Riccar Serger User manual

OWNER'S MANUAL
This sewing machine is intended for household use
When using a sewing machine. Basic safety precautions should always be followed, including the
following
Reed all Instructions before using.
DANGER
- To reduce the risk of electric shock:
1. Never leave unattended when plugged in Always unplug this machine from the electric outlet
immediately after using and before cleaning.
2. Always unplug before relamping Replace bulb with same type and wattage
WARNING
- To reduce the risk of bums, fire, electric shock, or Injury to
persons:
1. Do not allow to be used as a toy. Close attention is necessary when this sewing machine is
used by or near children
2. Use this sewing machine 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 sewing machine 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 sewing
machine to the nearest authorized dealer or service center for examination, repair, electrical
or mechanical adjustment.
4. Never operate the sewing machine with any air openings blocked Keep ventilation openings
of the sewing machine and foot controller free from the accumulation of Imt. dust, and loose
doth
5 Never drop or insert any object into any opening
6 Do not use outdoors
7 Do not operate where aerosol (spray) products are being used or where oxygen is being
administered
8. Do not unplug by pulling on cord To unplug, grasp the plug, not the cord
9. Keep fingers away from all moving parts Special care « required around the sewing ma¬
chine needle and knives
10. A lways use the proper needle plate The wrong plate can cause the needle to break
11 Do not use bent needles
12. Do not pull or push fabric while stitching it may deflect the needle causing rt to break
13. Always unplug sewing machine from the electrical outlet when making any adjustments in the
needle area, such as threading needle or loopers changing neeale. knife, or needle plate
14. Always unplug sewing machine from the electrical outlet when removing covers, lubricating,
or when making any other user servicing adjustments mentioned m this manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS
SPECIFICATIONS.1
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR SEWING MACHINE ....2
ACCESS TO THREAD GUIDES AND FREE ARM ...3
ACCESSORIES.4
ELECTRICAL CONNECTION.4
NEEDLE. THREAD AND FABRIC CHART.5
INSERTING THE NEEDLE.5
THREADING THE MACHINE.6
BEFORE STARTING TO SEW.10
OVERLOOK SEWING.11
REGULATING THE THREAD TENSION.11
SETTING STITCH LENGTH.12
SETTING SEAM WIDTH.12
ADJUSTING THE PRESSURE ON FABRIC.12
NARROW AND ROLLED HEMMING.13
ROLLED OVEREDGE.15
TURNING CORNERS.16
FREE ARM SEWING.17
DECORATIVE OVERLOCK.17
CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE.18
BEFORE YOU CALL FOR SERVICE.20
SPECIFICATIONS
Stitch length
1-5 mm
Seam width 3.5-5 mm
Needle bar stroke
27 mm
Presser toot Hinged
Presser toot lift
5 mm
Needle
BL-1.size#11. #14
Number ot threads
3
Dimensions
Width: 290 mm X Depth: 230 mm X Height: 320 mm
Net weight 6.7 kg

REARVIEW
1. Thread Guide Hanger
2. Extension Bar
3. Lower Looper Thread
Tension Dial
4. Upper Looper Thread
Tension Dial
5. Thread Guide and Tension
Disc
6. Needle Thread Tension
Dial
7 Pressure Regulator
8. Thread Take-up Lever
9. Extension Table
10. Free Arm
11. Extension Table Lock/
Release Lever
12. Front Cover
13. Looper Thread Guide
14. Stitch Length Regulator
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR SEWING MACHINE
FRONT VIEW
15. S titch Length Regulator Dial
16 HandWheel
17. Terminal Box
18. Spool Stand
19. Spool Pin
20. Spool Supporter
21. Presser Foot Litter
22. Handle

