Operation Manual KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE Sewing Machine Product Code: 888-S33/S36 SEWING BASICS UTILITY STITCHES APPENDIX Be sure to read this document before using the machine. We recommend that you keep this document nearby for future reference.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS Please read these safety instructions before attempting to use the machine. DANGER - To reduce the risk of electric shock: 1 Always unplug the machine from the electrical outlet immediately after using, when cleaning, when making any user servicing adjustments mentioned in this manual, or if you are leaving the machine unattended. WARNING - To reduce the risk of burns, fire, electric shock, or injury to persons.
7 This machine is not a toy: • Your close attention is necessary when the machine is used by or near children. • The plastic bag that this machine was supplied in should be kept out of the reach of children or disposed of. Never allow children to play with the bag due to the danger of suffocation. • Do not use outdoors. 8 For a longer service life: • When storing this machine, avoid direct sunlight and high humidity locations.
CONTENTS IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS ............... 1 CONTENTS ......................................................... 3 1. KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE ..... 4 NAMES OF MACHINE PARTS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS ....................................................... 4 The main parts ......................................................... 4 Needle and presser foot section .............................. 4 Operation buttons .................................................... 5 Operation panel ................
KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE 1 KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE NAMES OF MACHINE PARTS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS The main parts i Operation buttons (page 5) j Operation panel (page 5) k Handwheel Used to manually raise and lower the needle. l Air vent This vent allows the air surrounding the motor to circulate. Do not cover the air vent while the sewing machine is being used.
i Needle plate The needle plate is marked with guides for sewing straight seams. j Needle bar thread guide (page 14) k Needle clamp screw Operation panel The operation panel allows you to select a stitch and specify how the stitch will be sewn. 1 Operation buttons The operation buttons differ depending on the sewing machine model.
KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE The following accessories are stored in the flat bed attachment. We have designed these accessories to help you be able to carry out most sewing tasks. Note (For U.S.A. only) ● Foot controller: Model T This foot controller can be used on the machine with product code 888-S33/S36. The product code is mentioned on the machine rating plate. ● The screw of the presser foot holder is available through your authorized dealer. (Part code: 132730-122) 1. 2. A 3. G N 5. I 6.
USING YOUR SEWING MACHINE Power supply a Insert the plug into a wall outlet. Power supply precautions 1 Be sure to observe the following precautions concerning the power supply. WARNING ● Use only regular household electricity for the power source. Using other power sources may result in fire, electric shock, or damage to the machine. ● Make sure that the plugs on the power cord are firmly inserted into the electrical outlet and the power supply jack on the machine.
KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE CAUTION ● When connecting the foot controller, be sure to turn off the sewing machine in order to prevent the machine from accidentally being started. Depress the foot controller to start sewing, and adjust the sewing speed by changing the pressing force. Changing the needle stop position Normally, the sewing machine is set to leave the needle in the fabric when sewing is stopped. Instead, the machine can be set to leave the needle raised when sewing is stopped.
THREADING THE MACHINE a put a spool of thread on this pin. Pull up the spool pin as far as possible, and then Winding the bobbin This section describes how to wind the thread onto the bobbin. • For details on the fast bobbin winding, see page 10. 1 b Pass the thread around the pre-tension disk. CAUTION ● If the spool of thread is not in the right place, the thread may tangle on the spool pin. a Pre-tension disk b Bobbin winder shaft c Bobbin c the bobbin from the inside of the bobbin.
KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE f press the foot controller or press While holding the end of the thread, gently (start/stop button) (for models equipped with the start/stop button) to wind the thread around the bobbin a few times. Then stop the machine. Then stop the machine and trim the excess thread. i slowly, take your foot off the foot controller or When the bobbin seems full and begins spinning press (start/stop button) (for models equipped with the start/stop button).
c the bobbin five or six times. Wind the free end of the thread clockwise around h your foot off the foot controller or press When the bobbin begins spinning slowly, take (start/stop button) (for models equipped with the start/stop button). Cut the thread, slide the bobbin winder shaft to i the left and remove the bobbin. Slide the sewing speed controller back to its Pull the thread to the right and pass it through d the slit in the bobbin winder seat.
KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE c direction shown by the arrow. Put the bobbin in so the thread comes out in the ■ For models equipped with the quick-set bobbin Raise the needle to its highest position by a turning the handwheel toward you (counterclockwise) or press (needle position button) (for models equipped with the needle position button), and raise the presser foot lever. b Slide the button and open the cover.
Memo ● The direction for feeding the bobbin thread is indicated by marks on the needle plate cover. Be sure to thread the machine as indicated. Upper threading Set the upper thread and thread the needle. • For details on the needle threader, see page 14. 1 d Replace the bobbin cover. Memo ● You can begin sewing immediately without drawing up the bobbin thread. If you want to draw up the bobbin thread before you start to sew, follow to the procedure in “Drawing up the lower thread” (page 15).
KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE c put a spool of thread on this pin. Pull up the spool pin as far as possible, and then g out about 5 cm (2 inch) of thread. Thread the needle from front to back and pull CAUTION ● If the spool of thread is in the wrong place, or is set incorrectly, the thread may tangle on the spool pin and cause the needle to break. a 5 cm (2 inch) d Feed the upper thread as illustrated below.
c the thread onto the guide. While lowering the needle threader lever, hook f Pass the end of the thread as illustrated bellow. 1 a 5 cm (2 inch) a Needle holder b Needle threader lever c Guide d Fully lower the needle threader lever. Note ● If you incorrectly feed the thread you may cause sewing problems. Drawing up the lower thread a Lightly hold the end of the upper thread. The hook passes through the eye of the needle, and catch the thread.
KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE d and pull them toward the back of the machine Pull out about 10 cm (4 inch) of both threads under the presser foot. REPLACING THE NEEDLE This section provides information on sewing machine needles. Needle types and their uses a Upper thread b Lower thread ■ For models equipped with the quick-set bobbin You can begin sewing immediately without drawing up the bobbin thread.
Memo Replacing the needle ● The smaller the thread number, the thicker the thread; and the larger the needle number, the thicker the needle. ● Use the ball point needle when sewing on stretch fabrics or fabrics where skipped stitches easily occur. ● Use a 90/14 to 100/16 needle with transparent nylon threads, regardless of the fabric being sewn. Raise the needle by turning the handwheel a toward you (counterclockwise) so that the mark on the wheel points up.
KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE d screw counterclockwise. Remove the needle by turning the needle clamp Install the twin needle in the same way. Note ● If the needle clamp screw is loosened too much, the needle clamp (which holds the needle) may fall off. Therefore, do not loosen the needle clamp screw too much.
Sewing with a twin needle You can sew with this needle and two top threads. You can use the same color or two different colors of thread for making decorative stitches. For details on the stitches that can be sewn with the twin needle, refer to “Stitch settings” (page 45). CAUTION ● Use only twin needles that have been made for this machine (part code: 131096-121). Other needles could break, and damage the machine. ● Do not sew with bent needles. The needle could break and injure you.
KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE REPLACING THE PRESSER FOOT d Press the black button release the presser foot. CAUTION ● Always turn off the power before you change the presser foot. If you leave the power on and step on the controller, the machine will start and you may be injured. ● Always use the correct presser foot for the stitch pattern you have chosen. If you use the wrong presser foot, the needle may strike the presser foot and bend or break, and may cause injury.
Removing the presser foot holder Remove the presser foot holder when cleaning the sewing machine or when installing a presser foot that does not use the presser foot holder, such as the quilting foot. Use the disc-shaped screwdriver to remove the presser foot holder. 1 ■ Removing the presser foot holder a Remove the presser foot. (Refer to page 20.) b Loosen the presser foot holder screw.
