Singer 1409, 1408 User Manual

1408 / 1409 Instruction Manual

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

When using an electrical appliance, basic safety should always be followed, including the following: Read all instructions before using this sewing machine.

DANGER

1. An appliance should never be left unattended when plugged in.

2. Always unplug this appliance from the electric outlet immediately after using and before cleaning.

3. Always unplug before re-lamping. Replace bulb with same type rated 10 watts

- To reduce the risk of electric shock:

(110-120V area) or 15 watts (220-240V area).

WARNING - To reduce the risk of burns, fire,

electric shock, or injury to persons:

1. Do not allow to be used as a toy. Close attention is necessary when this appliance is used by or near children.

2. Use this appliance only for its intended use as described in this manual. Use only attachments recommended by the manufacturer as contained in this manual.

3. Never operate this appliance if it has a damaged cord or plug, if it is not working properly, if it has been dropped or damaged, or dropped into water. Return the appliance to the nearest authorized dealer or service center for examination, repair, electrical or mechanical adjustment.

4. Never operate the appliance with any air openings blocked. Keep ventilation openings of the sewing machine and foot controller free from accumulation of lint, dust, and loose cloth.

5. Keep fingers away from all moving parts. Special care is required around the sewing machine needle.

6. Always use the proper needle plate. The wrong plate can cause the needle to break.

7. Do not use bent needles.

8. Do not pull or push fabric while stitching. It may deflect the

needle causing it to break.

9. 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, and the like.

10. 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.

11. Never drop or insert any object into any opening.

12. Do not use outdoors.

13. Do not operate where aerosol spray products are being used or where oxygen is being administered.

14. To disconnect, turn all controls to the off ("O") position, then remove plug from outlet.

15. Do not unplug by pulling on cord. To unplug, grasp the plug, not the cord.

16. The sound pressure level under normal operating conditions is 75dB(A). Please turn off the machine or unplug when the machine is not

17. operating properly.

18. Never place anything on the foot controller.

19. If the supply cord that is fixed with foot controller is damaged, it must be replaced by the manufacturer or its service agent or a similar qualified person in order to avoid a hazard.

20. This appliance is not intended for use by persons (including children) with reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge, unless they have been given supervision or instruction concerning use of the appliance by a person responsible for their safety.

21. Children should be supervised to ensure that they do not play with the appliance.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

This sewing machine is intended for household use only.

Congratulations

As the owner of a new Singer sewing machine, you are about to begin an exciting adventure in

creativity. From the moment you first use your machine, you will know you are sewing on one

of the easiest to use sewing machines ever made.

May we recommend that, before you start to use your sewing machine, you discover the many features and the ease of operation by going through this instruction book, step by step, seated

at your machine.

To ensure that you are always provided with the most modern sewing capabilities, the

manufacturer reserves the right to change the appearance, design or accessories of this

sewing machine when considered necessary.

SINGER is a registered trademark of The Singer Company Limited or its affiliates.

List of Contents

Machine Basics

Principle Parts of the Machine..............................................................................................................................................2/3

Connecting Machine to Power Source ....................................................................................................................................4

Two Step Presser Foot Lifter...................................................................................................................................................5

Accessories .............................................................................................................................................................................6

Threading the Machine

Winding the Bobbin .................................................................................................................................................................7

Inserting the Bobbin ................................................................................................................................................................8

Threading the Upper Thread ...................................................................................................................................................9

Raising the Bobbin Thread....................................................................................................................................................10

Thread Tension ......................................................................................................................................................................11

Sewing

How to Choose Your Pattern .................................................................................................................................................12

Stitch Length Dial (Model 1409 ) ....................................................................................................................................13

Sewing Straight Stitch ...........................................................................................................................................................14

Reverse Sewing/ .....................................................................................................15

Blind Hem..............................................................................................................................................................................16

Sew 4-step Buttonholes Sewing on Buttons (Model 1408 only)

Sewing on Buttons (Model 1409 only)...................................................................................................................................19

Free Motion Darning, Stippling..............................................................................................................................................20

General Information

Installing the Removable Extension Table.............................................................................................................................21

Attaching the Presser Foot Shank.........................................................................................................................................22

Needle/Fabric/Thread Chart..................................................................................................................................................23

Darning Plate.........................................................................................................................................................................24

Maintenance and Troubleshooting

Inserting & Changing Needle ................................................................................................................................................25

Changing the Bulb.................................................................................................................................................................26

Troubleshooting Guide ..........................................................................................................................................................27

Removing the Work/Cutting the Thread

only

........................................................................................................................................................17

