Family and Consumer Sciences

SEWING MACHINE BASICS

Gwinnett County Public Schools

Middle School
Family and Consumer Sciences
Revised 2007

Modules/Sewing Machine Basics

Revised Spring 2007

Family and Consumer Sciences

SEWING MACHINE BASICS

Student Manual

Gwinnett County Public Schools

Middle School
Family and Consumer Sciences
Revised 2007

Modules/Sewing Machine Basics

Revised Spring 2007

Be sure to check each module for additional handouts that are not electronic.
Activity One: 3 pages showing the Parts of the Sewing Machine
Activity Two: Practice Stitching Lines
Threading the Upper Thread
Activity Three: Winding the bobbin
Inserting the bobbin
Picture Steps of Making Your Seam Sample
Activity Four: Small Pillow Instructions with diagrams
Enrichment Activities from Discovering Life Skills Student Workbook
A) p. 105 Sewing Lab Success
B) p. 107 Knowing Your Sewing Machine

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Sewing Machine Basics

INTRODUCTION

All of the clothing you are wearing today was cut and sewn
together in a factory. In fact, the curtains in your home, the
sheets and covers on your bed and even the towels in your
bathroom are items that were sewn in a factory using fabric,
thread, and a sewing machine.
During this unit of study you will learn to safely operate a
sewing machine and to sew basic seams. When you are
able to do this you will make a small project to practice your
newly learned skills.

OBJECTIVES

1. Identify the parts of the sewing machine.

2. Operate a sewing machine safely
3. Create a project using a sewing machine.

AKS

#21,26,27,28,40,41

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

1. How can knowing how to operate a sewing machine

benefit you?
2. Describe how to thread the upper spool thread.
3. Describe how to thread the bobbin.

MATERIALS

Videos/DVD
Fabric for seam sample
Two pieces of fabric for pillow
Stuffing

Practice Sheets
Notebook Paper
Thread

EQUIPMENT

TV/VCR
Headphones
Shears
Seam Ripper

EVALUATION

You will be evaluated over the following items:

Sewing Machine
Bobbin
Hand Sewing Needle

Vocabulary Worksheet
Practice Sheet
Seam sample
Pillow
Post test

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Sewing Machine Basics

PRETEST
On the answer sheet provided by the teacher, mark the best answer.

1. A standard seam allowance is 5/8 inch wide.

A. True
B. False
2. When sewing you put the wrong sides of the fabric together.
A. True
B. False
3. The presser foot moves the fabric along as you sew.
A. True
B. False
4. The hand wheel should always be turned toward you.
A. True
B. False
5. The hand wheel raises and lowers the presser foot without using the foot pedal.
A. True
B. False

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Sewing Machine Basics

Pretest

6. The bobbin makes the top of the stitch.

A. True
B. False
7. The correct position to set your presser foot as you sew is up.
A. True
B. False
8. The feed dog holds your fabric in place as you sew.
A. True
B. False
9. The thread guides hold your spool of thread.
A. True
B. False
10. The foot pedal controls the speed of your stitches.
A. True
B. False

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Sewing Machine Basics

Activity #1
1. Locate the pretest and complete it according to the instructions before you go to the
next step.
2. Review the following vocabulary words before you begin the module. List these
words on a sheet of paper entitled, Vocabulary. During the next four days you will
come across these words in the reading material or videos. Define them on your paper
when you come across them.
Bobbin
Bobbin Case
Feed Dog
Foot Control Pedal
Hand wheel
Presser Foot
Reverse Stitch Control
Spool Pin
Thread Take-up Lever
Thread Guides
3. Read the following information:
Sewing is FUN! Before you sew you must first know how to safely operate a sewing
machine. Operating a sewing machine means knowing how to turn the machine on,
how to wind the bobbin, how to thread the machine and how to sew a straight, even
seam. Once you know these simple steps you will know how to sew.
You must know the safety rules for operating a sewing machine. Just like any other
piece of electrical equipment, a sewing machine can be dangerous unless you are
careful to follow all of the safety rules.
READ: VERY IMPORTANT!!!

Keep your fingers away from the path of the needle.

Use SLOW speed while you are operating the sewing machine.
Keep the electrical cord to the sewing machine away from traffic patterns
to avoid tripping accidents.
Put pins and needles in their box or pin cushion -- never in your mouth,
clothing, or furniture.
Keep sharp objects out of your lap.