SEWING BASICS 2 SEWING BASICS SEWING Basic sewing operations are described below. Before operating the sewing machine, read the following precautions. CAUTION ● While the machine is in operation, pay special attention to the needle location. In addition, keep your hands away from all moving parts such as the needle and handwheel, otherwise injuries may occur. ● Do not pull or push the fabric too hard while sewing, otherwise injuries may occur or the needle may break. ● Never use bent needles.
b adjustment key) to increase or reduce the stitch Press the “+” or “–” side of (stitch length Starting to sew length. a you (counterclockwise) so that the mark on the Raise the needle by turning the handwheel toward wheel points up. (With models equipped with (needle position button), raise the needle by pressing once or twice.
SEWING BASICS f controller, slide the sewing speed controller to On models equipped with a sewing speed the left or right to adjust the sewing speed. Refer to “Sewing speed controller” (page 8). Memo ● When the foot controller is plugged in, (start/ stop button) cannot be used to start or stop sewing. ● When sewing is stopped, the needle remains lowered (in the fabric). The machine can be set so that the needle will stay up when sewing is stopped.
USEFUL SEWING TIPS Thread tension The thread tension will affect the quality of your stitches. You may need to adjust it when you change fabric or thread. Memo ● We recommend that you do a test sample on scrap of a fabric before you start to sew. ■ Correct tension Correct tension is important as too much or too little tension will weaken your seams or cause puckers on your fabric. 1 Various ways to achieve better results for your sewing projects are described below.
SEWING BASICS c level with the seam, allowing the fabric to feed. Release the button. The foot will lock in place Sewing curves Stop sewing, and then slightly change the sewing direction to sew around the curve. • Once the trouble spot has been passed, the foot will return to its normal position. When sewing along a curve while using a zigzag stitch, select a shorter stitch length in order to obtain a finer stitch.
Using a free-arm style Free-arm sewing is convenient for sewing tubular and hard-to-reach areas. To change your machine to the free-arm style, lift out the flat bed attachment. Slide the flat bed attachment to the left to a release it.
UTILITY STITCHES 3 UTILITY STITCHES OVERCASTING STITCHES d presser foot guide. Sew with the edge of the fabric against the Presser Foot Pattern No. Zigzag stitch J 04 04 04 04 3-point zigzag stitch J 05 05 05 05 G 06 06 06 06 G 07 07 07 07 J 08 08 08 08 Overcasting stitch 1 70 stitches model 60 stitches model 50 stitches model 40 stitches model Stitch Name Pattern You can use the overcasting stitches to join together seams and finish them in one operation.
e a hem, and then baste it about 5 mm (3/16 inch) Start sewing. Fold the fabric along the desired edge of the from the edge of the fabric. Fold back the fabric along the basting, and then position the fabric with the wrong side facing up. • For details, refer to “Starting to sew” (page 23). • For details on sewing reverse/reinforcement stitches, refer to “Sewing reinforcement stitches” (page 24). f When sewing is finished, cut the thread. • For details, refer to “Starting to sew” (page 23).
UTILITY STITCHES ■ If the needle does not catch the hem fold If the needle does not catch the hem fold, adjust the stitch width so that the needle slightly catches the fold by pressing the “-” side of the stitch width adjustment key. a Wrong side of fabric Zigzag stitch (for quilting) J 40 40 – – The maximum buttonhole length is about 28 mm (1-1/ 8 inch) (diameter + thickness of the button). Buttonholes are sewn from the front of the presser foot to the back, as shown below.
b foot “A”, and then insert the button that will be Pull out the button guide plate of buttonhole Pass the upper thread down through the hole in the presser foot. put through the buttonhole. A 1 2 2 The size of the buttonhole is set. ■ If the button does not fit in the button guide plate Add together the diameter and thickness of the button, and then set the button guide plate to the calculated length. (The distance between the markings on the presser foot scale is 5 mm (3/16 inch).
