Simplicity | User manual | AMERICAN DENIM Model SA1100 Use This Guide First

Let’s
Get
TARTED!
S
Americana Series
AMERICAN DENIM Model SA1100
Use This Guide First
To help you get started using your new sewing machine, this booklet shows you, step-by-step, how to
thread your machine and how to set the dials for straight stitching. P ractice threading and sewing a
straight stitch first. When you are familiar with your machine, refer to the instruction manual (packed
with your machine) for additional operating instructions.
Simplicity Sewing Machine
Education Helpline: 636-651-0030
1
Winding the Bobbin
For best sewing results, use a top quality, long staple, polyester or poly/cotton thread
for all-purpose sewing. Skipped stitches, broken threads, and poor stitch quality are
often a result of using old or inferior thread. Use the same type of thread for both upper
and lower threading for a consistent stitch quality.
1. To release the clutch for bobbin winding, pull out the
handwheel until it clicks [Fig. 1].
2. Place a spool of thread on the spool pin and bring
the thread around the bobbin winding tension disc as
shown [Fig. 2].
3. Place the thread end through a small hole in the bobbin
from the inside to the outside [Fig. 3].
4. Place the bobbin on the bobbinwinder spindle
matching the small groove on the bobbin with the
spring on the spindle [Fig. 4]. Push the spindle to
the right [Fig. 5].
5. Hold the end of the thread [Fig. 6] and depress the
foot control [Fig. 7]. When the thread has wound on
the bobbin several times, stop the machine and clip
the thread end close to the hole in the bobbin [Fig. 8].
Depress the foot control again to continue winding the
bobbin.
6. When the bobbin is fully wound, stop the machine.
Push the bobbinwinder spindle to the left, clip the
thread and remove the bobbin [Fig. 9].
7. Reengage the clutch by pushing the handwheel until
it clicks into place [Fig. 10].
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 1
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Simplicity Sewing Machine Education Helpline: 636-651-0030
2
Threading the Bobbin Case
Correctly placing the bobbin in the bobbin case is necessary for a proper stitch to be
formed. Double-check this step before placing the bobbin case into the machine.
Fig. 2
Fig. 1
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Removing the bobbin from the bobbin case:
1. Turn the handwheel toward you to raise the needle to
its highest position.
2. Remove the free-arm cover and open the bobbin
cover [Fig. 1].
3. Open the hinged latch of the bobbin case and pull
the bobbin case out of the machine [Fig. 2].
4. Release the latch to remove the bobbin [Fig. 3].
Inserting a new bobbin:
1. Hold the bobbin case in your left hand. Hold the filled
bobbin in your right hand [Fig. 4]. Unwind about six
inches of thread, making certain the thread unwinds
over the top of the bobbin as illustrated. Place the
bobbin in the bobbin case.
2. With the bobbin in the bobbin case, pull the thread
into the slot on the edge of the bobbin case [Fig. 5].
3. Pull the thread under the tension spring and into the
thread outlet [Fig. 6]. Leave about six inches of
thread extending from the bobbin case.
Note: It’s important to be sure the bobbin is turning
CLOCKWISE [Fig. 7] as you pull thread from the bobbin
case. If it is turning counterclockwise, remove the bobbin
from the case, turn the bobbin over, place it back into the
case, and rethread the bobbin case.
CLOCKWISE
Fig. 7
Simplicity Sewing Machine Education Helpline: 636-651-0030
3
Inserting Bobbin Case into
the Machine
After inserting the bobbin case into the machine, be sure the bobbin thread
(about six inches) falls loose from the bobbin case and is not caught or tangled in any way.
Placing the bobbin case into the shuttle:
1. Open the latch of the bobbin case and hold it with the
long finger pointing upward [Fig. 8]. Place the bobbin
case over the pin of the shuttle aligning the long finger
with the notch at the top of the shuttle [Fig. 9].
2. Release the latch and push the bobbin case firmly
into place [Fig. 10]. Close the bobbin cover.
Note: Be sure the bobbin thread (about six inches) falls
loose from the bobbin case and is not caught or tangled
in any way.
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Simplicity Sewing Machine Education Helpline: 636-651-0030
4
Threading the Machine
It’s very important to make sure the presser foot is raised when threading the
upper thread path. This opens the tension discs allowing the thread to fall between
them. When you lower the foot to begin sewing, the right amount of tension will be
applied to the upper thread.
Fig. 1
Threading Diagram
Fig. 2
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 3
1. Turn the handwheel toward you to raise the take-up
lever to its highest position [Fig. 1].
2. Raise the presser foot to release the thread tension
[Fig. 2].
3. Place felt cushion on spool pin. Place a spool of
thread on the spool pin with the thread coming from
the back of the spool [Fig. 3].
4. Snap the thread into the first thread guide at the top
of the machine [Fig. 4].
5. Bring the thread down between the tension discs [Fig. 5].
6. Bring the thread down the right slot of the threading
path, then across to and up the left slot [Fig. 6].
7. Bring the thread through the take-up lever from right
to left [Fig. 7], making sure the thread falls into the
take-up lever slot [Fig. 8].
8. Bring the thread back down the left slot of the
threading path [Fig. 9] and into the thread guide
above the needle [Fig. 10].
9. Thread the needle eye from front to back [Fig. 11].
(Clip the thread end with sharp scissors for easier
needle threading.)
Fig. 8
Fig. 11
Simplicity Sewing Machine Education Helpline: 636-651-0030
5
Raising the Lower Thread
When manually turning the handwheel, ALWAYS turn it toward you – NEVER
backward.
1. Make sure the presser foot lever is raised.
2. Hold the end of the needle thread with your left
hand. Turn the hand wheel toward you with your
right hand until the needle goes down once and
comes back up, stopping when the needle is at its
highest position.
3. Gently pull up on the needle thread [Fig. 1]. The
bobbin thread, looped around the needle thread, will
be drawn up through the needle hole.
4. Pull about six inches of both the upper and lower
threads toward the back of the machine, placing
them under the presser foot [Fig. 2].
6
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Setting the Control Dials
Each built-in stitch can be customized for specific sewing needs by making
stitch length and stitch width adjustments. The machine is color-coded for easy
stitch length and width selection.
STITCH SELECTOR DIAL [Fig. 1]
To select a stitch, turn the stitch selector dial to align the
stitch desired with the indicator dot. The stitches are
color-coded to correspond with the stitch length dial.
Select a stitch, then set the stitch length within the color
range. These color ranges are guidelines and may vary
for some sewing techniques.
STITCH WIDTH DIAL [Fig. 2]
The stitch width dial is numbered 0 - 5, representing
the various stitch widths in millimeters. The higher the
number, the wider the stitch. The yellow color-coding
between 3 and 5 represent the width range for making
buttonholes.
To select a stitch width turn the dial until the desired
width setting is aligned with the indicator dot.
STITCH LENGTH DIAL [Fig. 3]
The stitch length dial is numbered 0 - 4 representing the
various stitch lengths in millimeters. The higher the
number, the longer the stitch.
To select a stitch length turn the dial until the desired
length setting is aligned with the indicator dot.
When set at 0 the fabric will not feed under the foot.
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Simplicity Sewing Machine Education Helpline: 636-651-0030
7
Starting to Sew
Several synchronized parts of the sewing machine interact to form a stitch. The
needle moves up and down as the shuttle spins in perfect time so that the bobbin
thread interlocks with the needle thread through the layers of fabric. To maintain
this perfectly tuned timing, here are a few sewing tips you'll want to follow:
SEWING TIPS
• Always begin sewing with the needle in the highest
position. Always place the needle in the highest position
at the end of a seam before removing the fabric from the
machine.
• Always turn the handwheel toward you, not away
from you. Never “rock” the handwheel.
• Be sure to lower the presser foot before sewing to
engage the tension discs for perfect stitch balance. This
is an easy step to miss when sewing extra thick fabrics.
• Gently guide the fabric as you sew; never push or
pull the fabric under the needle.
• Don't sew over pins. Simply remove the pins as they
approach the needle. Sewing over pins can damage
your machine, nick the needle or cause personal injury.
• Use the proper needle/thread/fabric combination.
See chart on page 15 of the instruction book..
