12/06/2017
Sewing Machine Parts & Accessories – Best Explained For You https://sewingstep.com/sewing-machine-parts-accessories-best-explained/
It is important that you understand the Sewing Machine Parts & Accessories which simplifies many of the stitching tasks. When you start up with the parts, you will find that there are many buttons and features present on a standard unit. How to mug up all of them and remember like a pro?
First of all, take it slow. No one can remember all the parts at once along with their uses/functions. We have been through your phase, and we rightly understand. We have divided the parts into separate headings for better understanding, and quick remembrance.
Sewing Machine Parts & Accessories Explained
Sewing Machine is a device which does the work of stitching clothes and different kinds of fabric with the help of thread. It looks complicated in design with so many parts of it. Still, they are easy to handle. With the correct guidance and supervision, even a beginner can get his hands on the sewing machine nicely.
Following are the Machine Parts, which remain common on all the standard sewing systems. They are given as:
The Bobbins World
Bobbins Sewing Machine: This is one of the thread providers on the sewing machine. It is a cylindrical structure which comes with thread rolled over the spindle. Bobbins are placed just below the needle plate, or we can say the portion just below the Sewing Machine surface.
One of the main advantages of using such bobbins is that you won’t find any thread tangled. This saves your time as well as keep other components separate and tidy. As soon as the sewing machine runs, the bobbin rotates and contributes to the stitching.
Bobbin Case
This is the small casing providing with all the sewing machines. It is where the bobbins stay while the sewing system is in action. Within the casing, you will find a rotary setup which helps with feeding the bobbin to the stitching work.
You can wrap the thread from the needle position, and wound the bobbins in no time. It is pretty easy to use this bobbin case; it still requires some expertise. There are two types in here; the front loading and the top loading case.
Bobbin Shuttle
Next, we have the Bobbin shuttle. This helps with storing the bobbin case compactly and in a neat way on the sewing machine. Most of the basic shuttle examples are found to be made of wood. Whereas the bobbins fall in the complicated set of options.
Everything related to bobbins is found to be complex, and handling them requires a good level of expertise. Storing them is difficult since there is high chance of threads getting tangled now and then. This can be avoided by making use of bobbin shuttles.
Bobbin Cover
This is the component which most of the users don’t consider buying. Even if the machine includes one bobbin cover, people avoid using it considering it less useful.
We checked all the connections which are present with a bobbin cover. For the front loading bobbins, first, locate the storage compartment, and then remove this compartment. By doing so, you will find the flip-in cover right here.
For the top loading bobbin systems, the flip-in cover is rightly placed visibly. So, you won’t have to search around much and find it quickly.
Bobbin Thread / Bottom Thread
Bobbin thread or Bottom thread – both these components mean the same. This is the thread which you set up for the stitching use. If you use this thread for stitching embroidery designs, then the machine will automatically get less dense thread work on the wrong side of the cloth, keeping it dense in the visible region.
You can make use of the bobbin thread for proper stitching as well as for machine basting. Baste is a form of stitching which can also be called as a temporary stitch. The thread must be chosen according to the stitch type, for example, the baste requires a less delicate thread.
Bobbin Driver
From the name itself, you can understand the purpose of this component. This is the bobbin driver who guides the bobbin on how the thread should be wound up on the sewing machine. If you consider an account of machines for the past 20-30 years, you will notice so many differences in the bobbin winder setup.
With the changing shuttles on the sewing system, you will get different designs for the bobbin drivers. Considering the longitudinal shuttle, here the bobbin driver was placed in a boat-shaped shuttle. The machines with the rotary hook keep the bobbin stationary and allow the thread hook to rotate around it.
Bobbin Holder
The final bobbin component of the list and this is the Bobbin Holder. These come in bright colors, and variety of shapes. So you can choose your favorite design for the holding the bobbins.
You will find some bobbin holders with the spool holders on the bottom side. Different brands provide the holders in a different design. They help in organizing all the bobbins and the thread spools in the right way. For example, one of the bobbin holders come with thread on the bottom side.
Using such elements, you can place the bobbin and thread with the matching colors. This way you won’t have to spend much time searching out the required color.
