THE CONVENTIONAL (LOCKSTITCH)
SEWING MACHINE
Use the student worksheet, Parts of the Sewing Machine. You will need to obtain illustrations and instructions from your sewing machine manuals and put them in the space provided on the worksheets. Make sure the graphics are clear enough so they can be easily read. Go through the basic machine parts and their functions with the students and have the students follow the directions on the worksheet.
See the following page for a list of standard parts. You may want to include only the ten or twelve parts of the machine you deem most important in order to reduce the number of terms on the list. After students have completed this activity, give them the Parts of the Sewing Machine Quiz.
Enlarge your rules for operating the sewing machines and post them in the sewing area for teacher and student reference. For an example, see the list at the end of this unit.
PARTS OF THE SEWING MACHINE
Bobbinholds the thread inside the machine
Bobbin caseholds the bobbin; allows the bobbin to turn and form the stitch; provides bobbin thread tension
Bobbin winder spindleholds the bobbin while it winds
Bobbin winder tensionprovides tension on the thread when the bobbin winds
Feed dogmoves the fabric along as you sew
Feed dog control knoblowers and raises the feed dog
Foot or knee controlcontrols how fast the machine sews
Handwheelcontrols the movement of the take-up lever and needle; can be controlled by power or by hand; always turn it toward you
Handwheel releasestops needle movement during bobbin winding
Light switchturns the light off and on
Needlecarries the thread and pierces the fabric
Needle clampholds the needle in place
Needle platefits around the feed dogs; the needle goes through it; it has a seam guide on it
Needle position control knobmoves the needle to different positions: center, right, and left
Power switchturns the sewing machine on or off
Presser footholds fabric in place while you sew
Presser foot leverlifts and lowers the presser foot
Reverse controlallows the machine to stitch backward
Spool pinholds the spool of thread in place
Stitch-length controlsets the length of the stitch
Stitch-pattern selectorshows you which pattern the machine will sew
Stitch-width controlsets the width of the zigzag stitch
(zigzag control)
Take-up leverpulls thread from the spool
Thread cuttera place to cut the thread(s) without using scissors
Thread guidesholds the thread in place on the sewing machine
Thread tension controladjusts tension on the thread as required for a particular project
Name ______Date ______Score ______
PARTS OF THE SEWING MACHINE
STUDY GUIDE AND QUIZ
Directions: Write the name of the machine part in the blanks.
Note: Each teacher will need to put a diagram of the machine(s) in his/her classroom on this page with blanks drawn in for the students to identify the various machine parts.
RULES FOR USING THE SEWING MACHINE
The procedures and rules for using the sewing machines:
- Before sewing, pull threads UNDER and BACK behind the presser foot about 3 or 4 inches.
- The handwheel always turns toward you, even when you stitch in reverse.
- Keep fingers several stitches away from stitching line; keep them flat on the machine to the sides of the presser foot.
- The presser foot must always be in the down position for sewing.
- Don’t force or pull the fabric—the machine will feed it automatically.
- Use the tread cutter to cut the thread tails or trim threads with scissors as you work.
- The take-up lever should always be at the top when beginning and ending a line of sewing.
- Report any needed repairs.
- NEVER sew paper in the sewing machine.
- Take pins out as you sew; DO NOT SEW OVER PINS!
- Maintain a slow, even speed with the foot control.
- Watch the seam guide as you sew (NOT THE NEEDLE) to produce an even sewing line.
- When stopping in the middle of a line of sewing, put the needle down into the fabric to prevent thread loops.
- Keep the bulk of the fabric to the left of the needle when sewing so you can see the seam guides on the needle plate.