Sewing Machine:
A sewing machine is a machine used to stitch fabric, paper, leather, or other materials together using thread. It is a very important machine in the garment manufacturing industry.
History of the Sewing Machine:
The invention of the sewing machine was not done by one person. Many inventors contributed over time.
- 1790 – Thomas Saint (England): He invented the first sewing machine and took a patent for it. His machine could make only chain stitches.
- 1832 – Walter Hunt (USA): He invented a machine using an eye-pointed needle and a lock stitch.
- 1845 – Elias Howe (USA): He developed a sewing machine with an eye-pointed needle and an under-thread shuttle. His machine could sew much faster than hand sewing.
- 1851 – Isaac M. Singer (USA): He improved the machine by adding a straight needle and continuous stitching, making it suitable for industrial use.
Different Parts of a Sewing Machine and Their Functions:
Although there are different types of sewing machines, the basic parts and functions are almost the same.
1. Bed The bed is the flat base of the sewing machine. It supports and stabilizes the machine during sewing.
2. Bobbin The bobbin holds the lower thread.
3. Bobbin Case It holds the bobbin in place and controls the tension of the lower thread.
4. Bobbin Cover This cover protects the bobbin and bobbin case.
5. Bobbin Winder Spindle It is used to wind thread from the spool onto the bobbin.
6. Needle Plate (Throat Plate) It is a metal plate with a hole that allows the needle to pass through.
7. Needle The needle carries the upper thread and stitches the fabric. It is one of the most important parts of the machine.
8. Feed Dogs Feed dogs are small metal teeth that move the fabric forward during sewing.
9. Presser Foot The presser foot holds the fabric firmly while sewing.
10. Presser Foot Lever This lever raises or lowers the presser foot.
11. Thread Guides Thread guides direct the thread from the spool to the needle.
12. Thread Take-Up Lever It pulls the thread back after each stitch, making the stitches even.
13. Thread Tension Control This control adjusts how tight or loose the stitches will be.
14. Spool Pin The spool pin holds the thread spool. It can be vertical or horizontal.
15. Hand Wheel The hand wheel is used to manually raise or lower the needle.
16. Stitch Selector It is used to choose the type of stitch, such as straight stitch, zigzag stitch, or decorative stitch.
17. Stitch Length Controller It controls the length of stitches. Usually, the range is from 0 to 4 (0 = shortest stitch, 4 = longest stitch).
18. Foot Pedal The foot pedal controls the speed of the sewing machine—starting, running, and stopping.
19. Reverse Lever This lever allows the machine to sew backward. It is mainly used to secure stitches at the beginning and end.
2. Bobbin The bobbin holds the lower thread.
3. Bobbin Case It holds the bobbin in place and controls the tension of the lower thread.
4. Bobbin Cover This cover protects the bobbin and bobbin case.
5. Bobbin Winder Spindle It is used to wind thread from the spool onto the bobbin.
6. Needle Plate (Throat Plate) It is a metal plate with a hole that allows the needle to pass through.
7. Needle The needle carries the upper thread and stitches the fabric. It is one of the most important parts of the machine.
8. Feed Dogs Feed dogs are small metal teeth that move the fabric forward during sewing.
9. Presser Foot The presser foot holds the fabric firmly while sewing.
10. Presser Foot Lever This lever raises or lowers the presser foot.
11. Thread Guides Thread guides direct the thread from the spool to the needle.
12. Thread Take-Up Lever It pulls the thread back after each stitch, making the stitches even.
13. Thread Tension Control This control adjusts how tight or loose the stitches will be.
14. Spool Pin The spool pin holds the thread spool. It can be vertical or horizontal.
15. Hand Wheel The hand wheel is used to manually raise or lower the needle.
16. Stitch Selector It is used to choose the type of stitch, such as straight stitch, zigzag stitch, or decorative stitch.
17. Stitch Length Controller It controls the length of stitches. Usually, the range is from 0 to 4 (0 = shortest stitch, 4 = longest stitch).
18. Foot Pedal The foot pedal controls the speed of the sewing machine—starting, running, and stopping.
19. Reverse Lever This lever allows the machine to sew backward. It is mainly used to secure stitches at the beginning and end.
