• Home
  • Mama’s Bio
  • Mama’s Homestead
  • Contact Me
  • Disclosure Policy
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Mama’s Homestead

~Our Simple Life~

  • Homesteading
  • Homegrown
  • Homemade
  • Homekeeping
  • Beekeeping
  • Classes On My Homestead
    • Homesteading Classes
    • Beekeeping Classes
    • Homemaking Classes
    • Exploring the Outdoors Classes
Homekeeping, Sewing

Parts of a Sewing Machine

May 9, 2014

Parts of a Sewing Machine

Let’s get acquainted with the parts of a sewing machine.

I have a labeled picture of the front of a sewing machine and a labeled picture of the threading components of the same machine. Then I have a written description of each part and its function.

Although, all sewing machines are similar, this is a basic, beginner sewing machine with very few extra adjustments.  Be sure to look at your owner’s manual, to get to know your sewing machine and where these parts are located, before you begin sewing.

Then, take a look at How a Sewing Machine Works at the bottom of the page.

Parts of a Sewing Machine:

Parts of a Sewing Machine

Spool Pin- This is where you put your spool of thread to feed the sewing machine. It is located on the top of most sewing machines and can be vertical or horizontal.

Sewing Machine Arm- Top part of the sewing machine shaped sort of like an arm. Some machines have longer arms for specialty sewing, such as quilting.

Tension Control- This wheel or knob controls the tension of your thread to help the machine make proper stitches.

Thread Guide- Helps guide your thread where it needs to go, before it goes through the take-up lever, for the sewing machine to work properly.

Take-up Lever- This is a movable thread guide that moves up and down, pulling the thread from the spool at the top of the machine and feeding it through the bottom.  

Reverse Control- A button or lever you push to make your machine sew in reverse.

Thread Cutter- Most sewing machines have a built-in thread cutter, on the side or back of the machine, near the needle area. To cut your threads, run them across the shielded blade.

Presser Foot Lever- A small lever, located above the presser foot (can be on the side or in the back), that is used to rise and lower the presser foot so you can place your fabric under. It also engages/disengages the feed dogs.

Presser Foot- This sewing machine foot helps keep your fabric in place while you are sewing. It works in conjunction with the feed dogs to help guide your fabric through the machine.

Needle Throat Plate- Flat metal plate, located below the presser foot with openings for the needle and feed dogs go through. Remove for cleaning inside the machine.

Bobbin Cover- This is a sliding plate cover for your bobbin housing. It covers your bobbin and helps keep dust and debris from getting inside.

Sewing Machine Bed- This is bottom of the sewing machine where your fabric rests as you sew. Part of the bed is removable to make a small arm to use for sewing on sleeves or other small items.

Bobbin Winder- A bobbin is the little spool of thread that fits into the bottom of your sewing machine. Your bobbin thread usually matches the thread you are sewing with. The built-in bobbin winder allows you to wind new thread onto an empty bobbin. It is located on the top of this machine, but can be in different locations on others. We will cover how to wind a bobbin in a later lesson. A Bobbin Winder Tension Disc is located at the top of the machine. It helps keep your thread taut while you are winding your bobbin.

Stitch Selector- This will move the position of the needle and adjust the style of your stitches. Modern sewing machines feature many built-in stitches, such as straight stitch, zigzag, blanket, blind hem, etc.

Hand Wheel- Turning this wheel will allow you to adjust your needle in or out of your fabric manually. Always turn the hand wheel counter-clockwise toward you. The hand wheel also has a knob or button that stops the needle from going while winding a bobbin.

Spool Cap- (Not Shown) This machine doesn’t have spool cap, but some do. On a horizontal spool pin, it slips onto the end of the spool pin to hold the spool in place while you are sewing.

 

Parts of a Sewing Machine 2 

Parts of a Sewing Machine, Threading Components:

Thread Guide- Helps guide your thread where it needs to go, before it goes through the needle, for the sewing machine to work properly.

Presser Foot Screw- Tighten or loosen this screw to remove or install the presser foot from the presser bar.

Presser Foot- See above.

Feed Dogs- Metal strips with small metal teeth, located below the needle throat plate that “walk” and push your fabric along under the foot as you sew. You control the speed of the feed dogs with the amount of pressure you put on the foot pedal. Stitch length, adjusted by the stitch selector, is determined by how much fabric the feed dogs feed through the machine at a time.

Needle/Throat Plate- See above

Bobbin Case- This is where you place your drop-in bobbin when threading your machine. It has a little door covering to protect the bobbin.

Seam Gauge- Measurement lines marked on the needle throat plate that help guide you to sew a straight stitch at the proper width.

Needle- The needle pokes the upper thread through your fabric to link with the lower thread and make a stitch. Select needle sized based on the type of fabric you are sewing.

Needle Screw- Tighten or loosen this screw to remove or install a needle from the needle clamp.

Needle Clamp- A small clamp that holds the needle in place.

Foot Pedal- (Not shown) This is a pedal that is set on the floor that controls power to your machine. Push on the foot pedal to give your machine power and make it sew and control its speed. It is similar to a gas pedal in a car.

