Sewing Machine Model SW210 INSTRUCTION MANUAL & REFERENCE GUIDE Simplicity Sewing Machine Consumer Helpline: 800-822-6691
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING MACHINE When using the sewing machine, basic safety precautions should always be followed, including the following: DANGER - To reduce risk of electric shock: 1. The sewing machine should never be left unattended when plugged in. 2. Always unplug this sewing machine from the electrical outlet immediately after using and before cleaning. 3. Always unplug before changing the light bulb. Replace bulb with same type rated 15 watts.
FORWARD WELCOME TO THE CREATIVE WORLD OF SEWING WITH SIMPLICITY! Congratulations on being the owner of a new Simplicity sewing machine. Whether you’re new to sewing, a lifelong sewer, or returning to sewing, we at Simplicity Sewing Machines are dedicated to providing you with simply the BEST features, quality, and customer service to ensure you many pleasurable hours of sewing satisfaction and success.
TABLE OF CONTENTS KNOW YOUR SIMPLICITY SEWING MACHINE PRINCIPAL PARTS........................................................................4-5 ACCESSORIES .................................................................................6 SIMPLICITY SEWING MACHINE SET-UP PREPARATION FOR SEWING .........................................................7 ACCESSORY STORAGE ...................................................................7 CHANGING PRESSER FEET................................................
KNOW YOUR SIMPLICITY SEWING MACHINE O O O O O O 2 3 4 5 6 7 FRONT VIEW O 8 O 1 O O O 17 9 16 O 10 O O O O 15 14 13 12 O 11 O 18 O 24 O O 23 19 O 20 O O 22 21 BACK VIEW 4
KNOW YOUR SIMPLICITY SEWING MACHINE FRONT VIEW O 1 O 2 O 3 O 4 O 5 O 6 O 7 O 8 O 9 O 10 O 11 O 12 O 13 O 14 FACE COVER Opens to provide access to the light bulb and the presser foot pressure regulator. BOBBIN WINDING TENSION DISC Used when threading machine for bobbin winding. THREAD TENSION DIAL Controls the upper thread for proper stitch formation. STITCH WIDTH DIAL Sets the width of a stitch. O 15 O 16 O 17 STITCH SELECTOR DIAL Turn the dial in either direction to select a stitch.
KNOW YOUR SIMPLICITY SEWING MACHINE O ACCESSORIES 1 The SIMPLICITY sewing machine comes with the presser feet and accessories you will need, conveniently stored in the free arm cover. This low shank machine uses snap-on or screw-on presser feet. 1 O O 2 BUTTONHOLE PRESSER FOOT - snap-on Use for sewing made-to-measure buttonholes. 3 BUTTON ATTACHING PRESSER FOOT - snap-on Holds flat buttons secure for machine stitching in place.
SIMPLICITY SEWING MACHINE SET-UP The Simplicity sewing machine has many conversion options for a multitude of sewing applications. PREPARATION FOR SEWING on/off Fig. 1 Fig. 2 The power cord and foot control are one unit. Insert the three-prong plug into the machine [Fig. 1]. Insert the power supply plug into a wall outlet. Turn the power switch to “on” [Fig.1]. Raise the left retractable thread spool pin for most sewing [Fig. 2].
SIMPLICITY SEWING MACHINE SET-UP OPTIONS CONVERTING TO FREE-ARM SEWING Free arm sewing makes it easy to sew hard to reach areas such as sleeves, pant legs, and necklines. To convert to free arm sewing, grasp the left end of the free-arm cover and pull it out to the left to remove [Fig. 1]. Slip the sleeve or pant leg on the free arm as shown and sew [Fig. 2].
SIMPLICITY CUSTOM STITCH SELECTION Each built-in stitch can be customized by making stitch length and stitch width adjustments. The stitches are color-coded to correspond with the stitch length and width settings. Select a stitch, then set the stitch length and width dials within the color range. These color ranges are guidelines and may vary for some sewing techniques. STITCH SELECTION STITCH SELECTOR DIAL [Fig.
SIMPLICITY CUSTOM STITCH SELECTION STITCH RANGE STITCH WIDTH STITCH LENGTH PRESSER DROP 0 0-5 3-5 3-5 3-5 3-5 3-5 3-5 0 2-5 3-5 3-5 3-5 3-5 3-5 0-4 0-4 4 3 3-4 4 1-4 0.
WINDING THE BOBBIN For best results, use 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 consistent stitch quality. WINDING THE BOBBIN WIND THE BOBBIN BEFORE THREADING THE MACHINE. Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Fig. 3 Fig. 4 Fig. 5 Fig. 6 Fig. 7 Fig. 8 Fig. 9 Fig. 10 1.
THREADING YOUR SIMPLICITY SEWING MACHINE LOWER THREADING 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].
THREADING YOUR SIMPLICITY SEWING MACHINE UPPER THREADING Fig. 1 Threading Diagram Fig. 2 Fig. 4 Fig. 5 Fig. 6 Fig. 7 Fig. 9 Fig. 10 Fig. 11 Fig. 3 Fig. 8 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.
