a housing for a sewing machine which has a base portion 1 with an outwardly extending material support arm portion 2 of the the base which underlies an arm of portion 6 which is supported at the upper end of an upright portion or brace 8 the sewing machine housing shown is an embodiment with a lower support arm the housing comprises a base 1 a material support arm 2 a standard 5 an arm 6 and a head 7 a base plate 3 covers the base 1 and also covers part of the material support arm 2 the rest of the material support arm 2 is covered by a needle plate 4 a brace 8 is a part of the arm 6 and being connected with the base plate 3 is intended to stabilize the arm 6 the stabilization of the standard 5 is accomplished by brace 9 which is part of the standard 5 and is also connected with the base plate 3 at the head 7 of the housing a slit 10 is provided to allow a thread take up lever 11 to project the thread take up lever 11 is covered by a protective shield 12 in the head 7 of the housing is a needle bar 13 seated so that it can move.