I have always wanted to see how the insides of a sewing machine worked.... In a box of old stuff headed for the land-fill was an old Singer, so this is what I did. All I have to say is, Ya' gotta' love plexi-glass.

Step 1: What You Need...

You will need a few things; All the stuff I used was just leftovers from other projects. If you have leftovers too then yippie for you!
well, however you manage to get the stuff you will need...

A; sewing machine (check around you should be able to find an old one collecting dust some place for pretty cheap, or possibly for FREE!! or you might already have one that is worthy of a small hack.

B; Plexi-glass, if you don't already have it you can get it from any big hardware store like Lowes or Home Depot. (I like Lowes better myself). A big enough piece shouldn't be more than about 10 or 15 bux at most.

C; hot glue gun and glue sticks. ... you could use silicone glue or epoxy, but glue sticks set fast and are cheap.

D; paper of some sort (for stencils of the shapes you will cut out of the plexi-glass) ... I used a piece of contractor's paper, but printer paper or an old paper bag, whatever will work. Along with the paper you will need a writing utensil. I used a Sharpie. I like my Sharpie, it does NOT suck.

E; a few flat-head screw drivers. (for opening the machine)

F; last but not least, the wonderful tool known as the Dremmel Tool. (and cutting disks)

Step 2: Open Up the Sewing Machine

now you take your flat-head screwdriver and you will notice two or three screws on the top of the sewing machine (on mine they were recessed about an inch down.) then carefully lift the top portion of the body up and off of the thing. You might also decide as I did to remove the piece that goes just above the needle. (the one I took apart only had one screw to hold this piece on because it is removed to replace the light bulb that on my model is housed inside this portion) this old machine also had a separate piece that covered the belt-drive and pulley, so I pulled it off too (because I figured why not put a window in it too).

Step 3: Time to Cut

OK, now before we get going I gotta' say, This plastic tends to spit almost microscopic specks of molten plastic shrapnel up and off of the cutting tool. This plastic also smells like cancer so you might want to wear a dust mask or respirator before you start to cut up the plexi-glass and old body parts. and saftey glasses would probably be a good idea as well.

Now that you have decided to breath in plastic dust and get itchy eyes...( I can see your cocky self not wearing a dust mask or glasses, I know your kind; I was once like you..... Just last night when I did this hack.)
Before you just start getting happy with your chop-chop'ity, cutting, make sure that you checked to see your specific machine for where the best places to cut might or might not be.

Step 4: Holes Cut

After you have figured out where to cut go to it.... then use the holes you cut as templates for the plexi-glass. Use the paper and marker and just trace the shapes you need. then transfer the shapes to the plexi-glass by placing it over the paper. when in doubt, cut the shape a lil' bit too big and then widdle it back to get a better fit.

Step 5: Cut the Plexi-glass Pieces

.... hay, I think the title of this step spells it out, so go to it.

Step 6:

OK, now heat up the glue gun and keep the Dremmel plugged in for any minor adjustments... put hot glue on the edges of the cut up body part as needed and then before it can cool off put the plexi in place. I'd say it's best to start with the one big piece that goes on top, but that's just me. I glued one edge first in a "tack weld" style. then when I knew I had it placed where I wanted it I locked it down tighter. then I put in the smaller bits and adjusted em' to fit tighter.

Step 7: Button This Puppy Up!

once you have all the windows where you want them gather up all the body parts and find the correct screws for each part. put it together; and admire your work and stare in wonder at the clock-work motion of the parts inside your sewing machine. as you look through the window you installed.