Singer 4166 User manual

SINGER 4166 INSTRUCTION BOOK
MANUAL
DE INSTRUCCIONES
DE LA
MÁQUINA DE COSER SINGER 4166
MODE D’EMPLOI

-1-
CONTENTS
MAIN PARTS 2
ACCESSORIES 4
OPENING THE ACCESSORY CASE 4
REMOVING THE EXTENSION TABLE 5
OPENING THE ACCESSORY CASE 5
DUST COVER (OPTIONAL) 5
CHANGING THE PRESSER FOOT 6
REMOVING THE PRESSER FOOT HOLDER 6
INSERTING THE NEEDLE 6
CONNECTING THE MACHINE 7
CONTROL BUTTONS & 8
8
8
REVERSE STITCH BUTTON
NEEDLE UP/DOWN BUTTON
SETTING UP YOUR WHITE SEWING
MACHINE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION 9
POLARIZED PLUG INFORMATION 9
DROP FEED LEVER
WHERE TO USE EACH STITCH 10
BOBBIN WINDING 11
WINDING THE BOBBIN 11
INSERTING THE BOBBIN 12
THREADING THE MACHINE 13
THREADING THE UPPER THREAD 13
13
THREADING THE TOP THREAD
STARTING TO SEW 15
START AND END OF SEAM 15
REVERSE STITCHING 16
TURNING CORNERS 16
SEWING HEAVY FABRIC 16
SEWING OVER OVERLAPPED AREAS 16
ADJUSTING THE THREAD TENSIONS 17
FABRIC, THREAD AND NEEDLE TABLE 18
STRAIGHT STITCH SEWING 19
ZIGZAG STITCH SEWING 20
20
FREE ARM SEWING
OVERCASTING-OVERLOCKING 21
USING THE GENERAL PURPOSE FOOT 21
BLIND HEM STITCHING 22
BUTTONHOLE SEWING 23
MULTI-STITCH ZIGZAG 25
ELASTIC STITCH SEWING 25
26
FEED DOG CONTROL
27
PATCH WORK
APPLIQUE 27
INSERTING ZIPPERS 28
SCALLOP STITCH 29
CONTINUOUS DECORATIVE PATTERN 29
SEWING LIGHT WEIGHT FABRICS 29
CARING FOR YOUR MACHINE 30
CLEANING THE FEED DOGS AND HOOK AREA 30
HELPFUL HINTS 31
THREADING THE NEEDLE EYE 14
14
DRAWING UP THE BOBBIN THREAD

MAIN PARTS
1.Face Plate
2.Reverse Stitch Button
3.Slow Button
4.Start/Stop Button
5.Speed Control Lever
6.Extension Table (Accessory Case)
7.Bobbin Winder Tension disc
8.Needle Up/Down Button
9.Thread Tension Regulator
10.Spool pin
11.Bobbin winder Shaft
12.Bobbin Winder Stop
13.Hand Wheel
14.Stitch Width Button
15.Stitch Length Button
16.Pattern Selector Button
17.Thread Cutter
1
3
17
4
5
2
6
78910 11 12 13
-2-
5858
4747
57575656
46464545
5959 6060
4848 4949
16161515141413131212
3636
2525
35353434
24242323
3737 3838
2626 2727
030302020101 0404 0505
6363
5252
6161 6262
5050 5151
6464 6565
5353 5454
6666
5555
2121
2020191918181717
4141
3030
3939 4040
2828 2929
4242 4343
3131 3232
08080606 0707 0909 1010
2222
4444
3333
1111
14
15
16

-3-
20
21
23
22
18
19
32
26
31
27
28
29
30
35
34
38
37
36
25
24
39
18.Carrying Handle
19.Thread guide for upper threading
20.Power switch
21.Air vent
22.Foot control plug
23.Plug socket
24.Power cord
25.Foot control
26.Lower thread guide
27.Needle threader lever
28.Needle threader
29.Buttonhole lever
30.Presser foot thumb screw
31.Needle plate
32.Bobbin cover
34.Presser foot holder
35.Presser foot
36.Needle thread guide
37.Needle clamp screw
38.Presser foot lever
39.Drop feed lever
33
33.Bobbin cover release lever

