Singer 15K - MANUAL 2 User manual

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Sewing Machine No. 15
OSCILLATING SHUTTLE, FOR FAMILY USE
No. 15 Instruction Manual
(WITH ATTACHMENTS 120603)

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Sewing Machine No. 15
Instructions for
Operating the Machine
Main Parts
To Take out the Bobbin
To Wind the Bobbin
To thread the Bobbin Case
To Replace the Bobbin Case
To Set the Needle
To Thread the Needle
To Prepare for Sewing
To Commence Sewing
To Remove the Work
Tensions
To Regulate the Tensions
To Regulate the Length of Stitch
To Turn a Corner
To Regulate the Pressure on the Material
HINTS
The Belt
Machine Working Heavily
To Avoid Breaking Needles
Breaking of Needle Thread
Breaking of Bobbin Thread
Skipping of Stitches
To Oil the Machine
Instructions for
Using the Attachments
Foot Hemmer -- Hemming
Foot Hemmer -- Hemming and
Sewing on Lace
Foot Hemmer -- Felling
Adjustable Hemmer -- Hemming
Adjustable Hemmer -- Wide Hemming
Beinder -- Binding
Tucker
Ruffler
To Attach the Ruffler to the Machine
To Adjust the Ruffler for Gathering
To Make a Ruffle and Sew it to
a Garment in One Operation
To Ruffle and Sew on a
Facing in One Operation
Piping a Ruffle
To Adjust the Ruffler for Plaiting
To Adjust the Ruffler for
Group Plaiting and Gathering
To Oil the Ruffler
Table of Contents

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Sewing Machine No. 15
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Main Parts

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Sewing Machine No. 15
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INSTRUCTIONS FOR OPERATING THE MACHINE
Raise the presser foot (2, Fig 3) by means of the presser bar lifter
(3, Fig. 3) to prevent injury to the foot (2, Fig. 3) and feed (1, Fig. 3).
FIG. 3. FRONT VIEW OF THE MACHINE
It is necessary to understand the stop motion (5, Fig, 3) by which the balance wheel (4, Fig.
3) can be released when required, thus enabling the operator to become proficient in the use
of the treadle, and permitting the winding of bobbins without running the stitching mechanism.
It also allows the operator to wind bobbins without removing partially sewn work and without
unthreading the machine.

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Sewing Machine No. 15
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To release the balance wheel (4, Fig. 3, page 3) turn the stop motion screw (5, Fig. 3, page 3)
over toward you. It will be necessary to hold the balance wheel while loosening the stop
motion screw.
After releasing the balance wheel, place your feet upon the treadle and with the right hand
turn the balance wheel over toward you. This will start the band wheel, treadle and pitman,
the sewing mechanism having been disconnected.
Continue the motion thus begun by an alternate pressure of heel and toe, until a regular and
easy movement is acquired, and the balance wheel kept continuous rotation by use of the
feet alone.
When you are thoroughly familiar with the treadle movement, and can restart the machine
without turning the balance wheel in the wrong direction tighten the stop motion screw to
connect the balance wheel with the stitching: mechanism.
Place a piece of cloth under the presser foot, let the foot down upon it, and operate the
machine in this way without being threaded, until you have become accustomed to guiding
the material.
To Ensure Perfect Action of the Machine
The balance wheel must always turn over toward the operator.
Do not run the machine with the presser foot resting on the feed without cloth under the
presser foot.
Do not run the machine when both bobbin case and needle are threaded unless there is
material under the presser foot.
Do not try to help the machine by pulling the fabric lest you bend the needle. The machine
feeds the work without assistance.
The slide over the bobbin case should be kept closed when the machine is in operation.