Plates on a Sewing Machine
Needle Plate
This plate is present on the bottom side of the sewing machine. They are used for covering up feed dogs and bobbin casing present just below the sewing surface. Needle plates cover up the main working unit of the sewing system.
These plates are removable, because of this reason many of the users try to use the machine without placing the plates on. Well, this is something which we won’t recommend to our users. There is one needle clamp which keeps the needle in place.
These needle plates come with some etchings on them and helps you to keep the fabric straight while working on the cloth joints.
Button Shank Plate
Button shanks are the uniquely designed buttons available for purchase. Using them, you can make the stitching of the buttons more easy and accurate. The shanks help with providing some space between the button and the garment on which you want to attach it.
They prove to be helpful while working on the hard fabrics like denim. These button shanks also make draping and hanging smoothly for the first time users. Stitching a button with shanks is more expensive than sewing button without shanks.
You can use them for thick seams as well, as it avoids all kinds of wrong stitches.
Throat Plate
Well, this is the same as the needle plate. Throat plate is located in the place below the needle and the presser foot. The main components of this plate include a slit, needle hole, and one screw.
This is a static component on the sewing machine and comes with slots designed for the feed dog element. They come along with one or more needle holes on it, as they keep on changing from one throat plate to another. Its main purpose is to let the fabric slide over smoothly on the sewing machine surface and also to cover up the bobbin section below it.
Darning Plate
This is one of the complementary components which you can set up on the sewing machine. There are some sewing systems which does not include the feed dogs near the stitching area. So in that, darning plates can be set on the machine, which will help you with making smooth fabric movements during the stitching process.
So, if your product has no feed dogs on it, then get the darning plates in hand and connect them to the machine.
You can install this component easily on the machine, and achieve free movement during the stitching time. One of the Brother models does not have feed dog on it, in that case, you can make use of the darning plate.
Dial Selection
Thread Tension
Not all the sewing machines have got the tension dial on them, but if your machine has got one then don’t skip on that easily! Majority of the users don’t use it properly for their stitching. This tension dial controls the tension on the top thread.
If the tension is set high, then there are chances that you stretch the thread way more than needed. This can lead to the breaking of the thread, and if the tension is set low, then the stitching will be loose. Therefore, set the right tension before starting the stitching task. Read the manual details to know more about how to use the Tension setting.
Stitch Selection Dial
This is one among the basic setting present on all the sewing machines. While the latest models come with many of the settings in the touchscreen mode. With the stitch selection dial, you can choose from options like the stretch, zig-zag, satin, etc. The other settings include the tension, length, and width of the stitch work.
Accessories
Zipper Foot
This is one of the newest features of all, where you can set a separate foot for working on stitching the zippers. Well, you can’t quickly do the zip stitching on a regular sewing machine. This zipper foot is an additional element which can be used for using the zipper works easily.
Small Screwdrivers
Now, not all the sewing machines come along with small screwdrivers. Still many of them include this kind of screwdrivers which are present for dealing with the shank screws. You can make use of this screwdriver also when you need to take out the needle plates at some usage point.
Extension to the Sewing Machine
Next, we got the extension part for the sewing machine, which is optional one to use. They are also termed as free arm sewing component, and also know as the extension of the sewing machine. It is easy to setup and removes, so you can get one extension and test it out by yourself.
If you wish to get more stitching surface, then you can get this on the machine and make the sewing work more convenient. You will have to remove this extension for accessing the bobbin section. If the cloth is in bulk, then you can place some of them on your arm and continue with the sewing.
Spool Pin Felt
Next, we have the mini version of a cushion, it is called as the spool felt. You will find this felt under the thread spool, and it is available near the spool pin side. They are mainly present to make the thread spool spin more efficiently. You can lose them quickly because of the small size of the felt.
Stitching Components
Feed Dog
Have you noticed the metal teeth like structure jus below the needle position? They are the feed dogs. What do they do? They grab and hold the fabric which is undergoing the stitch. You can set the Drop Feed Dog option, where the feed dog will go inside the machine. Thus, disabling the feed dog for a particular sewing session.