ACCESSORIES
-4-
1.Needle set
2.Bobbins
3.Spool pin cap (large)
4.Spool pin cap (small)
5.Straight stitch foot
6.Needle plate screwdriver
7.Screwdriver
8.Buttonhole opener with brush
9.Oiler
10.Buttonhole Foot
11.Overcasting Foot
12.Zipper Foot
123
4
OPENING THE ACCESSORY CASE
To open the accessory case, lift up on the
top left side of the table and pull toward you.
6
5
7
11
12
8
910
Some accessories are provided in the accessory case.
13
13.Blind hem Foot
14
14.Satin Foot

-5-
a.REMOVING THE EXTENSION TABLE
Hook your finger to the bottom of extension
table and slid to the left. To attach, insert to
the right.
b.OPENING THE ACCESSORY CASE
Hook your finger to the left side of accessory
case and pull toward you.
DUST COVER
Cover the machine with dust cover when it is
not in use.
This manual will be stored on the holder
provided on the side of the cover.

-6-
CHANGING THE PRESSER FOOT
The presser foot must be changed according to the stitch you sew, or work you do.
CAUTION:To prevent accidents.
Turn off the power switch before you change the presser foot.
1.Turn the hand wheel toward you until the
needle is at its highest point.
2.Raise the presser foot lifter.
3.Remove the presser foot by pushing the
presser foot release lever toward you.
4.Place desired foot with its pin directly under
the slot in presser foot holder.
5.Lower the presser foot lifter and the presser
foot will snap into place.
REMOVING THE PRESSER FOOT HOLDER
INSERTING THE NEEDLE
Select a needle of the right type and size for the fabric to be sewn.
CAUTION:To prevent accidents.
Turn off the power before removing the needle.
1.Turn the hand wheel toward you until the
needle is at its highest point.
2.Loosen the needle clamp screw.
3.Remove the needle.
4.Insert new needle into needle clamp with
the flat side to the back and push it up as
far as it will go.
5.Tighten the needle clamp screw.
A.Do not use bent or blunt needles.
Place needle on a flat surface and check
to see if bent.
55
A
3
4
1
5
AA
3
2
1
!
!
4
You may need to remove the presser foot holder to use
some presser feet.
To remove, raise the presser foot lifter and loosen the
presser foot thumb screw (A).
To attach, tighten the screw after raising the presser foot
holder.
22

-7-
CONNECTING THE MACHINE
Place the machine on a stable table.
1.Connect the power line cord to the
machine by inserting the 2-hole plug into
the terminal box.
2.Connect the power line plug to the
electric outlet.
3.Turn on the power switch.
4.A lamp will light up when switch is turned
on.
To disconnect, turn the power switch to the
off position, then remove plug from outlet.
POLARIZED PLUG INFORMATION
This appliance has a polarized plug (one
blade wider than the other). To reduce the
risk of electric shock, this plug is intended to
fit in a polarized outlet only one way. If the
plug does not fit fully in the outlet, reverse
the plug. If it still does not fit, contact a
qualified electrician to install the proper
outlet. Do not modify the plug in any way.
!
!
DANGER:
-To reduce the risk of electric shock.
Never leave the machine unattended when plugged in. Always unplug this machine from the
electric outlet immediately after using and before maintenance.
WARNING:
-To reduce the risk of burns, fire, electric shock,
or injury to persons.
Do not unplug by pulling on the cord. To unplug, grasp the plug, not the cord.
11
22

-8-
CONTROL BUTTONS & DROP FEED LEVER
FF
CC
A.START / STOP BUTTON
B.SLIDE SPEED CONTROL LEVER
C.LOW SPEED BUTTON
D.REVERSE STITCH BUTTON
E.NEEDLE UP / DOWN BUTTON
F.DROP FEED LEVER
The machine will start running when the START / STOP button is pressed and will stop when
pressed the second time. The machine will sew slowly the first 3 stitches sewn.
When using the START / STOP button, the machine will sew faster when the slide speed
control lever is moved to the right, and sew slower when the lever is moved to the left.
The machine will sew in low speed while holding the low speed button. Press the START / STOP
button or foot control to return toregular speed.
Stitches 1, 2 and 6: The REVERSE STITCH button will sew in reverse while the button is
pressed and return to forward stitching when the button is released.
Other stitches: The REVERSE STITCH button will sew 3-4 stitches to tie-off the stitching
and then stop sewing. Continue sewing by pressing the START / STOP button or foot control.
When the presser foot is down, the needle can be raised or lowered by pressing this button.
When the presser foot is up, press this button for one complete stitch.
The feed dogs project up through the needle plate, directly below the presser foot move the
fabric being sewn. Located under the left end of the free arm, the drop feed lever moves the
feed dogs into the up or down position.
For darning or free motion embroidery or whenever fabric is to be fed by hand, push the lever
in and to the back of machine to lower the feed dogs into the DOWN position.
For return to ordinary sewing, move the lever in and forward to release the lever to move out.
This will position the feed dogs in the UP position for machine feeding.
DDEEEE
AA
BB

