Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Regional Office IX, Zamboanga Peninsula

7/8 Zest for Progress

Z P eal of artnership

TLE/TVL
DRESSMAKING/TAILORIN
EXPLORATORY
G
Quarter 3 – Module 6
Proper handling and
Cleaning of Machine and
Resolve Common Machine
Troubles

Name of Learner: ________________________________________________

Grade & Section: ________________________________________________
Name of School: ________________________________________________

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Dressmaking/ Tailoring: Grade 7&8
Alternative Delivery Mode
Exploratory Quarter 3 - Module 6: Proper handling and cleaning of
machine and resolve common machine troubles.
First Edition, 2020

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Published by the Department of Education

Secretary: Leonor Magtolis Briones
Undersecretary: Diosdado M. San Antonio
Development Team of the Module
Writers: Mary May A. Evangelista
Susan R. Delantar
Jessica A. Evangelista
Annie V. Sy
Editors: Rosanna C. Boniao
Marilou A. Neṅiza
Liza Jane D. Omandam
Ma. Gina B. Cabanela
Darven G. Cinchez
Reviewers: Nilda Y. Galaura
Rezve M. Sael
Illustrator: Amid A. Codezar
Layout Artist: Hazel P. Bacasmo
Management Team: SDS: Ma. Liza R. Tabilon
ASDS: Judith V. Romaguera
OIC-ASDS: Ma. Judelyn J. Ramos
OIC-ASDS: Armando P. Gumapon
CID Chief: Lilia E. Abello
LR: Evelyn C. Labad
PSDS: Julia R. Oidi
Principal: Arnold Z. Dinglasa
Printed in the Philippines by
Department of Education – Region IX, Zamboanga Peninsula
Office Address: Tiguma, Airport Road, Pagadian City
Telefax:
E-mail Address:

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 What I Need to Know
A pleasant day to you! Here’s another module for you.

Most of the leading companies in the world highly suggest

maintenance on thier machines. Maintenance is an important factor in
quality assurance and in some cases determines the long-term success of a
company. Poorly maintained resources can cause instability and partially or
completely pause the production. Malfunctioning machines or complete
breakdowns can become a costly process for most companies.

This module focuses on how to clean and lubricate machines as one of

the basic maintenance activities to be done in the workplace. Sewing
machines utilized in dressmaking industry need regular maintenance in
order to sustain its efficacy and prolonged the machine’s usage.

In this lesson you will learn to:

a. Identify the steps on how to operate a sweing machine properly.
b. Determine the different sewing machine troubles and how they can be
fixed.

PROPER HANDLING OF
Lesson 1 SEWING MACHINE AND ITS
COMMON TROUBLES

What’s In

Directions: Choose between dress A and B. Draw up your opinion based on the
guide question below.

A B

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Guide Question:

1. Which among the dress above can be considered as emphasis? Why did you
say so?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________.

What’s new

Answer the question below.

As a future tailor/ seamstress, what are the possible problems that you may
encounter?
__________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________.

What Is It

STANDARDS FOR SEWING MACHINE OPERATIONS

Steps on how to manipulate sewing machine:

1. Start with the right tools and supplies. Have your needle, thread, screw driver,
pins and scissors ready for use. With tools at hand, you can start working
continuously on your machine.

2. Always maintain good working posture. Sit on your back slightly leaning
forward. It can prevent body pains after working on your machine.

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3. Thread the sewing machine correctly. Youcan follow the guide book if you
have. This will save your time to get a correct threading. Refer to someone
to check if you have threaded it properly.

4. Be sure that the needle is properly set accordin without any trouble.

5. Set the stitch regulator according to project specifications and test the stitches
for possible adjustments.

6. Check tension dials and adjust according to project requirement of the stitches.
A correct adjustment on the tension dials will make perfectly sewn garment.
.

7. Turn power off (for motorized/electric machines ) when the sewing machine is
not in use. This will save electricity and avoid possible minor accidents.

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8. Keep sewing tools. Dust the sewing machine then put a little amount of
machine oil in slots. This willmake the sewing machine available for the next user.

CLASSIFICATIONS OF SEWING MACHINE TROUBLES

Classifications of sewing machine troubles:

1. Minor sewing machine trouble- this refers to problems that arise involving
incorrectly attached accessories or supplies , unadjusted tensions , or that
requires a little dusting or oiling.

2. Major sewing machine trouble- this involves replacing or removing damage spare
parts that made the sewing machine not totally functioning.

Table 2. Common Sewing Machine Troubles

Machine Troubles Causes Remedies

1. Machine runs * insufficient oil oil the sewing machine
noisily loose screw tighten loose screw
thread or dust clean the shuttle race before
clogged in the shuttle oiling
race.
2. Machine rotates too tight belt change belt if alreadyold
heavily insufficient oil oil the arm shaft
bearings or shuttle clean the shuttle race and
race is clogged with bearing , then oil
dust or thread
3. Needle thread improper threading check the threading ,change
breaks tight tension the texture of thread and attach
thread too coarse the
needle blunt set needle properly to the needle
incorrectly bar (flat side of the needle
presser foot not should face the needle bar) .
properly adjusted use correct presser foot, check
poor quality thread if presser foot is secured and
seam maybe too thick properly fastened
or heavy if seam is too heavy
bobbin case turns change needle to correct size
fabric is pulled forcibly check the position of the
bobbin case, reset the shuttle

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 needle may be bent race assembly
size of needle change the bent needle
tension to avoid needle bending, pull
the upper and lower threads
toward the rear of the presser
foot after stitching and cut the
threads
don‘t force the fabric, just guide
it
change the size of needle
adjust tension
4. Stitches skip bent needle , dull change the needle or correct
needle or wrongly positioning
attached needle change needle size and thread
unmatched size of increase pressure on the
needle or thread to presser foot
the texture of fabric check the threading
no enough pressure
on the presser foot
threading may be
incorrect
5. Stitches loop dull needle use blunt needle
improper threading check the threading; if loops
unbalance tension appear under the fabric, check
of the upper and the upper threading; adjust the
lower threads upper tension regulator; if the
defective thread take loops appear on
up lever top of the fabric, check the lower
threading; the thread may be
inserted in the tension groove of
the bob bin; check also the latch
spring of the bobbin case.
balance the tension of both
threads
change the thread take up
lever spring.
6. Upper thread Improper threading correct threading
breaks Improperly attached attached the needlecorrectly
needle change to bluntneedle
Bent or dull needle reset the upper tension
Tight upper thread regulator
poor quality thread use good quality thread and
unmatched needle thread size or texture
7. Lower or under improper winding of winding the thread in the
thread breaks the thread in the bobbin bobbin uniformly
bent or dull needle change the needle
poor quality thread use good quality thread
incorrectly set feed dog lower the feed dog if the fabric
bobbin does not freely is thin; raise the feed dog if the

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 turn fabric is thick
too tight bobbin case check if bobbin is clogged with
spring dirt or thread
loosen the adjusting screw of
the bobbin case or adjusting the
tension of the upper thread
8. Seams Pucker too long stitch length adjust stitch regulator to correct
for the fabric length
tension is too tight adjust the upper and lower
size of needle and tension regulator
thread do not match use appropriate size of needle
too high feed dog and thread
adjustment adjust the height of the feed
too heavy pressure dog depending on the
on the presser foot thickness or thinness of the
fabric
lessen pressure on the presser
foot
9. Fabric does not feed dog not in proper adjust the feed dog to proper
move sewing position sewing position
stitch regulator not set adjust stitch regulator to
on zero desired stitch length
too tight pressure on add pressure to presser foot by
presser foot adjusting the pressure regulator
screw.

10. Fabric jams in Needle may be too big Change the size of needle
machine Throat plate Needs round hole plate

The control of the sewing machine lies with your feet not in your hand, so
learn to start and stop the sewing machine instantly at a given point using this
control.

Lower the presser foot while sewing but be sure to insert a piece of paper or
fabric swatches so that the feed dog will not be worn out.

Getting to stitch. Before you start, make sure the two threads are back
Table 1. Common
between Terms
the two toes Used
of the in Sewing
presser foot. Machine Operations.
Terms Meaning
Lubricate The act of applying a lubricating agent between moving parts to
reduce friction and preventing the form of rust.
Manipulatio The act of managing or operating manually or mechenically given
n tool or equipmnet.
Posture He correct working boody position for a given task.
What’s more
Activity 1. Matching Type.

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Directions: Match the Machine trouble in Column A to its causes in Column B.
Write the letter of the correct answer in the blank provided for.

Column A ( Machine trouble) Column B (Causes)

_____1. Machine runs noisily a. too tight belt
_____2. Machines rotates heavily b. needle may be too big
_____3. Stitches skip c. loose screw
_____4. Stiches loop d. threading maybe incorrect
_____5. Fabric does not move e. dull needle
f. too tight presser foot

Activity 2. True or False

Directions: Read the statement below. Write T if the statement is true, and F if the
statement is false.

