Test & Sewing Samples Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2014. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission

7.01 The Sewing Machine

Test & Sewing Samples

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2014. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Sewing ManualsIf you have a sewing machine at home, you can use your favorite search engine and type in the following key words to find multiple sewing machine manuals:

• Sew it Works!• SewUSA• MasterSewUSA• TIAS

When learning about your machine, it is best to have the original manual for your machine. Today you will learn about the most common parts of the sewing machine and gain practice with sewing samples.


General Control Parts On and Off Switch - usually on the front or

right side of the machine to turn it on and off

Foot Pedal - should remain flat on the floor, and can control the speed of the needle depending on the pressure put upon it

Presser Foot - holds the fabric flat against the feed dog as you stitch Feed Dog - metal ridge often referred to as

“teeth” that move the fabric under the presser foot one stitch at a time


Needle Control Parts

Balance Wheel/Hand Wheel - controls the movement of the needle and may be moved manually or electronically

Clutch Knob/Hand Wheel Knob - prevents the needle from moving while the bobbin is being wound

Clutch Knob

Balance Wheel


Thread Control Parts Bobbin - small spool that holds the thread

that will be used at the bottom of the machine

Bobbin Winder or Bobbin Spindle - spindle used to wind the bobbin

Bobbin Case - encompasses the bobbin during sewing


Thread Control Parts (cont.)

Spool - holds the thread that will be used at the top of the machine; ranges in size

Spool Holder - keeps spool in place during sewing

Take Up Lever - controls the amount of thread pulled from the spool to the needle for each stitch; moves up and down during stitching

Take up lever

(top view)

Take up lever (side view)


Stich Control Parts Pattern Selector Dial - uses a variety of stitch

styles that may be selected to either sew or use for decorative stitching

Stitch Length Dial - determines the length of stitch while sewing; adjusted based on the instructions or particular part you are sewing

Pattern selector dial

Stitch length dial


Needle Control Parts Needle Clamp - controlled by a screw to

loosen the needle when it is time to replace Needle - may come in different types and

sizes depending on the type of fabric you are sewing

Needle clamp

Needle


Plates and Lever Needle Plate - located directly under the

needle and surrounds the feed dog; usually has seam width guidelines to help keep stitching straight

Slide Plate - clear plate that covers the bobbin on drop bobbin machines

Reverse Stitch Lever - allows user to stitch backwards


Practice Makes Perfect Now you get to practice sewing some basic

stitches! Fold your sheets of copy paper in half. Copy the designs your teacher draws on the

board, or draw some simple designs of your own (One design per sheet of paper).

Sew the paper together, following the design carefully.

Practice using a variety of stitches. When you have demonstrated a mastery of

sewing on paper, you may practice additional designs using muslin swatches of fabric.


Documents

Test & Sewing Samples Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2014. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission