Singer 870 Operation manual

.—‘ I ,,
_
Ii
O
WNER
‘S
OPERA
TIN G
AND
MAINTENANCE
MANUAL
4
MODEL
t1UMER
870

You
are
now
the
owner
of
anew
zigzag
sewing
machine,
the
most
versatile
type
of
its
kind you
can
possess.
Buttonholes,
monogramming,
overcasting
and
creative
embroidery
are
done
with
ease
and
speed.
To
aid
you
in
obtaining the
greatest
performance
from
your
new
machine
this
book
on
its
care and
use
has
been
written
for
you.
Read
the
instructions
carefully as
a
thorough
understanding
of
your machine
will
reward
you
with
many
hours
of
trouble-free,
creative
sewing.
Time-saving
attachments
such
as
rufflers,
binders,
edgestitchers,
cording
feet
and
soforth
to
complement
the
accessories
furnished
with
your machine
are
available
from
the
store where
you
purchased
your
machine.
WHITE
SEWING
MACHINE
COMPANY
Cleveland,
Ohio
44111
White
Consolidated
Industries
Inc.
Toronto,
Ontario,
Canada

INDEX
Page.
Features and
Parts
2-3-4
Needle
and Thread Chart
5
Setting
the
Needle
6
Winding
the
Bobbin
7
Threading
Bobbin
Case
8
Upper
Threading
9
Straight
Stitching
10
Setting
the Stitch
Length
11
Adjusting
the
Tensions
12
Adjusting
Pressure
and
Feed
13
General
Sewing
13
Light
Weight
Fabrics
13
Darning
and
Monogramming
13
Removing the
Work
14
Zigzag
Stitch
System
15
Page.
Creative Embroidery
and
Satin
Stitch
15
Free
Hand Embroidery
Patterns
16
Twin
Needle
17
Making
Buttonholes
18-19
Sewing on
Buttons
20
Embroidering
With
a Hoop
21
Quilting
22
Narrow
Hemmer
23
Sewing
With
Braid
24
Blind
Stitch
Hemming
24-25
Care
and
Maintenance
26
Oiling
27
Useful
Hints
28
Minor
Faults
29

-C TL’I

3
FEATURES
AND
PARTS
(Front
View)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Top
thread
guides
Pressure
release
(Darner)
Thread
take
up
lever
Pace
plate
Lower
thread
guide
Sew
light(inside
face
plate)
Presser
foot
clamp
screw
Presser
foot
Cover
plate
Needle
plate
Needle
clamp
screw
Upper
thread
tension
Drop
feed
knob
Zigzag
width
Zigzag width
Stitch
length
lever
17.
Stop
motion
knob
18.
Hand
wheel
19.
Bobbin winder
20.
Top
cover
plate
21.
Bobbin
Winder
tension
22.
Blind
stitch
lever
13.
14.
15.
16.
stops
control
lever
control
and
reverse

4
(Rear
View)
23.
Spool
pins
24.
Thread
cutter
27.
Head
hinge
mounting
holes
25.
Presser
bar
lever
26.
Sew
light
switch
Pig.
2

a
5
NEEDLE-THREAD-FABRIC-STITCHING
GUIDE
Machine
Silk
Needle
Stitches
Cotton
Mercerized
or
Pabric
No.
Per Inch
Thread
Thread
Nylon
Extremely heavy
6
10
tarpaulin,
sacking.
4
to to
Heavy
Duty
canvas,
duck,
etc.
8
30
Heavy
upholstery
8
30
fabric,
ticking,
3
to
to
Heavy
Duty
denim,
leatherette
10
40
Medium
heavy
drapery
10
40
fabric,
velveteen,
2
to
to Heavy
Duty
suiting,
felt,
terry,
etc.
12
60
Medium
broadcloth,
12
60
percale,
gingham,
linen,
1
to to
50
A
wool.
shantung,
etc.
14
80
Sheer
voile,
lawn,
14
80
dimity,
crepe,
0
to to
50
A
handkerchief
linen,
16
100
plastic
film,
etc.
(plastic
film)
8
to
10
Very
sheer
chiffon,
16
100
batiste,
lace,
organdy,
00
to to
50
A
ninon,
net,
marquisette,
etc.
20
150

6
SETTING
THE
NEEDLE
See
Fig.3.
Raise
the needle bar
A to
its
highest
point,
turning
hand
wheel
toward
you
by
hand.
Then
loosen
the
needle
clamp
screw
B
and
the needle
can
be
inserted
into clamp
C.
Place
needle
(flat
side
to
back)
in
the needle
clamp
and
push
it
upward
as for
as it
will
go
into
the needle
clamp
hole,
tightening
the
needle
clamp
screw
securely
with
a
screwdriver.
After Changing
the
needle,
make
one
complete revolution
of
hand
wheel
by
hand
to
be
sure the
needle
is
in
the
correct
position.
I
FLAT
SIDE
OF
NEEDLE
Fig.
Fig.
4

7
WINDING
THE
BOBBIN
Disengage the
hand wheel
(Fig.5) from
the
stitching
mechanism
by
turning the
clutch
toward
you
or
counter-clockwise.
Place a
spool
of
thread
on
one
of
the
spool pins,
lead
thread
through
the
upper
rear
thread
guide
(1)
and
to
the
right
around
the
bobbin
winder
tension
discs (2).
Make one
winding around
the
discs
and
run
end
of
thread
through
a
hole
in
the
bobbin edge
and
place
bobbin
on
spindle (3)
fitting
the
notch
in
bobbin
over
small
pin
on
spindle.
Hold
the
thread
end
loosely and
start
machine
slowly. Stop
the
machine
when it
is
filled.
Break off
loose
thread
end
used
to
start
the
winding.
Turn
clutch
away
from
you
until
sewing
mechanism
is
again engaged
so
that
the
needle
moves
when
you
turn
the
hand
wheel.
1
ZEZ
6 LJ1
Pig.
5
Pig.
6

8
THREADING
THE
BOBBIN CASE
Refer
to
Figs.
7,
8
and
9 and
practise
the
following
procedure.
Hold
the
bobbin
case
in
your
left
hand.
Let
about
two
inches
of
thread
hang
free
from
the
bobbin, and
insert
bobbin
into
case
so
that
thread
will
be
rotating
counter
clockwise.
Guide
the
thread
end
through
the
slot
on
the
side
of
the
case
and
under the
tension
spring until
it
enters
the
small
notch
on
the
edge
of the spring.
PLACING
BOBBIN
CASE
IN
SHUTTLE
Open
cover
plate
in
front
of
the
needle. (See
9 Fig.
1). Hold
the
bobbin
case
latch,
(0).
Fig.
10,
between
the
thumb
and
forefinger
of
the
left
hand.
with
at
least
three
inches
of thread
running
from
the
top
of
the
bobbin
case
to
the
right.
Insert
and
center
the
bobbin
case
on
the
stud
of
the
shuttle
body,
(C).
Be
sure
the
bobbin
case
finger.
(E),
is
opposite
shuttle
race
notch,
(A). Press
the
bobbin
case
into
the
shuttle
as
far
as
possible
until
latch
catches
on
the
center
post
of
shuttle.
Then,
release
the
bobbin
case
latch,
(0).
Press
bobbin
case
again
after
latch
has
been
released
to
make
sure
the
bobbin
case
is
locked
securely
in
place.
Close
the
cover
plate.
Fig.
7
Fig.
9
Fig.
10

9
UPPER
THREADING
SINGLE
NEEDLE
1,
Turn
hand
wheel
toward
you
to
raise
take-up
lever
to
highest
position.
2.
Place
a spool
of
thread
on
one
of
the
spool
pins.
(Fig.
II).
3.
Lead
thread
through
thread
guides
(1) and
(2)
on
top
cover.
4.
Down
and
around
one
set
of
tension
discs
(3) from
right
to
left.
5. Up
into check spring
(4).
6.
Continue
pulling
thread
upward
and
at
the
same
time with
tip
of
forefinger
of
other
hand
lightly
hold
spool
of
thread.
This
will
cause
thread
to
enter
notch
(5).
7.
Lead
thread
up
and
through take-up
lever
(6)
from
right
to
left.
8.
Down
into
thread
guide
(7).
9.
Into
needle
bar
thread
guide
(8)
an
through
needle
eye
from
FRONT
to
REAR,
pulling
three
to
four
inches
of
thread
through
needle.
Hold
the
end
of
the
upper
thread
loosely
and
turn
hand
wheel
toward
you
until
the
needle goes
all
the
way down
and
comes
back
up.
A
loop
(Fig.
12)
will
be
formed
over
the
upper
thread
which
then
can
be
pulled
out
straight.
Place
both
thread
ends
under
the
slot
of
the
presser
foot
and
draw
toward the back
of
the
machine,
leaving
both
threads
three
tc
four
inches
long.
I
Fig.
11
L
—