-9-
FOOT CONTROLLER
Use of foot controller will permit control of start, stop and speed with your foot.
!CAUTION: To prevent accidents.
1.Turn off the power switch.
2.Push foot controller plug into receptacle on machine.
3.Place foot controller at your feet and turn on power switch.
Sew faster by increasing the pressure on the controller.
To stop, remove your foot from the controller.
CONTROL BUTTON FUNCTIONS
The control button functions described in
previous page will change when the foot
control is connected.
A.START/STOP BUTTON
This button will be deactivated.
B.SPEED CONTROL BUTTON
This button will limit the maximum speed.
C.REVERSE STITCH BUTTON
The machine will continue to sew reverse at same speed while this button is pressed.
When released, the machine will continue to sew forward.
!WARNING:
-To reduce the risk of burns, fire, electric shock, or injury to persons.
1.Handle the foot controller with care and avoid dropping it on the floor. Be sure not
to place anything on top of it.
2.Use only foot controller provided with this machine.
1
2
SAFETY FEATURE OF ELECTRONIC MODEL
If the machine is jammed, it will stop with three
beep sounds. After the cause of jamming is
removed, step on the foot control and it will
run in normal condition.

-11-
BOBBIN WINDING
WINDING THE BOBBIN
spool of thread on the pin.
1.Pivot spool pin into highest horizontal spool pin position.
2.Pass a spool of thread on the spool pin. Secure to place a
3.Pass thread fread from spool through thread guides as shown.
4.Pull end of thread through hole in bobbin as shown.
5.Make sure the bobbin winder shaft is in left position. Place bobbin onto shaft with end
6.Start machine. The thread that is held will snap or may be trimmed with a scissors.
45
3
2
1
2
1
REMOVING THE BOBBIN
1.Remove the slide cover by sliding the
locker to right and push down the left
corner of slide cover.
At the same time.
2.Remove the bobbin from the machine.
2.Pass a spool of thread on the spool pin. Secure to place a
Secure it with the spool cap to ensure smooth flow of thread.
of thread coming from top of bobbin. Push bobbin winder shaft to right until it
clicks. Hold onto end of thread.
Bobbin will cease turning when completely filled. Push shaft to left to remove
bobbin.

-12-
22
C
B
3
4
A
11
INSERTING THE BOBBIN
1. Place bobbin into bobbin holder with the
thread unwinding counter clockwise.
2. Draw thread into notch (A).
3. Pull thread toward the left and along the
inside of spring (B) until it slips into notch
(C) being sure that thread does not slip out
of notch (A).
4. Pull thread out about 10 inches and replace
the slide cover.
C
B
A

-13-
THREADING THE MACHINE
1
2
3
44
5
6
11
22
33
44
55
66
THREADING THE UPPER THREAD
THREADING THE TOP THREAD
1. Raise the presser foot lever.
2. Raise the needle to its highest position by rotating the hand
wheel towards you.
3. Thread the machine in the order as illustrated.
1
22
1.Raise the presser foot lifter.
2.Press the needle up/down button and set
needle in up position.
3.Place a spool of thread onto spool pin
and set the spool cap.
4.Pass thread through thread guide.
5.Pass thread along the arrow marks on
machine.

12
A
3
5
4
67
123
4
THREADING THE NEEDLE EYE
1.Lower the presser foot.
2.Set needle in up position.
3.Lower the threader slowly and draw
thread through thread guide (A) and
pull toward the right.
4.Lower the lever as far as it will go
The threader will turn and the hook
pin will go through the needle eye.
5.Draw thread through the lower
guide.
6.Hold thread loosely and release the
lever. Hook will turn and pass
thread through needle eye while
making a loop.
7.Pull thread out about 10 inches from
needle eye.
Note: The needle threader is used for
needle sizes 11,14, and 16.
!CAUTION: To prevent accidents.
Do not lower the threader lever while machine is operating.
DRAWING UP THE BOBBIN THREAD
1.Raise the presser foot.
2.Hold the upper thread loosely and
press needle up/down button twice.
The hand wheel will turn one complete
turn.
3.Pull upper thread lightly. Bobbin thread
will come up in a loop.
4.Pull both upper and bobbin threads about
10 inches toward the back of presser foot.
-14-

