A sewing machine is a mechanical or electronic device used to sew fabrics and other materials together with thread. It significantly speeds up the sewing process compared to hand sewing, making it a must-have tool for the textile and apparel industries as well as for hobbyists and household sewers.
Sewing machines are categorized into manual sewing machines and electric ones. This article will detail the components of both sewing machines.
Types of manual sewing machine parts


Balance Wheel (1)
This part is the most important one because it enables the user to control the needle and the fabric manually during sewing. The sewing machine balance wheel is positioned on the right side of the machine and is usually spun by hand, where turning it adjusts both the needle level and the cloth position.
Bobbin Winder (2)
Despite being concealed, the bobbin winder is a significant part of the sewing machine as it serves the purpose of winding the thread onto the bobbin. A bobbin is a small spool containing the bottom thread needed for stitching. Thus, the thread from the bobbin combines with the thread from the sewing machine needle to stitch the material together. The bobbin winder’s purpose is to keep the thread spool on the bobbin in the right position while sewing.
Face Plate Thumb Screw (3)
The sewing faceplate thumb screw is one of the smaller components of a sewing machine, but it plays a crucial function in preventing the faceplate from displacing. The face plate is a cover which surrounds the area of a sewing machine where the bobbin is kept. It is detachable in order for the user to access the bobbin and service the sewing machine.
Thread Guide (4)
A component, referred to as a weight guide, on the sewing machine helps in guiding the thread from the spool to the needle during the stitching process. Weight guides provide smooth movement and the correct thread tension which is important for balanced and clean stitches.
Needle Bar (5)
Another important part of a sewing machine is the needle bar, which, as the name suggests, holds the sewing machine needle and is critical for the stitching operation. The needle bar is the upper portion of the sewing machine in the form of a cylindrical piece. The sewing machine can perform the thrust and latching stroke of the needle and can move vertically through the bore of the needle bar.


Pressure-Adjusting Screw (6)
The sewing needle thread’s feeding mechanism has a pressure adjusting screw, which is used to set the strength of the threaded wheel attached on the sewing machine to ensure that the tailoring is done perfectly on various types of cloth. If the pressure is adjusted properly, the material will not be yanked and stitches will be appropriately secured without being too loose.
Thread Take Up Lever (7)
The take up lever serves to aid in the movement of the thread through different components of the sewing machine. It is typically a long slender rod made of metal that is able to fit through the various channels of the sewing machine such as the guides, reels, tensioning devices, etc.
Take Up Spring (8)
During the sewing operation, tension is applied to the thread at various points e.g. upper thread wheel, lower thread wheel, thread clamp, etc. To ensure the desired sewing effect is achieved, the upper sewing thread tension spring must be adjusted to provide the appropriate tension, which will guarantee stability and sewing quality.
Thread Gripper (9)
A sewing machine’s thread gripper is an accessory that is used to secure, control, and guide the sewing thread when the machine is in operation. Its purpose is to maintain the proper position and tension of the sewing thread during stitching to ensure good quality sewing work.


Panel Line Hook (10)
The purpose of the panel line hook is to assist in the guidance of the thread’s end to go through the correct path. While using a sewing machine, it is ensured that thread ends go through a series of lines and guides so that the thread and fabric are sewn together in a correct manner.
Needle Bar Bushing (11)
The smooth and accurate movement of the needle bar as well as the utmost accuracy of stitching is achieved by the needle bar bushing. When the machine is used for a long time, the needle bar bushing cannot move freely. In this case, lubrication is needed, and if the damage or wear is extensive, replacing the bushing is an option.
Presser Foot (12)
These feet apply pressure to the fabric threads helping to evenly feed the fabric through the machine and prevent the fabric from moving out of place or getting torn during the stitch-making process.
Throat Plate (13)
The needle plate, which is also referred to as the throat plate, is one of the vital parts of the sewing machine, located directly under the needle and the presser foot.
Types of auto sewing machine parts


