Parts of a sewing machine

Familiarise yourself with these parts of the sewing machine, it is very important that you are able to recognise all of these parts.

Below is a description of what these parts do.

The Parts of a Sewing Machine Defined                                                                                                                                     

Bobbin Case

The part of the machine that houses the bobbin.

Feed/Feed Dogs

The metal teeth that stick up above the needle plate. They move the fabric forward as it’s being stitched.

Hand Wheel

The wheel on the side of the machine that can be turned manually to adjust the height of the needle.

Needle Bar/Needle Clamp

The part that holds the needle.

Needle Plate

The flat surface below the needle that the needle goes down through when making a stitch. It can be changed for different stitching jobs. Also called a throat plate.

Presser Foot

The piece that sits below the needle and holds the fabric down as it’s being stitched. It can be changed for different stitching jobs.

Slide Plate

The cover that opens to allow access to the bobbin.

Spool Holder

The spindle that holds the top spool of thread.

Stitch Length Regulator/Selector

The mechanism that allows you to adjust the length of your stitches.

Stitch Width Regulator/Selector

The mechanism that allows you to adjust the width of a wide stitch, such as a zigzag stitch.

Take-up Lever

Part of the upper threading sequence, it helps control the flow of thread. It’s the part that goes “up and down” as you sew.

Tension Disks

Disks that the upper thread is placed between that regulate thread tension.

Tension Regulator/Adjuster/Dial

The mechanism that allows you to adjust the tension of your upper, and sometimes bobbin, thread.

Thread Guides

Part of the upper threading sequence, they direct the flow of thread.

Throat Plate

See Needle Plate.