________1. A correct adjustment on the tension dials will make perfectly

sewn garment.
________2. Set the stitch regulator according to project specifications and test
the stitches possible adjustments.
________3. Thread the sewing machine incorrectly.
________4. Be sure that the needle is properly set according without any trouble.
________5. Start with the right tools and supplies.

Activity 3
Directions: Determine the causes of different sewing machine trouble and how
they can be fixed. Write your answer inside the box provided for.

Machine Troubles Causes Way/s to fix

1.Machine runs
noisily

2. Stitches skip

3. Fabric does not

move

4. Stitches loop

5. Upper thread
breaks

What I have learned

 Minor sewing machine trouble refers to problems that arise

involvingincorrectly attachedaccessories or supplies , unadjusted tensions ,

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 or that requires a littledusting or oiling.

 Major sewing machine trouble involves replacing or removing damage spare

parts that made the sewing machine not totally functioning.

 Do the proper handling and cleaning of the sewing machine with the
procedures;Start with the right tools and supplies, . Set the stitch regulator
according to project specifications and test the stitches for possible
adjustments.Always maintain good working posture, Thread the sewing
machine correctly. Be sure that the needle is properly set accordin without
any trouble, check tension dials and adjust according to project
requirement of the stitches, turn power off (for motorized/electric machines)
when the sewing machine isnot in use, and Dust the sewing machine then
put a little amount of machine oil in slots.

What I can do

Directions: Identify the pictures and write the corresponding step on the basic
trouble of a sewing machine on the blank provided for.

1. __________

2. __________

3. ____________

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4._________________

5._______________

Assessment
Directions: Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. When the machine runs noisily, what are the causes?

a. insufficient oil and loose screw

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 b. loose screw , thread or dust clogged in the shuttle in the shuttle race and
too tight belt
c. insufficient oil , loose screw and thread or dust clogged in the shuttle in the
shuttle race
d. insufficient oil , loose screw, thread or dust clogged in the shuttle in the
shuttle race and too tight belt

2. Martha is sewing, when suddenly fabric does not move anymore, what do you
think Martha should do?
a. leave the sewing machine alone without checking the problem.
b. call for a Technician directly.
c. find the causes of the sewing machine and apply some remedies.
d. hammer the sewing machine until it is destroyed totally.

3.These are the remedies that can be made to the machine when it rotates
heavily, except one;
a. oil the arm shaft
b. change belt if already old
c. clean the shuttle race and bearing, then oil
d. change the size of needle

4. What is a pucker?
a. fold or wrinkle in a normally even surface on the cloth.
b. a shape that changed by bending and not straight
c. edges or point of the needle is not sharp.
d. a shaped like or suggestive of a loop.

5. What remedy will you apply if the stitch regulator isn’t set on zero?
a.oil the arm shaft
b.clean the shuttle race and bearing , then oil
c. adjust stitch regulator to desired stitch length
d. attach the needle correctly.

6. A needle thread breaks easily. Which of the following statements is the

most relevant to this line?
a. improper threading
b. feed dog not in proper position
c. insufficient oil
d. needle may be too big
7. In every sewing machine, troubles are common, especially when the machine
clogged up. What does clog mean?
a. a shaped like or suggestive of a loop
b. blocking of thread and dust on the shuttle or on the feed dog
c. thick point of a needle
d. edges or point of the needle is not sharp

8. Chelly is about to finish sewing the short, when she sew the seams pucker

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 on the seamline. What remedy can you suggest to Chelly?
a. adjust stitch regulator to correct length and adjust the upper and
lower tension regulator
b. adjust stitch regulator to correct length, adjust the upper and lower
tension regulator and use appropriate size of needle and thread
c. adjust the upper and lower tension regulator, use appropriate size of
needle and thread and lessen pressure on the presser foot
d. adjust stitch regulator to correct length, adjust the upper and lower
tension regulator, use appropriate size of needle and thread, and lessen
pressure on the presser foot

9. It refers to problems that arise involving incorrectly attached accessories or

supplies , unadjusted tensions , or that requires a little dusting or oiling.
a. Sewing machine reference
b. Major sewing machine trouble
c. Minor sewing machine trouble
d. Minor sewing machine damage

10. It involves replacing or removing damage spare parts that made the sewing
machine not totally functioning.
a. Sewing machine reference
b. Major sewing machine trouble
c. Minor sewing machine trouble
d. Minor sewing machine damage

Answer Key

What’s In

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 What’s More
Activity 1

Assessment

References

1. De Cosse, Cy. et al. 1988. USA. Singer (Sewing Update). Contemporary Book
Inc.

2. De Guzman, Ines A. Manila. Technology and Home Economics (First Year).

Saint Bernadette Publications, Inc.

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