-15-
STARTING TO SEW
1
2
37
5
44
46
The machine will be set at 01 automatically to sew straight stitches when power switch is turned on.
CAUTION:To prevent accidents.
While sewing, special care is required
around the needle.
The machine will automatically feed the
Simply guide the fabric to sew straight.
1. Check the presser foot (General Purpose Presser Foot).
Refer to page 6 for changing the presser foot.
2. Place the fabric under the presser foot.
3. Lower the presser foot.
4. Hold back both threads when starting machine.
Let threads go after sewing a few stitches.
8. When you have reached the end of a seam, stop
sewing and turn the hand wheel toward you to bring
the needle to highest position. Raise the presser
foot and pull the fabric out from under the foot to
the back of the machine.
Cut the threads in the thread cutter on the left side
of the machine.
5.Regulate the speed while sewing.
6.Stop machine when you reach end of seam.
7.Raise the presser foot lifter.
8
01
!
fabric, do not pull nor push fabric,

-16-
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
A
B
A
REVERSE STITCHING
Reverse stitching is used for reinforcing the ends
of the seams.
1.Place the fabric in position where back stitching
is to be made and lower the presser foot.
2.Press reverse stitch button and sew 4-5 stitches.
(Using foot controller, press pedal with pressing
reverse stitch button.)
3.Press start button and resume sewing.
(Using controller, release reverse stitch button
to forward stitching.)
4.When you reach the end of seam, press reverse
stitch button and sew 4-5 reverse stitches.
TURNING CORNERS
1.Stop the machine when you reach a corner.
2.Lower needle into the fabric.
To lower the needle, you can either use the
needle up/down button or turn the handwheel
toward you.
3.Raise the presser foot.
4.Use the needle as a pivot and turn fabric.
5.Lower the presser foot and resume sewing.
SEWING HEAVY FABRIC
When sewing heavy fabrics, the toe end of
presser foot tends to lift up and sewing can
not be started smoothly. In such case, place
a piece of cardboard or fabric of same thickness
under the heel end of the presser foot.
The presser foot lifter can be raised 1 step
higher for placing heavy materials under
the presser foot easily.
SEWING OVER OVERLAPPED AREAS
Guide the fabric with your hand when sewing
over overlapped areas.
A: Fabric B: Thick paper or fabric

-17-
ADJUSTING THE THREAD TENSIONS
3
4
2
3
4
2
3
4
2
3
4
2
3
4
2
The thread tension must be properly
balanced. If adjustment is required, it can be
made by changing the upper thread tension.
A. Correct Thread Tension
Upper and bobbin threads should lock approximately
in the middle of fabric.
B.When bobbin thread appears on top
side of fabric.
Turn the tension dial to a lower number.
C.When upper thread appears on the bottom
side
of fabric.
Turn the tension dial to a higher number.
D.Thread Tension for Zigzag Stitches
To sew zigzag stitches, the thread tension
should be set to a slightly weaker tension than
when sewing straight stitches.
You will obtain a nicer stitch when upper thread
appears on bottom side of fabric.
A
C
D
B

-18-
Type of Fabric Thread Size Needle Size
!
Helpful Hint
Like shown on drawing, stitches on top side
of fabric are good but bottom side tends to
have a bunch of thread, it usually means that the
upper thread is not threaded correctly (especially
threading of the upper thread tension
regulator may not be correct.) Refer to page
14 for correct threading.
CAUTION:To prevent accidents.
The feed dog will feed the fabric automatically.
Do not pull nor press on fabric with hands.
It will cause needle breakages or poor
quality stitches.
FABRIC, THREAD AND NEEDLE TABLE
Select size of thread and needle in accordance with fabric to be sewn.
Light Weight-thin georgette, organdy,
viole, taffeta, silk, etc.
Medium Weight-gingham, pique, linen,
cotton, satin, thin corduroy, velvet
Heavy Weight-gabardine, tweed,
denim, corduroy
Stretch-double knit, tricot, spandex,
jersey
Ctn.# 80 - 100
Silk 60 - 80
Syn. 80 - 100
Ctn.# 50- 80
Silk 50
Syn. 50 - 80
Ctn.# 40 -50
Silk 50
Syn. 50 - 60
Ctn.# 50 - 80
Silk 50
Thread for
knit
9/70-11/80
11/80-14/90
14/90-16/100
11/80-14/90
Needle for
knit and synthetic
fabric
To change needle, see page 6.