be on the left side of the needle as the throat/harp can only hold so much; so the bulk is out in the open and not in the throat space.

[Hulamoon]

One of my dd's is left handed and she sews really well. I don't think the foot and hand have anything to do with it. One thing was the cutting, using the rotary cutter. It seems backwards but I never said use your right hand. She got used to it. She did a lot of projects for school with a box cutter. Yes I let them use a box cutter. lol. I bought her some left handed sissors but they were really tight. I might look into the Kai lefty's for her.

It will be fine

[sewlucky]

I don't have any trouble being left handed using the machine. It's a bit like driving a car in that you have to get used to the way the machine is built and where the various buttons and such are. I use my right foot for the foot pedal,make as for the gas pedal.

I agree with the comments from Lorie about using the rotary cutter. I tried to just use it right handed but I ended up converting it to a lefty. It still takes a lot of adjusting for me to use the ruler and cutter together - think awkward Jenny cutting and that's what I look like, lol, especially when I'm trying to do things the "proper way" and have most of the fabric being cut under my ruler - it works best if I can cut from either side of my table. I do a lot of shifting back and forth.

Terri

[Marty]

I am also a left hander. I guess we get kind of used to switching things around in our head (it's a right handed world. lol) I am sure she will do great and enjoy spending time with you. FYI. if I remember correctly Jenny Doan is a lefty too.

[Midge]

I am left-handed too, although like many lefties, I have forced myself to do some things right handed. And for some weird reason I play all sports right handed. Don't know why. First time I picked up a golf club there was no doubt in my mind I was playing right handed. Ditto softball. Ditto volleyball.

I use my right foot on my machine pedal. Left foot feels weird. I suggest you watch her start walking. Which foot does she usually step out on? That is her dominant one and you could encourage her to try that side for the foot pedal. Just a little tip from an old RN.

[Kgrammiecaz]

Good information and tips everyone. Thank you.

Midge, you reminded me. I have a righthanded brother who plays all sports with his left hand.

I think the best thing is to show her what I do and watch to see what she does automatically. She did cutting with scissors tonight. She just used mine with her left hand although she uses lefty scissors at school. I am not ready for her to use a rotary cutter.

I am excited to see her use the machine. She is going to make herself and her mother a placemat

[violette123]

I'm also a leftie. No problems using a machine, only with a rotary cutter. She just needs to learn to cut from the left side of the ruler. and to position the bulk of the fabric on the right side when cutting. I do suggest that you buy a rotary cutter that is designed for both lefties and right-handed use--ie: the new OLFA Splash.

[Sandy Navas]

I'll echo - being a lefty myself. I don't think there's anything to be concerned about. Like Lorie said, cutting may be an issue, but I'd be leary of letting her near the rotary cutter for a bit. Otherwise, everything on the sewing machine should come completely normal to her.

[Sylvia H]

I am a lefty. Someone already mentioned that rotary cutting will be in reverse. (I put the ruler on the left, and cut on the right to even out the edge. But after that, the ruler is on the right, and I cut on the left.) But the actual use of the sewing machine will be the same. I, too, use my right foot on the pedal.

Something else that will be different is pinning. I use the large, flat flower pins. I pin horizontally, but the flower is on the left, and I remove the pins with my left hand.

Depending upon the size of what I am piecing, I may have items to the left of the sewing machine (the container for cut threads, pin holder, small scissors, etc. Once I get to the point that I am sewing blocks and rows together, these items will be moved to the right so they are not pushed around by the material.