...................................................................................................................................18

Principal Parts of the Machine

1. Thread tension dial

2. Thread take-up lever

3. Thread cutter

Face plate

Presser foot

6. Needle plate

7. Removable extension table/ accessory storage

8. Pattern selector dial

9. Bobbin stopper

10. Stitch length dial (Model 1409)

11. Reverse sewing lever

Principal Parts of the Machine

12. Handle

13. Bobbin winding spindle

14. Spool pins

15. Handwheel

16. Power and light switch

17. Main plug socket

18. Bobbin thread guide

19. Presser foot lifter

20. Foot speed control

21. Power cord

Connecting Machine to Power Source

Connect the machine to a power source as illustrated. (1) This appliance is equipped with a polarized plug which must be used with the appropriate polarized outlet. (2)

Attention:

Unplug power cord when machine is not in use.

Foot control

The foot control pedal regulates the sewing speed. (3)

Attention:

Consult a qualified electrician if in doubt of how to connect machine to power source. Unplug power cord when machine is not in use. The foot control must be used with the appliance by FC1902 KD-1902 (110-120V area)/ KD-2902 (220-240V area) manufactured by ZHEJIANG FOUNDER MOTOR CORPORATION LTD. (China) 4C-316B (110-120V area)/ manufactured by Wakaho Electric Ind. Co., Ltd. (Vietnam)

Sewing light

Press main switch (A) to"l"forpower and light.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

For appliance with a polarized plug (one blade is wider than the other). To reduce the risk of electric shock, this plug is intended to fit in a polarized outlet only one way. If it does not fit fully in the outlet, reverse the plug. If it still does not fit, contact a qualified electrician to install the proper outlet. Do not modify the plug in any way.

FC-2902

4C-326G (230V area)

Polarized attachment plug

Conductor intended to be grounded

Two Step Presser Foot Lifter

When sewing several layers or thick fabrics, the presser foot can be raised for easy positioning of the work. (A)

to a higher position

Accessories

Standard accessories (1)

a. All purpose foot b. Zipper foot c. Buttonhole foot d. Button sewing foot e. L-screwdriver

f. Seam ripper/ brush g. Spool pin felt (2x) h. Pack of needles (3x)

i. Edge/ quilting guide

j. Bobbin (3x) k. Darning plate

Optional accessories (2)

(These 6 accessories are not supplied with this machine; they are however available as special accessories from your local dealer.)

l. Quilting foot

m. Overcasting foot

n. Hemmer foot o. Blind hem foot p. Satin stitch foot q. Darning/ Embroidery foot

Standard accessories

Optional accessories

Winding the Bobbin

- Place the thread and Spool pin felt (a) onto the spool pin. (1)

- Wind thread clockwise around bobbin winder tension discs. (2)

- Thread bobbin as illustrated and place on spindle. (3)

- Push bobbin spindle to right. (4)

- Hold thread end. (5)

- Step on foot control pedal. (6)

- Cut thread. (7)

- Push bobbin spindle to left (8) and remove.

Please Note:

When the bobbin winder spindle is in "bobbin winding" position, the machine will not sew and the hand wheel will not turn. To start sewing, push the bobbin winder spindle to the left (sewing position).

Inserting the Bobbin

When inserting or removing the bobbin, the needle must be fully raised.

1. Open the hinged cover.

2. Pull the bobbin case tab (a) and remove the bobbin case.

3. Hold the bobbin case with one hand. Insert the bobbin so that the thread runs in a clockwise direction (arrow).

4. Pull the thread through the slit and under the finger. Leave a 6 inch tail of thread.

5. Hold the bobbin case by the hinged latch.

6. Insert it into the shuttle.

Attention:

Turn power switch to off ("O") before inserting or removing the bobbin.

Threading the Upper Thread

This is a simple operation but it is important to carry out correctly as by not doing so result.

- Start by raising the needle to its highest point (1), and

continue turning the handwheel counterclockwise until the needle just slightly begins to descend. Raise the presser foot to release the tension discs. (2)

For safety, it is strongly suggested you turn off the

Note:

power before threading.

- Place the thread and Spool pin felt (a) onto the spool pin.

(3)

- Draw thread from spool through the upper thread guide. (4)

- Thread tension module by leading thread down right

channel and up left channel. (5) During this process it is helpful to hold the thread between the spool and thread guide.

- At the top of this movement pass thread from right to left

through the slotted eye of the take-up lever and then downwards again. (6)

- Now pass thread behind the thin wire needle clamp guide

(7) and then down to the needle which should be threaded from front to back.

