Note: To get a better view of this page, use your phone in a horizontal position or a browser with a larger screen, tablet, laptop or desktop. 1 Hand wheel: Turn this wheel to adjust needle height. Always turn the hand wheel toward you. 2 Spool pin: The spool pin keeps the spool in place while the thread feeds through the machine. Some machines have both horizontal and vertical spool pins 3 Spool cap: The spool cap slips onto the end of the spool pin and holds the spool in place. 4 Bobbin pin / winder: Built-in bobbin winders may be found on the top, front, or side of a sewing machine. Most winders consist of a bobbin pin to hold the bobbin while the thread is being wound, thread guides for maintaining tension, and a start/stop lever. Some bobbin winders have built-in thread cutters. 5 Thread guide: Thread guides may be hoops, discs, or flat metal shapes that pinch or direct the thread to feed it through the machine without tangling and at the correct tension. 6 Take-up lever: The take-up lever is a metal finger with a thread guide that moves up and down, pulling thread from the spool and feeding it through the machine SEWING MACHINE SERVICE MANUAL 7 Stitch selector: Use the stitch selector to choose which stitch you’d like to use. Many machines feature a number of built-in stitches: straight stitch, zigzag, buttonhole, blind hem, etc. * Subscribe to our YouTube channel * 8 Presser foot: The presser foot works with the feed dog to move fabric evenly through the machine. When the presser foot is lowered, it engages the tension discs and presses the fabric beneath the foot against the feed dog. The upper part of the foot, called the ankle, is usually screwed onto the machine securely; the lower part may include a quick-release mechanism for changing presser feet. 9 Presser foot pressure control: This control adjusts the amount of pressure the presser foot applies to fabric as it feeds beneath the needle. Increase pressure when sewing heavy fabric and decrease pressure when sewing lightweight or thin fabric 10 Presser foot lifter: This lever, located above the presser foot at the back or side of the machine, raises and lowers the presser foot. When the presser foot is lifted, the tension discs are disengaged, and the fabric will not feed through the machine. 11 Needle: The needle carries the upper thread through the fabric to create a stitch. Specialty needles are available for specific stitching needs. 12 Needle threader: Some machines have built-in needle threaders. Threaders have a tiny hook that swings through the needle eye catches the thread, and pulls it back through the eye when the threader is released. 13 Thread cutter: Some machines have a built-in thread cutter near the needle area. To use the cutter, raise the presser foot and remove the stitched piece from the machine. Pull both the threads over the cutter’s shielded blade to cut them. 14 Needle clamp screw: Tighten and loosen this screw to release or secure the needle in place. 15 Stitch plate: The stitch plate (needle plate), also called a needle or throat plate, is a flat metal piece below the presser foot. Slots in the plate allow the feed dog to push the fabric along. A hole or slot admits the needle carrying the top thread through the fabric. 16 Feed dog: The feed dog is a toothed metal piece below the stitch plate that moves up and down to push the fabric along, beneath the needle. Stitch length is controlled by how much fabric the feed dog moves. 17 Throat: The throat of a machine refers to the open space between the needle and the machine housing. A large throat is helpful when sewing silky fabrics and large projects like quilts. 18 Bobbin cover: The bobbin cover (bobbin case) is a plate or hinged door that protects the bobbin mechanism. Open the bobbin cover to replace the bobbin and clean the bobbin area or case. 19 Foot control: Like the gas pedal in a car, the foot control regulates the machine speed.