Instruction book for the PFAFF Sewing Machine (Model 130)

For best results, study these instructions carefully – particularly those parts on the care of the machine. Before leaving the factory your PFAFF was adjusted, carefully tested, and found to be perfect in every respect. If you follow the simple suggestions outlined here, you will enjoy your PFAFF … find it endlessly useful … and, through-out the years be glad that your choice is the finest sewing machine in the world.

I. Useful hints

To help you get the best results with your PFAFF

Use fine thread and a fine needle adjusted for loose tension when sewing thin, light fabrics.

For ordinary lock stitch or zigzag seams, regulate the tension so that the interlacing of upper and under threads takes place in the center of the stitching. For making buttonholes, stitching on buttons, eyeletting, rolled seams, and hemstitching, the tension of the under thread should be somewhat tight, since it is desirable to have the threads interlock more towards the underside of the fabric.

Use unglazed thread for ordinary sewing, and soft yarn for embroidering, darning, etc. Since these yarns are smoother and more flexible than the hard and brittle glazed cotton, they assure well-drawn-in stitches, thus protecting the seams when the fabric is washed.

Skipping of stitches may be caused by:

1. Needles not having been inserted properly.
2. Using other than the recommended PFAFF Needles.
3. Needle being bent by wrong handling, or too fine for the thread used.

Thread breaking may be caused by:

1. Any of the three reasons mentioned above.
2. Tension too tight.
3. Using bad or knotty thread.

Bad stitches may be caused as a result of:

1. Tensions being too loose or too tight. Both tensions should be equal.
2. Using needles and threads that do not conform to the thickness of the fabric. Top and bottom thread should be the same.
3. Fluff having accumulated between the upper tension discs, or underneath the tension spring of the bobbin case.

Heavy working of the machine may be caused by:

1. The motor belt having become too loose after constant use, therefore, not pulling properly. In that case, the motor bracket has to be adjusted.
2. The motor belt being too tight. Do not over-tighten it.
3. The shuttle race being obstructed by fluff, which must be removed.
4. The machine having become clogged. Note the following instructions for proper oiling and cleaning.

II. To oil and clean the machine

Apply rust-proof grease on all nickel-plated and polished parts. This done, all greased parts should be cleaned with a clean rag. Then, apply a little PFAFF Sewing Machine Oil at the poiling points marked with arrows in Figures 1, 2, and 3.

After raising the presser foot, run the machine for a little while without thread, wipe off the down-dripping oil and apply a drop of PFAFF Sewing Machine Oil to all points where there is friction. Make it a rule to clean and oil the machine from time to time, especially when it has been in constant use, or has not been used for a long time.

VERY IMPORTANT: Before using the machine for the first time, apply to the hook a drop of PFAFF Sewing Machine Oil.

Keep the oil can clean.

The needle plate should be taken off frequently and cleaned of accumulated fluff on the underside.

III. The needle

If the needle is inserted incorrectly, the top thread will jam in the hook, and tear. The correct way to install the needle is with the flat of the shank towards the hand lift.

In general, follow this simple rule: Use a finer needle for finer thread and a heavier needle for heavier thread.

IV. Feeding

If the material does not feed (move), turn presser bar pressure screw to the right to increas the pressure. There sould be as little pressure as possible on the presser bar – use just enough to feed the material.

Too much pressure causes excessive wear in feeder and foot.

When in doubt, call in qualified PFAFF mechanic.

IMPORTANT – When inserting a new needle, make sure that the needle thumb screw is loose enough to permit you to slide the needle all the way up to the stop pin, then tighten the thumb screw. If the needle is not inserted in this way, it will cause SKIPPING of stitches, and possible needle breakage.

1. Threading the needle

Put spool on spindle, draw through hook guide 1, around circular guide 2, around the tension discs 3, and through check spring 4, around guides 5 and 6, and into the lower hole of the take-up 7, down through thread guide 8 into guide above the needle 9 – and thread needle from front to back (Fig. 4).

2. To set the needle

LOOSEN lock screw above needle clamp. Insert needle with flat shank to back, tighten lock screw – and you’re ready to sew.

3. To remove bobbin case (Fig. 5)

Turn the machine back on its hinges. Open latch in bobbin case by grasping latch between thumb and forefinger (it is easier with the left hand) – and pull. The bobbin case comes right out. To remove the bobbin, release latch again and the bobbin with drop right out. Practice a few times, so as to get used to this operation.