INSIDE OF FRONT COVER AND FREE ARM
COVER
23. Needle Bar Thread Guide
24. Upper Knile Holder
25. Upper Knife
26. Presser Fool
27. Throal Plate
28. Feed Dog
29. Seam Width Knob
30. Upper Looper
31. Lower Looper
32. Lower Knife
ACCESS TO THREAD GUIDES
AND FREE ARM
1. Place thumb in hollow of front cover and slide it to
the right as far as possible; pull cover down toward
you.
2. To close, lift cover up and it will snap into place.
3. Be sure that the cover is properly closed before
starting to sew
Opening the Extension Table
1. Turn lever located on left side of Extension Table
toward front of machine.
2. Pull Extension Table out to open
3. To close shut and trim lever in opposite direction.
This locks the Extension Table to Free Arm Cover
Removing the Free Arm Cover
Swing Extension Table out with lever in locked position
and Free Arm Cover will stay attached to the Extension
Table.
3

ACCESSORIES
ELECTRICAL CONNECTION
Connect the electncal cord to the machine by inserting
the three-hole plug into the terminal bo* located on the
right side of the machine Connect the cord plug into
an electrical outlet.
Place Foot Control on floor where it is easy to reach
with your foot
To make machine go faster, press down on Foot
Control: to slow down let up slightly
CAUTION
1. Disconnect the electncal cord from the wall
outlet when machine is not in use or when it is
being cleaned.
2. Disconnect the electncal cord from the wall
outlet before changing needles or throat
plates This will help prevent accidents.
4

NEEDLE, THREAD AND FABRIC CHART
The chart shows size and type of thread, and needle size for vanous weights and types of fabrics. Size means the
fineness of both needle and thread
Use BL-1 type needle for this machine The needle size is located on the shank of the needle.
FABRICS
THREADS NEEDLE SIZES
LIGHTWEIGHT:
organdy, voile, taffeta, lawn,
crepe
Cotton #100
Silk #100
Spun #80-100
Tetron #90
#11
MEDIUM WEIGHT:
gingham, satin, seersucker,
linen, velveteen, gabardine,
broadcloth
Cotton #60-80
Silk #50
Spun #60-90
Tetron #60-80
#11.#14
HEAVYWEIGHT:
denim, tweed, corduroy, pile
fabrics
Cotton #40-60
Silk #40-50
Spun #60-90
Tetron #50-60
#14
KNIT
tricot Spun #60-80
Tetron #60-80
#11
jersey Spun #60-80
Tetron #60
#11.#14
wool Spun #60-80
Tetron #50-60
Woolly nylon
Woolly tetron
#14
INSERTING THE NEEDLE
Select the proper type and size needle for fabnc used
(See -NEEDLE, THREAD AND FABRIC CHART-)
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1. Disconnect the electncal cord from the wall outlet.
2. Turn hand wheel toward you until the needle comes
to its highest point.
CAUTION:
Use *BL-1’ needles for this machine.
Household type needles cannot be used, the
needle may break from the high speed of sewing.
3. Use the screw driver provided in the accessory box
to loosen the needle damp screw, and remove the
needle
4. Insert tbe needle as far as it will go with the long
groove facing front.
5. Retighten the screw
5

THREADING THE MACHINE
When threading, be sure to follow the directions given below. The machine will not sew properly if threaded
incorrectly. An illustration for correct threading is given inside the front cover of the machine. The thread guides
are identified with color markings corresponding to the thread to which they belong.
Thread the machine in the following sequence: Upper Looper (threading points marked in green). Lower Looper
(threading points marked in blue), needle (threading points marked in yellow).
extension bar
1. Pull the Extension Bar up as far as it will go.
2. Rotate the Thread Guide Hanger so that the Thread
Guides are right above the spool pins.
3. Place the spools or thread cones on spool pins
Thread spool nets are useful for synthetic threads
which tend to come loose and slip out.
Cover the thread cones with the thread nets provided
in the accessory box.
Bring thread end to the top of the cone.
Thread caps are also provided with the accessories.
They are used when sewing with regular spools. Insert
the stem of cap into the spool hole.
6

