A brief history of the sewing machine

Components of a sewing machine© Y.Cochrane 2011

1790

Thomas Saint, who was an English

inventor designed a machine that was designed to sew

leather but it could not produce results

and failed

Components of a sewing machine© Y.Cochrane 2011

Over time…

There were many attempts at creating a

successful sewing machine. But many

failed.

Components of a sewing machine© Y.Cochrane 2011

In 1846

Elias Howe got the first American patent* for a

sewing machine

Components of a sewing machine© Y.Cochrane 2011

*Patent: Protects an invention from being used by anyone other than the inventor.

1850

The mass production of machines started in

1850 when Isaac Singer invented a machine that was

commercially successful

Components of a sewing machine© Y.Cochrane 2011

Getting to know your sewing machine

Stage 4: Technology Mandatory

A brief Introduction to the components of your machine

Components of a sewing machine© Y.Cochrane 2011

Getting to know the Sewing Machine

Hand Wheel

Spool PinBobbin Winder

Thread Take up

Pick up lever

NeedlePresser Foot

Feed Dog

Bobbin

Bed Plate

Needle Clamp

Thread Guide Stitch Type Selector

Needle Position

Reverse LeverStitch Length Selector

Foot ControlBack Stitch to the Final Slide>

The Hand Wheel

Allows more control over the needle to do very precise stitching. Can be used to pick

up the bobbin thread when threading the

needle.

Components of a sewing machine© Y.Cochrane 2011

Back Stitch to the Machine Menu >

Foot Control

Used to sew on the machine. Press gently

with foot

Components of a sewing machine© Y.Cochrane 2011

Back Stitch to the Machine Menu >

Stitch Length Selector

Changes the stitch length

Components of a sewing machine© Y.Cochrane 2011

Back Stitch to the Machine Menu >

Reverse Lever

Use this to reverse stitch and secure

thread

Components of a sewing machine© Y.Cochrane 2011

Back Stitch to the Machine Menu >

Needle position

Adjust needle position; centre, left

or right

Components of a sewing machine© Y.Cochrane 2011

Back Stitch to the Machine Menu >

Stitch Type Selector

Select different types of stitches, from plain

to decorative and hemming stitches

Components of a sewing machine© Y.Cochrane 2011

Back Stitch to the Machine Menu >

Thread Guide

Forms part of a path where thread goes.

Allows for good stitching, due to good

tension and unraveling of thread

Components of a sewing machine© Y.Cochrane 2011

Back Stitch to the Machine Menu >

Needle Clamp

Unscrew this to replace or change the

needle

Components of a sewing machine© Y.Cochrane 2011

Back Stitch to the Machine Menu >

Bed Plate

Where you rest and manipulate fabric

being sewn

Components of a sewing machine© Y.Cochrane 2011

Back Stitch to the Machine Menu >

Bobbin

This is where the bobbin is housed,

inside a bobbin case

Small, round metal device for holding the

bobbin. Used to tension the bobbin

threadComponents of a sewing machine

© Y.Cochrane 2011

Bobbin Case

Back Stitch to the Machine Menu >

Feed Dog

Small teeth under the presser foot that

move the fabric along

Components of a sewing machine© Y.Cochrane 2011

Back Stitch to the Machine Menu >

Presser Foot

Holds fabric in place whilst stitching, so the fabric feeds through the machine evenly, resulting in neat and

smooth stitching

Components of a sewing machine© Y.Cochrane 2011

Back Stitch to the Machine Menu >

Needle

Sharp-ended piece of metal that punctures the fabric, taking the thread through the

fabric; thus allowing us to sew

Components of a sewing machine© Y.Cochrane 2011

Back Stitch to the Machine Menu >

Pick Up Lever

Lifts the foot when you want to move the

fabric, or drop the presser foot, when ready for sewing

Components of a sewing machine© Y.Cochrane 2011

Back Stitch to the Machine Menu >

Thread Take Up

A lever that pulls up slack in the thread

from the spool through the tension

slot and helps maintain proper thread tension

Components of a sewing machine© Y.Cochrane 2011

Back Stitch to the Machine Menu >

The Bobbin Winder

Used to fill the bobbin with thread

Components of a sewing machine© Y.Cochrane 2011

Back Stitch to the Machine Menu >

Spool Pin

Where you attach thread spool, to allow

it to easily unravel when required.

Components of a sewing machine© Y.Cochrane 2011

Back Stitch to the Machine Menu >

Now it’s YOUR turn…

1. Turn to page 16 of your ‘Fabulous Furnishing’ booklet

2. Label the parts of the machine

3. How did you go?

How did you go?

Hand Wheel

Spool PinBobbin Winder

Thread Take up

Pick up lever

NeedlePresser Foot

Feed Dog

Bobbin

Bed Plate

Needle Clamp

Thread Guide Stitch Type Selector

Needle Position

Reverse LeverStitch Length Selector

Foot Control