SEWING 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.
SEWING NEEDLE, THREAD & FABRIC GUIDE Knit Fabrics NEEDLE STYLE NEEDLE SIZE Lightweight: Tricot Universal or Stretch 9/65, 10/70 Medium: Interlock, Lycra Universal or Stretch 11/75, 12/80, 14/90 Heavyweight: Double Knit, Velour Universal or Stretch 12/80, 14/90 Fake Furs, Napped Fabrics Universal or Stretch 14/90, 16/100 NEEDLE STYLE NEEDLE SIZE Woven Fabrics Sheer: Chiffon, Fine Lace, Tulle, Georgette, Net, Organdy, Organza Universal 8/60, 9/65 Lightweight: Batiste, Chambray, Voile, Crep
BUILT-IN STITCHES – “N” NORMAL RANGE STITCH “A” - STRAIGHT STITCH SEAMING Use for seaming two or more layers of fabric together. RANGE STITCH WIDTH LENGTH FOOT N A 0 3 All-purpose Align the fabric edge with the seam guide marking on the needle plate and begin sewing [Fig. 1]. Take a few stitches in reverse (backstitch) to secure the seam. Continue stitching forward at a consistent speed, while guiding the fabric along the seam guide marking. Backstitch at the end of the seam [Fig. 2].
BUILT-IN STITCHES – “N” NORMAL RANGE STITCH “A” - STRAIGHT STITCH GATHERING Create beautiful ruffles and flounces with the gathering technique. Fig. 1 Fig. 2 RANGE STITCH WIDTH LENGTH FOOT N A 0 4 All-purpose Sew a row of basting stitches 1/4” away from the fabric edge. Sew a second row of basting stitches 1/2” away from the fabric edge [Fig. 1]. Do not backstitch. Gently pull the bobbin thread from the underside of the fabric [Fig. 2].
BUILT-IN STITCHES – “N” NORMAL RANGE STITCH “A” - STRAIGHT STITCH NARROW HEMMING The narrow hem foot actually rolls the fabric edge to create a narrow hem for napkins, ruffles, scarves, and dainty hem finishes on clothing. RANGE STITCH WIDTH LENGTH FOOT N A 0 3 Hemmer Fold a 1/8” double hem to the wrong side of fabric, for about 2” along the beginning of the hem [Fig. 1]. Place the rolled edge of the hem under the presser foot. Lower the foot and take several stitches.
BUILT-IN STITCHES – “N” NORMAL RANGE STITCH “A” - ZIGZAG SATIN STITCH APPLIQUÉ Use this popular, zigzag stitch creatively to sew appliqués. Fig. 1 Fig. 2 RANGE STITCH WIDTH LENGTH FOOT N A 3-5 0.5-1 Open toe Fuse a fabric appliqué shape to a base fabric. Place a stabilizer beneath the base fabric [Fig. 1]. Satin stitch around the cut edges of the appliqué shape guiding the fabric so the right swing of the stitch falls just over the appliqué edge and into the base fabric [Fig. 2].
BUILT-IN STITCHES – “N” NORMAL RANGE STITCH “B” - KNIT BLINDHEM KNIT BLINDHEMMING The zigzag in this blindhem stitch adds stretch, making it the perfect choice for hemming knits. Use a thread color that matches the fabric color for the best results. RANGE STITCH WIDTH LENGTH FOOT N B 3-5 4 Blindhem Turn up the finished edge of the fabric to the desired hem depth [Fig. 1]. Fold back, leaving a 1/4” edge [Fig. 2]. Place garment under the foot with the folded edge along the hem guide [Fig. 3].
BUILT-IN STITCHES – “N” NORMAL RANGE STITCH “C” - THREE-STEP ZIGZAG ATTACHING FLAT ELASTIC Fig. 1 RANGE STITCH WIDTH LENGTH FOOT N C 3-5 2-3 All-purpose Place elastic and fabric under the presser foot. Take a few stitches to anchor the elastic. Adjust the width of the stitch to the width of the elastic. Zigzag over the elastic, stretching the elastic in front of the presser foot as you sew [Fig. 1].
BUILT-IN STITCHES – “N” NORMAL RANGE STITCH “E” - BLINDHEM BLINDHEMMING Use a thread color that matches the fabric color for the best results. RANGE STITCH WIDTH LENGTH FOOT N E 3-5 4 Blindhem Turn up the finished edge of the fabric to the desired hem depth [Fig. 1]. Fold back, leaving a 1/4” edge [Fig. 2]. Place garment under the foot with the folded edge along the hem guide [Fig. 3].
BUILT-IN DECORATIVE STITCHES – “N” NORMAL RANGE Topstitching is one of the easiest and most attractive ways to use decorative stitches. Experiment using metallic, rayon, and variegated threads for additional detail. STITCH “F” - FAGGOTING The faggoting stitch is used in heirloom sewing to join two lightweight pieces of fabric, such as batiste. Fig. 1 Faggoting RANGE STITCH WIDTH LENGTH FOOT N F 5 3 All-purpose Fold under each fabric edge 3/8”.
