Sewing Equipment FACS Chapter 43

Objectives You will learn. . . How small sewing equipment is used. How to operate a sewing machine.

Small Sewing Equipment Cutting and Measuring Equipment Marking Equipment Pressing Equipment

Cutting and Measuring Equipment Small scissors Use small scissors to clip threads and trim fabric Shears Use to cut fabric Long blades with one handle for the thumb and one handle for two or more fingers

Cutting and Measuring Equipment Seam Ripper Hook-Like Point Handy for cutting and removing stitches

Cutting and Measuring Equipment Tape Measure Narrow strip of durable plastic often marked with both inches and centimeters

Cutting and Measuring Equipment Measuring Stick Yardstick or Meterstick Useful for measuring a pattern and fabric on a flat surface

Cutting and Measuring Equipment Sewing Gauge Small ruler with a slide marker that can be set to gauge specific measurements Examples Width of a seam allowance or hem

Marking Equipment Tracing Wheel Tailor’s Chalk Fabric Marker

Marking Equipment Tracing Wheel Used with a special waxed paper to transfer pattern markings to the wrong side of the fabric

Marking Equipment Tailor’s Chalk Pencils, small squares, or small wheels of chalk or wax are used to mark fabric

Marking Equipment Fabric marker Special Pen marks fabrics temporarily. Some marks can be removed with water Other fade in a short time period

Pressing Equipment Iron and Ironing Board Press Cloth

Pressing Equipment Iron and Iron Board Press Cloth A steam iron and a well-padded ironing board enable you to press as you sew Press Cloth Used for dark fabrics Place between the fabric and iron to keep dark fabrics from developing a shine

Other Small Equipment Straight Pins Used to anchor the pattern to the fabric and to hold layers of fabric together

Other Small Equipment Pincushion Use to keep needles and pins handy while you work

Small Equipment Thimble Used to push a needle through fabric while hand sewing Should fit snugly on the hand that holds the needle

Equipment Safety Keep all small sewing equipment together in an organized box or basket Fold your tape measure and secure it with a rubber band Place needles in their original containers or in a pincushion Store pins in a pincushion rather than in a box to avoid spills Store shears, scissors, and seam rippers with protective covers

Store shears, scissors, and seam rippers with protective covers Use small boxes or plastic bags to store small items such as thimbles, fabric markers, buttons, an other fasteners After use, allow an iron to cool. Wrap the cord and store. Store all sewing equipment away from small children

Find the sewing equipment in the room…. Where do we store the equipment we just learned about? Each of you will need to find one of each type of equipment we just went over and store it in your tub Make a name tag for your tub You will use this tub throughout our sewing unit

Sewing Machines One of the most important and most expensive pieces of sewing equipment we will use

Parts of the Machine Handwheel Large wheel on the right side of the machine Controls the up-and-down movement of the needle and thread take-up lever

Parts of the Machine Thread take-up Lever This lever feeds thread from the spool to the needle

Parts of the Machine Throat Plate Metal plate under the machine needle

Parts of the Machine Bobbin A small, flat spool that holds the bottom thread

Parts of the Machine Bobbin Case This hold the bobbin and is found beneath the throat plate

Parts of the Machine Bobbin Winder Spindle Holds the bobbin while thread is wound from the thread spool to the bobbin

Parts of the Machine Feed Dogs Set of Metal “teeth” that move the fabric during stitching (2)

Parts of the Machine Presser Foot This holds the fabric firmly in place against the feed dogs for sewing (1)

Parts of the Machine Presser Foot Lifter A lever that raises and lowers the presser foot

Tension Control A dial for adjusting tightness or looseness of the needle thread

Stitch Length Control This is used to adjust the length of stitches from short to long

Stitch Width Control This control is used to adjust the width of stitches other than the straight stitch

Stitch Pattern Control Can be adjusted to make different stitching patterns

Reverse Stitch Control Depending on the machine, this will be a button or a lever that allows you to stitch backward to secure the end of a seam

Spool Pin Holds the Spool of thread

Thread Guides Guide the needle thread as it travels from the spook to the needle

Foot Control The amount of pressure you apply with your foot to this control regulates the operation of the machine