Sewing Machine
TITLE:
Sewing Machine
PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE:
You can hold a needle and thread it through fabric.
You know how to use a hand‑sewing machine to make simple stitches.
You understand the safety rules for using tools in the sewing room.
OBJECTIVES
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
1. Identify the main parts of a sewing machine.
2. Explain what each part does.
3. Thread a sewing machine correctly.
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:
- A basic electric sewing machine.
- A spool of thread.
- A needle.
- A piece of fabric.
- A thread holder.
- A small mirror.
CONTENT
Parts of the Machine
The sewing machine has many parts that work together.
Think of a bicycle that has wheels, a seat and pedals.
The sewing machine has a needle, a bobbin, a feed dog and a lever.
The needle holds the thread and pushes it through the fabric.
The bobbin sits in a small case and gives the lower thread.
The feed dog moves the fabric forward as you sew.
The lever, or hand crank, turns the machine on and off.
The needle is the most important part.
It moves up and down quickly.
When it goes down, it pushes the thread through the cloth.
When it comes up, it pulls the thread back up.
The bobbin supplies the lower thread.
It is wound on a small cylinder.
If the bobbin is empty, the machine stops.
The bobbin is kept in a small case that sits under the needle.
The feed dog is a small metal bar with teeth.
It grips the fabric and pulls it forward.
Without the feed dog, the fabric would not move.
The feed dog moves in a small rhythm with the needle.
Worked
Example 1:
Checking the Needle
You want to sew a small patch on a shirt.
First, look at the needle.
Step 1: Open the machine cover.
Step 2: See if the needle is straight.
Step 3: If the needle is bent, replace it.
Answer: The needle must be straight to sew smoothly.
Functions of the Machine
The sewing machine does three main jobs.
First, it moves the needle up and down.
Second, it moves the fabric forward.
Third, it keeps the thread in tension.
The needle moves up and down quickly.
It pushes the thread through the cloth.
This creates a stitch that holds the fabric together.
The feed dog moves the fabric forward.
It pulls the cloth by a small amount each time the needle goes down.
This keeps the fabric from sliding back.
Thread tension keeps the stitch even.
If the tension is too tight, the thread breaks.
If it is too loose, the stitch looks uneven.
Worked
Example 2:
Adjusting Tension
You notice your stitches are uneven.
Step 1: Check the tension knob.
Step 2: Turn the knob slightly to the left.
Step 3: Sew a short line again.
Answer: The stitches should now be even.
Basic Threading
Threading the machine is like tying a knot on a string.
First, you put the thread on the needle.
Then you guide it through the eye of the needle.
Finally, you pull the thread to the back of the machine.
Start with the spool of thread.
Place it on the spool holder.
Pull the thread down to the needle.
Make a small loop and put it over the needle.
Next, pull the thread through the needle eye.
Pull it gently so it does not break.
Then, guide the thread to the bobbin case.
The thread goes into the bobbin and is wound.
Worked
Example 3:
Threading a New Machine
You have a new machine and need to thread it.
Step 1: Put the thread on the spool holder.
Step 2: Pull the thread to the needle.
Step 3: Thread the needle eye.
Step 4: Guide the thread to the bobbin.
Answer: The machine is now ready to sew.
COMMON MISTAKES:
- Leaving the machine cover open while sewing.
- Using a bent needle that breaks the thread.
- Not checking the thread tension before starting.
EVALUATION
1. Name the part that holds the lower thread.
2. What does the feed dog do?
3. Describe the steps to thread a needle.
4. Why is it important to keep the machine cover closed?
5. What happens if the tension is too loose?
SUMMARY
Today we learned about the sewing machine.
We saw the needle, bobbin, feed dog and lever.
We explained how each part works together.
We practiced threading the machine step by step.
We also looked at common mistakes to avoid.
- The needle moves up and down to sew.
- The feed dog pulls the fabric forward.
- Threading is done by guiding the thread through the needle eye.