SINGER 6212 User Manual

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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 sewi ng on one of the easiest to use sewing machines ever made.
In addition to the many familiar Singer exclusives, like a removable extension table (6212) and a friction-free spool holder, this machine offers you these features:
• Zig-zag stitching for buttonholes, mending and decorative stitches.
• Built-in 4-step buttonholer that takes the difficulty out of making a
buttonhole.
• Blindstitching for invisible hems.
• Easy to find “Letter-Coded” Accessories.
• Drop in front bobbin for easy, quick bobbin replacement.
• Simple stitch length dial and push button reverse stitching.
• Snap-on presser feet that are quickly removed and easily replaced.
• One-way needle insertion that makes it impossible to insert the needle
incorrectly.
May we recommend that, before you start to use your sewing machine,
you discover the many advantages 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.
Part No. 119612-002 *A Trademark of The Singer Company Printed in Brazil
Copyright 1984 The Singer Company All rights reserved throughout the world

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION 1. GETTING TO KNOW YOUR MACHINE........................................................................ 2
Principal Parts.............................................................................................................. 2
Accessories................................................................................................................... 4
SECTION 2. GETTING READY TO SEW........................................................................................... 6
Important Safeguards................................................................................................... 5
Operating the Machine...
Connecting the Machine.............................................................................................. 6
Choosing and Changing Needles Changing Snap-On Presser Feet
Changing Screw-On Presser Feet .............................................................................. 7
Changing the Needle Plate.......................................................................................... 8
Attaching the Feed Cover.....................................................................................:.. 8
Removing and Replacing the Extension Table.......................................................... 8
Fabric, Thread, and Needle Table............................................................................... 9
Winding a Bobbin ...................................................................................................... 10
Inserting a Bobbin...................................................................................................... 11
Threading the Machine ........................................................................................... 12
Raising the Bobbin Thread ......................................................................................
SECTION 3. STRAIGHT STITCHING
Stitch Width Selector.................................................................................................. 14
Needle Position Selector........................................................................................... 14
Stitch Length Selector............................................................................................... 14
Adjusting Thread Tension
Sewing a Seam............................................................................................................ 16
Placing Fabric Under Foot..................................................................................... 16
Basting ...................................................................................................................... 16
Keeping Seams Straight ......................................................................................... 16
Starting a Seam........................................................................................................ 17
Guiding and Supporting Fabric............................................................................... 17
Sewing in Reverse.................................................................................................... 17
Darning........................................................................................................................ 18
Quilting....................................................................................................................... 18
Inserting a Zipper..................................................................................................... 19
SECTION 4. ZIG-ZAG STITCHING................................................................................................ 20
Stitch Pattern Selector............................................................................................. 20
Needle Position Selector........................................................................................... 20
Stitch Width Selector.................................................................................................. 20
Adjusting Stitch Length ............................................................................................ 21
Needle Thread Tension............................................................................................. 21
Zig-Zag Stitch ....................................................................................................... 22
Seam Finishing................................................................................................... 22
Satin Stitching........................................................................................................ 22
Block Monogramming............................................................................................. 22
Attaching a Button...................................................................................................... 23
SECTION 5, SPECIAL STITCH PATTERNS................. ................................................................... 24
Blindstitch #4.......................................................................................................... 24
Ladder Seams......................................................................................................... 25
Multi-Stitch #5........................................................................................................... 26
Mending a Tear......................................................................................................... 26
Bar Tacks.................................................................................................................. 26
“M” Stitch #6
Elastic Insertion........................................................................................................ 27
Lace Insertion ........................................................................................................ 27
SECTION 6. 4-STEP BUTTONHOLE
Balancing the Buttonhole ................................................................................... 29
Free-Arm Sewing.................................................................................................... 30
SECTION 7. CARING FOR YOUR MACHINE................................................................................. 31
Removing and Replacing Bobbin Case.................................................................. 31
Changing the Light Bulb............................................................................................ 32
Cleaning the Machine.............................................................................................. 32
Lubricating the Machine........................................................................................... 33
ADDITIONAL ACCESSORIES........................................................................................................... 34
PERFORMANCE CHECKLIST......................................................................................................... 35
INDEX................................................................................................................................................ 36
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6
6
7
13
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PRINCIPAL PARTS

.....

