FEATURE

Anatomy of a
SEWING MACHINE

BY CHRISTINE HAYNES & KENT BELL

The “straight stitch” sewing machine is the premier automated tool in a textile artist’s
arsenal. While these machines vary widely in features and accessories, they all use the
same principles for intertwining two threads: the top (or needle) thread with the
bottom (or bobbin) thread. Here are the most common hardware and controls.

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Illustration by Kent Bell