Sewing Machine Terms by Isabel Abrera

Bobbin

iabre6962 — 2025-03-26 15:58:08 UTC

A cylinder that holds and wounds thread, yarn, and other materials.

Bobbin Case

iabre6962 — 2025-03-26 16:00:07 UTC

A part of the machine that holds the bobbin and ensures the bobbin thread is in the correct position to interlock with the upper thread, creating a stitch.

Bobbin Slide Plate

iabre6962 — 2025-03-26 16:02:10 UTC

A rectangular or oval-shaped plate that slides horizontally to open and close the bobbin compartment, allowing access to the bobbin.

Feed Dog

iabre6962 — 2025-03-26 16:04:17 UTC

Toothed metal bars located under the presser foot that move the fabric through the machine, ensuring smooth and even stitching.

Foot control/Knee control

iabre6962 — 2025-03-26 16:12:53 UTC

A pedal/lever that controls the speed of the sewing machine and allows you to raise and lower the presser foot using your knee.

Hand Wheel

iabre6962 — 2025-03-26 16:14:13 UTC

A large knob on the side of the machine that you turn to manually move the needle up and down, allowing for precise positioning and control during sewing.

Hand Wheel Knob

iabre6962 — 2025-03-26 16:15:41 UTC

A dial that allows you to manually raise and lower the needle.

Needle

iabre6962 — 2025-03-26 16:16:58 UTC

A specialized tool designed to penetrate fabric and create stitches, consisting of a shank, shaft, groove, eye, and point, with different types and sizes suited for various fabrics and sewing techniques.

Needle Clamp

iabre6962 — 2025-03-26 16:18:39 UTC

A Needle Clamp holds the needle in place.

Power and Light switch

iabre6962 — 2025-03-26 16:19:57 UTC

A single switch that controls both the machine's power and the built-in light, allowing you to turn them on or off simultaneously.

Presser Foot

iabre6962 — 2025-03-26 16:21:29 UTC

An attachment that holds the fabric firmly against the feed dogs and the needle plate, ensuring smooth and even fabric movement during stitching.

Presser foot lifter

iabre6962 — 2025-03-26 16:22:52 UTC

A lever or mechanism that allows you to raise and lower the presser foot.

Reverse button

iabre6962 — 2025-03-26 16:24:29 UTC

A button that allows you to sew stitches in the opposite direction, which is used to reinforce the beginning and end of seams and prevent them from unraveling.

Spool pins

iabre6962 — 2025-03-26 16:25:45 UTC

A small, cylindrical rod that extends from the top or back of the machine, designed to hold the thread spool securely in place during sewing, ensuring even thread unwinding and proper tension.

Bobbin winder

iabre6962 — 2025-03-26 16:27:50 UTC

Helps unwind the thread on the bobbin and help to distribute the bobbin thread evenly.

Stitch-length control

iabre6962 — 2025-03-26 16:29:55 UTC

Allows you to adjust the distance between each stitch, typically measured in millimeters, enabling you to create different stitch lengths for various sewing applications.

Take-up Lever

iabre6962 — 2025-03-26 17:04:03 UTC

Responsible for pulling the upper thread through the fabric, regulating thread tension, and coordinating with the needle bar and feed mechanism for smooth, consistent stitches.

Tension control

iabre6962 — 2025-03-26 17:09:28 UTC

The mechanisms and adjustments that ensure the top and bobbin threads are pulled together evenly to create consistent, balanced stitches.

Thread guides

iabre6962 — 2025-03-26 17:11:22 UTC

Small, often overlooked parts that direct the thread's path from the spool to the needle, ensuring smooth and consistent stitching.

Throat plate/needle plate

iabre6962 — 2025-03-26 17:12:20 UTC

A metal plate beneath the needle and presser foot that provides a smooth surface for the fabric to pass over and guides the needle through the fabric to form stitches.