What they are and what they do

1. HAND WHEEL provides a means of raising or lowering needle manually.
2. BOBBIN WINDER is for filling the bobbin with thread.
3. PATTERN SELECTOR LEVER for selecting different patterns.
4. FRICTION-FREE SPOOL PIN AND CAP hold the top thread supply and allow it to unwind smoothly.
5. NEEDLE POSITION SELECTOR positions needle in left, center or right position for special applications.
6. STITCH WIDTH LEVER controls width of patterns and sets needle
for straight stitching.
7. SNAP-IN THREAD GUIDE helps to insure smooth flow of thread.
8. BOBBIN WINDER TENSION DISC
provides thread tension when bob bin winding.
9. THREAD GUIDE leads thread down into tension discs.
10. TAKE UP LEVER draws correct amount of thread from spool for best stitch formation.
11. FACE PLATE is a removable cover
protecting movable parts and sew ing light.
12. NEEDLE THREAD TENSION DIAL
controls top thread tension.
13. THREAD GUIDES lead thread to needle.
14. SNAP ON PRESSER FOOT holds fabric against feed system teeth.
15. FEED SYSTEM moves fabric
under presser foot.
16. NEEDLE PLATE supports the
fabric during sewing.
17.
ONE-WAY NEEDLE CLAMP holds needle in machine and prevents incorrect insertion.
REMOVABLE EXTENSION TABLE
18.
lets you change from flat bed to free arm. (6212)
STITCH LENGTH DIAL allows for
19. a variety of stitch lengths.
REVERSE STITCH BUTTON,
20.
when pushed in provides continu ous reverse fabric movement. When turned right or left, adjusts balance of buttonhole.
PRESSER FOOT LIFTER, at the
21.
back of machine, lets you raise and lower presser foot.
22. THREAD CUTTER, on presser bar is built-iafor ease.
23. SLIDE PLATE opens for easy re moval and replacement of bobbin.
24. SPEED CONTROLLER, designed
for safety, regulates the speed of your sewing machine.
25. ELECTRICAL POWER CORD con
nects machine to your electrical
outlet.
26. MACHINE PLUG connects the speed controller and power line to the motor. Push the machine plug into the machine receptacle to the
right of the power and light switch.
27. POWER AND LIGHT SWITCH
turns on machine and sewing light at one time.
28. BOBBIN WINDING INDENT, on hand wheel. When pressed, stops needle movement for smooth even bobbin winding.

ACCCESSORIES

The following accessories furnished with your sewing machine are designed to simplify your sewing projects and increase the versatility of your machine.
The ietter you see next to the iiius­trated part is actualiy on the part itseif and is to heip you make sure your
selection is correct when sewing differ
ent applications.
1. SPECIAL PURPOSE PRESSER FOOT (J) is used for decorative and zig-zag sewing.
2. GENERAL PURPOSE NEEDLE PLATE (A) and PRESSER FOOT
(B) are on your machine when del i vered. U se together for alternat-
ing between straight and zig-zag stitching.
3. BUTTONHOLE PRESSER FOOT
(L) is used with the General Pur
pose Needle Plate to make four­step buttonholes.
4. ZIPPERFOOT(E)isusedforinsert­ing zippers and stitching corded seams.
5. FRICTION FREE SPOOL HOLDER is used to hoid various size spoois and aliows thread to unwind smoothiy. The spool does not turn.
6. SMALL THREAD SPOOL
HOLDER (Q) for use with small
diameter spools of thread.
7. NEEDLE PACK includes an assort ment for sewing various types of
fabrics.
8. FEED COVER (F) is used to pre vent the feed from moving the fabric when darning or free motion embroidery.
9. TRANSPARENT BOBBINS for
easy viewing of thread suppiy.
10. BLINDSTITCH HEM GUIDE, is
used to position the hem for blind­stitch hemming.
When mounting the machine to a cabinet, use Kit #313180 oniy. Use of any other kit could cause damage to
the machine and become a safety
hazard.

2. GETTING READY TO SEW

IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS

1. Disconnect the power-line plug from the socket outlet when changing
needies, feet, or needle plates, or when leaving the machine unat
tended. This eiiminates the possibility of starting the machine by accidentally pressing the speed controller.
2. Before removing the bobbin case, disconnect the power-iine plug from
the socket outlet.
3. Because of the up and down movement of the needle, you must work
carefully and watch the sewing area when operating the machine.
4. Do not pull the fabric while you are stitching as this may deflect the
needle, causing it to break.
5. Before cleaning your machine, disconnect the power-line plug from the
socket outlet.
6. Do not attempt to adjust the motor belt. Contact your nearest Service Center or an authorized Singer dealer should any adjustment be required.
7. Before changing light bulb, make sure you have disconnected power
line plug from socket outlet. Be sure to replace the head end cover
which covers the light bulb before operating the machine.
8. This machine is designed to use a 15-watt maximum iight bulb.
9. This machine is double insulated. When servicing, use only identical
replacement parts.
This product is suppressed for radio and teievision interference with the International Electro-technical Commission requirements of the CISPR.
Machines for Great Britain and some other countries having simiiar wiring standards are shipped from the factory without a plug for connection to the mains. The wires in this mains iead are coloured in accordance with the foliowing code:
Biue: neutrai (N)
As the colours of the wires in the mains lead of this appliance may not correspond with the coloured markings identifying the terminals in your plug, proceed as follows:
The wire which is coloured blue must be connected to the terminal which is marked with the letter N or coloured black. The wire which is coloured brown must be connected to the terminal which is marked with the letter L or coloured red. If a 13 Amp. (BS 1363) plug is used, a 3 Amp. fuse must be
fitted, or if any other type of piug is used, a 5 Amp. fuse must befitted either in the plug or adaptor or at the distribution board.
Brown: live (L)

OPERATING THE MACHINE

Connecting the machine
Push plug (1) into the receptacle (2)
at the right end of the machine. Then
connect plug (3) to your socket outlet.
Running the machine
To turn on machine and sewing light, press upper portion of power switch (4). To turn off machine and light, press lower portion “0” of power switch.
To run the machine and control speed, press the speed controller (5) with your foot. The harder you press, the faster the machine will sew. To stop machine, remove foot from controller.
NOTE: Do not operate machine without
fabric under the presser foot as this may damage the feed and the presser foot.

