Basting Stitch
A long temporary stitch used for fitting, holding layers, and gathering.
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Learning Center
Sewing Machine Glossary
Plain-English explanations of sewing-machine parts, settings, stitches, accessories, and technical terms.
B6 terms
Blind Hem Stitch
A discreet hemming stitch with occasional bites into the garment face.
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Bobbin Case
The holder that positions the bobbin and controls lower-thread delivery.
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Bobbin Winder
The spindle and guide system that fills a bobbin evenly before sewing.
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C5 terms
Clutch Motor
A continuously running industrial motor that transfers power through a treadle-operated clutch.
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Compound Feed
A coordinated industrial feed system that moves heavy or layered materials with multiple components.
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Computerized Sewing Machine
An electronically controlled machine that selects and automates stitch functions.
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Coverstitch
A flexible finish with parallel needle lines above and looper thread below.
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Cylinder-Bed Sewing Machine
An industrial machine with a narrow cylindrical work surface for tubular and shaped items.
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D2 terms
Darning Foot
A hopping or springing foot for free-motion mending and quilting.
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Differential Feed
A serger control that changes the relative speed of two feed-dog sections.
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F4 terms
Fabric Puckering
Unwanted seam ripples caused by tension, feeding, density, or shrinkage.
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Foot Controller
The pressure-sensitive pedal used to start the motor and regulate sewing speed.
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Free Arm
A narrow sewing surface used for cuffs, sleeves, and tubular items.
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H1 terms
Handwheel
The manual wheel used to position the needle and move the stitch cycle.
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N5 terms
Needle
The replaceable component that carries upper thread through the fabric.
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Needle Clamp
The fastening assembly that holds a needle at the correct height and orientation.
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Needle Plate
The metal plate beneath the foot with openings for the needle and feed dogs.
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Needle Position
The left, center, or right placement of the sewing-machine needle.
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Needle Threader
A fine hook mechanism that pulls thread through the needle eye.
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O2 terms
Overcast Stitch
An edge-finishing stitch that wraps thread around or beside raw fabric.
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Overcasting Foot
A guided foot that supports overedge stitches at a raw edge.
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P2 terms
Presser Foot
An attachment that holds fabric flat while it moves under the needle.
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Presser-Foot Pressure
The downward force applied while the feed dogs move fabric.
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Q1 terms
Quarter-Inch Foot
A quilting foot designed for consistent quarter-inch seam allowances.
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R2 terms
Reverse Stitch
Backward feeding used to reinforce the start or end of a seam.
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Rotary Hook
A rotating hook system that catches needle thread to form a stitch.
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S7 terms
Seam Allowance
The distance between the stitching line and the cut fabric edge.
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Spool Pin
The support that controls how upper thread unwinds from its spool.
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Straight Stitch
A single forward line of lockstitches used for basic construction.
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Stretch Stitch
A flexible stitch designed to extend with knit or elastic fabric.
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T5 terms
Tension
The controlled resistance applied to thread so stitches form evenly.
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Thread Cutter
A manual blade or automatic mechanism that trims sewing threads.
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Thread Nesting
A tangled mass of loose thread, usually collecting beneath fabric.
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Thread Take-Up Lever
The moving guide that feeds and tightens upper thread during each stitch.
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W1 terms
Z2 terms
Zigzag Stitch
A variable-width stitch used for stretch, finishing, and decoration.
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Zipper Foot
A narrow offset foot for sewing close to zipper teeth or piping.
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