John Lewis JL 300 User manual

1
ESSENTIAL PARTS .......................................................................... 2
Names of Parts ...............................................................................................2
Standard Accessories ..................................................................................... 3
For free arm sewing ........................................................................................4
To Store Foot Control ......................................................................................4
Extension Table ...............................................................................................4
GETTING READYTO SEW ............................................................... 4
Connecting the Machine to the Power Supply ................................................4
Controlling Sewing Speed ...............................................................................5
Up/Down Needle Position Button ....................................................................5
Sewing Light.................................................................................................... 5
Pressure Adjusting Lever ................................................................................6
To Snap On and Snap Off the Presser Foot ...................................................6
Dropping the Feed Dogs .................................................................................6
To Detach and Attach the Foot Holder ............................................................7
Persser Foot Lifter ...........................................................................................7
Reverse Stitch Button .....................................................................................7
Seam Guide Line ............................................................................................7
Changing Needles ...........................................................................................8
Thread and Needle Chart ...............................................................................8
Wind the thread on the bobbin ........................................................................9
Winding the Bobbin .........................................................................................9
Inserting the Bobbin ......................................................................................10
Threading the Machine .................................................................................11
To Use Needle Threader ...............................................................................11
Drawing UP Bobbin Thread ...........................................................................12
Balancing Needle Thread Tension ................................................................ 13
Auto-tension .............................................................................................13
Manual Needle Thread Tension ................................................................13
Pattern Selector Dial .....................................................................................14
Zigzag Width Control ..................................................................................... 14
Stitch Length Dial ..........................................................................................14
Variable Needle Position ...............................................................................14
BASIC SEWING ............................................................................... 15
Changing the Sewing Directions ....................................................................15
Straight Stitch Sewing ....................................................................................15
Sewing from the Edge ofThick Fabric............................................................15
UTILITY STITCHING ....................................................................... 16
Overedge Stitch .............................................................................................16
Zigzag Stitching .............................................................................................16
Tricot Stitch ....................................................................................................16
Overcasting ....................................................................................................16
Triple Strength Stitch ......................................................................................17
Outline Stretch Stitch .....................................................................................17
Sewing Buttons ..............................................................................................18
Automatic Buttonhole .....................................................................................19
To repeat buttonhole sewing ..........................................................................20
Manual Buttonhole .........................................................................................21
Corded Buttonholes .......................................................................................22
Zipper AppIication ..........................................................................................23
Rolled Hem ....................................................................................................25
Blind Stitch Hemming.....................................................................................26
DECORATIVE STITCHING .............................................................. 27
Decorative Satin Stitch Patterns ................................................................... 27
Stretch Stitch Patterns ...................................................................................27
Quilting ...........................................................................................................28
Smocking .......................................................................................................28
Pin Tucking .....................................................................................................29
Shell Tuck .......................................................................................................29
Applique .........................................................................................................30
Fagoting .........................................................................................................30
Adjusting Stretch Stitch Balance ....................................................................31
Patch Work .....................................................................................................31
CARE OFYOUR MACHINE............................................................. 32
Cleaning the Hook Race ................................................................................32
Cleaning the Bobbin Holder ...........................................................................32
Trouble Shooting ............................................................................................33
TABLE OF CONTENTS

2
Names of Parts
ESSENTIAL PARTS
e
w
q
y
o
!0
!7
t
r
!8
!6
@2
@3
#2
#4 #3
!1
!2
!3
!4
!5
@0
!9
@1
@6
@5
@4
#1
#0
@9
@8
@7
1 Pattern selector dial
2 Stitch length dial
3 Pattern indicating window
4 Zigzag width control
5 Spool holder
6 Spool pin
7 Auto thread tension LED
8 Thread tension dial
9 Bobbin winder thread guide
10 Thread guide
11 Thread take-up lever
12 Face plate
13 Thread cutter
14 Needle threader
15 Presser foot
16 Hook cover plate
17 Extension table
18 Hook cover plate release button
19 Up/down needle position button
20 Reverse stitch button
21 Speed setting lever
22 Balance wheel
23 Feed balance dial
24 Lamp switch
25 Power switch
26 Machine socket
27 Drop feed lever
28 Free arm
29 Buttonhole lever
30 Presser foot lifter
31 Extra spool pin mounting hole
32 Carrying handle
33 Bobbin winder spindle
34 Bobbin winder stopper
u
i