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Sewing Machine No. 15
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To Take Out the Bobbin
Draw to the left the slide in the bed of the machine Reach down with the thumb and forefinger
of the left hand, open the bobbin case latch (2, Fig. 4) and lift out the bobbin case. While the
latch remains open, the bobbin is retained in the bobbin case. Release the latch, turn the
open end of the bobbin case downward and the bobbin will drop out.
FIG. 4. TAKING OUT THE BOBBIN CASE

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Sewing Machine No. 15
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To Wind the Bobbin
Release the balance wheel (4, Fig. 3) by turning the stop motion screw (5, Fig. 3) over toward you.
FIG. 5. MACHINE THREADED FOR WINDING THE BOBBIN
Place the bobbin on the bobbin winder spindle (8, Fig. 6) and push it up closely against the
shoulder, having the small pin in the spindle enter the slot in the side of the bobbin. Put the
spool of thread on the spool pin (1, Fig. 5). Pass the end of the thread into the thread guide
(2, Fig. 5) at the left and near the top of the arm, then up into the lower eyelet (3, Fig. 6) of
the bobbin winder thread guide, into the notch (4, Fig. 6) and pass the thread through the slot
in the left side of the bobbin from the inside. Press the bobbin winder pulley (5, Fig. 6) down
on the balance wheel hub, and the latch (7, Fig. 6) will drop down and hold it. Then operate
the treadle the same as for sewing.

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Sewing Machine No. 15
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FIG. 6. WINDING THE BOBBIN
The end of the thread must be held by the hand until a few coils are wound and should then
be broken off. When sufficient thread has been wound upon the bobbin, the bobbin winder is
automatically released from the balance wheel.
If the pressure of the rubber ring (5, Fig. 6) against the hub of the balance wheel is
insufficient for winding the bobbin, loosen the adjusting screw (6, Fig. 6) and press the bobbin
winder lightly until the rubber ring is in contact with the hub of the balance wheel; then tighten
the screw.

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Sewing Machine No. 15
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To Thread the Bobbin Case
Hold the bobbin between the thumb and
forefinger of the right hand, the thread
leading on top from the left toward the right
(see Fig. 7).
With the left hand hold the bobbin case as
shown in Fig. 7, the slot in the edge being at
the top, and place the bobbin into it.
Then pull the thread into the slot in the edge
of the bobbin case (see Fig. 8), draw the
thread down under the tension spring and
into the delivery at the end of the tension
spring (see Fig. 9).
FIG. 7
FIG. 9
FIG. 8

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Sewing Machine No. 15
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To Replace the Bobbin Case
After threading, take the bobbin case by the latch, holding it between the thumb and
forefinger of the left hand. Place the bobbin case on the centre stud (1, Fig. 4) of the shuttle
body with the position finger (1, Fig. 10) opposite the notch at the top of the shuttle race,
release the latch and press the bobbin case back until the latch catches the groove near the
end of the stud. Allow the thread to hang free and close the slide in the bed of the machine.
FIG. 10. BOBBIN CASE THREADED AND REPLACED

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Sewing Machine No. 15
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To Thread the Needle
(See FIG. 11)
Turn the balance wheel over tow toward you
until the thread take-up lever (5) is raised to
its highest point. Place the spool of thread on
the spool pin at the top of the machine, lead
the thread toward the left through the thread
guide (1) at the back and at the top of the
face plate, down, under and from back to
front between the tension discs (2) up back of
the tension thread guard (3), down into the
loop of the takeup spring (4), up and from
back to front through the hole in the end of
the thread take-up lever (5), down into the
eyelet (6) in front of the face plate, into the
lower wire guide (7), then from left to right
through the eye of the
needle (8).
Draw about two inches of thread through the
eye of the needle with which to corn com-
mence sewing.
To Set the Needle
Turn the balance wheel over toward you until the needle bar (9, Fig. 5) moves up to its
highest paint, loosen the thumb screw (10, Fig 5) in the needle clamp (11, Fig. 5) and put the
needle up into the clamp as far as it will go, with its flat side toward the right, then tighten the
thumb screw.
FIG. 11 THREADING THE NEEDLE

