All About: SEWING MACHINES

The sewing machine is one of the primary tools used by textile artists. Nonetheless, we often find ourselves baffled whenever it decides to have "a mind of its own" and refuses to cooperate and work the way we think it should. Following are sites that provide good troubleshooting information as well as insight into
how the darn things work...

How Does a Sewing Machine Work? - This is a fun youtube video of three guys (MIT grad students and self-proclaimed nerds) who use their bodies as the various parts of a sewing machine to demonstrate how one works. As one web site proclaims, "It's a hoot and does a pretty good job of explaining how the magic happens." The video is about 7 minutes long with the first 4 minutes used to introduce themselves and set up the demonstration.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=bAhmYzmkvcY

Dull Needle Illustration - many machine problems can be corrected by simply changing the needle - this illustration demonstrates why through the use of magnification
http://www.a1sewingmachine.com/needles.htm

Free Sewing Machine Service Information Covering Timing and Tension Adjustments for Some Sewing Machines
http://www.sewconsult.com/free_sewing_machine_service_information.htm

Free Threading Diagrams for Over 400 Domestic and Industrial Sewing Machine Models
http://www.sewusa.com/Sewing_Machine_Threading_Diagrams.htm

Threading a Sewing Machine - Keep the Pressure Foot Up
http://sewing.about.com/od/machinetroubleshooting/qt/threadingmachin.htm

Troubleshooting Guide
http://www.sewusa.com/Sewing_Machine_Repair/Sewing%20Machine%20Troubleshooting.htm

Sewing Machine Troubleshooting Guide
http://www.sewconsult.com/pdffiles/tsg.pdf

Sewing Machine Troubleshooting Guide
http://www.sewingsupport.com/sewing-machine-troubleshooting-guide-title-page.html

How a Bobbin Works: Straight Stitch - Great animation that shows how a bobbin catches thread in a sewing machine
http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2007/04/sewing_machines_how_a_bobbin_w.html

How a Bobbin Works: Chain Stitch and Lock Stitch Animation (scroll 1/2 way down page)
http://home.howstuffworks.com/sewing-machine1.htm

How the Stitching Mechanism in A Sewing Machine Works – Jonah Elgart
http://web.mit.edu/2.972/www/reports/sewing_machine/sewing_machine.htm-1

Replacement Sewing Machine Service Manuals (for purchase)
http://www.sewconsult.com/sewing_machine_instruction_manuals.htm

Sewing Machine Parts & Accessories – available for Singer, Brother, Viking, Janome, Kenmore, Pfaff, Elna, White, New Home, Baby Lock
http://www.a1sewingmachine.com/parts.html