Singer 14 U44B/244B Manual

14U44B/244B
3-4THREAD OVERLOCK MACHINE
Operator’s
Guide
SINGER

14U 44B/244B
PREFACE
Thank you for your purchase of this sewing machine.
This machine intended for household use will pro ide you with excellent performance in sewing from light
to hea y material (lawn to denim). Please refer to this booklet for proper use and optimum ser ice. To
get the most out of your sewing machine, read the entire operator’s manual before attempting to operate
the machine. Then familiarize yourself with the machine by following the operator’s manual page by page.
To ensure that you are always pro ided with the most modern sewing capabilities, the manufacturer
reser es the right to change the appearance, design or accessories of this sewing machine when considered
necessary without notification or obligation.
A Trademark f THE SINGER COMPANY
C pyright ©1992 SINGER SEWING MACHINE COMPANY
All Rights Reserved Thr ugh ut The W rld

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
When using this machine, basic safety precautions should always be followed including the
following.
Read all instructions before using this machine.
DANGER
— T reduce the risk f electric sh ck:
The machine should ne er be left unattended when plugged in. Always unplug the machine from the
electric outlet immediately after using and before cleaning.
Always unplug before relamping. Replace bulb with the same type rated 6 watts. Be sure to replace the
face plate which co ers the light bulb before operating the machine.
WARNING
T reduce the risk f burns, fire, electric sh ck r injury t pers ns:
■ Be sure that the electrical oltage of the socket outlet (wall receptacle) is the same as the rated oltage
of the motor.
■ Use this machine only for its intended use as described in this Operator's Guide. Use only attachments
recommended by the manufacturer as contained in the Operator’s Guide.
■ To disconnect, turn all controls to the off (“0”) position, then remo e plug from outlet.
■ Disconnect the power line plug from the socket outlet or switch the machine off when making any
adjustments in the needle area, such as threading needle and loopers, changing needle, changing throat
plate or changing presser foot, etc.
■ Always unplug the machine from the electrical outlet when remo ing co ers, lubricating, or when
making any other user ser icing adjustments mentioned in the Operator’s Guide.
■ Do not attempt to adjust the motor belt. Contact your nearest Ser ice Center should any adjustment
be required.
■ Do not unplug by pulling on cord. To unplug, grasp the plug, not the cord.
■ Handle the foot controller with care and a oid dropping it on the floor. Be sure not to place anything
on top of it.
■ Always use the proper throat plate. The wrong plate can cause the needle to break.
■ Do not use bent needles.
■ When sewing, keep fingers away from all mo ing parts. Special care is required around the sewing
machine needle.
■ Do not pull or push fabric while stitching. It may deflect the needle causing it to break.
■ For double insulated machines, when ser icing use only identical replacement parts. See instructions
for Ser icing of Double-Insulated Appliances.
ft
■ Use only the handle to lift and mo e the machine.
■ Ne er operate the 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 the water. Return the machine to the nearest authorized dealer
or Ser ice Center for examination, repair, electrical, or mechanical adjustment.
■ Ne er operate the machine with any air openings blocked. Keep entilation openings of the machine
and foot controller free from the accumulation of lint, dust, and loose cloth.

■ Ne er drop or insert any object into any opening.
■ Do not use outdoors.
■ Do not operate where aerosol (spray) products are being used or where oxygen is being administered.
■ Do not allow to be used as a toy. Close attention is necessary when the machine is used by or near
children.
■ SERVICING OF DOUBLE-INSULATED PRODUCTS. In a double-insulated product, two systems
of insulation are pro ided instead of grounding. No grounding means is pro ided on a double-insulated
product, nor should a means for grounding be added to the product. Ser icing of a double-insulated
product requires extreme care and knowledge of the system, and should be done only by qualified
ser ice personnel. Replacement parts for a double-insulated product must be identical to those parts
in the product. A double-insulated product is marked with the words “DOUBLE-INSULATION” or
“DOUBLE-INSULATED.”
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
Ser icing should be performed by an authorized ser ice representati e.
This pr duct is intended f r h useh ld use.
FOR EUROPEAN AND SIMILAR TERRITORIES:
This product is suppressed for radio and tele ision interference with the International Electrotechnical
Commission requirements of the CISPR.
Machines for Great Britain and some other countries ha ing similar wiring standards are shipped from
the factory without a plug for connection to the mains. The wires in this mains lead are colored in accord
ance with the following code.
Blue: neutral (N) Brown: li e (L)
As the colors of the wires in the mains lead of this appliance may not correspond with the colored markings
identifying the terminals in your plug, proceed as follows:
The wire which is colored blue must be connected to the terminal which is marked with the letter N or
colored black. The wire which is colored brown must be connected to the terminal which is marked with
letter L or colored red. If a 13 Amp. (BS 1363) plug is used, a 3 Amp. fuse must be fitted, or if any other
type of plug is used, a 5 Amp. fuse must be fitted either in the plug or adaptor or at the distribution board.
Neither cord is to be connected to the earth terminal of a three-pin plug.