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Activity One cont

Pass sharp objects such as scissors to others handle first, with your hand
closed around the blade.
Keep the blades of scissors and shears closed when they are not in use.
Avoid touching the hot light bulb on the sewing machine.
Always store your sewing equipment in your sewing box when you are
finished.

4. Get the textbook called Applying Life Skills. Turn to Chapter 36, pages 564-565.
Read those 2 pages. Review the parts of the machine and their functions.
5. Locate in this module notebook the picture of your sewing machine. On the
diagram of the sewing machine find each of the parts listed below. You must
know each of these parts and their functions before you can sew.
Hand wheel
Presser Foot
Presser Foot Lifter
Feed Dog
Foot Control Pedal
Reverse Button
6. Take the module notebook to your sewing machine. Follow each of the steps
listed below.
A. Sit down in front of the sewing machine. To sit correctly at your machine, sit
squarely in front of the needle with the center of your body in line with the needle.
B. Check the electrical cord where it is plugged into the wall. Be sure it is
plugged in tightly.
C. Check the electrical cord where it is plugged into the side of your machine.
Make sure it is tightly plugged into the machine.
D. Check to see that the foot pedal is also tightly plugged into the side of the
machine.
E. Place the foot pedal in a comfortable position where you can press it with
your right foot.
F. Turn the hand wheel toward you and watch the needle move up and down.
G. Find the presser foot lifter. NEVER DROP the presser foot into the down
position. Slowly raise and lower the presser foot to see how it works. Leave the
presser foot in the up position.
H. Turn the machine on with the power/light switch.
I. Keep your fingers out of the way, and slowly press the foot pedal with your
right foot. As you press the pedal, watch the feed dogs move back and forth.
Remember, the feed dogs move your fabric. You never have to push or pull the
fabric to make it move.

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Continued on next page

Sewing Machine Basics
Activity #1 continued
7. You are now going to learn to stitch straight lines by practicing on notebook
paper. Use a piece of your own notebook paper (Do Not use thread) and follow
each of these steps.
A. Make sure the presser foot is in the up position.
B. Place your paper under the presser foot, lining up one of the lines on the
paper with the indention in the center of the presser foot. The indention in the
center of the presser foot lines up with the needle. This is how you guide the line
on your paper to sew straight.
C. Turn the hand wheel toward you until the needle is lowered exactly into the
first line on your paper. Put the presser foot back down!
D. Press the foot pedal gently to start sewing, making sure to keep your fingers
clear of the needle.
E. Guide the line on your paper into the indention in the middle of the presser
foot to stitch straight.
F. When you reach the end of the first line, raise the needle by turning the hand
wheel toward you if the needle is down in the paper. Lift the presser foot and
sew the next line on your notebook paper by following the previous steps.
G. Sew about 6 or 7 straight lines. Go slow and do your very best. You can also
take a pencil and draw some curve lines (like the letter S) on your paper and
practice sewing on them.
8. Clean up your module area and make sure everything is returned to its proper
location.

End of Activity One

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Sewing Machine Basics

Activity #2
1. Review yesterdays work and try to familiarize yourself with your machine until you
are comfortable with most of the major parts. Verbally quiz your partner on the names of
the various parts of the sewing machine. If your school has the video/DVD called,
Parts of the Bernina Machine, you may watch it now.
2. If your school has a video/DVD called, Practice Stitch on Paper, you may watch
that now. Otherwise your teacher will need to show you how to pivot when turning
corners.
3. Locate the Practice Stitching Lines worksheet. Follow the same steps you used
yesterday to sew on your own piece of notebook paper. If you arent sure how to get
started, go back to Activity #1, Step 7 for directions.
The only new instructions are how to turn a sharp corner or PIVOT. To turn corners,
follow these steps:

When you reach a corner, take your foot off the foot pedal.
Turn the hand wheel toward you until the needle goes down into the paper
exactly at the corner.
Leaving the needle down to hold your place, lift the presser foot up.
Turn your paper in the direction you need to sew next.
Lower the presser foot.
Press the foot pedal to continue stitching.
Follow these steps each time you need to turn a corner.

