Knowledge is Power

You have likely heard before that “knowledge is power.” This is true in many areas of life, and sewing is no exception. The more you know about sewing machines and how to operate them safely, the better equipped you will be to handle issues that will inevitably arise. Machines will break down, parts will be discontinued, and issues will have to be addressed. Knowing how a machine works and the names of the parts involved will help you pinpoint issues and communicate clearly if your machine needs repair (Deaton, 2021).

 

For example, did you know that the size of the sewing machine needles varies? According to Westfall (2013), the following sizes should be used for the following fabric weights:

• Size 9-11 for lightweight fabrics
• Size 12-14 for medium-weight fabrics
• Size 16-18 for heavy fabrics

This simple piece of information can save you a host of time, frustration, and fabric. The more we know about sewing machine parts and how to operate a machine safely, the better equipped we are to accomplish projects in the apparel production laboratory.

Photo by cottonbro: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-sewing-while-sitting-on-chair-3738088/

Regardless of the brand of sewing machine you are operating, the names and parts are going to be similar. For this text, Janome Sewing Machines will be referenced and used as a resource due to their availability and ease of use in the classroom.

TIP: Consider the socioeconomic conditions of students enrolled in your classroom. Consider purchasing machines comparable to the type of machine they could afford if they wanted to purchase one for home projects. Having a few higher-end machines in the classroom is a good way to showcase a variety of price points; however, the machines they use daily should be similar to those they could afford and use at home. Discuss these concepts with your students, encouraging them to purchase a machine that best fits their needs, lifestyle, and budget, while also informing them of other options they could pursue at different points in their life (Deaton, 2021).

• Read this article on Janome Life discussing the importance of knowing the parts of your machine. 

For this text, we are going to explore the names and parts of sewing machines using Quizlet. Quizlet is an online resource designed to help students study through interactive tools, flashcards, and games.

• Check out this set of Sewing Machine Quizlet Cards to help you see the parts of the sewing machine and their definitions. 

Sewing Machine Safety 

Some students will approach the sewing machine from a perspective of wonder, while others will approach it from a place of trepidation. Teachers should know their students and respond appropriately. The more students know about how the machines work, the more they begin to understand and respect the process of using a sewing machine. Teach and practice the following guidelines to ensure you and your students are safe in the apparel production lab: (Deaton, 2021):

• Read the manual. Sewing machines will vary in their processes and abilities, so take time to familiarize yourself with your machine by reading the sewing machine manual.
• Don’t drive distracted. Put away the phone, put away the drink, and put away any distractions that might interfere with your ability to focus on the task at hand.
• Plug in safely. Plug in the iron with dry hands, ensuring that the plug goes firmly into the socket, without forcing it in the wrong way.
• Unplug safely. Unplug the machine from the plug–do not yank on the cord. This could cause electrical damage to the cord’s interior and lead to a faulty machine.
• Sit comfortably. Move the machine closer to you or farther away from you so that you can “drive” comfortably. Practice proper posture as you complete your sewing projects.
• Relax! Have fun, enjoying the process, one stitch at a time.

TIP: Once you know your students, pick a formative assessment tool matching their interests or career aspirations. Use either collaborative or competitive games to encourage remembrance of part names, recognition of where they are located, and recall of the purpose of the sewing machine part.

“Sewing is like driving… you can’t do it well if you are not comfortable. Arrange your machine and foot pedal so that you are comfortably seated and ready to drive.”

–Sheri Deaton

TIP: For students who are struggling with keeping the foot pedal stabilized, consider having students create a non-slip foot pedal pad as a modification and resource. Check out this step-by-step tutorial for a Non-Slip Sewing Machine Foot Pedal Pad.

Hemming it Up

Knowing the names of the sewing machine parts is the beginning of becoming comfortable and confident with the use of the machine. Students should be able to identify the sewing machine parts on their machines and describe how each part works together to make the machine function.

Model and reinforce proper use of names of parts of machines, demonstrating the workplace behaviors and knowledge expected of those who work in the apparel industry. We will build off of this knowledge as we seek to understand how the machine works as well as how to solve common issues that arise when using a sewing machine.

Resources

References

Deaton, S. (2021). Teaching Apparel Production. Presentation.

Westfall, M. (2013). Successful sewing. The Goodheart-Willcox Company, Inc.