Instruction Booklet

9
Changing the Needle
zx
c
Selecting Thread and Needles
For general sewing, use needle size 11/75 or 14/90. A
fine thread and needle should be used for sewing
lightweight fabrics, so the fabric will not be marred.
Heavy fabrics require a needle large enough to pierce
the fabric without fraying the needle thread.
Always test the needle size on a small scrap of the
fabric, which will be used for actual sewing.
In general, use the same thread for the needle and
bobbin. When sewing stretch fabrics, very fine fabrics
and synthetics, use a BLUE TIPPED needle. The blue
tipped needle effectively prevents skipped stitches.
Fabric
Light
Thread
Needle
Medium
Heavy
Lawn
Georgette
Tricot
Wool,
Polyester
Cotton,
Polyester
Fine jersey
Wool
Denim
Jersey
Coating
Quilting
Silk #80-100
Cotton #80-100
Synthetic #80-100
Silk #50
Cotton #60-80
Synthetic #50-80
Cotton #50
Silk #50
Cotton #40-50
Synthetic #40-50
Silk #30
Cotton #50
#9/65–11/75
#11/75–14/90
#14/90
#14/90–16/
100
#16/100
Dropping or Raising the Feed Dog
The drop feed lever is located underneath the free arm
bed on the back of the machine.
q To drop the feed dog, push the lever in the direction
of the arrow q.
Set the stitch length value at “0.0” e.
w To raise the feed dog, push the lever in the direction
of the arrow w, as illustrated, and turn the handwheel
r toward you. The feed dog must be up for normal
sewing.
q
w
w
q
e
r
q
w
z Turn off the power switch.
Raise the needle to its highest position by turning the
handwheel counterclockwise, and lower the presser
foot. Loosen the needle clamp screw q by turning it
counterclockwise. Remove the needle from the
needle clamp w.
x Insert a new needle into the needle clamp w with the
flat side to the rear. When inserting the needle into
the needle clamp w, push it up as far as it goes.
Tighten the needle clamp screw q firmly by turning it
clockwise.
c To see if the needle is good, place the flat side of the
needle onto something flat (needle plate, glass, etc.).
The gap between the needle and the flat surface
should be consistent. Never use a bent or blunt
needle.
A damaged needle can cause permanent snags or
runs in knits, fine silks and silk-like fabrics.
q Needle clamp screw
w Needle clamp
CAUTION:
Turn OFF the power switch before changing the
needle.