Mark some straight and curved lines on your piece of material. (Paper
may also be used but it dulls the needle; material is best.)
Roll the balance wheel to lower the needle at the end of one of the
lines. Lower the presser foot and start the machine. Slowly stitch the
entire line (without thread), guiding your material so the needle
follows the line as much as possible. Practice stitching along a marked
line without thread, going backward and forward with both small and
large stitches.
[Illustration: {Practice stitching}]
When you can control the speed of the machine and stitch straight, you
have learned some important secrets of mother’s sewing. Soon you will be
ready to start on your first project.