10
STRAIGHT
STITCHING
For
straight
sewing
on
fine
fabric
or very
soft
material, it
is advisable
to
use
the
straight
stitch
presser
foot
and
the
straight
stitch
needle
plate
which
are
included
in
your
accessory
box.
Both
have
appropriate
needle
slots.
Changing
the foot
and
plate.
To
change
presser
foot
(8,
Fig.1),
loosen
thumb
screw
and
remove
zigzag
foot.
Fig.
13
Replace
with
straight
stitch
foot
(Fig.13)
and
tighten
screw
securely.
To
change needle
plate
(10, Fig.1),
slide
the
cover
plate
open,
lift
off
the
needle
plate
(See Fig.14),
and
replace
with
the
straight
stitch
needle
plate
fitting
the
recess
on
the
plate
edge
under
the screw
(1)
and
two
holes
of
the
plate
on screws
(2 on
bed.
Close
the cover plate.
Be sure
to set
the
stitch
width
at
0, or
the
needle
will
break
on
striking
the
foot
or plate.
1.
Set
lower
stitch
width
lock
(D,
Fig.15)
at
0 position.
2.
Move
stitch
width
lock
(E,
Fig.15)
as
far
down
as
possible
to lock
zigzag
stitch
width
control
lever
(F,
Fig.15)
in straight
stitch
position.
(To
move
locks,
turn counter-clockwise
set
position
and
tighten.)
3.
Put
drop
feed
knob
(A,
Fig.16)
at
HI
setting.
4.
Set
stitch
length
control
beyond
number
1
(adjust
stitch
length
to
suit
material
being
sewn.)
5.
Have
take
up
lever
at
highest
point
before
starting
to
sew.
6.
Place
material
and
threads
in
position
under
the
presser
foot
and
then
lower
the
presser
foot.
7.
Turn
the
hand
wheel
toward
you
and
start
sewing
by
pressing
the
foot
control.
The
speed
of
the
machine
is
regulated
by
increasing
or
decreasing
the
amount
of
pressure
exerted
on
the
control.
Never
run
the
maching
without
material
between
the
presser
foot
and
feed.
Fig.
14
V
—

11
SETTING
THE
STITCH
LENGTH
The
length
of
the
stitch
is
regulated
by
the lever
(A)
shown
in F’ig.15.
Near
0
is
the
shortest
and
4
the
longest.
Adjust
stitch
length
stops
by
turning knurl
knob
on
end
of
stitch
regulator.
SEWING
IN
REVERSE
ON
HI
When
you
wish
to
sew
in
reverse
to
tie the
threads
at
the
beginning
or
the
end
of
a
seam,
push
down
lever
(A)
as
far as
it
will
go. The
machine
will
sew
in
reverse
untill
lever
(A)
is
returned
to
the forward
stitching
position.
A
F
r*rd
I
—a
Fig. 15
Fig.
16

12
ADJUSTING
THE
TENSION
Always
adjust
the
upper
thread tension
with
the
presser
foot
down,
as the
tension
is
automatically
released
when
it
is
raised.
To
increase
the tension
turn
dial
(A)
(Fig.
1?)
to
the
right,
or
clockwise.
To
decrease,
turn
to
the
left.
The
higher
the
number
on
the
dial,
the
tighter
the
tension.
Set
numbers
to
indicating
pointer
(B).
Before
adjusting
lower
tension,
be
sure
the
machine
is
threaded correctly.
When
it
is
necessary
to
change
the
bobbin
tension,
turn
small
screw
(Fig.
18)
on
side
of
the
bobbin
case
clockwise
to
tighten, counterclockwise
to
loosen.
When
the
tensions
are
properly balanced,
a
perfect stitch
will
be
formed
with
both
threads
interlocking
in
the
center
of
the
fabric.(Fig.
19.)
When
the
upper
tension
is
too
tight
the
lower
thread
is
pulled
up
over the
upper
thread
which
is
lying
flat
on
the
top
of
the
fabric.
Fig.
20.
When
the
upper
tension
is
too
loose,
the upper
thread
forms
loops
over
the
lower
thread
which
is
lying
flat
under
the
fabric.
Fig.
21.
Fig.
17
Fig.
19
Fig.
20
Fig.
21

