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 The Sewing Machine

Sewing machines are an important and almost necessary tool for sewing garments or home interior furnishings.  The sewing Machine allows you to sew quickly and easily with a professional type finish.  Machine sewing works by stitching fabric layers together with two interlocking threads thus, creating a lock stitch with the upper thread coming thru the needle and the bottom thread coming from the bobbin.

In order to make your sewing machine project flow easily, you will need to understand how it operates.  Become familiar with the knobs, buttons, wheels and all the extras your machine may have.  Below you will find a sewing machine guide to all the most common parts of a machine. 

 This is a diagram of a basic sewing Machine.  The basic controls are usually similar from model to model but, sewing machines vary. Be sure to check your owners manual for relevant details of your particular machine.

1) Bobbin Case - The bobbin is either dropped into the case or the case is removed and the bobbin is inserted vertically.

2)  Bobbin Winder Spindle - This is where you put the bobbin to wind it.

3)  Bobbin Winder Stop - Press the bobbin against this when winding it.  When the bobbin is fully wound, it will usually stop or "pop".

4)  Feed Dogs - Helps guide the fabric through as it is stitched.

5)  Free Arm - This can be left on for a flat bed or removed for free arm.  Useful when you want to sew circles around things such as sleeves, pant cuffs etc..

6)  Handwheel or Flywheel - Used to hand move the needle up and down slowly.

7)  Presser Foot - Hold fabric flat as it is fed thru the machine.

8)  Presser Foot Lever - This raises and lowers the foot so that you can change it and move fabric in and out.

9)  Reverse Button - When pressing this button, it  switches your machine into reverse.  Used for backstitching to secure the beginning and end of your stitching.

10)  Thread Spindle or Spool Pin - Holds the thread spool.

11)  Stitch Length Selector -  Determines how long your stitches are

12)  Stitch Selector - A key pad that allows you to choose between computerized monograms or stitch witchery.   

13)  Stitch Width Selector -  Determines how wide you want your stitches.  Useful in zig-zag or decorative stitches.

14)  Stop Motion or Clutch Wheel -  Stops the machine from stitching while allowing the wheel to move.  Used when winding the bobbin.

15)  Tension Selector -  Allows you to work with thread tension.

16)  Thread Guide -  Keeps your thread in line before it enters the take up lever or tension mechanism.

17)  Thread Spring Guide -  Keeps your thread from snapping by use of a spring that gives.

18)  Thread Take-Up Lever - As your machine turns, this take up lever moves up and down synchronizing with the movement and amount of thread needed for stitching.

19)  Throat/Needle Plate -  Fits over the feed dogs and usually has markings that indicate seam allowance distance from the needle position.

20)  Needle and Needle Clap Screw - The needle is held in place by this screw.