Presser Foot
This is one of the major components which act in the stitching process. They are present near the needle position and are used for holding up the fabric firmly which is being stitched. There are three types of presser foots; and they are high, low, and the final one is the slant one.
If you are planning to buy some presser foot for your sewing machine, then you must know two important information. One is the shank type used in your machine, and the highest stitch width allowed. Push the hand wheel, and check how the needle touches the surface.
Needles
There is N number of needles available that work the best for a particular stitching pattern. Needles arrive in unique sizes and shapes, so you need to understand the types initially. Make the list of the general needles which can be used for almost any kind of basic stitching.
For the needle selection, first, you need to note the fabric type and the kind of stitching you are planning to do. Choosing the right needle type is important for the efficient performance.
If you are confused with the selection, then it is better to choose the general needle type.
Thread Spool
How can you stitch clothes without the thread spool? There are many types of thread available in the market. As a beginner, you can opt for the Polyester thread which is an all-purpose thread. The main benefits of using a polyester thread are that they do not stretch up easily, or fade out the color as the other threads.
Among all the threads, polyester remains the strongest of all, and it is even easy to use. As you get into more stitching, you will come across other amazing thread options available for the sewing. Choose the thread according to work.
Wheels and Pedalling
Foot Pedal
If you wish to control the speed of the sewing machine, then it is now possible with the foot pedal. You can even supervise the way the thread goes while the stitching work is running on. Thus speed and even the way thread passes through the fabric can be set with the help of foot pedal.
It is not at all necessary to opt for the highest speed on the foot pedal, instead, check on the speed required for the stitching work. We recommend choosing the low speed initially and then increase it gradually. This is for the engineers. As the sewing increase, keep the pedal running the same time.
Hand Crank
You may think that we are talking about a crank mechanism which is run using the hands. But in fact, when we are talking cranks regarding sewing machine, then they are powered by the Foot. These sewing machines come with a wheel on the right-hand side of the machine, which has to be rotated using hands.
And there is the pedal on the foot side, which makes use of the crank mechanism. This is how the pedaling occurs, and the stitching work is done. When we say hand crank, you have to imagine a sewing machine of the first kind which was run using hands.
Hand Wheel
This is the component using which you could perform the crank mechanism for the stitching. The machine comes with a wheel on the right-hand side, that has to be rotated using the hands and get the stitching work started.
It is mainly used in bringing the bobbin thread up, and to initiate the sewing process. You must turn the wheels towards your body to get the right rotation. With the handwheel rotation, you can bring out the bobbins out and also control the needle positions.
If you are not sure on how to use the hand wheel, then it is recommended to get the help of some pro user. This will help you in case of any system issue.
Sewing Spindle
The simple meaning of a spindle is just similar to an axis which helps with revolving some other component on a machine. It could be a rod or pin on which an element revolves making the rod work as an axle or pivot point. There is a similar rod kind of component on the sewing machine, which is termed as Sewing Spindle.
All the spindles are majorly made using wood, and they are used for twisting or winding different types of fibers on it. You will find one disc on the spindle, which helps with resting the wounded thread. Thee are other spindles without any discs, in them, you will find the thick portion of the thread on the bottom side.
Thread Take Up Lever
This is present on the top side of the sewing machine, and it does not perform any function particularly. But the thread which is wound from the main thread spool must pass through this lever first and then gave to the needle portion. It is something which you must do. Otherwise, the connection won’t be complete.
Holders
Spool Holder
To clear out all the terms related to the spools. Spool pin is the thing which carries the thread spool while the machine is in action. Now spool holder is kind of a stopper which keeps the thread in place while the stitching is on. Otherwise, the thread spool may be pulled out due to the machine jerk.
Spool Pin Holder
How we miss on the spool pin after the spool felt? Yes, we have the spool pin next! It is used for holding the thread spool, and it helps with feeding the machine with the thread required for the stitching. These pins are available in both vertical as well as horizontal shape.
There you go, these are the Sewing Machine Parts & Accessories which remain the Must Know ones for all the users. Did you enjoy reading this article? Let us know your views and feedback in the comment space below. For regular updates on sewing and related stuff, follow us on Sewing Step.
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