use of visual aids/real objects to identify parts of a sewing machine for JSS 1

Class: JSS 1
Term: First Term
Week: 5
Age: 12 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Fashion Design and Garment Making
Curriculum Theme: Sewing tools and equipment
Key competencies/values: Critical Thinking
Skills:

• Identify and name parts of a sewing machine and their functions

Previous Lesson: safety in handling tools and equipment
Topic: Parts Of Sewing Machine And Functions
Subject Matter: use of visual aids/real objects to identify parts of a sewing machine, use

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils/students should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Identify and name the main parts of a sewing machine.
• State the function of each identified sewing-machine part.

Psychomotor Domain

• Demonstrate the identification of various sewing machine parts using visual aids or a real machine.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• A suitable Fashion Design and Garment Making textbook for JSS 1
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Visual aids (charts, pictures of sewing machines)
• A real sewing machine (manual or electric)
• Online tutorials on parts of the sewing machine and function of each part (if projector/internet available)

Rationale for the Lesson

Understanding the parts of a sewing machine and their functions is fundamental for any student learning garment making. This knowledge enables students to operate the machine correctly, troubleshoot minor issues, and perform basic maintenance, which are essential skills for practical sewing tasks.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have a basic idea of what a sewing machine is and its general purpose from everyday observations.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Parts Of Sewing Machine And Functions

Main Parts of a Sewing Machine

A sewing machine has many parts, each with a specific role in creating stitches and sewing fabrics. The main parts include:

1. Handwheel (or Balance Wheel): This wheel is turned manually to raise or lower the needle and take-up lever.
2. Spool Pin: Holds the spool of thread in place.
3. Thread Guide: Guides the thread from the spool to the needle, ensuring it follows the correct path.
4. Tension Disc: Controls the tightness of the upper thread, ensuring balanced stitches.
5. Take-up Lever: Pulls the thread from the spool and feeds it to the needle, also helping to form stitches.
6. Needle Bar: Holds the sewing needle in place and moves it up and down.
7. Presser Foot: Holds the fabric firmly against the feed dog while sewing.
8. Feed Dog: A set of teeth-like bars that move the fabric forward under the presser foot during sewing.
9. Stitch Length Regulator: Adjusts the length of each stitch.
10. Reverse Lever (or Button): Allows the machine to sew backwards, used for reinforcing stitches at the beginning and end of seams.
11. Bobbin Winder: Winds thread onto the bobbin evenly.
12. Foot Pedal: Used to control the speed of the sewing machine (for electric machines).

Functions of Sewing Machine Parts

Each part of the sewing machine works together to achieve a smooth and efficient sewing process:

1. The Handwheel is essential for manual control, especially when starting or finishing a seam, or for precise stitching.
2. The Spool Pin ensures the thread unwinds smoothly without tangling.
3. Thread Guides prevent the thread from snapping or getting tangled by keeping it in the correct path.
4. The Tension Disc is crucial for forming strong, even stitches by balancing the upper and lower threads.
5. The Take-up Lever plays a vital role in forming the stitch loop and pulling the thread tight after each stitch.
6. The Needle Bar holds the needle, which pierces the fabric to create stitches.
7. The Presser Foot ensures the fabric does not slip, allowing for straight and consistent stitching.
8. The Feed Dog systematically moves the fabric, determining the stitch length and direction.
9. The Stitch Length Regulator allows the user to choose between short stitches (for strong seams) and long stitches (for basting or gathering).
10. The Reverse Lever is used to secure seams by sewing a few stitches backward, preventing them from unravelling.
11. The Bobbin Winder prepares the bobbin with thread, which forms the lower part of the stitch.
12. The Foot Pedal provides hands-free speed control, allowing the user to focus on guiding the fabric.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Question and Answer, Explanation, Observation, Group Work, Practical Activity

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engaging/Questioning

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them if they have ever seen a sewing machine or know what it is used for. The teacher introduces the topic: “Parts Of Sewing Machine And Functions.”

