Singer 337 User manual

T H E S I N G F__ R C O M P A N Y

Form
(865) K6644 Printed in Great Britain

SINGER*
Sewing Machine Model 337

2
CONGRATULATIONS !
As the Owner of_a SING[R*337 Sewing Machine... you
have a dependable, smooth running zig-zag sewing machine
that is outstanding in its simplicity of operation. You can
overcast a seam, make a buttonhole or stitch a decorative
applique. Then, switch instantly to straight stitching for
seaming, machine basting, or darning.
You will find these features especially helpful
•TRANSPARENT "DROP-IN " BOB-
BIN... located in front of the needle;
shows thread supply at a glance.
• SINGLE-TURN TENSION . . . num-
bered to eliminate guesswork in duplicating
settings.
•THROAT PLATE... clamp type for
easy removal; calibrated for control of seam
width.
• BUILT-IN SEWING LIGHT... pull-
down bracket for easy bulb replacement.
SINGER SERVICE
Wherever you go you will find expert, dependable SINGER* Service close at hand. Look
under SINGER COMPANY, in the phone book, for the address of the nearest SINGER
CENTER. Here, you can obtain the services of a trained SINGER repair man, warranted
SINGER parts, sewing information and services, sewing aids and notions.
Copyright Under International Copyright Union
*A Trademark of THE SINGER COMPANY

3
PRESSURE
PRESSER FOOT
NEEDLE THREAD
TENSION
REGULATOR
THREAD CUTTER
PRINCIPAL PARTS OF
STITCH WIDTH
SELE(
L1GH'[
MACHINE 337
BOBBIN WINDER
LEVER
HAND
WHEEL
BOBBIN
WINDER
SPINDLE
STITCH
H
LEVER
THROAT
3HT SWITCH
BOBBIN WINDER
TENSION BRACKET
SLIDE PLA

TO Remove the Bobbin--
4
'HOW TO WIND THE BOBBIN
Open slide plate and lift out bobbin.

O
To Wind the Bobbin
Loosen stop-motion screw.
!,
.... i
%.
D
BOBBIN WINDER
TENSION DISCS
STOP-MOTION
SCREW
5
BOBBIN WINDER
LEVER
•Place spool of thread on spool pin.
•Thread through guide and between
bobbin winder tension discs.
• Lead end of thread through hole in
bobbin and place bobbin on spindle.
• Move bobbin winder lever to the right.
• Hold end of thread and start machine.
• Cut off thread end after a few coils have
been wound on bobbin.
.... '_'_,,_, ,,_,,,,._,,_,,_7,_-_-,,_,_%.
1 _¢_
When bobbin is full, stop machine.
Cut connecting thread about 3 inches
from bobbin.
Move bobbin winder lever to left and
remove bobbin.
Tighten stop-motion screw, as shown
above.

6
To Replace the Bobbin
0
/
Hold bobbin so that thread leads off in
direction shown. •Place bobbin in case.
•Lead thread into slot and under spring.
Draw thread into notch at end of spring;
pull about 3 inches of thread across
bobbin. •Close slide plate.

7
HOW TO THREAD THE MACHINE
'_:; !
?
iJ
i/::
Raise take-up lever to highest point.
Lead thread
shown. through threading points
._'_
• Thread needle from front to back.
• Draw about 4 inches of thread through
eye of needle.

FABRIC, THREAD, NEEDLE
8
AND STITCH LENGTH CHART
FABRICS
__ m
DELICATE---tulle, chiffon, fine lace, silk,
organdy, fine tricot
LIGHTWEIGHTBbatiste, organdy, Jersey,
voile, taffeta, silk crepe, plastic film
MEDIUM WEIGHTBgingham, percale, pique,
linen, chintz, faille, satin, fine corduroy, suitings
MEDIUM HEAVY--gabardine, tweed, sailcloth,
denim, coatings, drapery fabrics
HEAVYmovercoatings, dungaree, upholstery
fabrics, canvas
THREAD
SIZES
Fine Mercerized
100 to 150 Cotton
Synthetic Thread
50 Mercerized
80 to 100 Cotton
"A" silk
Synthetic Th read
50 Mercerized
60 to 80 Cotton
"A" Silk
Synthetic Thread
Heavy Duty Merc.
40 to 60 Cotton
NEEDLE
SIZES
9
II
14
MACHINE STITCHES
PER INCH
STRAIGHT STITCHING
15 to 20
-- w
12 to 15
(8 to 10 for plastic)
Heavy Duty Merc.
24 to 40 Cotton
16
12 to 15
10 to 12
18 8 to 10

HOW
9
TO INSERT A NEEDLE
This machine uses needle, Catalog
2020 (15 x 1). Sizes 9, 11, 14, 16
and 18.
For perfect stitching, select correct needle
and thread to correspond with fabric
according to table on page 8. Be sure to use
like threads for both needle and bobbin.
NEEDLE
BAR NEEDLE CLAMP
/
• Raise needle bar to highest point by
turning hand wheel toward you.
•Loosen needle clamp screw.
Insert needle upward into clamp as far
as it will go, with fiat side of needle to
back and long groove toward you.
•Tighten needle clamp screw.
LONG GROOYE
TOWARD YO U

10
STITCH CONTROLS
REVERSE
TO RELEASE
TO TIGHTEN
Stitch Length Lever
Numerals on either side of the lever
represent number of stitches per inch. The
higher the number, the shorter the stitch.
The area above' 20 is used for adjusting
zig-zag satin stitch length.
To set stitch length
Loosen thumb nut by turning it to the
left.
• Move lever to desired stitch length
setting.
Tighten thumb nut by turning it tO the
right.
To stitch in reverse
Set stitch length as explained above, and
raise lever as far as it will go. Exception:
When lever is in No. 6 position, it is" locked"
and thumb nut must be loosened before lever
cari be raised to reverse stitching position.

