Kenmore Kenmore 1791 User manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS
KNOWING YOUR MACHINE Page
Knowing parts and features 1 - 2
GETTING READY TO SEW
Setting up your machine 3
Electronic needle contro|, stitch selector and indicator 4
Winding the bobbin
Threading your machine
Checking for correct tension
Changing needies, needleplates
Special fabnc chart
STRAIGHT AND ZIGZAG SEWING
Using the free-arm
Straight stitching
Securing seams, top-stitching
3 ways to do basting
Zigzag sewing -- the basics
Blind hemming
Mending, darning, fagoting, bar-tacking
Interfacing
BUTTONHOLES AND FASTENERS
Using your "built-in" system
Your "attachment" system
Choosing the right buttonhole
"'Regular-worked" buttonholing
Purl-edging, bound buttonholes
installing zippers
5 Machine-sewing buttons
6- 7 STRETCH AND SPECIAL STITCHES
8 Straight stretch stitching
9 Rick-rack, stretch
10 Feather, elastIc and overcast stretch
Page
25
26
27
28
29
30
3t
32
Paris point stretch, built-in decorative stretch stitches 33
13 FINISHING AND PERSONAL TOUCHES
14 Satin stitches, machine emboridery
15 Narrow hemming
16 Edgestitchlng, even feed foot
17 Shell stitching, lettuce edging
19 Appliques and quilting
20 CARING FOR YOUR MACHINE
22 Performance check chart
Keeping your machine clean
23 Oiling your machine
24 Ordenng replacement parts
34
35
36
38
39
4O
42
44
45

KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE
!. Free arm
2. Free-arm cover
3. Bobbin window
4. Bobbin cover piate
5. Swing-away base release
6. Needleptate
7, Presserfoot
8. Needle bar thread guide
9. Needle clamp screw
t0. Needle bar
11. Thread guide
12, Face cover pIate
13. -Thread tension spring
BACK VIEW
!4. Top threading path
!5. Slotted take-up lever
16. Top thread tension control
17. Built-in buttonhole control
18. Bobbin winder shaft
19. Bobbin winder latch
20. Stitch indicator
21. Stitch width control
22. Stitch selector
23. Reverse stitch control
24. Basting switch
25. Needle position control
26. Cord connection
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:27. Nomenclature plate
28. Power/light switch
29. Speed range switch
30. Stitch modifier
31. Stitch length control
32. Spool pins and caps
33, Hand wheel
34. Rear thread guide
35, Bobbin tension disc
36. Rear thread guide
37. Presser foot lever
38. Presser bar
39, Presser foot lock
40. Thread cutter
41, Attachment cover release
42. Feed dogs
43, Attachment cover plate
44. Swing-away base
45. Foot pedal
46. Foot control
SOLID STATE FOOT CONTROL

FRONTVIEW
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1
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GETTING READY TO SEW
SETrlNG UP YOUR MACHINE
When you open your Kenmore carton, you'll find the basic machine,
foot control, the instruction book you now are reading, and one box
of attachments {Accessories end ButtonholerL Set your machine on a
sturdy flat surface. Be sure to wipe off any excess oil that may have
accumulated in shipping,
Step 1: The spool pins
You'tl find Spool Pins (32) packed in
the Accassones and Buttonholer
Box. Using a screwdriver, attach
them securely at rear as indicated.
Step 2: The electrlclty
Plug Foot Controt {46) into Cord
Connection {26). Then, connect cord
into any 110-120 volt wall outlet.
Important safety notes
Your machine will not operate unless
the Power/Light Switch (28) is
turned on. This same switch controls
the machine power, sewing light, the
indicator lights on the stitch selection
panel (20) and needle controls (24
and 25). If you are interrupted or stop
sewing, turn off the switch-this is an
important safety feature that
prevents accidents.
!llt_ i