Pupils’ Activity: Students respond to the questions and listen attentively to the introduction.

Learning Point: Introduction to sewing machine

Step 2: Identification of Sewing Machine Parts

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Identification

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays a real sewing machine or large charts/pictures. The teacher points to and names each main part of the sewing machine clearly, asking students to repeat after them.

Pupils’ Activity: Students observe the machine/charts, listen to the teacher, and repeat the names of the parts.

Learning Point: Naming sewing machine parts

Step 3: Explaining Functions of Upper Parts

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the function of the upper parts such as the spool pin, thread guide, tension disc, take-up lever, needle bar, and handwheel, demonstrating their movement or purpose where possible.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen to the explanations and observe the demonstrations, asking questions for clarification.

Learning Point: Functions of upper parts

Step 4: Explaining Functions of Lower Parts

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the function of parts like the presser foot, feed dog, stitch length regulator, reverse lever, bobbin winder, and foot pedal, showing how they operate.

Pupils’ Activity: Students pay attention to the explanations and observe the demonstrations of the lower parts.

Learning Point: Functions of lower parts

Step 5: Group Activity – Identifying Parts

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Group Work/Observation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher divides students into groups and provides each group with pictures of sewing machines or allows them to gather around the real machine. They are instructed to identify and name as many parts as they can within their groups.

Pupils’ Activity: Students work in groups to identify and name the parts of the sewing machine from the provided resources.

Learning Point: Collaborative part identification

Step 6: Reinforcement and Clarification

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Feedback

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher invites groups to share their findings. The teacher corrects any misconceptions and reinforces the correct names and functions of all the parts, ensuring clarity.

Pupils’ Activity: Groups share their identified parts. Students listen to corrections and ask further questions.

Learning Point: Correcting misconceptions

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. Name three main parts of a sewing machine.
2. What is the function of the handwheel?
3. Which part holds the fabric firmly while sewing?
4. What does the reverse lever do?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Assessment of understanding

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on sewing machine parts and functions into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Recording lesson notes

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 1 minute

Teaching Skill: Summarising

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly summarises the importance of knowing sewing machine parts for effective garment making and encourages students to observe sewing machines around them.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and reflect on the lesson.

Learning Point: Lesson consolidation

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Answer the following questions in your notebook:

1. Draw a simple diagram of a sewing machine and label at least five of its parts.
2. Explain in your own words the difference between the function of the presser foot and the feed dog.
3. Ask an adult at home if they know any parts of a sewing machine and write down what they tell you.

Lesson Keywords

• Handwheel – Used to manually raise/lower needle.
• Spool Pin – Holds thread spool.
• Tension Disc – Controls thread tightness.
• Presser Foot – Holds fabric down.
• Feed Dog – Moves fabric.
• Needle Bar – Holds the needle.
• Bobbin Winder – Winds thread onto bobbin.
• Reverse Lever – Sews backwards.

Differentiation

For weaker learners, provide simplified diagrams with fewer parts to identify and focus on the most essential parts. For faster learners, challenge them to identify additional, less common parts of the sewing machine or research basic troubleshooting tips related to specific parts.

Suggested Lesson Videos

Search YouTube for: “parts of a sewing machine and their functions for beginners JSS 1”

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

To effectively deliver this lesson, ensure you have a sewing machine (manual or electric) and clear visual aids like charts or large pictures. Begin by engaging students with questions about sewing machines. Systematically demonstrate each part, naming it clearly and explaining its function. Allow students to observe the machine closely and, if safe and feasible, gently touch non-moving parts to enhance their learning. Encourage group work for identification practice, which promotes peer learning. During the evaluation, ensure questions directly assess the core objectives of identifying parts and stating their functions. Guide students to copy the Board Summary after the main teaching and practice activities to reinforce learning. Always remind students about safety when near the machine, especially the needle area. Provide extra support to students who struggle with identification by repeating demonstrations and using simpler language, while encouraging advanced learners to explore more complex parts or basic maintenance concepts.