Tension Regulator (1)
This device regulates tension during sewing whereby an upper thread is inserted (also referred to as an upper thread). Unlike other types of electric sewing machines, the shuttle thread tension regulator in these machines is placed at the top side of the sewing machine and can be predetermined by way of a knob, paddle or some other form of adjustment. The adjustment of the tension is accomplished very easily by setting finer parameters to achieve optimal sewing results according to the sewing fabric type, thread type, and other variables.
Bobbin Winder Tension Disk (2)
The bobbin winder tension disk is an essential part of an automatic sewing machine that ensures the controlled tension of thread while the bobbin is wound. Winding of the electric sewing machine has assimilated a new element called a bobbin which is a miniature spool that encloses lower sewing machine thread to be used during sewing.
Take Up Lever (3)
The device used to guide and pull the upper thread in a sewing machine is known as a take up lever. It helps to move the upper thread towards the upper side of the sewing machine head and helps the needle to grab the thread. During sewing preparations, the take up lever ensures that the upper thread is properly positioned before sewing starts.
Speed Control (4)
The control button is analogous to a foot pedal in traditional sewing machines. The speed of the machine is adjustable using a slider on the interface on screen. If enhanced accuracy is required, the dial can be turned instead. This way, the speed set by the user will be followed exactly.
Stop-key Needle (5)
This stop button serves as a pause feature to temporarily stop sewing while the needle is embedded in the cloth and you wish to shift the fabric’s position for a different stitching angle or while the sewing machine is performing intricate patterns.
Backstitch button (6)
The backstitch button facilitates a reverse sewing action. Using this feature, the seamstress can lock and secure the stitch further. This feature helps preserve the thread and makes unravelling impossible once the seam has been stitched. Stitches in reverse will first be made and then the sewing machine will make forward stitches to form the locking stitch.
Start-Stop button (7)
This Start-Stop button toggles the sewing machine on and off, respectively.
Shank (8)
The sewing machine’s shank allows any sewing tool to be attached and utilised while making certain the needle is positioned appropriately.
So in sewing machines, the shank gets attached to the head of the sewing machine and is then kept tightened in the sewing machine by a needle holder or clamp.
Automatic Needle Threader (9)
An automatic needle threader comes as standard equipment for a sewing machine and is provided to make the work of the seamstress easier by eliminating the manual method of threading the needle. To use, pull the lever on the quick threader and it will guide the thread through the eye of the needle. Some gentle manipulation and assistance from the eyelet may be necessary. After the thread has been drawn through the eye of the needle, you may then pull on the thread to ensure that it has cleft through the eye of the needle.


Presser Foot (10)
This small piece of the sewing machine, known as the presser foot, is crucial to its effective operation. It is flat in design and is located below the needle. Moreover, it also helps in holding the fabric steady while it is being sewn. In short, the presser foot’s core function is to keep the fabric under control as it is being sewn onto the machine. This prevents any unwanted creases or bumps.
Machine Accessory Box (11)
Accessory boxes form part of the purchase of a sewing machine as they come equipped with useful tools. The machines are accompanied by boxes which comprise varying types of sewing tools or accessories that are meant to address different project needs. These boxes usually contain tools for different sewing tasks.
Bobbin Winder (12)
The bobbin winder is a feature within a sewing machine used to wind thread onto the bobbin. In sewing machines, this accessory assists with winding the thread of the lower bobbin. The bobbin or the lower thread holder is a small spool which, when paired with the top thread of the sewing machine needle, allows for sewing the stitches into fabric. An effective sewing process is enabled by the bobbin winder since it ensures that the thread is wound onto the bobbin in an even and tight manner.
Menu Screen (13)
Shows the present condition of the stitch on the machine.
Trace Plate Toggle Key (14)
This toggle key allows the user to set the apparatus for stitch type, stitch length, and gauge.
Stitch-Length Selector (15)
Every sewing machine has a stitch-length selector which modifies the spacing between stitches. This switch is crucial because every sewing task has different types of fabric that may need different lengths of stitches to achieve a perfect finish.
Stitch Width Control (16)
The stitch width control plays an important role by determining the sew foot’s movement in the left and right horizontal planes. Hence, this function enables a more complex sewing action on the material being stitched. As a rule, the adjustment of stitch width is of fundamental importance in certain sewing processes such as quilting, free embroidery, decorative sewing, etc.
Digital Adjustment Keys for Trace (17)
This feature on the machine helps the user to choose an appropriate stitch which determines the specific design of the sewing track.
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