BUILT-IN STITCHES – “N” NORMAL RANGE BUTTONHOLE STITCH CLASSIC BUTTONHOLES Your Simplicity sewing machine makes made-to-measure buttonholes in four easy steps. J 1 K 2 4 L 3 STITCH WIDTH STITCH LENGTH PRESSER FOOT Yellow range Yellow range Buttonhole [Fig. 1] Loosen the fixing screw and place the button on the foot between the white posts of the foot and the black prong of the fixing screw. Slide the fixing screw toward the back of the foot until it is snug against the button.
BUILT-IN STITCHES – “S” STRETCH RANGE SEWING TIP: When sewing stretchy fabrics such as Lycra or Spandex, a stretch needle is recommended (see Needle, Thread, and Fabric Guide on page 15). STITCH “A” - TRIPLE STRETCH STRAIGHT SEAMING BIAS CURVES The triple stitch action of the stretch straight stitch offers flexible and durable seams. Use it to sew stress areas such as the crotch seam in pants or the sleeve underarm area.
BUILT-IN STITCHES – “S” STRETCH RANGE STITCH “A” - RICK RACK OVERCASTING HEAVY FABRICS Sew on heavier weight stretch fabrics in any area you would use a zigzag stitch. RANGE STITCH WIDTH LENGTH FOOT S A 5 2-3 Overcast Position the fabric under the presser foot and guide the fabric so the right swing of the stitch forms just inside the edge of the fabric [Fig. 1]. Test the position by turning the handwheel toward you and manually “walking” the needle before you begin sewing. Fig.
BUILT-IN STITCHES – “S” STRETCH RANGE STITCH “C” - HONEYCOMB DECORATIVE RIBBON ATTACHING This stitch is ideal for decorative topstitching. Use alone or topstitch over ribbon or cording. Use a variegated thread for extra pizzazz. Fig. 1 Decorative honeycomb stitch RANGE STITCH WIDTH LENGTH FOOT S C 5 3-4 All-purpose Place the ribbon along the stitching line [Fig. 1]. When stitching over ribbon, it’s easiest to secure the ribbon in place with fabric adhesive.
BUILT-IN STITCHES – “S” STRETCH RANGE STITCH “E” - ELASTIC OVERLOCK DECORATIVE RIBBON CASING Create decorative casings for 1/8” narrow ribbon in minutes. RANGE STITCH WIDTH LENGTH FOOT S E 5 4 All-purpose Place the fabric right side up under the presser foot. Insert the ribbon through the front opening of the presser foot, over the front and under the back. Leave a 1/2” tail of ribbon behind the foot. Begin sewing being careful not to stitch the ribbon [Fig. 1].
BUILT-IN DECORATIVE STITCHES – “S” STRETCH RANGE STITCH “F” - FEATHER STITCH Crazy quilt patchwork is a wonderful way to use random-shaped fabrics and an excellent project for using sewing machine stitches creatively. Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Crazy quilt Fig. 3 Decorative trim RANGE STITCH WIDTH LENGTH FOOT S F 4-5 3 Open toe Begin with a base fabric, such as muslin. Top the base fabric with quilt batting (optional). Pin a fabric piece, right side up, in the center of the base fabric.
FREE-MOTION SEWING Free-motion sewing is easily accomplished. Lower the feed teeth, remove the presser foot and presser foot holder, and attach the embroidery foot [Fig. 1]. This allows “free” movement of the fabric in any direction. Use stitch “A” and a stitch width setting from 0-5. There is no need to adjust the stitch length because you will actually be guiding the fabric movement. Use free-motion sewing to monogram, embroider, quilt, or darn.
CARE and MAINTENANCE To ensure the best possible operation of your machine, it is necessary to keep the essential parts clean at all times. Disconnect the machine from the power source before performing any maintenance. NEEDLES The Simplicity sewing machine uses standard sewing machine needles (15x1). The size and type of your needle should be compatible with the fabric (see page 15). Change the needle often – after every other project is a good habit.
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE Problem Possible Cause TOP THREAD BREAKS Machine is threaded incorrectly . . . . . Rethread machine and needle Tension is too tight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reduce tension on top to a smaller number Thread is too heavy for needle size . . . Use a larger needle Needle is inserted incorrectly . . . . . . . Reinsert needle with flat side toward back Needle is damaged . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Insert new needle Thread is caught on spool pin . . . . . . .
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE Problem Possible Cause Solution IRREGULAR STITCHING AND FEEDING Thread is of poor quality . . . . . . . . . . . Use quality thread Presser foot pressure is too light . . . . . Increase presser foot pressure to a higher number Bobbin is not threaded correctly . . . . . Thread bobbin again and check for proper insertion Fabric is being pulled during sewing . . Check for proper foot pressure; make sure feed teeth are raised and operating correctly; lengthen stitch length.
For Sewing Machine assistance call: Simplicity Consumer Helpline 800-822-6691 Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
