Review of Current Design

• The current design of the machine requires the use of the right hand to adjust the controls- or in the case of left-handed sewers, it requires them to use a diagonal motion across their body to adjust the controls. This reaching over requires a great amount of extension to the arm. 
• The design has a fixed arm located to the right of the platform that does not allow for the use of the right hand to help guide the fabric when sewing.
• The needle is located at a fixed position located under the machines head well below eye height. Thus, the procedure of ejecting and inserting the needle becomes difficult for both left and right-handed sewers.
• The threading of the string throughout the machine begins on the right side of the machine. For left-handed sewers, this can add difficulty due to greatly extending their arm diagonally across their body to thread the machine.
• The platform has a limited amount of space accommodating only a few inches of fabric on the left of the needle. Therefore, the left hand is not supported by the platform when guiding the fabric. Greater strength is deployed to stabilize the left hand.

Exploring Solutions:

• Thefixed arm to the right of the machine is flushed towards the back of the platform to allow for assistance of the right hand when guiding the fabric.
• An automatic string threading system located inside the machine is added to eliminate the task of manually threading the machine.
•  A digital screen located at a height relative to the average eye height of a woman in the US is used to eliminate the manual controls of the machine. The screen is located on the upper part of the head of the machine.
• The platform extends an additional few inches to the left of the needle in order to give support to the left hand when guiding the fabric.
• The head of the machine which houses the needle employs the use of a tilt technology in order to gain easier access to the area of the needle. This is to facilitate the ejection and insertion of the needle.   

     Hypothesis:

     An ambidextrous sewing machine will provide the option for the user to use their preferred hands for each function when using a sewing machine.

Meet the Experts

Diane Appleton:

Mrs. Appleton is a teacher at the Palo Alto Adult School and also gives private and group lessons to children. Mrs. Appleton has first-hand experience with the difficulties new sewers face. She is also an experienced sewer herself and textile architect. Her insights on the learning processes involving a sewing machine are valuable.

Dr. Zakiyyah Hyatt:

Dr. Hyatt is an experienced sewing teacher, has worked in a textile factory in management at the height of the market and is an entrepreneur who designs and makes apparel for public sale. Her expertise will aid in understanding the sewing machines role in the sewing industry both in big scale and small scale.

Pr. Susan Ospital:

Is an SF State instructor who currently teaches the Beginning Apparel Construction class. Has experience with mostly college age students whose focus is the design industry. Her expertise will help understand the college-age range, understand the difficulties they face, and will give insight on the sewing machines role in today’s design industry.

PERT Chart

Timeline

Problem: Sewing machines in their present form can be difficult to use for left-handed sewers due to the layout of the gears and fixed arm.


Purpose: To purpose of this study is to facilitate the use of sewing machines for left-handed sewers.

Who?

I am a DAI student working on a Bachelors of Industrial Arts. My true passion is centered around being able to help people through design. To give people ease is rewarding in itself. 

"On every person's joints or small bones (i.e. fingers and toes), there is charity every day the sun rises. Doing justice between two people is charity; assisting a man to mount his animal, or lifting up his belongings onto it is charity; a good word is charity; every step you take towards prayer is charity ; and removing harmful things from pathways is charity." ~Prophet Muhammad


I am very much influenced by my environment and those around me. When I see others struggling and know that I can or should help, my conscious itches. The beauty in nature and the peace it brings drives me to try and replicate that feeling in my designs. I want to be able to benefit others.


My hope is to simplify processes through design in order to relieve some burden in peoples lives. 

I am: simple, intuitive, resourceful, observant, meticulous and an explorer