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
BEGINNING TO SEW
1. Select a stitch. Make the appropriate stitch width
and length adjustments.
2. Turn the hand wheel toward you to raise the needle
to its highest position.
3. Raise the presser foot and pull about six inches of
thread to the back of the machine and under the
presser foot.
4. Place the fabric under the presser foot aligning the
cut edge of the fabric with the seam guide marking
on the needle plate. Position the fabric so the needle
is about 3/8” from the beginning fabric edge [Fig. 1].
5. Lower the presser foot and depress the foot controller to
begin sewing. The sewing speed is determined by the
amount of pressure you apply to the foot controller.
6. To secure the beginning of a seam, take 3-4 stitches
forward, then push down and hold the reverse lever
to take 3-4 stitches in reverse.
7. Release the lever and continue sewing forward at a
consistent speed while guiding the fabric along the
seam guide marking.
8. At the end of the seam, press and hold the reverse
lever to take 3-4 backstitches to secure the seam end.
9. Before removing the fabric raise the needle to the
highest position [Fig. 2].
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
10. Raise the presser foot and gently pull the fabric to
the left, releasing at least six inches of thread
from needle and bobbin [Fig. 3].
11. Use the thread cutter on the back of the presser
foot bar to cut both threads close to the fabric
[Fig. 4].
Simplicity Sewing Machine Education Helpline: 636-651-0030
Stitch Functions
STITCH
FUNCTION
PAT T E R N L E N G T H
WIDTH
PRESSER
F O OT
D RO P
FEED
1
Seaming
A
3
0
All-purpose
Up
2
Basting
A
4
0
All-purpose
Up
3
Topstitching/Edgestitching
A
3
0
Blind Hem
Up
4
Gathering
A
4
0
All-purpose
Up
5
Zipper insertion
A
3
0
Zipper
Up
6
Piping insertion
A
4
0
Zipper
Up
7
O veredging
A
2
3-5
All-purpose
Up
8
B a rtacking
A
N/A
4-5
All-purpose
Down
9
Satin stitch appliqué
A
.5-1
3-5
All-purpose
Up
10 Attaching buttons
A
N/A
5
Button
Down
11 Seaming knits
A
2-3
2
All-purpose
Up
12 Blind hemming
B
4
3-5
Blind Hem
Up
13 O vercasting
C
1.5-2
3-5
All-purpose
Up
14 Mending
C
.5-1.5
3-5
All-purpose
Up
15 Attaching elastic
C
3-4
3-5
All-purpose
Up
16 Seaming nylon tricot
D
1-3
3-5
All-purpose
Up
17 Decorative picot hem
D
4
5
All-purpose
Up
18 Seaming bias curve s
E
3-4
0
All-purpose
Up
19 Triple topstitching
E
3-4
0
All-purpose
Up
20 O vercasting heavy fabrics
E
2-3
3-5
All-purpose
Up
21 Decorative rick ra ck
E
2-4
3-5
All-purpose
Up
22 Encasing elastic/ribbon
F
4
5
All-purpose
Up
23 Decorative flat fell seams
F
3-4
5
All-purpose
Up
24 Ribbon attaching
G
3-4
4-5
All-purpose
Up
25 Mock smocking
G
3-4
4-5
All-purpose
Up
26 Attaching rib trim
H
3-4
5
All-purpose
Up
.5-1
3-5
Buttonhole
Up
27 Buttonholes
28 Free-motion monogramming
A
N/A
4-5
None
Down
29 Free-motion quilting
A
N/A
0
None
Down
30 Darning
A
N/A
3-5
None
Down
31 Seaming sheer fabrics
A
2-2.5
0
Straight
Up
32 Patchwork piecing
A
2-2.5
0
Straight
Up
33 S ewing specialty synthetics
Any
1-5
.5-4
Roller
Up
34 S ewing with two threads
Any
1.5-4
0-5
Any
Up
A
3-4
0
All-purpose
Up
35 S ewing dense fabrics
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
B
U
T
T
O
N
H
O
L
E
1
4
2
3
Simplicity Sewing Machine Education Helpline: 636-651-0030
LSLGS-SA1100