threading the upper looper
Open ihe front cover and thread upper looper thread as illustrated below 1 to 10.
Follow thread guides with green color markings on machine.
Threading Chart
3 Bring thread straight down through the slot so that
it passes between the tension discs.
4. Hook thread into guide from the right side.
5. Hook thread from the left side.
6. Hook thread from the right side.
7. Hook thread from the bottom side and pull thread
up.
8. Hook thread from the top side.
9 Hook thread from the bottom side and pull thread
up.
10. Use tweezers to pass thread through the upper
looper hole front to back. Pull at least 7 cm (3
inches) of thread through the upper looper.
7

threading the lower looper
Remove the free arm cover and thread lower looper thread as illustrated below A to I (Thread guides with blue
color marking on machine).
A Pass thread through guide from back to front.
B Bnng thread down and pass through thread guide
and under tension disc.
C. Bring thread straight
down along the slot
so that the thread
passes between the
tension discs.
D. Hook thread into guide from the left side.
E. Hook thread from the right side and pull thread
toward left.
F. Hook thread from the bottom side.
G. Hook thread from the bottom side and pull thread
toward left.
H. Turn hand wheel toward you until the lower looper
is in extreme left position. Pass thread through hole
using the tweezers.
I. Turn hand wheel until the lower looper is in ex¬
treme right position. Use the tweezers to pass
thread through hole front to back. Pull at least 7 cm
(3 inches) of thread through lower looper.

threading the needle
Thread needle thread as illustrated below a to h (Thread guides with yellow color marking on machine).
d. Hook thread into guide from right to left and pull
thread up.
e. Place into guide by sliding thread across top and
down into cutout.
I. H ook thread into guide trom the opening on right
side of guide.
g. Pass thread through guide.
h. Use the tweezers to pass thread through the needle
eye front to back.
a. Pass thread through guide from back to front.
b Bring thread down and pass through thread guide and under Tension Disc.
c. Bring thread straight
down along the slot so
that the thread passes
between the Tension
Discs.
easy thread changing
Instructions for changing threads are given below.
1. Cut the thread near the spools.
2. Exchange the spool with a new one and tie end to
remaining thread making knot as small as possible.
3. Note the numbers on each Thread Tension Dial.
4. Turn Thread Tension Dials to the smallest number.
5. Press Foot Control and run machine until upper and
lower thread knot comes through looper hole.
6. Stop needle thread knot before passing through eye
of needle. Pull needle thread near the needle eye
and cut thread knot.
7. Pass thread through needle eye manually.
8. Return tension dials to noted number.

BEFORE STARTING TO SEW
When the machine is plugged in properly and threaded correctly it is ready tor sewing. To insure good stitches,
make several sewing tests using the same fabnc and thread on which you will sew Make the proper adjustments
while test sewing.
starting to sew
1. Pull 3 threads under the presser toot and toward the back
Check that the threads near loopers and needle should
not be caught by incorrect part.
2. Lower the presser toot.
3. Turn hand wheel toward you 2 or 3 times and check the
thread chain,
4. Press Foot Control lightly pulling threads toward back and
make thread chain about 5 cm (2 inches).
5. Place a scrap ot tabric under the toe ot the presser toot at
the position to be stitched.
6. Hold end ot thread with your left hand and pull gently
when starling to sew
7. When you have started sewing, place hand lightly on
tabric Start machine slowly and gradually increase the
sewing speed.
end of seam
1. When the needle reaches the end ot seam, chain oft by
running the machine until the thread chain is 6-7 cm (2-3
inches) long.
2. Stop the machine and cut the thread chain remaining 3-4
cm (1-2 inches) to the machine. Tie small knots in thread
ends and treat with dot ot seam sealant. Let dry and trim
close to knot.
3. For neater finish, pull thread ends back through seam
using hook or yarn needle.
when thread breaks
It the thread breaks while sewing, remove tabric trom
machine and rethread as indicated below.
• Upper Looper Thread; turn hand wheel toward you until
the upper looper is in the lowest position. Pass thread
through the looper hole.
• Lower Looper Thread; cut the needle threads near needle
hole and rethread the lower looper thread through its
looper hole.
• Needle Thread; rethread needle thread as indicated on
page 9.
To begin sewing, place material 3-4 cm (1-2 inches) behind
point where thread broke.
10