11
Stitch Width Selector
T
0
1234
i |
I
i[l
STRAIGHT STITCH SETTING
0ZIG-ZAG STITCH SETTINGS
1 to4
The stitch width selector regula[es the swing of the needle from a straight
position 0 to a maximum zig-zag width 4 (5/32 inch).
To position, slide selector to desired setting. As the lever is moved to the right
the width of the zig-zag stitch is increased. Settings of I thru 4 are indicated but
intermediate settings may also be used.
To avoid damage to needle and fabric, do notmake any selector adjustments
with the needle in the fabric.

17.
0Hold needle thread lightly with left hand.
Pull end of bobbin
throat plate.
thread up through

13
PRESSURE ADJUSTMENTS
,_,t_:_'\_'g_\ _z_%_'_
i!i!i
i!:ii. i Iti
'_,_,_'
O
O
To decrease pressure, turn thumb
screw counterclockwise.
To increase pressure, turn thumb
screw clockwise.
DECREASE INCREASE
Smooth, even handling of several thicknesses of fabric results
when pressure is correctly regulated.
Surface finish, as well as the weight and texture of the fabric,
must be considered in determining the amount of pressure needed.
Adjustment of the thumb screw regulates the amount of pressure
exerted on the material while it is being stitched.
Too light a pressure will result in irregular feeding which affects
both quality of stitch and evenness of seams.
Too heavy a pressure not only affects stitch and seam quality but
will mar smooth surfaces and pile fabrics.

14
NEEDLE THREAD TENSION,
STRAIGHT STITCHING
_11__ - ~_.t_
Needle thread tension too Needle thread tension too
tight--correct by setting dial to loose---correct by setting dial to
lower number, higher number.
A perfectly locked straight stitch results with upper and lower tensions balanced
so that needle and bobbin threads are drawn equally into fabric.

15
_ _:_ BOBBIN THREAD TENSION __ _._L
STRAIGHT STITCHING
Bobbin thread tension too tight--
correct by turning screw counterclock-
wise.
Bobbin thread tension too loose--
correct by turning screw clockwise.
Aperfectly locked straight stitch results with upper and lower tensions balanced
so that needle and bobbin threads are drawn equally into fabric.

16
SATIN
STITCH
AREA
STITCH LENGTH ADJUSTMENT
8
FOR ZIG-ZAG SATIN STITCHING
Satin stitching, a series of closely spaced zig-zag stitches
that form a smooth satin-like surface, is useful for both utility
and decorative stitching.
337
STITCH LENGTH LEVER
IN SATIN STITCH AREA
To Adjust Stitch Length for Satin Stitching.
•Move stitch length lever above 20 to satin stitch area.
• Run machine at slow speed.
• Tighten indicator by turning thumb screw to the right,
until stitches form a smooth surface.
Make atest sample first before proceeding with the actual
work. The Special Purpose presser foot, described on page 26,
is recommended for decorative satin stitching, and for making
buttonholes.

NEEDLE THREAD TENSION
17
ADJUSTMENT FOR ZIG-ZAG SATIN STITCHING
Zig-zag stitching requires less needle thread
tension than straight stitching; and closely
spaced zig-zag stitches that form a smooth
satin-like surface require less tension than
widely spaced, _pen zig-zag stitches. Further-
more, the wider the satin stitching, the lighter
the tension required.
To determine correct tension setting, a
test sample should be made on a scrap of the
fabric to be used. A properly balanced satin
stitch should lie fiat across the material.
Some soft fabrics may require the addition
of a backing to insure good stitching. Crisp
organdy and lawn are suitable for this
purpose.
The Special Purpose presser foot, described
on page 26, is recommended for decorative
satin stitch work and for making buttonholes. Correct incorrect

18
ZIG-ZAG APPLICATIONS
LINGERIE SEAMS
Dainty lingerie seams are made durable
with zig-zag stitching. After straight stitching
seam on wrong side, press both seam allow-
ances in same direction. From right side,
top-stitch with a fine zig-zag setting (1½
width), letting needle alternately enter seam
line and seam thicknesses, l his finish is
particularly suitable for bias seams.
KNIT FABRIC SEAMS
Anarrow zig-zag stitch is ideal for seaming
knit fabrics. It is particularly suitable for
underarm seams, or other seams where
elasticity and give are needed.
For curved or bias seams, where a stay is
needed to prevent undue stretching, this same
stitch can be used to apply seam tape.