Machines & tools

A small spool that holds the lower thread supply, fitting into the bobbin case beneath the needle plate to form the underside of a lockstitch.

A metal or plastic holder that houses the bobbin and regulates lower-thread tension via an adjustable spring before the thread reaches the needle plate.

A spindle and motor mechanism on a sewing machine that winds thread evenly onto an empty bobbin, usually engaged by disengaging the main stitching mechanism.

Metal teeth beneath the needle plate that rise, move forward, and drop in a rotating motion to grip and advance fabric through the machine with each stitch.

The wheel at the right end of a sewing machine that manually raises and lowers the needle and can be turned to advance a single stitch.

The reciprocating vertical bar that holds the needle clamp and drives the needle up and down through the fabric with each stitch cycle.

The flat metal plate beneath the needle and presser foot, marked with seam allowance guidelines and pierced by openings for the feed dogs and needle.

The vertical metal bar that holds the presser foot and moves up or down to raise it clear of the fabric or lower it to apply stitching pressure.

A control that, when engaged, reverses the feed dog direction so the machine sews backward, commonly used to lock stitches at the start and end of a seam.

A rotating mechanism beneath the needle plate that catches the upper thread's loop and carries it around the bobbin case to form a lockstitch.

A small upright post on a sewing machine that holds the thread spool in place as thread feeds off toward the tension discs and needle.

An oscillating arm on the machine head that pulls thread from the spool, feeds slack to the needle, and draws thread up after each stitch is formed.

A pair of metal discs that the upper thread passes between, applying adjustable pressure to balance thread tightness against the bobbin thread for even stitches.