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Sewing Machine No. 15
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To Prepare for Sewing
With the left hand hold the end of the needle thread, leaving it slack from the hand to the needle.
FIG. 12 DRAWING UP THE BOBBIN THREAD
Turn thebalancewheel over toward you until theneedle movesdownand up again to its highest point,
thuscatchingthebobbinthread;drawupthe needlethreadandthebobbinthreadwillcomeupwithit
throughtheholein the throat] plate(seeFig. 12).Layboththreads back underthepresserfoot.
ToCommence Sewing
Place thematerial beneath the presserfoot, lower the presserfootandcommence to sew, turning the
balancewheelovertoward you.
To Remove the Work
Let thethread take up leverrestat itshighestpoint,raise thepresser footanddrawthefabric back andto
the left, passthe threadsoverthe thread cutter (1, Fig.12) andpulldown lightly to sever them. Leave the
endsof thethreadsunder the presser foot.

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Sewing Machine No. 15
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Tensions
For ordinary stitching, the needle and bobbin threads should be locked in the centre of the
thickness of the material, thus:
FIG. 13. PERFECT STITCH
If the tension on the needle thread is too tight, or if that on the bobbin thread is too loose, the
needle thread will lie straight along the upper surface of the material, thus:
FIG. 14. TIGHT NEEDLE THREAD TENSION
If the tension on the bobbin thread is too tight or if that on the needle thread is too loose, the
bobbin thread will lie straight along the under side of the material, thus:
FIG. 15. LOOSE NEEDLE THREAD TENSION
To Regulate the Tensions
The tension on the needle thread should only be regulated when the presser foot is down.
Having lowered the presser foot, turn the small thumb nut (12, Fig. 5) at the front of the
tension discs over toward you to increase the tension. To decrease the tension, turn the
thumb nut over from you.

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Sewing Machine No. 15
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The tension on the bobbin thread is regulated by the screw (1, Fig. 8) in the bobbin case tension
spring. To increase the tension, turn the screw over to the right.To decrease the tension, turn the
screw over to the left.
When the tension on the bobbin thread has been once properly adjusted, it is seldom necessary to
change it, as a correct stitch can usually be obtained by varying the tension on the needle thread.
To Regulate the Length of Stitch
The length of stitch is regulated by the large thumb screw (14, Fig. 6) in the slot on the front of the
arm near the bobbin winder.
To lengthen the stitch, loosen this screw and move it downward. To shorten the stitch, move the
screw upward. When the desired length of stitch is obtained, tighten the thumb screw.
To Turn a Corner
Stop the machine with the needle at its lowest point. Raise the presser foot and turn the work as
desired, using the needle as a pivot.
To Regulate the Pressure on the Material
For ordinary family sewing, it is seldom necessary to change the pressure on the material. If sewing
fine silk or flimsy material, lighten the pressure by turning the thumb screw (13, Fig. 5) on the top of
the machine over to the left. To increase the pressure, turn this screw over to the right. The pres-
sure should be only heavy enough to prevent the material from rising with the needle and to enable
the feed to move the work along evenly; a heavier pressure will make the machine run hard.
To Sew Flannel or Bias Seams
Use a short stitch and as light a tension as possible on the needle thread so as to have the thread
loose enough in the seam to allow the goods to stretch if necessary.
A Stitch to Ravel Easily
can be made if desired, by having the tension on the needle thread so light that the bobbin thread
will not draw into the goods but lie straight, as shown in Fig. 15.

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Sewing Machine No. 15
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HINTS
The Belt. See that the belt is not too tight; it should always be tight enough to not slip. If too
loose, remove the hook at one end, shorten the belt and rejoin.
Machine Working Heavily. If the machine runs hard after standing idle for some time, use a
little kerosene in the oiling places. run the machine rapidly, then wipe clean and oil.
To Avoid Breaking Needles. See that the presser foot or attachments are securely fastened
by the thumb screw. Do not sew heavy seams or very thick goods with too fine a needle. A
large needle and thread to correspond should be used on heavy work.
See that the needle is not bent and avoid pulling the material when stitching.
Breaking of Needle Thread. If the needle thread breaks it may be caused by:
• Improper threading.
• Tension being too tight.
•The thread being too coarse for size of needle.
•The needle being bent, having a blunt point, or being set incorrectly
Breaking of Bobbin Thread. If the bobbin thread breaks it may be caused by:
• Improper threading of bobbin case.
• Tension being too tight.
Skipping of Stitches. The needle may not be accurately set into the needle bar or the
needle may be blunt or bent. The needle may be too small for the thread in use.