4. Signal your instructor/teacher to see your work.

5. Locate in this module notebook, the directions for threading the upper spool
thread. If your school has a video/DVD on Threading the Sewing Machine, you may
watch that now. Pay close attention to the picture directions or video directions.
6. Locate the spool of thread for this Bernina machine and practice threading your
machine. Have your instructor/teacher check your work to see if you threaded it
correctly.
.
7. Clean up your module area and make sure that everything is returned to its proper
location.

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Sewing Machine Basics

Activity #3
1. Locate in this module notebook the written instructions for winding the bobbin and
inserting the bobbin. Read over these instructions. If your school has the video/DVD
called Winding and Inserting the bobbin you may view it now.
2. Locate the spool of thread and thread the upper part of the machine. You learned to
do this in Activity #2 in the last session.
3. Locate a bobbin. The bobbin should already have thread on it. Insert it correctly
inside the bobbin case. If you are not sure what to do, ask the teacher for help.
4. Ask your teacher to check to see if you threaded it all correctly. If the machine is not
threaded correctly, it will not sew properly and can lock/jam up.
At this point, a plastic sewing bed extension can be attached to the machine to increase
the sewing surface.
5. STITCH TEST: Now that your machine is threaded, test it to see if it will stitch
correctly on a scrap of fabric. You can find fabric scraps in a tote tray labeled Scraps
for Practice Stitching. When you have stitched a few inches, flip the fabric over to
make sure it is stitching correctly on the bobbin side also. If it doesnt look right, try
threading it again until you can make it stitch correctly. Practice reverse stitching.
Practice turning corners. Practice sewing 5/8 inch from the edge. This scrap fabric does
not need to be kept as its not part of your grade.
6. Locate in this module notebook, the directions for sewing a seam sample. Read all
the steps before you begin to sew. If your school has a video/DVD called Sewing
Seams, you may watch it now.
7. Make a Seam Sample: Locate two pieces of matching fabric in the tote tray. At your
sewing machine, practice sewing a 5/8 inch seam. Remember to put the right sides of
the fabric together and to backstitch 4 or 5 stitches when you begin and when you end
your seam. Keep this sample as you will turn it in with your module for a grade.
8. Return the thread and bobbin to the tote tray. Do not leave it in the machine.
9. Clean up your module area and make sure that everything is returned to is proper
location.

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Seam Sample Directions

(Read ALL instructions before beginning)
Words to Know
Seam: the line formed by sewing two pieces of cloth together
Seam allowance: the fabric between the seam and the cut edge
Regulation seam allowance: 5/8 inch
Regulation stitch length: 10-12 stitches per inch
Backstitch: to reinforce the ends of a seam by retracing 4 or 5 stitches
(Use the reverse button)
Materials and Equipment

Two pieces of matching fabric ( teacher has already cut out)

Sewing machine threaded with spool and bobbin
Straight pins
Shears or scissors

Procedure
1) With RIGHT sides of the fabric facing each other and edges even, place straight
pins along the edges perpendicular to the seam.
2) With the pins on the right side, place the machine needle into the fabric about
inch from the top edge and 5/8 inch from the pinned edge. Lower the presser
foot.
3) Hold in the reverse button/lever and stitch backwards to the top. Release the
button and stitch forward the whole length of the fabric, removing the straight
pins as you come to them. (The needle might break if it hits a straight pin) The
edge of your fabric should ride along the 5/8 inch mark on the stitch plate.
4) When you reach the bottom of the fabric, push in the reverse button and
backstitch 4 or 5 stitches.
5) Raise your needle, raise the presser foot, and pull the fabric towards the left side.
Clip the threads near the fabric. Also trim the other long ends of thread from the
other end close to the fabric.
6) Flatten out the pieces of fabric so they are flat. Finger press the seam
allowances flat. (If this was a real garment, you would use a steam iron.)
7) Have your teacher evaluate your seam sample.