3
Standard Accessories
!1 !2
!3 17
qwrte y
uio
!0
!4
!5
!6
!7
The accessories can be stored in the ex-
tension table. Pull the lid to open the ac-
cessory storage.
qA. Zigzag foot (set on the machine)
wC. Overedge foot
eD. Hemmer foot
rE. Zipper foot
tB. Transparent buttonhole foot
yG. Blind stitch hem foot
uR. Automatic buttonhole foot
iLimt brush
oBobbins
!0 Set of needles
!1 Quilter
!2 Screwdriver
!3 Additional spool pin
!4 Seam ripper
!5 Spool pin felt
!6 Small spool holder
!7 Screwdriver (small)

4
Extension Table
The extension table provides added sewing surface and can be easily
removed for free arm sewing.
For free arm sewing
Remove the extension table by pulling it sideway.
e
w
q
To Store Foot Control
qInsert the foot control in the extension table.
wPlug the cord into the holes on the table.
eFold the cord as illustrated and store in the table.
GETTING READY TO SEW
q
e
w
Lamp switch
Connecting the Machine to the Power Supply
After turning ´´OFF ´´ the power switch, connect the plugs in the order of q,
wand e.
Then turn ´´ON ´´ the power switch and lamp switch.
* Disconnect the power supply plug and foot control plug when the machine
is not used.
Power switch

5
Up/Down Needle Position Button
Pres this button to bring the needle up or down.
If the needle is up, it will go down to the lowest position by pressing this button.
If the needle is down, it will go up to the highedt position by pressing this button.
Use this button when:
- picking up the bobbin thread (see page 12).
- lowering the needle into the fabric to turn a square corner (see page 15).
Low high
Controlling Sewing Speed
★★
★★
★Speed Setting Lever
The maximum sewing speed can be controlled
by the speed setting lever.
To increase the speed, slide the lever to the
right (toward ).
To decrease the speed, slide the lever to the
left (toward ).
★★
★★
★Foot Control
Sewing speed can be varied by the foot
control.
The harder you press on the control, the
faster the machine runs.
Sewing Light
The sewing light is located behind the face plate.
To replace the bulb
Caution: Turn off the power switch and disconnect the
power supplu plug before replacing the bulb.
The bulb could be HOT, wait until it has cooled down
before handling it.
Open the face plate. Pull the bulb out from the lamp
socket. Insert a new bulb into the socket, aligning the
pins with the holes in the socket.
Face plate Bulb Lamp socket

6
To raise the feed
dogs,push the lever to
the direction of arrow
as illustrated.
Open face plate
Pressure adjusting lever
3(Ordinary sewing)
Pressure Adjusting Lever
The pressure adjusting lever should be set at ´´3 ´´ for regular sewing.
Reduce the pressure to ´´2 ´´ for applique, cut work, drawn work, basting
and embroidery.
Set the pressure to ´´1´´ when sewing chiffon, lace, organdy and other
fine fabrics. Velours and knits with a lot of stretch may also require a
´´1´´ setting.
Dropping the Feed Dogs
Drop feed lever is located underneath of free arm bed.
For dropping the feed
dogs, push the lever
to the direction of
arrow as illustrated.
* Feed dogs must
always be up for normal
sewing.
To Snap On and Snap Off the Presser Foot
To snap off
Turn the balance wheel toward you to raise the
needle to its highest position.
Raise the presser foot.
Press the red button on the back of the foot holder.
The presser foot will drop off.
To snap on
When attaching the presser foot, the pressure
adjusting lever should always be at position ´´3 ´´.
Place the presser foot so the pin on the foot lies
just under the groove of the foot holder.
Lower the foot holder to lock the foot in place.