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Sewing Machine No. 15
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To Oil the Machine
To ensure easy running, the machine and stand require oiling and if used continuously should
be oiled each day. With moderate use, an occasional oiling is sufficient. Oil should be applied
at each of the places shown by arrows in Figs. 10, 16 and 17. One drop of oil at each point is
sufficient. Oil holes are provided in the machine for bearings which cannot be directly
reached.
FIG. 16. OILING POINTS AT THE FRONT OF THE MACHINE
Draw to the left the slide in the bed of the machine and apply a few drops of oil to the shuttle
race (2, Fig. 10). The slide should then be closed.
Loosen the screw (1, Fig. 16) near the upper end of the face plate, raise the plate and slip it
off over the head of the screw; put one drop of oil into each of the oil holes and joints.

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Sewing Machine No. 15
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On the back of the arm is a round plate or cover, fastened by a thumb screw; loosen the
screw, turn the plate upward and fasten by tightening the screw; turn the balance wheel
slowly and oil the moving parts inside, then turn the cover down and fasten it as before.
To reach the parts underneath the bed, the belt must be thrown oil the band wheel on the
machine stand. For this purpose a belt shifter (6, Fig. 1) is placed at the front of the band
wheel. By pressing the belt shifter lever to the left and working the treadle meanwhile, the belt
is released and the head can then be turned back on its hinges. The places to be oiled are
indicated in Fig. 17, by arrows pointing to the oil holes and bearings.
FIG. 17. OILING POINTS IN BASE OF MACHINE
To oil the stand, put a drop of oil on the centres on which the band wheel and treadle work,
and both ends of the pitman rod which connects the treadle with the band wheel.

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Sewing Machine No. 15
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INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING THE ATTACHMENTS
FOOT HEMMER - Hemming
Raise the needle to its highest point. Remove the presser foot and attach the foot hem mer in
its place (see Fig. 18). Clip off the right hand corner of the cloth, so that it will take the roll
easily, turn up the edge about a quarter of an inch, insert it in the mouth of the hemmer and
draw or push it along until under the needle. Then let down the presser bar and after taking
two or three stitches, draw gently on the ends of the threads to help the work along till the
feed catches it. In order to produce a smooth even hem, the mouth of the hemmer must be
kept just full.
FIG. 18
Fig. 18 shows also what is known as a bag seam or fell, made by passing two pieces of fab-
ric through the hemmer together and hemming them down.

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Sewing Machine No. 15
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FOOT HEMMER - Hemming and Sewing on Lace
Start the hem as previously explained, and when it is well started, raise the needle to its
highest point. Raise the hemmer to relieve its pressure on the hem, pass the end of the lace
through the slot in the side of the hemmer, under the back of the hemmer and over the hem,
as shown in Fig. 19.
Take care that the hem is not displaced in the hemmer and that the needle goes down
through the lace and hem together.Then let down the presser bar and guide the lace over
the front of the hemmer, keeping it well into the slot.
FIG. 19

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Sewing Machine No. 15
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FOOT HEMMER - Felling
The two pieces of cloth to be felled should be laid one over the other, rightsides together, the
edge of the under piece being a little farther to the right than the upper piece. Stitch them
together, using the hemmer as a presser foot, the front end of the hemmer forming a guide
for the edges of both pieces, the upper piece being guided by the inside and the under piece
by the outside of the projecting front of the foot hemmer (see Fig. 20).
FIG. 20