NO : 2 DATE: ……………

SEWING MACHINE AND SPECIAL ATTACHMENTS

Sewing is a creative and interesting skill. A sewing machine is a
textile machine used to stitch fabric, leather and other material together with thread. Sewing
machines were invented during the first Industrial revolution to decrease the amount of
manual sewing work performed in clothing companies.
Parts and Functions of a Sewing Machine
The basic structure of sewing machine is the same whether it is hand operated
sewing, treadle sewing machine or electric sewing machine. The sewing machine has four
regions – Head region, Arm region, Base region and Leg region. The basic parts of sewing
and their functions are listed below:
Head Region
a) Thread Guide: It holds the thread in position from the spool to the needle.
b) Thread Take up Lever: It moves up and down above the tension discs. The lever moves
down to loosen the top thread while the stitch is being formed. Then it pulls the stitch tightly
when moves up.
c) Tension Disc: In this two concave discs are put together, with the convex sides facing
each other. The thread passes between the two discs. The tension of the thread is adjusted
by a spring and a nut by loosening or tightening the nut.
d) Pressure Foot: It helps to hold the cloth firmly for stitching properly.
e) Pressure Foot Lifter: This is the lever attached to the presser bar for raising and lowering
the presser foot.
f) Needle Bar: This is a steel rod to hold the needle at one end with the help of a clamp.
g) Face Plate: It is the cover of the oiling points on needle bar; pressure bar and thread take
up lever.
Arm Region
a) Spool Pin: It holds the spool of thread in the pin on the top of the machine.
b) Balance / Fly wheel: Fly wheel is at the right side of head part of machine. When this is
made to revolves, the machine starts to work.
c) Clutch or Thumb Screw: It is seen at the centre of the balance wheel and it engages and
disengages the stitching mechanism.
d) Bobbin Winder: This facilitates the winding of thread on the bobbin.
e) Stitch Regulator: This controls the length of the stitches.
Base Region
a) Slide Plate: It helps to insert and take out, the bobbin case from the shuttle by sliding the
plate.
b) Needle / Throat plate: This is a semicircular plate with a hole to allow the needle to pass
through it and collect the bobbin thread.
c) Feed Dog / Teeth: This consists of a set of teeth fitted below the needle plate. It helps to
move the cloth forward while sewing.
d) Bobbin Case: This moves into position to catch the top thread and form the stitch, as the
needle is lowered into the bobbin chamber.
e) Shuttle: Bobbin case is fitted in the shuttle.
Leg Region
a) Treadle / Pedal: It is made out of iron. When pressing this with foot, the machine works.
b) Speed Wheel: The big wheel seen in between the leg and treadle.
c) Wheel Guard: It guards the leather belt to revolve straightly on the speed wheel.
d) Connecting Rod: It is the rod connecting the treadle and speed wheel.
e) Leather Belt: This is usually made out of leather, but a cloth Tape, Nylon wire or any other
strong rope can also be used.

Special Attachments of Sewing Machines:

There are many additional attachments are available for any type of sewing machine,
which makes the sewing more easier and provide decorative sewing also. Some common
attachments in sewing machine are:
a) Tucker: Used to make uniform tucks from 1/8 “to 1” in width.
b) Binder: Used for trimming and also apply self made bias binding to a straight or curved
edge.
c) Ruffler: It is used to take uniform pleats / ruffles and stitch it perfectly. Useful in making
children’s cloths and curtains.
d) Hemmer: Used for turning up and stitching a narrow hem.
e) Zig-zag Foot: Used to make zig-zag stitches.
f) Quilter: This foot allows the free motion of the needle and there by helpful in quilting and
darning
g) Zipper Foot: Used to attach the zippers to the garment.
h) Cording Foot: This foot helps to attach cords to the garment neatly.
i) Cloth Guide: This guides the movements of the cloth correctly during sewing.
j) Embroidery Plate: Used to cover the feed dog while doing machine embroidery and
darning.

(A) TUCKER (B) BINDER

(C) RUFFLER

(E) ZIG-ZAG FOOT

(G) ZIPPER FOOT

(F) QUILTER
(D) HEMMER

(I) CLOTH GUIDE

(H) CORDING FOOT (J) EMBROIDERY PLATE