If you have recently taken up sewing, knowing your way around a sewing machine is vital for honing your new skills. The more familiar you are with the equipment, the more effectively you can handle different projects. Here is a guide to vital sewing machine parts.

A Guide to Sewing Machine Parts

1. Needle Area

The needles create the stitches on your fabric and come in a variety of sizes to suit different materials. Quality needles should be replaced after about 15 hours of sewing.

Under where the needle sits is the needle plate that houses the bobbin casing; this area usually has a measuring guide for keeping seams straight. There is also a needle threader to make threading needles easy and efficient, eliminating the need to eyeball the end of a string through a tiny hole.

2. Handwheel

Handwheels bring the bobbin thread through the needle plate. This sewing machine part also raises and lowers the needle so you can position the fabric to your liking. It features a clutch knob inside the wheel so that when it is pulled out, the needle will not go up and down when winding the bobbin.

3. Bobbin

A bobbin helps create a stitch, which on a sewing machine is formed by looping the bobbin thread and the needle thread together. Bobbins are either made of plastic or metal and sit in a bobbin case underneath the needle plate. When bobbins are damaged, they must be tossed to thread effectively.

4. Foot Pedal

The foot pedal controls the speed of the sewing machine. Some high-speed machines do not require a foot pedal since they feature buttons that adjust, start, and stop the machine.

5. Reverse Button

To lock in the thread, you need to back-stitch the seam. The reverse button reinforces the beginnings and ends of seams so that the first and last sets of stitches are secure and won’t unravel.

For new and experienced sewing enthusiasts, Kramer's Sew & Vac in Cincinnati, OH, is the one-stop shop for all aspects of the craft. Since 1947, the family-owned location has been the top choice for sewing machine parts, repairs, and sales. They also provide vacuums and vacuum repairs. Their expert team is well-versed in all brands and types of machines. They also offer free estimates, and every job is completed in-house. Call (513) 891-5005 or visit them online to view their current sewing class schedule.