CONTENTS
Page
1. Accessories ..................................................... 4
2. Needle information . ........................................4
3. Principal parts .................................................. 5
4. How to open looper co er .............................. 6
5. Principal parts behind looper co er ................ 6
6. Preparation prior to sewing..............................6
7. Setting up the thread guide holder ................... 7
8. How to remo e and insert needle .................... 8
• To remo e needle (s) ........................ .. 8
• To insert needle (s) ..................................... 8
9. How to remo e cylinder co er ........................ 9
10. How to replace cylinder co er.........................9
11. Threading the machine ................................. 10
• Threading diagram ................................... 10
• Understanding the color code ................... 10
• Stitch diagram ........................................... 10
• To thread the machine correctly ................. 10
• Important threading information .............. 17
12. Chaining off and test sewing ......................... 18
13. Basic stitch types ........................................... 19
• 4 thread o erlock
mock safety stitch ................................... 19
• Wide 3 thread o erlock stitch ..................... 19
• Narrow 3 thread o erlock stitch ................ 19
14. How to adjust thread tension ........................ 19
• Suggested tension settings for 4 thread
o erlock mock safety stitch ................... 20
• Correct balance of the 4 thread
o erlock mock safety stitch ................... 20
• How to balance the 4 thread
o erlock mock safety stitch . .... ............. 20
• Suggested tension setting for the
3 thread o erlock stitch ............. ............ 21
• Correct balance of the 3 thread
o erlockstitch ........................................ 21
• How to balance the 3 thread
o erlockstitch..........................................21
15. How to change threads/Tie on method ... .22
16. How to adjust the stitch length ...................... 23
17. How to disengage mo able upper knife ... .23
• To place mo able knife in
nonworking position ............................... 23
• To place mo able knife in working
position ...................................................24
Page
18. Seam guide lines............................................24
19. How to adjust the o eredge
seam width ..................................................25
20. How to sew a rolled hem ............................... 26
• Machine set up..........................................26
• Suggested tension settings for
standard rolled hem ................................ 27
• Suggested tension settings for upper
looper thread wrapped rolled hem . . . .27
• How to balance the upper looper
thread wrapped rolled hem ..................... 27
• Additional information about
rolled hemming .................................. .28
• To secure the rolled hem thread
chain ...................................................... 28
21. Stitch ariations and sewing
techniques...............................................29
• How to sew a flatlock decorati e
seam........................................................29
• How to sew an o erlock blind hem ......... 31
• How to sew pin tucks ............................ .31
• Turning square corners ............................32
• Pin placement .......................................... 33
• Securing the thread chain ......................... 33
• Applying elastic........................................34
• How to reinforce a seam ......................... 35
• Braiding by chaining off .......................... 35
• Differential feed (with differential
feed machine only) ................................. 36
22. How to adjust the presser foot pressure ... .38
23. Free arm sewing ............................................ 38
24. Relationship between cloth, thread
and needle.............................................. 39
25. Machine maintenance ,..................................40
• Cleaning the machine .............................. 40
• Oiling the machine ................................... 40
• How to replace the stationary knife ... .41
• How to exchange light bulb .................... 42
26. Troubleshooting chart ................................... 43
27. Optional accessories and attachments ........... 44
28. Specification..................................................45

‘1. ACCESSORIES
® Needle set
(2) Screwdri er (large size)
(3) Screwdri er (small size)
(4) Tweezers
(5) Rolled hemming throat plate
(6) Hex-head wrench
See page 44 for optional accessories.
2. NEEDLE INFORMATION
*** This o erlook uses a flat shank industrial needle
that eliminates the possibility of inserting the
needle backwards.
* Do not attempt to use a standard household
sewing machine needle of any size or type in this
o erlook.
#2054
Overlook needle
* Singer needle #2054 size 14 is furnished with the
machine. Regular point needles (#2054-42) for
sewing wo en fabrics and ball point needles
(2054-06) are a ailable for sewing knits. Both
types are a ailable in sizes 10, 12, 14 & 16.
* Refer to the chart on page 39 for selecting the
correct needle for your sewing projects.

