Have you purchased the sewing machine for the first time? Or upgraded from a conventional sewing machine to electrical sewing machine?
Then, you might have some confusions regarding the different parts of a sewing machine and their functioning. Isn’t it?
Well, in this article, I will walk you through different sewing machine parts and how they are useful in stitching your clothes.
Different Parts of a Sewing Machine and Their Functions
Find the below the picture of a sewing machine with names of all the parts mentioned.
It is highly advised to know your automatic stitching machine functions better before actually using it so that you don’t spoil your clothes or the machine.
1. Foot Pedal
The main part of a motorized sewing machine is the foot pedal without which you won’t be able to run the machine.
You can increase or decrease the sewing speed by accelerating the pedal, just like you do with the pedal (accelerator) of a car.
Note that you’ll have to connect the machine to the power socket in order for the foot pedal to work.
2. Hand Wheel
Using the hand wheel, you can either raise or lower the sewing needle manually in order to provide better grip between the fabric and the needle.
There is a clutch knob placed inside the hand wheel which when pulled out, controls the needle from jabbing up and down while you’re winding the bobbin.
3. Power Switch
Unlike the traditional/manual sewing machines, these motorized stitching machines require electricity to function.
There is also a power on/off switch available on the machine to control the device.
Make sure that the power cord do not come in the middle of the pedal, which disturbs its functionality. Always keep the two cords separate.
4. Bobbin
It is a small round wheel that carries the bottom sewing thread. You need to fix the bobbin onto the bobbin case that is found beneath the needle plate.
5. Bobbin Case
It is a case where you need to fix your bobbin. It can be found under the needle plate.
6. Bobble Winder
Bobbin winder is located either at the top or right side of the sewing machine, depending on the brand. You can wind the bobbin thread on the empty bobbin.
7. Reverse Lever
The reverse lever is located at the front side of the machine. You can use this feature to reverse stitch while sewing at the end of the seam in order to secure the stitch.
8. Spool Pin & Holder
This sewing machine part simply holds the thread without falling apart.
9. Stitch Length Adjustment Knob
Generally, this length adjustment knob is placed just beside or above the pattern selector knob. You can adjust the length of stitch using this knob, ranging from 0 (shortest) to 4 (longest).
The shorter the stitch length, the shorter the amount of fabric being fed under the presser foot before the needle comes down and vice versa.
Note that the adjustment happens at the feed dog and not at the machine needle.
10. Pattern/Stitch Selector
This functionality is what made the automatic sewing machines popular. You can select from a wide variety of patterns such as zigzag, straight stitches, embroidery stitches, blind stitch hemming, zip fixing, stretch stitching and many more…
11. Tension Control
It is the thread tension that determines whether the stitch is firm or loose. These tension disks control the pressure applied to the thread thereby resulting in a uniform feed to the needle.
Using the tension control you can – position the thread to needle, regulate the thread flow to the needle, control thread passage and maintain smooth stitching.
There are two types of tension control devices, namely Direct Tension Device and Indirect Tension Device.
Both these tension control devices have different parts, which include:
- Pressure Disk
- Tension Spring
- Tension Mounting Bar
- Thumb Nut
- Pressure Releasing Unit
The higher the number on the tension device, the greater the tension and vice versa. You need to adjust this number correctly in order to get straight & even stitch on either side of the fabric.
12. Thread Cutter
You can find these thread cutters behind the needle of your sewing machine to use it when required.
13. Presser Foot
It provides grip to the fabric from the top counter to the feed dog.
14. Presser Foot Lever
You can use this lever to engage or disengage the presser foot up on the fabric gently against the feed dog.
When you put this in downward position, it means the tension disks are engaged and vice versa.
15. Take Up Lever
The take-up lever is used to regulate the tension of the needle thread to perform at optimum level. It generally moves up and down during the stitch formation and provides extra thread with loop formation.
16. Presser Dial
It determines the amount of pressure to put on the fabric through the presser foot. This is mainly useful when you’re stitching lighter weight fabrics as they need higher pressure for better control and vice versa.
17. Needle & Needle Clamp
While the needle fits into the needle bar, a small screw holds it in place. On the other hand, the needle clamp fixes the needle in place.
18. Feed Dog
These are nothing but the teeth-like part you see at the top of the machine where you place your clothes for stitching.
It combines with the presser foot to move the fabric by one stitch.
19. Throat Plate
This plate is a removable part that covers the bobbin as well as the bottom of your sewing machine. It has a hole through which the needle goes to the bobbin casing, a pair of slots for the feed dog to move the fabric and some stitching guidelines.
20. Face Plate
This is nothing but a plastic cover that is used to conceal or hide all the internal parts of a sewing machine.
21. Slide Plate
This is another plastic cover that seals the bobbin case and protects it from dirt or dust. You can also access the bobbin zone beneath the sewing machine.
22. Sewing Light
Last but not the least, electrical stitching machines come with a sewing light that allows you to stitch during both day and night times without any visibility issues.
Well, these are the basic sewing machine parts and their functions. If you’re new to stitching or new to using an electric sewing machine, I strongly recommend you to first understand these parts before using your machine to avoid any errors.