ELECTRONIC
NEEDLE CONTROL Needle stops precisely in up or down position
The electronic control panel contains three switches. One switch provides an
electronically controlled basting or tacking to take the chore out of hand basting.
The other two switches electronically control the needle to stop in either the up
position for general sewing, or in the down position for intricate work.
1. This feature gives you the option of
stopping your machine with the
needle man up position each time.
When the needle is at this high
position, there is no possibility of the
needle becoming unthreaded when
the next seam is started. The upper
left button is pushed and lighted for
this type of sewing.
2. If you wish for the needle to remain in
the tabnc when you stop (exampte is
turning acorner), then push the lower
STITCH SELECTOR
3.
left switch. Indicator lights quickly
show you m what position the needle
will stop, See page. 15.
The third switch labeled "'Basting"
enables you to sew very long stitches
by simply tapping the foot control-
one complete stitch will be made and
you can freely move the fabric to the
desired spot for another basting tack,
See page 16 for defin=te setting used
to accomplish this.
i iii i i i iii i i I
I
Push before turning dial
A) To select astitch, be sure needle is out of fabric
at its highest position. Push the stitch selector
(22) in before turning to select a stitch.
B) Then turn the dia! to left or right until the
required stitch is illuminated in red on the
indicator (20),

WINDING THE
BOBBIN A) Place thread on Spool Pin
(32) and cover with acap (32) as
shown below. To wind bobbin,
draw thread from spool through
Rear Thread Guides (34 and 36)
and the Bobbin Winder Disc (35)
as indicated below.
\
B) Pull end of thread through any
hole m bobbin; place bobbin on
Bobbin Winder Shaft (18) with
end of thread coming from top of
bobbin as shown above.
C) Push Bobbin Winder Latch
(19) against bobbin until it clicks.
Then pull Hand Wheel (33) away
from machine to disengage clutch
(see diagram below), Hold end of
thread coming from bobbin (see
above) and step on foot control.
After several rotations of bobbin
re_ease thread.
D) When bobbin is full, winding
stops automatically. Push in Hand
Wheel (33L Remove bobbin from
shaft and trim thread end.
Treat Hand Wheel as a "clutch"
It controls the needle mechanism
so that when pulled out, (disen-
gaged) the rest of the machine will
not operate while the bobbin fs
being wound,
Putt out to
disengage
Push in
to engage

THREADING THE
BOBBIN CASE
Drop-in bobbin
makes this a simple
sure operation
A) Make sure needle is in
highest position (this will
always be true if top left
needle position light is on).
B) Remove Bobbin Cover
Plate (4) -- just lift up the
front and it slips right out.
C) Now place the full bobbin in Bobbin Case with
thread coming off in a counter-clockwise direction.
ii_i ,_i !i_i_ii! _ D) Pull about tour inches of thread
through tension slot (shown by
arrow at left) toward back of
machine as illustrated above.
E) Replace cover plate, allowing
thread to emerge through opening
between Coverplate (4) and Needle-
plate (6). This completes bobbin
threading.

THREADING THE
REST OF YOUR
MACHINE
Upper threading ...
needle threading ...
now quick and easy
7
B) Now pull thread toward you
into Top-Threading Path (14),
down to Tension Spring (13) --
diagram above, Pull thread up into
spring. Then draw thread through
stotted take-up ]ever (t5} and
down again through either side of
lower thread guide (1t).
C) Making certain that needle is
in its highest position, thread it
from front to back.
D) Holding the needle thread with
the left hand, and basting button
pushed, gently tap the foot control.
A single stitch will be made. This
brings the bobbin thread up to the
top surface forming aloop. Reach
into this loop with a long instrument
like a screwdriver and pug loop free,
Then pull three or four inches of
both top and bobbin threads behind
the needle.

THREAD
TENSION:
STRAIGHT STITCHING
"Balance" isthe key
to handsome,
durable straight
stitching
o
Decrease tension Increase tension
CHECKING FOR CORRECT TENSION OF
THREAD
The good looking appearance of your straight stitching is
mainly determined by the balanced tension of the top thread
and bobbin thread. The tension is well balanced when the
two threads lock m the middfe of the layers of fabric when
straight stitching.
You can achieve balanced tension by regulating the Top
Thread Tension Control (17). if the upper thread appears to
be too tight, dial left (lower numbers) to decrease tension.
If the upper thread is too loose, dial right (higher numbers}
to increase tension.
STRAIGHT STITCHING
TOP STITCH
TOO TIGHT
TOP STITCH
TOO LOOSE
STRAIGHT STITCH
JUST RIGHT
THREAD
TENSION:
ZIGZAG STITCHING
CHECKING FOR GOOD LOOKING ZIGZAG STITCHES
Always practice stitching on two layers of the fabr=c
you will be using.
Make sure that you are using the right size and type
of needle for the fabric. See chart page 11,
Choose a thread of good quality and type for your
fabric. See chart page 11.
Remember -- the wider the zigzag setting, the more
chance for puckering. Reduce the top tension, if
puckering occurs,
The top thread will be visible on the bottom to
varying degrees depending on the thread, fabric,
type of stitch being used and speed of sewing.
The bobbin thread should never be visible on the
top of the fabric,
BOBBIN TENSION
The bobbin tension has been correctly set at the factory, so you do not need to
adjust it.