7
Persser Foot Lifter
The presser foot lifter raises and lowers the presser
foot. You can raise it 0.6 cm (1/4") higher than the
normal up position for easy insertion of the thick
fabric.
To Detach and Attach the Foot Holder
To Detach
Remove the thumb screw by turning
the screw counter- clockwise with
the screwdriver.
To Attach
Align the hole in the foot holder with the
threaded hole in the presser bar and fit the foot
holder screw into the hole. Tighten the screw by
turning it clockwise.
Reverse Stitch Button
As long as you keep the reverse stitch
button depressed, the machine sews
backwards.
The seam guides on the needle plate and hook cover
plate help you measure seam width.
The number indicates the distance between the center
needle position and the line.
Seam Guide Line

8
Changing Needles
Raise the needle by turning the
balance wheel toward you and lower
the presser foot.
Turn off the power switch.
Loosen the needle clamp screw by
turning it toward you.
Remove the needle from the clamp.
Insert the new needle into the needle
clamp with the flat side away from you.
When inserting the needle into the
clamp, push it up as far as it will go and
tighten the clamp screw firmly with the
screwdriver.
Thread and Needle Chart
Light
weight
Medium
weight
Fabrics Threads
Crepe de Chine, Voile
Lawn, Organdy, Georgette,
Tricot
Linens, Cotton, Pique,
Serge, Double Knits,
Percale
50 silk
50 to 80 Cotton
50 to 60
Synthetic
Cotton Covered
Polyester
Fine Silk
Fine Cotton
Fine Synthetic
Fine Cotton Covered
Polyester
9 (65)
or
11 (75)
11 (65)
or
14 (90)
Heavy
weight Denim, Tweed, Gabardine,
Coating, Drapery and
Upholstery Fabric
50 silk
40 to 50 Cotton
40 to 50 Synthetic
Cotton Covered
Polyester
14 (90)
or
16 (100)
Needle Size
* In general, fine threads and needles are used for sewing thin fabrics,
and thicker threads and needles are used for sewing heavy fabrics.
Always test thread and needle size on a small piece of fabric which will be
used for actual sewing.
* Use the same thread for needle and bobbin.
* When sewing stretch, very fine fabrics and synthetics, use a BLUE
TIPPED needle.
The blue tipped needle effectively prevents skipped stitches.
* When sewing very fine fabrics, sew over a piece of paper to prevent yarn
distortion.

9
Horizontal Spool Pin
Lift up the spool pin. Place the spool of thread on the
spool pin with the thread coming off the spool as
shown.
Attach the large spool holder pressing it firmly
against the thread spool.
* The small spool holder is used with narrow or
small thread spools.
Additional Spool Pin
The additional spool pin is used to wind extra
bobbins without unthreading the machine.
To use, insert the additional spool pin in the hole.
Place the felt and the spool on the pin.
Removing the Bobbin
Gently slide the hook cover plate release button to
the right, and remove the cover plate.
Lift out the bobbin.
Ordinary Spool
Small Spool
q
w
ert
ert
qPlace a spool on the spool pin.
The thread end should come off
as shown.
wGuide the thread around the
thread guide.
eThread through the
hole in the bobbin
from the inside to
the outside.
Put the bobbin on
the bobbin winder
spindle
rPush it to the right. With the free
end of the thread held in your
hand, depress the foot control.
Stop the machine when the bobbin
has made a few turns, and cut the
thread close to the hole in the
bobbin.
* Stop running the machine
without fail in advance when
moving the bobbin winder spindle.
tDepress the foot control
again. When the bobbin is
fully wound, it will stop
automatically.
Return the bobbin winder
to its original position by
moving the spindle to the
left, and cut the thread as
shown.
Winding the Bobbin
Wind the thread on the bobbin

10
Guide the thread into the notch Aon
the front side of the bobbin holder.
Draw the thread to the left sliding it
between the tension spring blades.
Inserting the Bobbin
Place the bobbin in the bobbin holder
with the thread running counter-
clockwise.
Continue to draw the thread lightly
until the thread slips into notch B.Pull out about 15 cm (6´´) of thread and attach the hook cover plate.