Turning thread tension dial
Needle
Fabric
Thread
Light Weight
Heavy Weight
Needle
Neeedle
Thread
Lower
Lower
Thread
Thread Looper
Thread
Increase
Thread
Increase
Correct thread tension
Top side of
fabric &
UpperLooper
Thread
Needle
Thread
Lower Looper
Thread
OVERLOOK SEWING
This machine will sew overlook stitches and simultaneously tnm the fabnc.
The machine is delivered from the factory preset. You may wish to make some adjustments to better suit individ¬
ual fabncs
REGULATING THE THREAD
TENSION
Quality stitches depend on proper balance between
the three thread tensions. The tension may need
adjusting depending on the type of fabnc. heaviness of
fabric and size of thread used
The table below is a guide for adjusting the thread
tension.
Note: Be sure that the thread is passing between the
tension discs.
TO INCREASE, turn tension dial to a higher
number.
TO DECREASE, turn tension dial to a lower
number
I l— .
This table is a guide for
thread tensions
when sewing with «80 to
#90 polyester spun threads
The charts below are illustrations of stitches needing
adjustment in the thread tension
Needle thread is too loose.
(Clearly visible on the bottom
side of fabric.)
Upper looper thread
bottom side of fabnc
Lower looper thread crossed on
top side of fabric.

SETTING STITCH LENGTH
The stitch length can be adjusted between 1 and 5
mm.
As a rule, light weight fabrics take a shorter stitch.
Heavy weight fabrics need longer stitches.
Most normal sewing is done with stitch length dial set
at 3. This produces a medium length stitch which
makes a strong seam and is suitable for most fabrics.
For shortest stitch, turn dial to 1.
For longest stitch, turn dial to 5.
SETTING SEAM WIDTH
This overedge seam width can be adjusted to sew a
3.5 mm (about 1/8") to 5 mm (about 1/6") stitch. The
machine is set at 3.5 mm which is the width used most
often for overlock sewing. For heavy weight fabrics, set
control knob to wider stitch.
1. Disconnect the electrical cord from the wall outlet.
2. Open front cover and Free Arm Cover.
3. Push the Upper Knife Holder to the right and turn
the Seam Width Knob downward to select wider
stitch width. For smaller width turn knob in opposite
direction.
When adjusting the width, use graduations on throat
plate as guide and line up with left edge of lower knife
holder,
ADJUSTING THE PRESSURE ON
FABRIC
The pressure on the toot can be adjusted for different
weight fabrics.
The fabric should move along smoothly and evenly
without slipping
Stitches should be uniform in size.
The pressure on this machine is set for sewing me¬
dium weight fabncs.
For sewing light weight fabrics, decrease the pressure
(turn screw to left).
For heavy weight fabrics, increase the pressure (turn
screw to right).
12

NARROW AND ROLLED HEMMING
The machine trims fabric, folds back the edge and sews a narrow hem (overedge). The width of the narrow
overedge is 1.5 mm (about 1/16") and is used for overedging light and medium weight fabrics.
Two variations of the rolled overedge hem can be sewn with this machine by changing the thread tension. Both
methods are used with light and medium weight fabrics.
Method B (page 15) gives a softer finish by pulling the interlocking threads to the wrong side.
changing the throat plate
The machine comes with a standard overedge throat plate set to the machine.
Change the throat plate when sewing rolled overedges.
Standard Overedge
Throat Plate
Rolled Hem
Throat Plate
1. Disconnect the electrical cord from the wall outlet.
2. Turn hand wheel toward you until needle is at its
highest point.
3. Lift presser foot bar.
6. Lift the Throat Plate off and
replace with Rolled Hemming
Plate. (Be sure that thread is not
caught under plate.)
7. Retighten the screw and
replace Free Arm Cover.
13

