Test & Sewing Samples Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Sewing Manuals If you have a sewing machine at home, you can use your favorite search engine and type in the following key words to find multiple sewing machine manuals: Sew it Works! SewUSA MasterSewUSA TIAS When learning about your machine, it is best to have the original manual for your machine. Today you will learn about the most common parts of the sewing machine and gain practice with sewing samples. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

General Control Parts  On and Off Switch - usually on the front or right side of the machine to turn it on and off  Foot Pedal - should remain flat on the floor, and can control the speed of the needle depending on the pressure put upon it  Presser Foot - holds the fabric flat against the feed dog as you stitch  Feed Dog - metal ridge often referred to as “teeth” that move the fabric under the presser foot one stitch at a time Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Needle Control Parts  Balance Wheel/Hand Wheel - controls the movement of the needle and may be moved manually or electronically  Clutch Knob/Hand Wheel Knob - prevents the needle from moving while the bobbin is being wound Clutch Knob Balance Wheel Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Thread Control Parts  Bobbin - small spool that holds the thread that will be used at the bottom of the machine  Bobbin Winder or Bobbin Spindle - spindle used to wind the bobbin  Bobbin Case - encompasses the bobbin during sewing Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Thread Control Parts (cont.)  Spool - holds the thread that will be used at the top of the machine; ranges in size  Spool Holder - keeps spool in place during sewing  Take Up Lever - controls the amount of thread pulled from the spool to the needle for each stitch; moves up and down during stitching Take up lever (top view) Take up lever (side view) Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Stich Control Parts  Pattern Selector Dial - uses a variety of stitch styles that may be selected to either sew or use for decorative stitching  Stitch Length Dial - determines the length of stitch while sewing; adjusted based on the instructions or particular part you are sewing Pattern selector dial Stitch length dial Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Needle Control Parts  Needle Clamp - controlled by a screw to loosen the needle when it is time to replace  Needle - may come in different types and sizes depending on the type of fabric you are sewing Needle clamp Needle Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Plates and Lever  Needle Plate - located directly under the needle and surrounds the feed dog; usually has seam width guidelines to help keep stitching straight  Slide Plate - clear plate that covers the bobbin on drop bobbin machines  Reverse Stitch Lever - allows user to stitch backwards Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Practice Makes Perfect  Now you get to practice sewing some basic stitches!  Fold your sheets of copy paper in half.  Copy the designs your teacher draws on the board, or draw some simple designs of your own (One design per sheet of paper).  Sew the paper together, following the design carefully.  Practice using a variety of stitches.  When you have demonstrated a mastery of sewing on paper, you may practice additional designs using muslin swatches of fabric. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.