- Pull about 6-8 inches of thread to the rear beyond the

needle eye. Trim thread to length with built in thread cutter. (8)

several sewing problems could

Raising the Bobbin Thread

Hold the upper thread with the left hand. Turn the handwheel (1) towards you (counterclockwise) lowering, then raising needle.

Note:

If it is difficult to raise the bobbin thread, check to make sure the thread is not trapped by the hinged cover or the Removable Extension Table.

Gently pull on the upper thread to bring the bobbin thread up through the needle plate hole. (2)

Lay both threads to the back under the presser foot. (3)

Thread Tension

Upper thread tension

Basic thread tension setting: "4". (1) To increase the tension, turn the dial to the next number up. To reduce the tension, turn the dial to the next number down. A. Normal thread tension for straight stitch sewing. B. Thread tension too loose for straight stitch sewing. Turn

dial to higher number.

C. Thread tension too tight for straight stitch sewing. Turn

dial to lower number.

D. Normal thread tension for zig zag and decorative sewing.

Correct thread tension is when a small amount of the upper thread appears on the bottom side of fabric.

Lower thread tension

The bobbin tension has been set correctly at the factory, so you do not need to adjust it.

Please note:

- Proper setting of tension is important to good sewing.

- There is no single tension setting appropriate for all stitch

functions, thread or fabric.

- A balanced tension (identical stitches both top and bottom) is

usually only desirable for straight stitch construction sewing.

- 90% of all sewing will be between "3" and "5".

- For zig zag and decorative sewing stitch functions, thread

tension should generally be less than for straight stitch sewing.

- For all decorative sewing you will always obtain a nicer

stitch and less fabric puckering when the upper thread appears on the bottom side of your fabric.

How to Choose Your Pattern

To select a stitch, simply turn the pattern selector dial (a). The pattern selector dial may be turned in either direction. The following page shows the recommended range of stitch lengths.

Adjust the stitch length with the stitch length dial (b) according to the fabric being used. (Model 1409 only)

a. Pattern Selector Dial b. Stitch Length Dial (Model 1409 only) c. Reverse Sewing Lever

Stitch Length Dial (Model 1409 only)

Function of stitch length dial for when straight stitching

For straight stitch sewing, turn the Pattern Selector Dial to the straight stitch setting. (1) Turn the Stitch Length Dial, and the length of the individual stitches will decrease as the dial approaches "0". The length of the individual stitches will increase as the dial approaches "4". (2) Generally speaking, use a longer stitch length when sewing heavier weight fabrics or when using a thicker needle or thread. Use a shorter stitch length when sewing lighter weight fabrics or when using a finer needle or thread.

Function of stitch length dial while zig-zag stitching

Turn the Pattern Selector Dial to " ". (3) The density of zig-zag stitches increases as the setting of

stitch length dial approaches "0". Neat zig-zag stitches are usually achieved at "2.5" or below. Dense zig-zag stitches are called satin stitches. (4)

Sewing Straight Stitch

To begin sewing, set the machine for straight stitch. (1)

Place the fabric under the presser foot with the fabric edge lined up with the desired seam guide line on the needle plate. (2)

Lower the presser foot lifter, and then step on the foot controller to start sewing. (3)

2 3

Reverse Sewing

To secure the beginning and the end of a seam, press down the reverse sewing lever (A). Sew a few reverse stitches. Release the lever and the machine will sew forward again. (1)

Removing the Work

Turn the handwheel toward you (counterclockwise) to bring the thread take up lever to its highest position and the needle begins to descend, raise the presser foot and remove work behind (2)the needle and presser foot.

Cutting the Thread

Pull the threads under and behind the presser foot. Guide the threads to the side of the face plate and into thread cutter (B). Pull threads down to cut. (3)

Blind Hem

For hems, curtains, trousers, skirts, etc.

Blind hem for stretch fabrics.

Blind hem/ lingerie for firm fabrics.

Note:

It takes practice to sew blind hems. Always make a sewing test first.

Blind Hem: Turn up the hem to the desired width and press. Fold back (as shown in Fig. 1) against the right side of the fabric with the top edge of the hem extending about 7 mm. (1/4") to the right side of the folded fabric.

Model 1409 only

Start to sew slowly on the fold, making sure the needle touches slightly the folded top to catch one or two fabric threads. (2)

Unfold the fabric when hemming is completed and press.

Lingerie Stitch : Turn up the hem to the desired width and press. Place fabric right side up with edge of hem to the left. Begin sewing so the needle swings off the left edge of the fabric to form a small scallop. Tightening the tension slightly will produce a deeper scallop.

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