Singer M1600 Lightweight Portable Sewing Machine User Manual

Product Overview

The Singer M1600 Lightweight Portable Sewing Machine is designed for both beginners and experienced sewers, offering 57 stitch applications for a wide range of sewing projects. Its compact and durable design makes it suitable for various tasks, from fashion items to mending and crafting.

Figure 1: Front view of the Singer M1600 Lightweight Portable Sewing Machine. This image displays the compact and modern design of the machine, highlighting its white casing and purple stitch selector dial.

Getting Started: Machine Components

Before beginning any sewing project, familiarize yourself with the key components of your Singer M1600 sewing machine. Understanding each part's function is crucial for proper operation and maintenance.

Key Components Overview:

• Power Input & Switch: Located at the side for connecting the power cord and turning the machine on/off.
• Handwheel: Used to manually move the needle up and down. Always turn the handwheel towards you.
• Spool Pins: Two different pins located on top for holding spools of thread.
• Thread Guides: Various guides to correctly route the thread through the machine.
• Bobbin Winding Spindle & Stopper: Used for winding thread onto the bobbin.
• Reverse Lever: Engages reverse stitching for securing seams.
• Stitch Selector Dial: Allows selection of the desired stitch pattern from the 57 available applications.
• Carry Handle: Integrated into the top for easy portability.
• Bobbin Winding Tension Disc: Ensures proper tension during bobbin winding.
• Thread Tension Dial: Adjusts the tension of the upper thread for balanced stitches.
• Thread Take-up Lever: Moves up and down to feed thread to the needle and control thread tension.
• Thread Cutter: Conveniently located at the side for trimming threads.
• Needle Clamp & Screw: Secures the needle in place.
• Presser Foot & Holder: Holds the fabric firmly against the feed dogs while sewing.
• Presser Foot Lifter: Raises and lowers the presser foot. Can be pushed higher for thicker fabrics.
• Removable Storage Compartment / Free Arm: Located at the front, it can be removed to expose the free arm, ideal for sewing cuffs and hems. It also contains storage for accessories.
• Bobbin Area: Accessed by opening a hinged door when the storage compartment is removed.

Figure 2: Overview of key features including lightweight and portable design, intuitive stitch selector dial, preset stitch length & width, heavy-duty metal frame, and transparent bobbin system.

Figure 3: Close-up view of the stitch selector dial, showing various stitch patterns and the Singer 'S' logo.

Figure 4: Detailed view of the needle, presser foot, and needle plate, essential for precise stitching.

Figure 5: Rear view showing the power input port and the on/off switch for the machine.

Figure 6: A collection of accessories that come with the Singer M1600 sewing machine, including various presser feet, needles, and a seam ripper.

Setup and Initial Use

Power Connection:

1. Locate the power input at the side of the machine.
2. Plug the power cord into the machine and then into a suitable 110 Volt power outlet.
3. Press the power switch to turn the machine on.

Winding and Inserting the Bobbin:

The transparent bobbin system allows for easy monitoring of thread supply.

1. Place a spool of thread on one of the spool pins.
2. Guide the thread through the bobbin winding tension disc.
3. Place an empty bobbin onto the bobbin winding spindle.
4. Follow the machine's marked path for winding the bobbin.
5. Once wound, remove the bobbin.
6. Open the hinged door in the free arm area to access the bobbin case.
7. Insert the wound bobbin into the bobbin case, ensuring the thread is correctly routed through the tension spring.
8. Close the bobbin case door.

Threading the Machine:

Proper threading is essential for consistent stitch quality.

1. Place your main thread spool on the remaining spool pin.
2. Guide the thread through the upper thread guides as indicated by the machine's markings.
3. Pass the thread through the thread tension dial.
4. Thread the take-up lever.
5. Guide the thread down to the needle area, passing it through the thread guide above the needle.
6. Thread the needle from front to back.
7. Pull both the upper and bobbin threads under the presser foot and towards the back of the machine.

Operating the Machine

Selecting Stitches:

The Singer M1600 offers 57 stitch applications, including 6 built-in stitches. To select a stitch, simply turn the stitch selector dial to the desired stitch pattern. The machine has preset stitch length and width for ease of use.

Sewing a Buttonhole:

The 4-step buttonhole feature simplifies creating buttonholes. Refer to the stitch selector dial for the buttonhole steps and follow the instructions for attaching the buttonhole foot.

Figure 7: Demonstrates the 4-step buttonhole feature and provides key specifications like wattage, voltage, amperage, weight, and dimensions.

Using the Free Arm:

To use the free arm, slide off the removable storage compartment at the front of the machine. This exposes the narrow free arm, which is ideal for sewing cylindrical items such as trouser hems, sleeve cuffs, and small garment openings.

Figure 8: The Singer M1600 sewing machine set up in a creative workspace, demonstrating its compact size and ease of integration into a home environment.

Maintenance and Care

Changing Presser Feet:

The Singer M1600 features snap-on presser feet for easy changing. To change a presser foot, raise the presser foot lifter, press the release button (if applicable) or unclip the current foot, and snap on the new one. Ensure it is securely attached before lowering the lifter.

Changing Needles:

Regularly change your needle, especially when starting a new project or if the needle becomes dull or bent. To change the needle, loosen the needle clamp screw, remove the old needle, insert the new needle with the flat side facing the back of the machine, and tighten the screw securely.

Cleaning and Storage:

Keep your machine clean by regularly removing lint and dust from the bobbin area and feed dogs. Use a soft brush or lint brush for this purpose. When not in use, cover the machine to protect it from dust. Store accessories in the removable storage compartment.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

This section addresses common issues you might encounter during operation. For detailed troubleshooting, refer to the full instruction manual available on the Singer website.

• Skipped Stitches: Often caused by a bent or dull needle, incorrect needle insertion, or improper threading. Check and replace the needle, re-thread the machine, and ensure the needle's flat side faces the back.
• Thread Breaking: Can be due to incorrect threading, too much thread tension, using the wrong needle size for the fabric, or poor quality thread. Re-thread, adjust tension, and ensure appropriate needle and thread are used.
• Fabric Not Feeding: Ensure the presser foot is lowered and the feed dogs are engaged. Check for lint buildup under the needle plate.
• Machine Not Starting: Verify the power cord is securely plugged in and the power switch is on. Check the foot pedal connection.

Specifications

Warranty and Support

For detailed warranty information, product registration, and customer support, please visit the official SINGER website. A comprehensive instruction manual is also available for download, providing in-depth guidance on all features and functions of your Singer M1600 sewing machine.

Official SINGER Website: www.singer.com