The following animated cartoon and steps were designed by Jonah D Elgart at bologna@MIT.EDU and shows how the needle and bobbin work to sew fabric together with the top and bottom threads.

The steps of a stitch:

Step 1

The fabric has two threads running through it. One thread runs through the needle from a spool and the other comes from the bobbin. The needle lowers and penetrates the fabric, carrying its thread with it.

Step 2

The needle begins to lift and forms a loop of thread on the fabric’s under side. As the hook case turns the hook approaches, catching the looped thread.

Step 3

The needle rises above the fabric. As the hook case continues to turn, it carries the loop of thread.

Step 4

The needle is still above the fabric. The hook case finishes carrying the loop over the bobbin.

Step 5

The needle’s thread is pulled taught by a lever upstream (not visible in the diagram). This action pulls the loop from the hook and thus completes the stitch. The stitch is now ready to be repeated.

Our thanks to Jonah for allowing us to use his creation!

Helpful hint - when having tension problems, try sewing with two different colored threads - such as red for the bobbin thread and white for the top thread. Use a dark fabric for the side with the white thread. Adjust tension accordingly until satisfied. Remember - the bobbin should slip slightly when holding the bobbin thread with the bobbin case hanging below it. Adjust bobbin tension until you achieve the proper tension.

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SleepyCat Quilting
884 Braun Ct.
Golden, Colorado  80401
303-238-6847

SleepyCat Quilting
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