setting controls
Set Ihe controls as follows.
1. Fabric. Thread & Needle
Refer to Page 5 'NEEDLE. THREAD & FABRIC
CHART. for selecting suitable thread and needle
sizes for sewing on light and medium weight fabncs.
2. Stitch Length Regulator
Set stitch length between 1 and 2 mm.
3. Seam Width Knob
The seam width for sewing rolled overedge is
normally 1.5 mm (about 1/16").
Turn seam width knob and adjust so that the left
side of Lower Knife Holder is aligned with the mark
of the Rolled Hem Throat Plate (See page 12.)
sewing
Pull the excess threads gently toward the back and
begin sewing.
Pull fabric lightly in the direction it is being fed
Although the stitch width is set at 1.5 mm. you will
actually need 3.5 mm (about 18") to provide enough
fabric for the fold back.

ROLLED OVEREDGE
The upper loo per thread sews through to the wrong
side of fabric in Method B rolled overedge hem
creating a softer finish
1. Change the Standard Overedge Throat Plate to the
Rolled Hem Throat Plate
2. Settings and sewing of Method B rolled overedge
hem are the same as the Method A rolled overedge
except for thread tension. (See Below)
Stitch Length^
thread tension -Method B
Regulate the tension dials using guide below
Fabric
Needle
Thread
Upper
Looper
Thread
Lower
Looper
Thread
Light and Medium 1.5-3.5 25-5
4-6
NOTE:
This table is a guide for
thread tensions when
sewing with #80 to #90
polyester spun threads
Correct thread tension
Upper Looper
Thread
Needle Thread
Lower Looper
Thread
Wrong side of
fabnc
Needle
Thread
Lower
Looper
Thread
Neeedie
Thread
Upper
Looper
Thread
Needle
Thread
Upper
Looper
Thread
Lower
Looper
Thread
Thread Thread
r
Needle thread is too loose Upper looper thread is too loose Lower looper thread is too loose ]

TURNING CORNERS
outside corner
l *
1. Cut the corner about 5-6 cm (2-
3 inches) along the cutting line end of fabric and stop machine.
3. Raise needle and presser foot.
4 Pull fabric slightly toward the
back and pull out tangled thread
from Throat Plate.
5 Turn fabric and position the
fabnc by lining up the cut line
and knife.
Lower the Presser Foot
6. Resume sewing
inside angle and slits
i L . .
v ~~ .y
1. Sew desired seam line until you
approach the corner
^_ J
2. When you approach the comer,
slow down and allow the knife to
make one more small notch into
the comer
3. Straighten the fabric out in front
of the knife and stitch complet¬
ing the edge
outside curves
The machine can continue sewing when rounding a
curve There is no need to stop the machine and pivot.
Push excess fabnc toward the presser foot giving the
machine more fabnc and continue sewing as if sewing
a straight seam.
16

FREE ARM SEWING
This machine will convert to free arm sewing by simply opening the Extension Table It is used for sewing sleeves
trousers or similar places that are difficult to sew on a flat bed machine.
DECORATIVE OVERLOOK
When you change the Upper Looper Thread to heavier thread or yarn, you can produce decorative overlook
stitching.
Try using various types of thread to create attractive combinations experiment with different tension adjustments
to produce a variety of decorative effects.
Examples;
Upper
Looper
Thread:
Heavy thread
or Yarn.
Upper Looper
Thread:
Wooly Nylon
Rolled hem
Method B
Upper Looper
Thread:
Different
colored thread
(Shorter stitch
length).
17

CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE
Brush around the fabric feed dog
cleaning
Fabric, thread scraps and dust may accumulate around moving parts and effect the functioning of machine
Unplug cord and clean machine with the brush provided in the accessory box.
Brush inside of the front cover
18