SINGER 404K - Manual (Page 31)

Stitches Looping.
Looped stitches are usually caused by the tension being too loose. See
pages 18-19 for the regulation of tensions.
See that both the upper and lower threading are correct, that the thread
is of good quality and the correct size for the needle.
Test both tensions and stitch on a piece of the material to be sewn.
Loop stitches are sometimes caused by the placing of the bobbin in the
bobbin case or shuttle so that the thread pulls from the wrong side of the
bobbin, or by the bobbin being wound too full.
Machine Not Feeding Correctly.
This is often caused by the pressure on the work being too light for the
material. (See page 23).
The tensions may be too tight. (See pages 18-19).
The feed dog may be worn. This may be determined by running a
finger over the teeth. If they are not sharp, the feed dog should be replaced
by a competent mechanic.
The stitch regulator screw may have been adjusted too far, thus making
the feed inoperative.
Puckered Seams.
Stitch too long for material being sewn, especially on fine material.
Tension too tight.
Machine Working Heavily.
If the machine works hard after standing it is probably gummed and
needs a general cleaning. (See pages 24 to 29).
The belt may be too tight thus putting excessive pressure on the bearings.
The belt should be just long enough to grip the hand wheel without slipping.
The bobbin winder may have been inadvertently snapped down into
operative position, thus putting pressure on the hand wheel. In such case
release the winder by pressing the lever located behind the bobbin spindle.
Noisy Treadle.
If the treadle is noisy, the screws on which it is pivoted need tightening.
Release one of the screws by giving the nut one or two turns with a wrench.
Then place a screw driver in the slot of the screw and advance the screw
toward the treadle just enough to take up the play. Tighten the nut and
test the treadle. If still noisy, repeat the operation at the other side.
BINDING WITHOUT BASTING.
Bindings of various materials may be applied with the Binder attachment
supplied with Singer Family Sewing Machines. This attachment folds and
guides the binding and, by a simple adjustment, the stitching can be regulated
to come close to the edge of the binding.
The following pages give directions for using this time-saving attachment
and suggest many ways in which binding may be applied to curves with
perfect results.
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