CHANGING
NEEDLES AND
NEEDLEPLATES
Needle choice depends
on thread _,.,both
determined by fabric
YOUR SIZE 14 NEEDLE IS BASIC., o
o,. to most of your sewing, To replace
needle: Turn hand wheel toward you
to raise Needle Bar (10) to highest posi-
tion. Loosen Needle Clamp Screw (9)
with screwdriver. Holding flat side
away from you, insert needle as far as it
will go. Tighten clamp screw securely,
using screwdriver.
Needteplate Ufts out Replacement Jocks =n
TO REPLACE THE NEEDLEPLATE INSERT
Raise needle to its highest position. Remove Bobbin
Cover Plate (4), Lift Needleptate (6) and remove by
lifting up and out (shown at far left). Insert other
needle plate; push down with both hands to lock.
Replace bobbin cover plate.
_1 1o
I,, ,,.I
For zigzag stitching, use
silver needleptate with
wtde oval hole
ol to
!,, I
For straight and strmght
stretch sewing, silver plate
has round ho_e

CHOOSING
THE RIGHT NEEDLE
FOR THE FABRIC
Kenmore needles are
recommended for all
Kenmore machines
,,. you'll find them in your
nearest Sears store or the Sears
General Catalog. mthe sewing
machine section.
If you do not have a Kenmore
needle, prease use th_s illustra-
tion to be sure your needle asthe
right size. Distance from top of
needle to needlehote should be
this exact length,
When do you change needles?
Usually after sewing 2or 3 garments or
whenever the needle is blunted, bent
or dirty. And, of course, you'lt change
need{es to suit fabric as indicated by
this chart,
THE FABRIC IS THE KEY TO NEEDLE AND THREAD CHOICE
FABRIC
LIGHTWEIGHT: Batiste, Dimity,
Chiffon, Silks, Synthetic Jerseys,
Fine Lace, Organza. Crepe,
Taffeta, Voile, Organdy
i i i.i.
MEDIUMWEtGHT: Cotton.
Cotton Blends, Percale, Gingham,
Shantung, Pique, Seersucker,
Satin, Knits, Vinyl, Suitings,
Linen, Wool Crepe, Leather
, ,, ,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,m,,,,,
MEDIUM HEAVYWEIGHT:
Corduroy, Denim. Wool,
Sailcloth, Woo! Flannel,
Gabardine, Velvets, Leather
HEAVYWEIGHT; Coatings,
Upholstery, Cotton Duck,
Heavy Twills, Canvas
Decorative top-stitching on ell
types of fabric
Synthetic Knits and Stretch:
Polyester Doubie Kmts, Nylon
Tricot, Jersey, Stretch Terry,
Spandex, Cire Tricot
NEEDLE
SIZE AND
COLOR
, N,,, • J ,J.J
9- BROWN
or
11-ORANGE
14-RED
THREAD SIZE
Polyester Core/Cotton Wrap
Fine Mercerized Cotton
Polyester Synthetm
SilkA
Polyester Core! Cotton Wrap
50 Mercerized Cotton
Polyester Synthetm
Siik A
50 Mercerized Cotton
Mercerized Heavy-Duty
1B-PURPLE Polyester Synthetm
Sirk A
Heavy-Duty Mercerized Cotton
1B-GREEN
16-PURPLE
18÷GREEN
or
Q-BLUE
Q-BLUE
with
"Q FOOT ....
Po{yester Synthetic
Silk A
Buttonhole Twist
Polyester Synthetic
50 Mercenzed Cotton
RECOMMENDED
STITCH LENGTH
SETTING
12 stitches
per inch
10to 12 stitches
per inch
12 stitches
per inch
8 stitches
per inch
• , ,.i,, ,
6 stitches
per inch
10 for Reguiar
or
6 for Stretch
Stitches
10

