Which step involves adjusting the machine's settings?

The step that involves adjusting the machine's settings is preparing the sewing machine. This crucial phase ensures that the machine operates correctly and is set up according to the specific requirements of the fabric and the type of sewing project. Adjustments might include changing the stitch type, adjusting the tension, or altering the stitch length, which are necessary before starting to sew. Ensuring that the machine is configured correctly helps prevent issues such as thread breakage and fabric puckering, leading to a smoother sewing process and higher quality results.

In contrast, the other steps like ironing, cutting, and measuring focus on the garment's preparation and assembly rather than the machine's settings. Ironing smooths out the fabric to make sewing easier, cutting involves shaping the fabric according to a pattern, and measuring and pinning help position the pieces correctly before sewing begins. Each of these actions is dependent on the machine being set up properly beforehand.