How To Slow Down The Speed Of A Sewing Machine

Learning how to slow down your sewing machine can help you achieve more control and get better results with your sewing projects. Whether you’re a beginner who finds the fast speed intimidating or an experienced sewer working on delicate fabrics, being able to reduce the speed can make all the difference.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about controlling the speed of your sewing machine.

Why You Might Want to Slow Down Your Sewing Machine

There are several reasons you may want to reduce the speed of your sewing machine:

• You’re a beginner. When you’re just learning to sew, a fast sewing machine can feel daunting. Slowing it down gives you more time to get used to controlling the fabric as it moves through the machine.
• Working on delicate fabrics. Lightweight and delicate fabrics like silk and chiffon can get damaged or puckered easily with fast sewing. Slowing down gives you better control.
• Sewing detailed designs. Intricate embroidery, curved seams, and other delicate sewing requires precision. A slower speed allows you to be more accurate.
• Machine is running too fast. If your machine seems to be stuck in the “fast lane” no matter how lightly you press the foot pedal, it likely needs adjusting.
• Taming an old machine. Vintage sewing machines often run fast and loud. Slowing them down makes them more user-friendly.

How to Control Sewing Machine Speed

There are a few different ways to control the speed of your sewing machine. Which method you use will depend on the features your machine offers.

Adjust the Foot Pedal

The foot pedal is one of the main ways to control sewing speed. Here are some tips for using it effectively:

• Press down lightly to start sewing slowly. The harder you press, the faster the machine will go.
• Try pressing down with different parts of your foot to find the right speed. Pressing with your heel may allow more control.
• Adjust the angle of your foot on the pedal. Pivoting your heel down while keeping your toes raised can limit the max speed.
• Add a padded cover to the pedal if pressing barefoot helps control speed.
• If the machine seems stuck on fast no matter how lightly you press, the pedal likely needs servicing.

Use the Speed Control Feature

Many computerized sewing machines come with a built-in speed control. Here’s how to use it:

• Consult your instruction manual to find the speed control. It may be a sliding lever or a button.
• Start at the slowest speed setting when learning to use the machine.
• Gradually move up to faster settings as you get comfortable.
• For delicate projects, keep the speed setting low. You can manually speed up using the foot pedal when needed.

If your machine didn’t come with speed control, you can add an after-market pedal with variable speed control. This gives you the same ability to preset your max speed.

Adjust the Tension

Loosening the thread tension can also help slow down your sewing speed. When the tension is lower, less thread gets pulled through with each stitch, slowing the fabric movement.

• Locate the thread tension dial on your machine. This is often found near the top of the faceplate.
• Turn the dial toward a lower number to reduce tension. Make adjustments in small increments.
• Always test on scrap fabric first. Too little tension can cause messy, loose stitches.

Use a Thicker Needle and Thread

The thickness of the needle and thread affects how quickly it can move through the fabric.

• Try going up a needle size – use a 90/14 instead of 80/12, for example.
• Switch to a thicker thread weight, like 40 wt. instead of 50 wt.
• Be sure to match the needle size to the thread to avoid breakage.

Heavier needles and thread take more force to push through the fabric, slowing the stitching speed.

Sew a Longer Stitch Length

Adjusting your stitch length can also reduce speed:

• A longer stitch length moves the fabric through the machine less frequently, reducing speed.
• Try 4 mm length instead of 2-3 mm. Go longer for more dramatic reductions.
• Adjust back down if stitches become too loose.

Tips for Beginners Learning to Control Speed

Here are some tips to help beginners gradually get comfortable with sewing machine speed:

• Start with a basic machine. Very lightweight machines designed for beginners are easier to manage.
• Take your time getting set up. Winding the bobbin, threading, and preparing fabric don’t require foot pedal use so you can work up to it.
• Practice embroidery first. Try an embroidery project using just the hand wheel before you start sewing with the foot pedal. Mastering the hand wheel first builds coordination.
• Press the pedal gently. Use light pressure with your toe to start moving slowly. Gradually increase as you build confidence.
• Use a variable speed pedal. Being able to preset your max speed prevents accidentally going too fast.
• Lower the presser foot before pressing the pedal. This prevents fabric from shifting wildly when the machine starts moving.
• Stop with the hand wheel. Turning the hand wheel toward you manually stops the machine. Use this if the speed picks up too much.
• Use the speed limiter. If your machine has this, keep it at the lowest speed setting as you learn.

With some patience and practice at slow speeds first, machine sewing will become comfortable!

How to Slow Down an Industrial Sewing Machine

Industrial sewing machines are made for speed, but you can also reduce the speed if needed for special projects or thicker materials. Here are some options:

• Replace the clutch motor with a servo motor. Servo motors have far better speed control, allowing you to sew at lower RPMs. They also save electricity!
• Get a larger handwheel. A heavy duty handwheel (also called a flywheel) increases momentum so it’s harder for the machine to stitch quickly. Larger handwheels can be custom ordered for some machines.
• Use a smaller pulley. Attaching a smaller pulley to the motor decreases the rotation speed. Measure your current pulley size to determine how much smaller you can go.
• Install a speed reducer. Installing an industrial speed reducer between the motor and wheel gives you total control of the speed. It allows up to 70% slower speeds.

With the right adjustments, heavy duty machines can be tamed for delicate work!

Common Problems When Slowing Sewing Machines

Here are some potential issues you may encounter when trying to reduce your sewing speed and how to troubleshoot them:

Machine stalls or lacks power: Using a needle or thread that’s too heavy can overload the motor. Go back down to the next smaller size.

Thread breaks: The needle/thread combo may be too heavy for the fabric. Make sure the sizes are suitable for your fabric weight.

Fabric jams: Slowing down can increase pressure on the fabric. Loosen the presser foot pressure slightly to prevent jamming.

Tension too loose: Loosening tension too much causes messy stitches. Adjust back up in small increments until balanced.

Skipping stitches: Too-heavy thread or too large needles can cause skips in lightweight fabric. Size down until stitching is smooth.

Uneven stitching: Mixing different thread weights or types on top and bottom can create an unbalanced effect when slowed down. Try the same thread consistently.

Maintaining Your Machine for Proper Speed Control

To keep your sewing machine’s speed consistent and controllable, be sure to maintain it properly:

• Clean and oil according to your manual’s directions. Built up lint and grime can interfere with speed control.
• Replace the needle regularly. Old, dull needles make speed control more difficult.
• Check for worn parts. Have a technician inspect for issues like worn motor brushes or power cords.
• Use the correct needle plates. A damaged or incorrect plate can impede fabric flow.
• Service regularly. Have a professional cleaning and servicing yearly to keep everything adjusted properly.

With proper care and cleaning, your machine’s speed should stay adjustable and consistent even after years of use.

Conclusion

Learning to control the speed of your sewing machine takes some practice but gives you the ability to sew smoothly across a range of fabrics and project types.

Start by trying the various speed control methods covered above to see what works for your machine. Adjusting the foot pedal pressure, using built-in speed limiters, selecting the right needle and thread, and having your machine professionally serviced can all help you find the perfect speed.

Slowing down your sewing gives you time to get comfortable with machine sewing as a beginner. And even experienced sewers can benefit when working on delicate or detailed projects requiring extra precision. With a little experimentation, you’ll be able to speed up or slow down your stitches for perfect results!