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.






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These are parts common to many sewing
machines. However, since there are so many
sewing machine models out there, these parts
may or may not be on your particular machine.


Sewing machine parts glossary:
                                                                         


Bobbin

    The spool that sits in the lower part of the
    machine. It holds the thread that makes
    the underside of a stitch.
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