UTILITY STITCHES h and cut the thread. Raise the presser foot lever, remove the fabric, i position. Raise the buttonhole lever to its original ■ Sewing buttonholes on stretch fabrics When sewing buttonholes on stretch fabrics, use a gimp thread. a buttonhole foot “A” shown in the illustration so Hook the gimp thread onto the part of that it fits into the grooves, and then loosely tie it.
d fabric. Place a button between the presser foot and the Button sewing Buttons can be sewn on with the sewing machine. Buttons with 2 or with 4 holes can be attached. a Measure the distance between the holes. • When attaching four-hole buttons, first sew the two holes closest to you. Then, slide the button so that the needle goes into the two holes, and then sew them in the same way.
UTILITY STITCHES j to the wrong side of the fabric, and then tie it Pull the upper thread at the end of the stitching with the bobbin thread. Use scissors to cut the upper thread and the bobbin thread at the beginning of the stitching. CAUTION ● Turn the handwheel by hand to make sure the needle does not hit the presser foot before you start sewing. If you choose a different stitch, the needle will hit the presser foot and break the needle. You may also be injured.
SEWING STRETCH FABRICS AND ELASTIC TAPE Presser Foot Pattern No. 70 stitches model 60 stitches model 50 stitches model 40 stitches model Stitch Name Pattern Stretch fabrics can be sewn and elastic tape can be attached. Stretch stitch J 03 03 03 03 3-point zigzag stitch J 05 05 05 05 c Select stitch . d stretching the tape so that it is the same length Sew the elastic tape to the fabric while as the fabric.
UTILITY STITCHES APPLIQUÉ, PATCHWORK AND QUILT STITCHING Presser Foot Select stitch . d Cut away any fabric that is left outside the Carefully sew around the edge of the design. stitching. Pattern No. 70 stitches model 60 stitches model 50 stitches model 40 stitches model Stitch Name Pattern The stitches that can be used for sewing appliqués, patchwork and quilts are described below.
Piecing Quilting Sewing together two pieces of fabric is called “piecing”. The fabric pieces should be cut with a 6.5 mm (1/4 inch) seam allowance. Sew a piecing straight stitch 6.5 mm (1/4 inch) from either the right side or the left side of the presser foot. Baste or pin along the seam allowance of the a fabric that you wish to piece together. b c Attach zigzag foot “J”. Select stitch or Sandwiching batting between the top and bottom layers of fabric is called “quilting”.
UTILITY STITCHES e and then evenly guide the fabric while sewing. Place one hand on each side of the presser foot, Free-motion quilting With free-motion quilting, the feed dogs can be lowered (using the feed dog position lever) so that the fabric can be moved freely in any direction. The optional quilting foot is needed for free-motion quilting. Note ● When sewing with the walking foot, sew at a speed between slow and medium.
d Slide the feed dog position lever, to . REINFORCEMENT STITCHING a Feed dog position lever Presser Foot Pattern No. 70 stitches model 60 stitches model 50 stitches model 40 stitches model Stitch Name Pattern Reinforce points that will be subject to strain, such as sleeve holes, inseams and pocket corners. Triple stretch stitch J 02 02 02 02 Bar tack stitch A 36 36 34 30 3 Triple stretch stitching The feed dogs are lowered. Turn on the sewing machine, and then select a e stitch.
UTILITY STITCHES Bar tack stitching Bar tacks are used to reinforce points subject to strain, such as pocket corners and openings. As an example, the procedure for sewing bar tacks at pocket corners is described below. • When lowering the presser foot, do not push in the front of the presser foot, otherwise the bar tack will not be sewn with the correct size. Determine the desired length of the bar tack. a Set the button guide plate on buttonhole foot “A” to the desired length.
