The throat plate (also called needle plate) covers the area that holds the bobbin. It has an opening for the
needle to pass through, as well as lines that serve as sewing guides. The needle may be a single hole, used for straight stitching,
or an oblong hole, which allows the needle to make stitches that have width (such as zig-zag stitches).
NOTE: Be careful when using a straight stitch throat plate. If you accidentally change to a zig-zag (or other stitch that has a width)
while the straight stitch throat plate is in place, you will BREAK YOUR NEEDLE. A straight stitch throat plate is the best
one to use, however, when making a straight stitch (regular sewing stitch). It helps prevent the fabric from being
pulled down into the machine (having a needle that is sharp enough helps prevent this also, although you must use a ball-point needle
for knits).
Notice the throat plate on the left has an oblong hole and the one on the right has just one small circular
hole. Use the type on the left for stitches with width (such as zig-zags) and the one on the right for regular, straight stitching.
The two long openings on the outer edges allow the feed dogs to come up (an explanation of feed dogs follows).
The following photograph shows a bobbin. The bobbin is housed under the throat plate. It holds the thread
that locks your stitches in place. When you sew a line, the stitches on top come from your spool of thread, while
the underside stitches come from the bobbin. Read Bobbin Winding (later in this chapter) for
basic instructions on winding a bobbin. Also, refer to your own sewing machine manual for information
on your sewing machine bobbin.
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