11
STRAIGHT AND ZIGZAG SEV_NG
YOUR FOOT
CONTROLS THE
SPEED
THE
"PRESSER FOOT"
APPLIES THE
PRESSURE
ZIGZAG_ _STRAIGHT
FOOT _ _F_IOTOC_
Z3gzag |ool mstatled on
machine: 8others In _:cesso_ea,
Easy to use as an automobile accelerator{
Seated comfortably? Directly in front of
your machine? Place the Foot Control
(46) where your foot reaches it easily,
Turn on the PowerlLight Switch (28).
Now simply press your foot on pedal (45)
until you reach aslow even speed. Never
try to sew too fast. The harder you push,
the faster the machine will sew (Except
when Basting Switch (24) is on}, Good
idea: For your very first use, test speed
control on a remnant!
i _ Oi
The Presser Foot (7) exerts pres-
sure on fabnc when stitching.
To change presser feet, simply
drop Presser Foot Lock (39--ar-
row) and slip foot away from the
Presser Bar (38). For added con-
venience, the Presser Foot Lever
(371 has a double lift; raise this lever
beyond the normal up position and
ptace new foot on presser bar. To
lock toot securely, raise presser
toot lock as high as possible. That's
a!I there ts to it!
Speed range switch
Your machine has two ranges of
speed- a low range for slower,
intricate work and a high one for
faster, general work. On the low
setting the machine will not sew
faster than a certain speed, even
when the foot control is fully
depressed.
Presser foot pressure is vitat for
straight seams, uniform stitch
length, even handling of both layers
of fabric. To adjust pressure; use
Pressure Regulator which is situated
reside the face cover (12). Then to
increase pressure, turn the dial
clockwise (or vice versa). Just
remember.., for lightweight fabnc,
more pressure; for heavy fabr=c,
tess pressure.

THE "FEED DOGS'"
KEEP THE FABRIC
MOVING
The Feed Dogs (42) are at work reside your machine
under the Needleplate (6) creating an upward force
that moves fabric under presser foot. As the stitch is
being set into the fabric, the feed comes up to help
presser foot keep fabric taut, then to advance fabric
one stitch at a time. Feed automatically is controlled by
Stitch Length Control (31) m don't pull fabric,
Yes, you can feed the fabric by hand in some sewing
situations- for example, when freehand writing,
Just raise needle to its highest position and raise the
presser foot, Attach darning plate over needleplate
as shown at right. Reduce presser foot pressure.
Then you can control the movement of fabric by
hand,
AND THE
"SEAM GUIDES"
KEEP YOU ON
TARGET
CORNERING GUIOES
Seam guides are printed on needleplate, at
both sides of needle, to help you line up the
fabric and keep it straight. The standard
seam width is 5/8°', So these lines are em-
phasized, easy to follow. Also the cross lines
on the Bobbin Cover Plate (4) are "cornering
guides" to help when turning a square
corner 5/8" from the fabric edge. (For details
on cornering, see page t5)
12

13
SWING UP
FOR FREE ARM
SEWING
i
This machine easily converts from a flat-bed to a free-arm
machine for easy handling of awkward, hard-to-reach
sewing tasks. To convert to free-arm, push Release But-
ton (5), swing base up and away.
With the Base (44) swung
away, you can ship any sleeve
under the presser foot. Now
you can see seam clearly, sew
without hindrance, It's great
for patching and decorating,
too (see section on "Finishing
Touches").
Tricky turtlenecks are a cinch to
stitch with the free arm. (If
you're sewing sweater-type
fabric, see "Stretch" section.)
To stitch armhole of avest (or
pants legs or a waistband),
you'll find Jt easIer if you re-
move the Base (44) completely,
Fofiow the directions be!ow.
BASE SLIPS OFF tF SPACE NEEDED
To slip the base off, swing the base away and puil it to the left.
(if in cabinet, lift machine to free-arm position,| To replace base,
insert Guide Pin into position and swing base down toward you,
until it snaps in place, it's a flat-bed machlne!