13
ADJUSTING PRESSURE
AND
WEEDING
OF’
FABRIC
General
Sewing
Usually,
for
straight
sewing,
zigzag
stitching,
and
manual
embroidery,
the
pressure
bar
cap
or
darning
release
(A) (Fig.
22)
is
at
its
lowest
position
and
the
feed
is
at its
highest
level
with
the
drop
feed
knob
(A,
Fig.
16) turned
to
HI
position.
Sewing
ryhin
or
Lightweight
Fabrics
When
lighter
pressure
is
required
to
sew
satisfactorily
on
thin
silk
or
flimsy
material,
the
pressure
bar
cap
should
be
about
half-way
down.
Release
all
the
way
by
pressing
the
snap
lockring
(B,
Fig.
22).
then
press
cap
(A)
down
again
to
half-way
spot.
Lower
the
feed
slightly
by
turning
the
drop
feed(A,
Fig.
16) to
LO
position.
Darning
and
Monogramming
In
order
to
move
the
fabric
freely
in
any
direction
for
darning,
mending,
and
certain
kinds
of
free-hand
embroidery,
release
the
pressure
cap
(A,
Fig.
22)
completely
by
pressing
down
on
the
snap
lockring
(B,
Fig.
22).
Tur’i
the
drop
feed
knob
to
DN
position
which
drops
the
feed
well
below
the needle
plate.
To
return
feed
to
normal,
turn
knob
to
HI
position.
A
B
I
17
Fig.
22

14
REMOVING THE
WORK
Be
sure
to
stop
the
machine
with
the
thread
take
up
lever
and
needle
bar
at the
highest
position.
Now
raise
tte
presser
foot and draw the fabric
back
and
to
the left,
Pig.
23
and 24,
and pass
the
threads
over
the
thread
cutter
(A).
Pull
down
sharply,
holdeing
the
threads
in
both hands,
so
as not
to
bend
the
needle.
Leave
the
ends
of
thread
under
the
presser
foot.
1’
Fig. 23
Fig.
24

15
ZIGZAG
STITCHING
Be
sure
zigzag needle
plate
and
presser
foot
are
in
place.
1.
Moving
lever
(A.
Fig.
25)
gradually
down
and
up
will
produce zigzag
stitches
of
varying
widths.
To maintain
selected
widths
of
zigzag
stitches,
employ
locks(C,
Fig.25).
2.
Lower
lock
determines the
minimum
width
stitch
width,
while
upper
lock
controls
the
maximum.
Locks
can
be
set
by
turning
to
the
left
in slightly
and
moved
to
the
desired
position
and
tightened.
CREATIVE
EMBROIDERY-SATIN
STITCH
The
satin
stitch
(Fig.
26),
which
is
really
just a
very
short
and
close
zigzag
stitch,
is
the
basis
for
most
embroidery,
and
is
obtained
by
setting
the
stitch
length as
near
0
as
possi
ble
without
stopping
the
feeding action.
The
position
of
the
blind
hem
lever
should
be
set
to
‘Manual” and
the
width
may
be
set
anywhere
from
0
to
5 for
single needle
work.
tWWAAWWvAvWvWvWV\M
Fig.
26
Fig.
25

16
FREE
RAND
EMBROIDERY
PATTERNS
With
the
machine
set
on
a
short
length,
different
designs
can
be
made
by
swinging
the
stitch
width
lever
(A,
Fig.
25)
up
and
down
between
0
and
5
or
with
any
combination
of
widths.
Try
setting
the
locks
at
1
and
5, 2
and
5,
etc.
Obtain
a
rhythm
of
movement
and
then proceed.
After
a
while
you
will
become
quite
skillful, varying
your
designs
by
the speed
of
the
machine,
stitch
length
and
width
and
the
manipulation
of
stitch
width
lever.
Always
run
the
machine
at
a
uniform
speed
whether
this
be
fast
or
slow.
The
following
patterns
can
be
altered
by
the
machine
speed.
At
slow
speed the
patterns
will
be
shorter
than
at
a
moderate
or
fast
speed.
A.
To
make
pattern
A,
Set
stitch
width
locks
at
2
and
5
then
move
lever
slowly
between
setting,
operating
machine
rather
fast.
B.
To
make
pattern
B,
Set
stitch
width
locks
at
0
and
5,
and
gradually
move
lever
from
0
to
5,
then
snap
it
back
quickly
to
0.
You
will
be
able
to
produce
many
various
patterns
by
using
your
own
combinations
of
settings
and
the
operation
of
controls.
Fig.
27

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