DECORATIVE STITCHING Presser Foot Pattern No. 70 stitches model 60 stitches model 50 stitches model 40 stitches model Stitch Name Pattern Various decorative stitches can be sewn with this sewing machine. Decorative stitch N 28 28 28 – Fagoting Stitching across an open seam is called “fagoting”. It is used on blouses and children's clothing. This stitch is more decorative when thicker thread is used. a along their seams. Use an iron to fold the two pieces of fabric b about 4.
UTILITY STITCHES Scallop stitching c (3/8 inch). Sew parallel stitching at intervals of 1 cm 1 The wave-shaped repeating pattern that looks like shells is called “scalloping”. It is used on the collars of blouses and to decorate the edges of handkerchiefs. a Attach monogramming foot “N”. b Select stitch . a 1 cm (3/8 inch) • Do not sew reverse/reinforcement stitches or cut the thread. Stitch along the edge of the fabric, making sure c not to sew directly on the edge of the fabric.
Shell tuck stitching The gathers that look like shells are called “shell tucks”. They are used to decorate trims, the front of blouses or cuffs made of thin fabrics. a Fold the fabric along the bias. Joining Decorative bridging stitches can be sewn over the seam allowance of joined fabrics. This is used when making a crazy quilt. a Attach zigzag foot “J”. Sew together the right sides of the two pieces of b fabric, and then open up the seam allowances. b Attach zigzag foot “J”.
UTILITY STITCHES Heirloom stitching When sewing with the wing needle, the needle holes are enlarged, creating a lace-like decorative stitch. This is used to decorate hems and tablecloths on thin or medium weight fabrics in addition to plain weave fabrics. CAUTION ● The needle threader cannot be used with the wing needle, otherwise the sewing machine may be damaged. Manually pass the thread through the eye of the needle from the front to the back. For details, refer to “Upper threading” (page 13).
4 APPENDIX STITCH SETTINGS Applications, stitch lengths and widths and whether the twin needle can be used are listed for utility stitches in the following table. CAUTION ● Select a stitch width of 5.0 mm (3/16 inch) or less, otherwise the needle may break or the machine may be damaged. ● When using the twin needle, be sure to attach zigzag foot “J”, otherwise the needle may break or the machine may be damaged. Stitch Width [mm (inch.)] 00 00 00 stitching, sewing 00 Basic gathers or pintucks, etc.
APPENDIX Stitch Width [mm (inch.)] Reverse/ Reinforcement Stitching 09 09 09 Blind hem stitching on medium weight fabrics 0 (0) 3 – –3 2.0 (1/16) 1.0–3.5 (1/16–1/8) No No Rfc. * R 10 10 10 10 Blind hem stitching on stretch fabrics 0 (0) 3 – –3 2.0 (1/16) 1.0–3.5 (1/16–1/8) No No Rfc. * Appliqué stitch J 11 11 11 11 Appliqué stitching 3.5 (1/8) 2.5–5.0 (3/32–3/16) 2.5 (3/32) 1.6–4.0 (1/16–3/16) Yes** (J) No Rfc.
Buttonhole stitch Manual Auto Manual Walking Foot Reverse/ Reinforcement Stitching Presser Foot 70 stitches model 60 stitches model 50 stitches model 40 stitches model Auto 5.0 (3/16) 1.5-7.0 (1/16-1/4) 4.0 (3/16) 1.5-4.0 (1/16-3/16) *** Yes (J) No * Rfc. 5.0 (3/16) 1.5-7.0 (1/16-1/4) 2.5 (3/32) 1.5-4.0 (1/16-3/16) *** Yes (J) No * Rfc. 5.0 (3/16) 1.5-7.0 (1/16-1/4) 2.0 (1/16) 1.5-4.0 (1/16-3/16) *** Yes (J) No Rfc.