EASY TO SET FOR
ALL STRAIGHT
STITCH ING
Stitch length is your
key decision
Chances are, you'll use straight stitching most fre-
quently. This is the basic permanent stitch that holds
the garment together. You'll use the Straight Stitch
Presser Foot and Straight Stitch Needteplate, of
course. Machine settings are detailed below.
For permantent seaming, the straight stitch length
is determined by thickness of fabric. The numbers
on the Stitch Length Contro! (31) indicate
approximate stitches per inch. As ageneral rule, the
heawer the fabric, the longer the stitch; lighter
fabric, shorter stitches, Best stitch for medium-
weight fabrics is the t0-to-t2 setting indicated at
right below, (See next page for tips on reinforcing and secur-
ing permanent seams.)
HERE ARE YOUR BASIC SE_INGS FOR STRAIGHT STITCHING .°.
.
Raise needle to highest position. Push"
and turn Stitch Selector (22) until straight
stitch setting (iI) is illuminated in red on
the indicator (20),
Set Stitch Width Control (21) at zero,
This is the setting for all straight stitching
(You will vary this for zigzag sewing -- so
it's detailed on page 17.)
Set this inner dial, the Stitch Modifier (30)
at the neutral (notched) position for all
simple forward stitches.
You may use either a zig zag or straight
stitch foot BUT-- for best control of
fabric, best looking straight stitches and
best feeding of fabric use Straight Stitch
Foot and Straight Stitch Needle Plate.
@
electronic
14

15
MAKING
PERMANENT
SEAMS TRULY
PERMANENT
Backtacking..,
crossing seams o_o
turning square corners
HANDSOME
TOP-STITCHING
,electronic ,,jjj
It's a good idea to begin and end each seam by
stitching in reverse, pressing down Reverse
Stitch Control (23). Be sure both threads are
drawn back under presser foot. Stitch backwards
about _", This iscalled backtacking; it reinforces
seams, prevents unraveling.
When you have two seams crossing, sew slowly and carefully so
seam will be strong, if sewing thick fabrics, you may need to
lengthen stitch and reduce pressure on presser foot.
Finished the seam? The
Presser Foot Lock (39) has a
Thread Cutter (40) built in,
Hold threads on either side
of cutter and pull thread
toward you to cut.
Turning square corners? Your machine has a convenient guide (diagram, far left)
for turning corners 5/8" from fabrics edge. Stop stitching with needle tn the
fabric. This is done automatica!ly by making sure left lower needle position
button is pushed. Raise the presser foot. Turn fabric. New stitching line should
align with 5/8" seam guide on side of bobbin plate(near left diagram), Lower the
presser foot and begin stitching in new direction. (When turning square corners
or sewing pointed areas of collars, you may want to shorten the stitch length to
strengthen the corner.)
This is a seam you may want to show of!! tt's on the front side of
the garment, possibly at the top of a"kick pleat" or on a lapel, both
functional and decorative. Usually, it's a simple, forward stitch m
with an extra-long stitch tength, or with special thread, matching or
contrasting. {For decorative sewing, try fancy threads, double nee-
die, other ideas you will read about in later sections|)

"TEMPORARY'"
SEWING
BY MACHINE
New free
basting method for
very long stitches
!%!olonger do you need to baste by hand!
Regular basting (above right) by machine is
easy -- simply use straight stitching with
longest available length setting (6 stitches per
inch). And your Kenmore has a free basting
method for yew long stitches (lower right) that
sometimes,can be used for "marking". Just set
your machine and sew as indicated below. _.
Regular Besting
Free Method
Free Basting For Very Long Stitches
Stitch Se ector -- II
Stitch Width Controf-- 0
Stitch Length Control -- Any number
Stitch Modifier -- Neutral
Basting Switch -- On
Straight Stitch Foot, Darning Plate
Straight Stitch Needleplate
No pressure on Presser Foot
Using settings at left (be sure atl pressure is removed from presser toot) press
basting switch, Lower presser foot and tap down on foot control, (You will want
to hold ends of thread with left hand). Machine wi!l take one stitch and stop with
needle up. Move fabric freely with both hands to achieve desired stitch length.
PIN BASTING,
STAY-STITCHING
NOW SIMPLE
Yes, you can sew over pins easily (if done correctly)
because your presser feet are hinged. Pins must be in-
serted at right angles to seam line, Tip of pin should just
touch seam line. Sew over tip of pins. Pins must not
come In contact with feed dogs: Never pin on the under-
side of the fabric. Sew slowly. If in doubt about sewing
over pins, remove each p=n as you approach it.
"Stay-stitching" is a form of
temporary seaming that prevents
stretching of curved edges of gar-
ments. Usually this is on a single
layer of fabric, so reduce top thread
tension slightly to prevent pucker-
ing. Baste about '/C away from in-
tended seamline.
t6