Now that you know the parts of a sewing machine, take a look at this fun animation of How a Sewing Machine Works. The second animation is how the machine above works.

 

sewing sewing with kids
by Nelle 
Leave a Comment

About Nelle

I am Nelle. I grew up in rural, small town, Ohio. When I was young, I learned a lot about homesteading from my parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, 4-H, FFA, and others around me. Now, I’m all grown up, have 6 children of my own, and plan to teach them everything I know. Here on Mama’s Homestead, we talk and write about homesteading, homeschooling, and kidsteading (homesteading with kids). We teach our kids about survival, self-sufficiency, gardening (vegetable, herb, flower), orchard, beekeeping, home keeping, soap making, harvesting, cooking, food preservation, livestock, nature, crafts, homesteading tools and wares, and more… Welcome to my homestead…come and learn with us!

View all posts by Nelle

Related Posts

  • How to Thread a Sewing Machine
  • How to Wind a BobbinHow to Wind a Bobbin
  • Machine Sewing KitMachine Sewing Kit
  • Basic Sewing KitBasic Sewing Kit and Beyond
previous article: Machine Sewing Kit
next article: Mama’s Hot Corn Dip

Leave Your Comments Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Welcome to my homestead!

Hello, I'm Nelle Weaver!
I grew up on a small farm in Ohio and experienced various aspects of homesteading. I learned many skills from my grandparents and parents and from being involved in 4-H and FFA.  
My husband and I write about our simple life here on Mama's Homestead and teach classes on our homestead in central Ohio, where we raise goats, chickens, and rabbits, have an orchard, garden, keep bees, and much more. Read More…

Search Mama’s Homestead:

Connect With Me!

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Shop Amazon…

Recent Posts:

  • Mango Fruit Leather
    Mango Fruit Leather

    Mango fruit leather has turned out to be one of my kids' favorites. The sugar is totally optional, but it makes it much sweeter and cuts the tartness. Read more →

  • Lemon Lime Soda Jelly
    Lemon Lime Soda Jelly

    This Lemon Lime Soda Jelly is delicious. I added a fresh lemon and a fresh l fresh lime to the mix to give it a rich, tangy flavor. It will make you pucker, a little. Read more →

  • Cream Soda Jelly
    Cream Soda Jelly

    Cream soda...do you like yours red or amber colored? I chose the amber colored version for my cream soda jelly. I like the flavor better. Plus, I added a teaspoon of vanilla, just for added vanilla goodness. Read more →

  • Homestead Beef Jerky
    Homestead Beef Jerky

    This beef jerky recipe has been used in our family for many years. I love the flavor. It tastes like it was dried over a wood fire. We have also used this recipe for venison. Read more →

  • Grape Soda Jelly
    Grape Soda Jelly

    Up next, Grape Soda Jelly. I think this would probably be my sister's favorite soda. She loves all things purple. This soda jelly, surprisingly tastes a lot like regular grape jelly you would buy at the grocery store. Read more →

  • Orange Soda Jelly
    Orange Soda Jelly

    I remember growing up, this was one of my favorite flavors of soda, plus orange was my favorite color. I added orange juice to my orange soda jelly recipe to give it a tiny bit of healthfulness and add to the orange flavor. Read more →

  • Homemade Noodles
    Homemade Noodles

    When I was growing up, my mom made homemade noodles and cook them in homemade chicken broth. This was such a tasty treat. The store bought kind do not even come close. Read more →

RSS Mama’s Homestead

  • Mango Fruit Leather Nelle
  • Lemon Lime Soda Jelly Nelle
  • Cream Soda Jelly Nelle
  • Homestead Beef Jerky Nelle
  • Grape Soda Jelly Nelle
  • Orange Soda Jelly Nelle
  • Homemade Noodles Nelle
  • Multi-Purpose Soup Mix Nelle
  • Simple Black Bean Soup Nelle
  • Keeping Your Kitchen Clean While You Cook Nelle

Mama’s Homestead Posts

  • Mango Fruit Leather December 2, 2014
  • Lemon Lime Soda Jelly November 18, 2014
  • Cream Soda Jelly November 17, 2014
  • Homestead Beef Jerky November 17, 2014
  • Grape Soda Jelly November 12, 2014
  • Orange Soda Jelly November 12, 2014
  • Homemade Noodles November 12, 2014

RSS Mama’s Homestead

  • Mango Fruit Leather Nelle
  • Lemon Lime Soda Jelly Nelle
  • Cream Soda Jelly Nelle
  • Homestead Beef Jerky Nelle

RSS Mama’s Homestead

  • Mango Fruit Leather Nelle
  • Lemon Lime Soda Jelly Nelle
  • Cream Soda Jelly Nelle
  • Homestead Beef Jerky Nelle
  • Grape Soda Jelly Nelle
  • Orange Soda Jelly Nelle

Mama’s Homestead Archives

Unable to communicate with Instagram.

Follow Me @mamashomestead

Copyright © 2023 · Prima Donna theme by Georgia Lou Studios