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This document is intended for Protohaven shop techs, who need both basic clearance information as well as troubleshooting and maintenance. It starts with common problems – so if someone comes to you on shift with a question you know where to start – then goes over usage, less-common troubleshooting, maintenance, and safety.

• Needles & Thread - Match needle & thread size to fabric weight. Standard consumer needles, technically the model number is Singer 2020 70/9 or 110/18 9(70) 18(110) but you don't need to know that unless you're buying from a place that also caters to industry.
  • Lightweight fabric (gauze, sheer, floaty)
  • Midweight fabric (shirting, quilting cotton, flannel)
  • Heavier fabric (canvas, denim, fleece)
  • Heavy fabric (upholstery, heavy canvas) - use a Juki instead
• Presser Feet - any consumer, low-shank presser foot will work
• Bobbins - Singer Class 15 (for sale in Protohaven shop)

1. Raise the presser foot.
   This is commonly forgotten.
2. Raise the needle.
   Turn the hand wheel toward you until the thread lifter arm is in its topmost position.
3. Place a spool on the spool pin.
   The thread should come towards you from the top.
4. Secure the spool with a spool cap.
   Small, white, located in sewing checkout kit at front desk.
5. Follow the numbered guides.
   See start guide for detailed threading diagram.

Thread nests on the bottom signal a problem with the top thread. Re-thread machine, make sure the presser foot is up, make sure the spool cap is in place and thread feeds smoothly from the spool.

Thread nests on the top signal a problem with the bobbin thread. Remove bobbin and re-insert, being sure thread feeds smoothly off the bobbin forming the letter “p”.

Extreme tangles can signal a problem with the bobbin tension, but this is super rare and worth submitting a maintenance report instead of trying to fix.

Always test stitches on two layers of fabric.

• Bobbin thread shows too much on top: loosen top tension
• Top thread shows too much on bottom: tighten top tension
• Other problems: post a picture to Discord

Broken needles happen for a wide range of reasons. Try in this order:

1. Replace the needle.
2. Use the hand wheel to go through several stitches slowly. If the needle hits the presser foot, change your needle position settings or switch to a presser foot designed for the selected stitch. Repeat until you can complete two full cycles of the selected stitch using the hand wheel without hitting anything.
3. Continue sewing. If no further breakage occurs, the other needle was just old. It happens.
4. If the needle breaks again, replace it, and switch to using the hand wheel on bulky areas. This will give you a feel for whether the needle will go through your work at all. If it is too difficult for you to push the needle through with the hand wheel, do not try to sew this seam on the consumer sewing machines. There are many possible ways forward from here; try asking on Discord.
5. If the needle isn't hitting the presser foot, the hand wheel gives you no trouble on any of the bulky areas, but the needle still breaks when you use the foot pedal, this suggests a more serious problem with the machine (a timing problem or something broken or mangled below the needle plate). Submit a maintenance report and switch to a different machine.

Check:

• Bobbin thread
• Needle
• Top thread

Raise presser foot and thread needle.

Check selected stitch style, stitch length, and needle position.

For each seam:

1. Raise presser foot.
2. Position fabric under needle.
3. Lower presser foot.
4. Hang onto the end of the top thread.
5. Use hand wheel to lower needle into the fabric.
   Adjust fabric position more precisely if needed.
6. Depress the foot pedal to begin sewing.
   1. Use right hand to pinch fabric layers together and ensure both layers feed evenly.
   2. Use left hand to steer.
   3. Use gentle tension. Pulling or pushing too hard can cause the needle to break (recoverable error) or punch a hole in part of the machine (critical error).
   4. Slow down when sewing over bulky areas. If the machine struggles, release the foot pedal and use the hand wheel to proceed one stitch at a time.
7. Release the foot pedal to stop sewing.

Check, retrieve personal property, restore communal property:

• Top thread
• Needle
  Machine should be put away with no needle or size 12, 14, or 16 universal needle installed.
• Presser foot
  Machine should be put away with zigzag foot J installed.
• Bobbin

Restore to checkout kit:

• Spool cap
• Snips
• Odd presser feet

Collect thread and fabric scraps from tables and floor and place in trash.