Stitch Width [mm (inch.)] Walking Foot Reverse/ Reinforcement Stitching 41 41 - - Attaching appliqués and binding 1.5 (1/16) 0.5–5.0 (1/32–3/16) 1.2 (1/16) 1.0–4.0 (1/16–3/16) No No Rfc.* J 42 42 - - Attaching appliqués and binding 1.5 (1/16) 0.5–5.0 (1/32–3/16) 1.2 (1/16) 1.0–4.0 (1/16–3/16) No No Rfc.* J 43 43 - - Quilting background stitching (stippling) 7.0 (1/4) 1.0–7.0 (1/16–1/4) 1.6 (1/16) 1.0–4.0 (1/16–3/16) No No Rfc.* N 44 44 36 32 For decoration, etc.
Walking Foot Reverse/ Reinforcement Stitching 57 52 42 - For decoration, etc. 7.0 (1/4) 2.5–7.0 (3/32–1/4) 0.4 (1/64) 0.1–1.0 (1/64–1/16) Yes** (J) No Rfc. * N 58 - - - For decoration, etc. 7.0 (1/4) 2.5–7.0 (3/32–1/4) 0.4 (1/64) 0.1–1.0 (1/64–1/16) Yes** (J) No Rfc. * N 59 53 43 35 For decoration, etc. 7.0 (1/4) 2.5–7.0 (3/32–1/4) 0.4 (1/64) 0.1–1.0 (1/64–1/16) Yes** (J) No Rfc. * N 60 54 44 36 For decoration, etc. 7.0 (1/4) 2.5–7.0 (3/32–1/4) 0.4 (1/64) 0.
APPENDIX MAINTENANCE Simple sewing machine maintenance operations are described below. Cleaning the bobbin case Sewing performance will suffer if dust collects in the bobbin case; therefore, it should be cleaned periodically. Restrictions on oiling In order to prevent damaging this machine, it must not be oiled by the user. This machine was manufactured with the necessary amount of oil applied to ensure correct operation, making periodic oiling unnecessary.
e Grasp the bobbin case, and then pull it out. Remove the bobbin case. • Align the and ● marks. 1 a Bobbin case f remove any dust from the race and its Use the cleaning brush or a vacuum cleaner to surrounding area. a Bobbin case b mark c ●mark • Make sure that the indicated points are aligned before installing the bobbin case. CAUTION ● Never use a bobbin case that is scratched, otherwise the upper thread may become tangled, the needle may break or sewing performance may suffer.
APPENDIX TROUBLESHOOTING If the machine stops working properly, check the following possible problems. If the problem it still there, contact your retailer or the nearest authorised service center. Symptom Possible cause The machine is not plugged in. The sewing machine does not work. How to put it right Plug the machine in. The main power switch is turned off. Turn on the main power switch. The upper thread breaks. Move the bobbin winder shaft to the left.
Symptom Possible cause You have not inserted the needle properly. How to put it right Insert the needle properly. Reference page 17 The area around the hole in the nee- Replace the needle plate. Contact your retailer or the nearest dle plate is scratched. authorised service center. – The area around the hole in the presser foot is scratched. Replace the presser foot. Contact your retailer or the nearest authorised service center. – The bobbin case is scratched, or has a burr on it.
APPENDIX Symptom Stitches are skipped. There is a highpitched noise while sewing. The needle threader can not be used. The stitch is not sewn correctly. The fabric does not feed. The sewing light bulb does not come on. 54 Possible cause How to put it right Reference You have not threaded the upper thread properly. Correct the upper threading. page 13 You have not used the right combination of fabric, thread and needle. Choose a thread and needle that are appropriate for the type of fabric.
ERROR MESSAGES If an operation is performed incorrectly before the sewing machine is set up, an error message appears on the operation panel. Follow the instructions indicated in the table. If you press the stitch selection key or do the operation correctly while the error message is displayed, the message disappears.
APPENDIX INDEX Numerics 3-point zigzag stitch .......................................................28 A accessories .......................................................................6 appliqués .......................................................................36 B bar tack ..........................................................................40 basic stitching ................................................................28 blind hem stitching............................................
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