Learn about The Straight Stitch Needle Plate. Sewing machines have different types of needle plates. A straight stitch needle plate is great for sewing with fine fabrics and sewing straight stitches.
Different Types of Needle Plates
Did you know sewing machines have different types of needle plates? Most sewing machines have two types of needle plates, some have more.
But first, let’s talk about what a needle plate is. A needle plate is also called a throat plate or a needle bed. The needle plate is the metal piece or shield that sits directly below the needle and presser foot. It also covers the bobbin area.
Your sewing machine needle will actually pass through the holes in the needle plate to stitch your fabric.
The two most common types of needle plates are the standard (zig zag) and straight stitch needle plates.
Standard or Zig Zag Needle Plate
When you buy a new sewing machine, it typically comes with at least one needle plate called the Standard Needle Plate. This needle plate is also called a Zig Zag or Zig-Zag Needle Plate.
The standard needle plate comes with every sewing machine that has the capability to stitch buttonholes, zig zag stitches, or other decorative stitches.
You can learn more about the Zig Zag or Standard Needle Plate in THIS blog post about How to Sew a Zig Zag Stitch.
Straight Stitch Needle Plate
As you may have guessed, the straight stitch needle plate is used when you are sewing straight stitches with the needle in the center position.
This needle plate helps to provide a more stable base. What do I mean by this? Have you ever sewn and had the machine pull your fabric down into the feed dogs? When you use the straight stitch needle plate, it helps to prevent this from happening.
The hole opening is much smaller than that of the zig zag needle plate. There is also usually just one hole right in the center of the needle plate. Some have two or even three holes.
This small hole is great for sewing more delicate fabrics. It’s also great for piecing and quilting. In fact, it is also often used in free motion quilting.
Where to Buy Straight Stitch Needle Plates
You can purchase a straight stitch needle plate from places like:
- your local quilt shop or sewing machine shop
- online from your machine’s manufacturer
- online from Amazon
More Sewing Tutorials
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial about the straight stitch needle plate. Be sure to read these other beginner friendly sewing tutorials:
I use my straight stitch plate whenever my sewing project is jst straight seams…it does help just like you said! I also bought and use my needle plate that is made to help when sewing vinyl projects. It really helps when I’m making tote bags with vinyl! Thanks for this article!
Barbara, I’ll have to see if Janome makes a needle plate for vinyl. That would be really helpful! I do use a teflon presser foot, which is a game changer for sewing vinyl!
Would love to see pictures of some of your vinyl projects!
Happy sewing! And thanks for taking the time to leave a comment! It is appreciated not only by me, but all the Hooked on Sewing readers!
Pam Baker
Hooked on Sewing
Thank you for the information. When I sit down to sew, I want to just jump into my sewing without much thought to my equipment, except when it will not to do what I expect. Each part has a function and I will now be paying more attention to my sewing machine.
Thank you.
Diane, that is great to hear! One of the best things you can do to improve your sewing is to slow down and pay more attention. I think it’s called “intentional sewing”.
You are so right when you say “each part has a function”. When we use our sewing machine as it is intended to be used, we will have less problems and fewer frustrations.
Can’t wait to see what all you make! Happy sewing!
Pam Baker
Hooked on Sewing