17
ZIGZAG
STITCHING
mAND HOW IT
EXPANDS
YOUR SKILLS
Many plain and
fancy uses
Simple zigzag stttching enables you to
do many exciting things with your Ken-
more sewing machine. Beyond basics,
you'll use zigzag stitching to applique,
embroider and monogram. Unlike
straight stitches, zigzag stitches have a
side-to-side width as well as a stitch
length. You'll find "recipes" for many
zigzag operations on following pages.
You can create an exciting variety of zig-
zag stitches by adjusting stitch width
and length controls (see chart below).
Simple settings
for easy zigzag
sewing
Stitch Selector -Jl
Stitch Width Control -- Various
Stitch Length Control -- 8-t2-24
Stitch Modifier -- Neutral
Zigzag Presser Foot or Satin Stitch Foot
Zigzag Needle Plate

CHANGE
STITCH LENGTH
AND WIDTH
FOR STRENGTH
...FOR VARIETY
YOUR KEY CONTROL is the
Stitch Width Control (21),
When adjusting settings,
remember: the higher the
number the wider the zigzag
stitch, Your choice of zigzag
stitch width and length wilt
depend on the fabric and
job. The stitch length-rule is
usually the lighter the fabric,
the shorter the stitch.
Extra wide zigzag for heavy fab-
rics or those that fray- set
width at 4
Wide zigzag for double layers,
like hemming -- set at 3
Medium zigzag for most con-
struction seems -- set at 2
Narrow zigzag for light febrJcs,
barely shows -- set at 1
Amost important use for basic zigzag
Fabrics that fray? Here's the
solution o,, Use zigzag
overcasting for seams that
tend to ravel, This is gener-
ally done after the garment
is finished. Also, raw or
worn edges of older gar-
ments can be overcast to
prevent further raveling.
o
Q
_i_ Vwv,_W,_,_vVVWv_NVvv_
Special EdgeStitch Settings
Stitch Selector -- il
Stitch Width -- usually at 3
Stitch Length -- usually at !0
Stitch Modifier -- Neutral
Overcast Foot
Zigzag Needleplate
18

19
BLIND HEMMING--
A BASIC STITCH
THAT ADDS A
FINISHING TOUCH
Built-in Blindstitch is a
reai time-saver
RIGHT SIDE OF
FINISHED HEM
Blind hemming is a good technique to use on garments, and
especially on curtains and drapery hems so that stitches need not
show on the front of the fabnc. Because your Kenmore has two
types of blindstitches built in, blind hemming is easier than you'd
expect. It's just a matter of folding.., give it atry!
-- Regular blind stitch for normal fabrics
._ -- Elastic blind stitch for soft, stretchable fabncs
INSIDE
DRESS
FtNISHED
EDGE EDGE
Finish raw edge of fabrtc ap-
propriately. You may want to
use seam tape on woven fab-
rics. With knits use a lace seam
tape or just use decorative
stretch stitch.
Working on wrong side of fab-
ric, fold hem up. Press and pin
in place. Then fold hem allow-
ance under.., leaving _" of
hem edge extending. (Blind
hemming can be simplified by
also using the special Kenmore
Edgestitcher-ptease refer to
p. 37 for details.)
Now the right side of your garment will show
only the blind stitches! Be sure to press both
sides of the finished hem!
Here's how to set your machine:
Stitch Se,ector- _ or
Stitch Width Control -- I_ to 2
Stitch Length Control -- 12 to 10
Stitch Modifier -- Neutral
Blind Stitch Foot
Zigzag Needleplate
SCREW
GUIDE
Place garment under blind stitch
foot with the fold of the garment
against guide and slide it by
turning screw so that the zigzag
just catches the fold,