CHOOSING AND CHANGING NEEDLES

For best results from your sewing machine, use only Singer needles. Check the
needle package, and the Fabric, Thread and Needle Table on page 9 for the correct needle and fabric combination.
• Raise needle to its highest position.
Loosen needle clamp screw and
remove needle.
• With flat side of needle to the back, insert new needle up into clamp as
far as it will go.
• Tighten needle clamp screw se curely.

CHANGING SNAP-ON PRESSER FEET (B),(D),(J),(L)

Your machine comes with the General Purpose Presser Foot (B) already attached. You can easily change to any one of the other presser feet which snap onto a com 
mon shank by following the directions below.
Raise needle to its highest position by turning hand wheel toward you.
Raise presser foot using presser foot lifter in back of machine.
Push toe of presser foot (1) up, until it snaps off the shank (2).
Take foot off machine.
Place new foot under center of
shank.
• Lower presser foot lifter, fitting shank
over presser foot pin (3).
Don't turn screw. Instead, push presser foot screw (4) down, firmly until foot snaps into place.

CHANGING SCREW-ON PRESSER FEET (H),(G)

Some special presser feet can be purchased at your sewing center which have built­in shanks that can be replaced as follows:
Raise needle and presser foot. Loosen presser foot screw (1) and
remove presser foot with shank (2), guiding it toward you and to the right.
To replace presser foot with shank, hook shank around the presser bar and tighten presser foot screw.

CHANGING THE NEEDLE PLATE (A),(C)

Your machine comes with the General Purpose Needle Plate (A) attached. The Straight Stitch Needle Plate (C) may be purchased at your sewing center and can be attached as follows:
• Raise needle and presser foot.
• Open slide plate.
• Lift up needle plate from right corner
and slide out from under foot.
• To replace needle plate, slide it under pin (1) and push it firmly to the left.
• Press down until it snaps into place.

ATTACHING THE FEED COVER (F)

The feed cover is used to keep the feed from moving the fabric when attaching a button, darning or sewing free-motion embroidery. To attach it, follow the directions below;
Raise needle and presser foot. Open slide plate. Slide feed cover on top of needle
plate, pressing tabs (1) and (2) into holes.
Close slide plate.
To remove, open slide plate and lift front edge of cover; pull it away.

REMOVING THE EXTENSION TABLE (6212)

Free arm sewing makes it easier to sew hard-to-reach areas.
To change machine for free arm
sewing, lift right edge (1) of extension
table, slide it to the left and off the
machine.
To replace the extension table, slide
it to the right keeping it even with the
free arm, until the tabs on the right lock
into place.
8

FABRIC, THREAD AND NEEDLE TABLE

The needle and thread you choose will depend upon the fabric being
sewn. The table below is a practical guide to needle and thread selection.
Always refer to it before beginning a sewing project. Be sure to use the same size and type of thread in both needle and bobbin.
The fabrics below can be of any fiber: cotton, linen, silk, wool, synthetic, rayon, blends. They are listed as examples of weight.
FABRICS THREAD TYPE SIZE { Light­Weight
Batiste Chiffon Crepe
Medium­Weight
Corduroy Flannel Gabardine Gingham Linen Muslin Wool Crepe
Medium^ Heavy
Bonded Wovens Canvas Coating Denim Duck
Sailcloth
Knits Bonded Knits
Double Knit Jersey Tricot
tNot recommerided on stretch fabrics.
Cotton-wrapped
Polyester 100% Polyester tMdrcerized Size 50 Nylon
Cotton-wrapped Polyester 100% Polyester tMercerized Size 50 Nylon
Cotton-wrapped
Polyester 100% Polyester
tMercerized Size 40 t“Heavy Duty”
Cotton-wrapped
Polyester
Polyester Nylon
2020 11 -j
2020
2020
2020
Ball-Point 2C
Size 11,14,1 f
NEEDLES 1
14
16
18
)45
>
9

WINDING A BOBBIN

Winding a bobbin is quick and easy when you follow the directions below. Always wind the bobbin before threading the machine and needle.
• Push in indent (1) on hand wheel disc. This will stop the needle from moving.
• Place spool of thread on spool pin.
• Slide spool cap (2) firmly over rim of spool to prevent thread tangling.
• Lead thread from spool and snap into thread guide post (3).
• Wind thread clockwise around front of bobbin winder tension disc (4).
• Pass thread end, from inside, through small hole in rim of bobbin.
• Place bobbin on spindle and push it to the right.
• Holding thread end, step on speed controller to run machine until desired amount
of thread is wound. (Winding stops automatically once bobbin is full.)
• Cut thread; push bobbin to the left and remove it from spindle.
• Trim thread end from top of bobbin.
• Return hand wheel disc to sewing position by pressing on side opposite indent.
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