3. PRINCIPAL PARTS
® Thread guides and holder
® andle
(3) Pressure regulating screw
(4) Left needle thread tension dial (blue)
(5) Right needle thread tension dial (green)
(6) Upper looper thread tension dial (orange)
(7) Lower looper thread tension dial (yellow)
(D Flip and sew convertible bed plate
® Throat plate
® Free arm/cylinder cover
® Looper cover
® Power & light switch
® Stitch length dial

4. HOW TO OPEN LOOPER COVER
* Push the co er to the right as far as it will go. (f)
* Pull co er down toward you. @
Cauti n:
Be sure looper co er is closed when sewing.
5. PRINCIPAL PARTS BEHIND LOOPER
COVER
0 Upper looper
@ Mo able upper knife
@ Presser foot
0 Stationary lower knife
0 Lower looper
6. PREPARATION PRIOR TO SEWING
* Connect the controller/electric plug 0 to the
machine receptacle 0.
* Plug power line 0 into electric outlet 0.
* Power switch Push “I” mark side
(used also for light switch) to turn “ON”
Push “O” mark side
to turn “OFF”
* To run the machine and control the speed, press
the controller.
* The harder you press, the faster the machine will
sew.
* To stop the machine from sewing, remo e your
foot from the controller.

Warning:
Be sure that the electrical oltage of the electric outlet (wall receptacle) is the same as the rated
oltage of the motor.
* Handle the foot controller with care and a oid dropping it on the floor. Be sure not to place
anything on top of it when not in use.
* Disconnect the powerline plug from the electric outlet when changing needles, presser feet or
throat plates, or when lea ing the machine unattended. This eliminates the possibility of starting
the machine by accidentally pressing the controller.
* Before‘cleaning your machine, disconnect the powerHne plug from the electric outlet.
7. SETTING UP THE THREAD GUIDE
HOLDER
* This machine is shipped with the thread guide
holder in the lowered position.
* Fully extend the thread guide holder.
* The two joints on the telescope will cHck into
place when they are correctly positioned.
Center the thread guides abo e the spool pins.
* Place thread o er the cone adapters on the spool
pins.
N te: If the machine is threaded, straighten the
threads to pre ent tangling.

8 HOW TO REMOVE AND INSERT
NEEDLES
• TO REMOVE NEEDLE (S)
* Be sure to disconnect the machine from the
electric outlet before remo ing needle(s).
* Turn the hand wheel toward you until the needle
is at its highest position.
* Loosen, but do not remo e the needle set screw
with the small screwdri er.
— left needle set screw (T)
— right needle set screw (2)
* Remo e the needle(s).
* TO INSERT NEEDLE (S)
* Hold the needle with the flat surface to the back.
* Insert the needle into the needle clamp as far as it
will go,
N te: The left needle (3) will be slightly higher
than the right needle (4).
* Securely tighten the needle set screw.
N te: This machine uses #2054 needles. Refer to
page 4 for additional needle information.
A
Flat surface t the rear

9. HOW TO REMOVE CYLINDER
COVER
* Remo ing the cylinder co er exposes the lower
looper for easy threading and cleaning of the ma
chine.
* While pulling the cylinder co er to the left ®,lift
co er upward and off the machine (2).
10. HOW TO REPLACE CYLINDER
COVER
* Place the tab on top of the cylinder (T) under the
throat plate @.
* Press co er downward and to the right (3).
Warning:
Do not hold the cyUnder co er when lifting or
carrying the machine.
Cauti n:
Be sure cylinder co er is replaced when sewing.

11. THREADING THE MACHINE
• THREADING DIAGRAM
* A color coded threading diagram is located inside
the looper co er for quick reference.
* Thread the machine in the order 0 to 0 as
shown.
* UNDERSTANDING THE COLOR CODE
* Left needle thread — Blue @
* Right needle thread - Green 0
* Upper looper thread — Orange 0
* Lower looper thread — Yellow @
* STITCH DIAGRAM
* Upper looper thread — Orange 0
* Lower looper thread — Yellow 0
* Left needle thread — Blue ®
* Right needle thread — Green 0
• TO THREAD THE MACHINE
CORRECTLY
(1) Threading the Upper L per (Orange)
* Thread the upper looper as indicated © ® •
3 THREADS
LEFT RIGHT
NEEDLE NEEDLE
10

* Pass thread from back to the front through the
thread guide (T).
* Insert thread through the right hole.
* Bring thread up and insert through top of left hole
* old the thread above the tension disc to stabilize
it.(3)-A
* Pass thread down through thread guide (3) —B.
* Pass the thread between the tension discs. (3)—C
* Pull thread up and over the top of the metal
finger. (3)-D
* Pull thread down to make certain it is properly
threaded between the tension discs.
* Thread the looper area of the machine following
the orange color coded thread guides. ((5)~ (D)
* Thread the hole in the upper looper from front to
back (9).
N te: Use the tweezers pro ided in the accessory set
to aid in threading the looper.
* Pull about 5 cm (2 inches) of thread through the
looper and place to the back of the throat plate.

