Organizing Your Sewing Notebook An Overview of a Home Sewing Machine

       Hello!  So starting this blog is proving to be a challenge since I havent used HTML or Adobe Illustrator for some time.  I also want to redesign my blog layout to suit the theme of my blog.  Hopefully I can so that this weekend, but I for now I do not want to delay my postings!  Today I want to go over what to divide The Sewing Notebook binder into and the different parts of a home sewing machine. 

Dividing your Sewing Notebook

I have 8 tab dividers.  Below is the order and titles of my dividers.
1)  Stitches
2)  Seams
3)  Fabric
4)  Patternmaking
5)  Dressmaking
6)  Tailoring
7)  Alterations
8)  Patterns, Projects, etc..

An Overview of a Home Sewing Machine

       Probably the hardest part of starting a blog, besides keeping up with posting has got to be where to start? Hand stitches? Tying a knot? Fabric? Measurements? Maybe it is because I am getting to excited about this project. ;) I finally decided to start with the parts of the home sewing machine. I have worked with a variety of sewing machines. From industrial to home; sewing to sergers. Industrial machines are wonderful. They have a lot of power and more room to work with. However, most people who sew for recreation do not have one. I wish I did. Maybe I will obtain one this year? Anyway on to the point of the article. he he

       I am going over the parts of my sewing machine. Now everybodys sewing machine is going to look different, thread different, extra buttons, etc... It is best to go over your owners manual to familiarize yourself with where the parts are, how you thread it, and how to care for your sewing machine.

Head
Upper part of the sewing machine.
Bed
The flat surface of the sewing machine where you sew. Mine has a free arm, which is a U-shaped casing that surrounds the sewing area. I typically take it off when I am sewing sleeves or hemming pants.
Face Plate
Covers the inner workings of the sewing machine. You can remove it for maintenance.
Hand Wheel
Raises and lowers the needle. With most sewing machines, they turn counter clockwise (towards you). Double check your manual. Also, never turn it in the opposite direction of its natural rotation. You can break threads or jam your machine.

My sewing machine is an electrical one.  So instead of knobs and dials to 

adjust stitch width, length, and pattern it uses buttons.

Stitch Pattern Adjuster
Allows you to choose a variety of stitch patterns such as zig-zag, button holes, etc...
Stitch Width Selector
Allows you to choose the width of the stitches. On this machine it is also useful in adjusting if the needle needs to be more to the left or to right. Like when I need to use a zipper or cording foot.
Stitch Length Selector
Allows you to choose how long you want your stitches to be.

(I put an asterisk next to some of the controls as I they may 

be unique to the new electric sewing machines.)

Bobbin Winder
Winds the thread from the spool onto a bobbin.
Spool Pin
Holds a spool of thread.
Thread Guide
Helps guide thread to a certain area.
Take-up Lever
Pulls the thread during each stitch to take up the extra slack in thread so the stitches will lay evenly on the fabric.
Tension Dial
Adjusts the tightness or looseness of the stitches.
*Speed Control
It adjusts the speed of the machine from slow to fast.

*Up/Down Needle
Brings the needle up or down depending on its current position
*Auto-Lock
Will automatically sew locking stitches.
Reverse Stitch
Will reverse stitch when while button is being pressed.
*Start/Stop
Start and stops machine. Will not work when foot control is connected to the machine.
Presser Foot Lifter
Lifts the presser foot up and lowers onto the feed dogs.
Needle Clamp
A clamp to tighten the needle in place.
Presser Foot
A sewing foot that holds the fabric against the feed dogs.
Feed Dogs
"Teeth-like" mechanisms that control the motion of the fabric.
Slide Plate
Covers the bobbin case and bobbin to protect it.
Needle or Throat Plate
Usually has stitching guidelines and a hole in which the needles passes through.
Sewing Light
Older sewing machines do not have these, but it a helpful little like that helps you see where to thread the needle and where you are sewing.

Almost forgot!  The Foot Pedal.

Foot Pedal
Controls the speed of the sewing machine.

        Whew!  That was a ton of work!  But now I know more about my sewing machine which is awesome.  :)  If you are up to it I made a pdf with the basic parts and their definition.  I also have a blank sewing machine so you can fill where the different parts are located.  You can also add notes or draw additional pieces that may not be present on the blank sewing machine image.  Here is the the pdf file: Basic Parts of a Sewing Machine.  Below is an image of  the one I filled out as an example.  I placed my sheet under the Stitches tab in my Sewing Notebook.  Have fun!! :D   ~Jam

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