User manual SINGER 20U53

[. . . ] Do not place or store appliance where it can fall or be pulled into a tub or sink. Switch the sewing machine off ("O") when making any adjustments in the needle area, such as threading needle, changing needle, threading bobbin, or changing presser foot, etc. Always unplug sewing machine from the electrical outlet when removing covers, lubricating, or when making any other user servicing adjustments mentioned in the instruction manual. Never operate on a soft surface such as a bed or couch where the air openings may be blocked. [. . . ] Pass thread through needle guide 5 (use left one) then through the needle eye 6 from front to back. Turn the handwheel slowly towards you until the needle moves down and up again to its highest position. Pull the upper thread slowly and the lower thread will be brought up in a loop. Pull out both threads to about 15 cm (6") and place them together at the left under the presser foot. Now that you have finished the first steps (page 1-13), you are familiar with the controls on your machine and with the accessories provided for the machine you are ready to start to sew with your new sewing machine. * Fabric should be placed under the presser foot with the bulk of the material to the left of the needle and the right edge of the material placed on the appropriate seam allowance. Press foot controller lightly and commence forward sewing guiding the fabric by hand as it is fed. * The more you press the foot controller, the faster the machine runs. * Always finish sewing each seam with the needle at its highest position. * Leave at least 15 cm (6") of thread behind the needle so that it will not be drawn out of the eye of the needle when next sewing. * Reverse sewing is often done for reinforcement at the ends of seam (back stitching). DOUBLE PRESSER FOOT LIFTER In order to obtain a larger opening when using very thick materials, firmly push presser lifter up as far as it will go. To prevent seam ends unravelling, set machine for straight stitch and sew in reverse at beginning and ending of seam. Thread Tension For Zigzag Stitch Better-looking zigzag stitching requires less upper tension than straight stitching. Sew carefully, so that straight stitches are made on hem edge, and slanting stitches pierce only one or two threads of fold. Place the seam allowance under the presser foot with the edge of the seam in line with the side of the presser foot as illustrated. To prevent edges from fraying, sew so that right side stitches drop outside the edge of material. STRETCH STITCHING The stitches shown are all used with stretch and knit fabrics. These are special stitches built in the machine for your quick selection. * For stretch fabrics, lay a piece of paper where the buttonhole will be placed. Place material under foot so that marking of buttonhole passes through centre of foot. Note at which line the centre marker points so that it is not necessary to mark the end lines for all buttonholes. [. . . ] To change direction at corners, or to sew very small circles, stop machine, positioning needle just away from edge of cut-out, lift presser foot and turn material. To gather the fabric, sew two straight lines with stitch length 5 and very loose upper tension. Gather fabric toward knots while holding the other end of lower threads with fingers. Sew smocking stitches on gathered part between two straight lines of stitches. [. . . ]