(2) Threading the L wer L per (Yell w)
* Thread the lower looper as indicated ®
Pass thread from back to the front through the
thread guide ®.
* Insert thread down through the right hole.
* Bring thread up and insert through top of left hole
* old the thread above the tension disc to stabilize
it. (D-A
* Pass thread down through thread guide (3)—B.
* Pass the thread between the tension discs. (3)—C
* Pull thread up and over the top of the metal
Finger.®—D
* Pull thread down to make certain it is properly
threaded between the tension discs.
12

* Thread the looper area of the machine following
the yellow color coded thread guides (5)'^(7) •
* Remo e the cylinder co er (page 9) to expose the
lower looper for threading.
* Turn the hand wheel toward you until the lower
looper is at the far left.
* Pull 7.5 ~ 10 cm (3 ~ 4 inches) of thread through
thread guide (8).
* Insert the thread through the left end of the lower
looper. (D
* Drop the thread.
N te: Use the tweezers that are in the accessory set
to aid in threading the looper.
* Turn the hand wheel toward you until the lower
looper is at the far right.
* Pick up the thread and pass it through the hole in
the end of the looper @ .
* The thread should be positioned in the groo e of
the lower looper.
* Pull about 5 cm (2 inches) of thread through the
looper and place it o er the top of the upper
looper and to the back of the throat plate.
13

(3) Threading the Left Needle (Blue)
* Thread the left needle as indicated ®
* Pass thread from back to the front through the
thread guide ®.
* Insert thread down through the right hole.
* Bring thread up and insert through top of left hole
* Hold the thread abo e tension disc to stabilize
it (|)-A.
* Pass the thread between the tension discs (3)—B.
* Pull thread up and o er the top of the metal finger
@-C.
* Pull thread down to make certain it is properly
threaded between the tension discs.
14

* Continue to thread points 0 ^(7).
N te: Lower needle bar when threading ® and
* Pass thread through notch©—A of thread guide©
* Thread the eye of the left needle ®.
* The needle may be easier to thread when the
upper knife is disengaged and placed in the non
operating position, (see page 23).
— Be sure to engage knife before sewing.
* Place the thread to the back, under the presser
foot.
15

(4) Threading the Right Needle (Green)
* Thread the right needle as indicated © ~ (D .
'Tsmi—D
* Pass thread from back to the front through the
thread guide 0.
* Insert thread down through the right hole.
* Bring thread up and insert through top of left hole
* Hold the thread abo e tension disc to stabilize it
(D-A.
* Pass the thread between the tension discs (3)-B.
* Pull thread up and o er the top of the metal finger
@>-C.
* Pull thread down to make certain it is properly
threaded between the tension discs.
16

Continue to thread points (4).
N te: Lower needle bar when threading (6) and ©•
Pass thread through notch®—B of thread guide ®
* Thread the eye of the right needle. (|)
* The needle may be easier to thread when the
upper knife is disengaged and placed in the non
operating position (see page 23).
— Be sure to engage knife before sewing.
* Place the thread to the back, under the presser
foot.
* IMPORTANT THREADING INFORMATION
* Always thread the needle(s) last to pre ent mis-
threading the lower looper.
* If the lower looper should come unthreaded.
1) Unthread the needle(s)
2) Thread the lower looper
3) Thread the needle(s)
17

12. CHAINING OFF AND TEST
SEWING
* When the machine is completely threaded, bring
all of the threads o er the throat plate and slightly
to the left under the presser foot.
* Hold the threads and apply a slight tension.
* Turn the hand wheel toward you 2 or 3 complete
turns to start the thread chain.
* Lower presser foot.
* Continue holding the chain and press on the foot
control until the chain is 5 ~ 7.5 cm (2 3 inches)
in length.
* Place fabric under the front of the presser foot and
sew a test sample.
N te: Do not pull on the fabric while sewing as this
may deflect the needle, causing it to break.
* At the end of the sample, continue to run the
machine with the presser foot down until the
chain reaches 5 ^ 7.5 cm (2 3 inches) in length.
* Clip the thread chain.
N te: Anytime you ha e rethreaded the machine
always chain off and sew a test sample to test
tensions and make adjustments as necessary.
18