What could be more exciting than to learn to use a machine which has “magic power.” Of course, I know when you are older you are going to learn to drive the family car (which you’ve heard dad say has all sorts of magic power). But did you know that mother’s sewing machine has “magic power,” too? The nicest thing is that you do not have to wait until you are grown up to use it. Even though you are only 9 or 10 years old, you are ready to learn the secrets of the sewing machine right now. You will no longer be standing by watching mother or sister sew. Instead, after you have learned some of the secrets of sewing with a machine, you can make many exciting things for yourself, your family, and your friends. So come—let’s get acquainted with this wonderful machine! Now look at your sewing machine and find the parts which look similar to the pictures below. Every machine has these parts, though some designs may look just a little different. Your leader will show you how each part works. [Illustration: {Sewing machine}] Thread Guides Take-up Lever Bobbin Winder Balance Wheel Presser Foot Lever Stitch Regulator Presser Foot Needle Parts of the sewing machine [Illustration: NEEDLE has a long groove in it to guide the thread.] [Illustration: BALANCE WHEEL moves the needle in and out of your material.] [Illustration: PRESSER FOOT LEVER is the handle which moves the presser foot up and down.] [Illustration: THREAD GUIDES hold the thread in place as it is being unwound from the spool during stitching.] [Illustration: TAKE-UP LEVER pulls the thread from the spool as it moves up and down with the needle.] [Illustration: PRESSER FOOT holds the material so the needle can sew through it.] [Illustration: BOBBIN WINDER winds the thread from the spool onto the bobbin (spool which holds thread in lower machine).] [Illustration: STITCH REGULATOR makes stitches small or large. Also adjusts the machine to move your material forward or backward.] [Illustration: CLOTH GUIDE ATTACHMENT helps to stitch straight seams.] Types of control levers [Illustration: FOOT CONTROL] [Illustration: KNEE LEVER] [Illustration: TREADLE] How to use the sewing machine Is your chair the right height? • Can you see the needle easily as it moves up and down? • Are you able to reach behind the needle? • Can you rest your arms on the table? • Do your feet touch the floor? [Illustration: Using a sewing machine] If you cannot see the needle or rest your arms on the table, you will need a taller chair or something to sit on to raise you up a bit. If your feet do not touch the floor (after you are sitting in the position to see the needle) and your machine has a foot control you will have to find a sturdy box. It should be large enough to rest both of your feet, as well as the foot control from the machine.