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Sewing Machine Basics

Activity Four
1. Locate the post test and complete it according to the directions.
2. Your next step is making a small pillow. You will be using the following items in the
construction of this pillow:
Two pieces of matching fabric from the tote tray cabinet
A spool of thread and a bobbin (try to match the color to your fabric)
Shears or scissors, some straight pins, and a hand sewing needle
Polyester stuffing
3. Locate and get two pieces of matching fabric your teacher has cut out for you in the
tote tray cabinet. Leave the remaining pieces of fabric in the tray neatly stacked. These
two pieces will become the top and bottom of your pillow.
4. Get a spool of thread and a bobbin. Thread up your sewing machine correctly.
Practice sewing on a scrap of fabric to see if the sewing machine is working properly.
5. Make your pillow following the instruction sheet at the end of this activity titled,
Small Pillow Instructions with diagrams. Be sure to show your pillow to the teacher
when you are finished.
6. Cleanup your module area and make sure that everything is returned to its proper
location. Return the bobbin and spool of thread to the tote tray area.
.
7. Make your cover sheet on your own paper. Put your name, class and student
number in the right hand corner. Put the name of this module on the top line. Copy the
list below. Staple all your work together. Paper clip your test sheet to the top.

Vocabulary Words
Practice Stitching Lines
Seam Sample
Pillow (not included)

(If you complete your module early, enhancement activities are included).
KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE AND SEWING LAB SUCCESS

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End of Activity
Sewing Machine Basics
POSTTEST

Using the answer sheet provided by your teacher, bubble in the best answer.

1.

When you sew, the __________ sides of the fabric should be put together.
A. right
B. left
C. wrong

2.

The ___________ of the sewing machine moves the fabric along as you sew.
A.
B.
C.
D.

3.

Turning the hand wheel will raise or lower the ___________.

A.
B.
C.
D.

4.

presser foot
needle
feed dog
bobbin

The _________ of the sewing machine holds the fabric in place while you sew.
A.
B.
C.
D.

5.

bobbin
presser foot
hand wheel
feed dog

needle
hand wheel
presser foot
spool pin

The ____________ of the sewing machine holds your spool of thread.

A.
B.
C.
D.

spool pin
take-up lever
thread guides
tension control
continued on next page

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POSTTEST (CONTINUED)

6. The ______provides the bottom thread of a stitch.

A.
B.
C.
D.

take up lever
needle
hand wheel
bobbin

7. The hand wheel should only be turned_________.

A.
B.
C.
D.

away from you

toward you
up
down

8. The _____of the sewing machine fits around the feed dog and has a seam guide on it to help you guide your
fabric.
A.
B.
C.
D.

bobbin case
needle clamp
presser foot
needle plate/throat plate

9. A standard seam allowance is _____of an inch wide.

A.
B.
C.
D.

5/8
7/8

10. When you begin a seam it is important to _____to secure the seam so it will not come undone.
A.
B.
C.
D.

tie a knot
back stitch
lower the needle into the fabric
turn the sewing machine off

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END OF TEST

Sewing Machine Basics

Small Pillow Instructions

with diagrams
1. Place two pieces of fabric with right
sides together, edges even. (Some fabrics
do not have right and wrong sides.)
2. Pin edges together, placing pins perpendicular
to the stitching line, two straight pins to a side.
3. Mark an opening on one side of your pillow
for stuffing it. Make the opening the width of your
hand.
4. Put sewing machine needle into fabric 5/8 inch from the
edge and close to the opening area. Lower the pressure
foot and backstitch 4-5 stitches. Sew forward toward
the corner. Remove the pins when you get close to them
so the needle will not break.
5. Pivot at the corner by leaving the needle in the fabric, raise the
pressure foot and turn fabric 90 degrees. Lower the pressure
foot and stitch that side 5/8 inch from the edge.
6. Stitch continuously until all sides of pillow are stitched,
pivoting at all four corners.
7. Backstitch when you reach the other side of the
opening.
8. Trim diagonally across corners, coming close to the
stitching, but not cutting the stitching. This will
eliminate the excess fabric and make the corner neater
when turned.
9. Turn the pillow right side out. Poke out the 4 corners until
neat. Stuff with fiberfill.
10. Thread a hand sewing needle with matching thread and
sew the opening shut using the overcast stitch. (The edges roll
in and you stitch the folded edges together.)

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11. Show your pillow to your teacher.

Sewing Machine Basics

ANSWERS to the PRE and POST TEST

Pre-test

Post-test

1. A
2. B
3. B
4. A
5. B
6. B
7. B
8. B
9. B
10. A

1. A
2. D
3. B
4. C
5. A
6. D
7. B
8. D
9. C
10. B

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