1. Needle

There is a needle in a sewing machine that goes up and down. You have to put a thread through it, which will pierce through the fabric. The needle is changeable.

2. Presser’s foot

The presser foot is a flat metal attachment that is near the needle, across it to be exact, which is used to hold the fabric in place. There is a liver near it that is used to lift it up or press it down.

3. Bobbin

Now, this is a very important part of a sewing machine and plays a big role in sewing. It is a metal spool that stays inside a case under the needle and inside the body of the machine. In modern lock stitch machines the bobbin circles around and creates a loop for the thread brought by a needle to penetrate through. There is a hook in the bobbin case that plays a key part in how a sewing machine works.

4. Take-up lever

This is a lever with a hole through which the thread is passed. This helps to keep the tension balanced and helps the bobbin hook to make a loop with it while stitching. This is a part of the thread loop but described separately because it plays a vital part in the sewing mechanism.

5. Tension settings

Now every sewing machine has one of these knobs to set the tension of your stitches. The tension may depend on how many layers you are using or what type of fabric you are stitching.

6. Stitch selector

Modern-day sewing machines have stitch selecting dials or knobs for you to choose what kind of stitch you want to use. However former machines did not have that kind of privilege.

7. Thread feed

This is the part every sewing machine has. A thin metal rod holds your thread, and the thread then goes through different loops and cleat before going through the needle. This way your thread doesn’t get tangled and tension is even all the way.

8. Handwheel

The handwheel is used for moving the needle up and down.

9. Feed dog

The feed dogs are metal bars below the presser foot. They help the fabric move after each stitch.

Now when we discuss how a sewing machine works, we talk about two things: how is a stitch made and how do you use a sewing machine in general.