4 To wind the bobbin (Fig. 6)

For beginners, it is suggested that the balance wheel be disconnected so that the machine will not turn. For experienced operators, the balance wheel can remain connected if desired so that a bobbin can be wound while sewing on a garment. Wind thread around the bobbin a couple of times away from you. Place bobbin on winder spindle so that the single slot fits into the pin on the side of the winder spindle.

Place spool of thread 1 on either spool holder (1). Draw thread down between tension disc 2 to the botton placed on winder spindle 3. Press down on winder catch 4 to lock bobbin in winding position. now you re ready to wind bobbin. Turn on power until bobbin is wound. If you do not wish to wind the bobbin to capacity, press winder disconnect lever 5. When bobbin is full, release is automatic.

5. To replace bobbin case (Fig. 7)

Slip bobbin into bobbin case, and draw the thread through the bobbin case slot 1, away from you, under tension spring 2. Turn machine back on its hinges exposing base for bobbin case. With bobbin case latch opened, between thumb and forefinger, slip bobbin into center hook and drop latch back. Push down bobbin case with thumb to make sure that case is locked in position.

6. To commence sewing

IMPORTANT – Turn wheel towards you to pick-up bobbin thread.

Allow needle to descend and rise once. The under thread then appears in the form of a loop out of the needle hole.

Then lower presser foot by means of presser foot lever. Draw both upper and lower thread ends under the presser foot, and to the rear.

To protect presser foot and feed, never operate machine without placing fabric under the presser foot.

With the cloth inserted and the presser foot lowered, turn the balance wheel towards you. At the same time, give a slight pressure with your knee against the knee control – or against the foot control on some portable models.

7. To remove the work

Stop the machine. Turn the balance wheel toward you until the take-up (see section on threading the needle) is at its highest point. (Or turn the wheel to complete the stitch.) raise presser foot. (On lifting the presser foot, the tension is automatically released.) Draw the cloth to the rear of the needle. Cut the thread close to the material on the thread cutter

8. To regulate the tension of the upper thread

The tension of the upper thread is regulated of tension nut (M) (Fig. 4) Turning this screw clockwise, the tension will become tighter. Unscrewing it, counterclockwise, it will become looser.

Having adjusted the tension for a certain kind of thread (you can best judge this tension for yourself by pulling the thread gently with your hand when you have threaded the machine through the tension spring), just glance at the number marked in the bell behind the tension nut, and note its relative position.

If the upper tension is too loose, the under thread will pull down the upper thread, forming little knots or loops as shown in Fig. 8. If the upper tension is too tight, the under thread is drawn up, as illustrated in fig. 9. Fig. 10 shows the locking in the wo threads in the center of the material, as a result of the proper adjustment of both tensions.

9. To regulate tension of the under thread

If the tension is too loose, take the bobbin case out of the machine (Fig. 5) and tighten the small tension screw (Z) in a clockwise direction with the aid of the screwdriver. If the tension is too tight, unscrew it in a counter-clockwise direction (Fig. 11).

10. to regulate the length of stitch

The length of the stitches is regulated by the stitch regulator screw. (Fig. 6). In the zero – (or neutral) – position there is no feeding at all. The numbers above zero are for forward stitching; the space below for reverse stitching.

Loosen regular screw, and push up to desired position from 1 to 5. Position one is the smallest stitch. When you have chosen the side of stitch you want, tighten the screw. To sew in reverse, simply push the locked screw downward, below position zero. It will automatically sew the same size stitch in reverse.

11. The Dial-A-Stitch

If the nose of the Dial-A-Stitch lever (G), (Fig. 12), is on point zero of the scale, the machine is performing the straight stitch. If you turn the lever, (G), to the left, the machine is doing the zigzag stitch. The width of the zigzag stitch is increased as the lever, (G), is turned to the left, bringing the width of the zigzag stitch up to a maximum of 11/64".

If lever H (Fig. 12) is pressed against the body of the machine, and then shifted down into position II, the machine will sew to the right of the stitch made in the normal position. In position III, it will sew still farthur to the right, continuing the same kind of stitch for which the dial is set. This is useful for applique, fancy stitching, straight sewing, embroidery, buttonholes, and sewing on buttons.

If the machine is not running, the shifting procedure should not be made, or the sizeof the zigzag stitch should not be changed, unless the needle is raised. Otherwise, the needle might be bent or broken.

12. To take apart and clean the hook (Fig. 13)

If pieces of thread, lint or dust have gotten inside the hook, impeding the action of the machine, it is necessary to remove the upper and lower parts of the bobbin case. Turn the balance wheel so as to see clearly screws E-1, E-2, and E-3. Unscrew these, and take off the hook bow. NOTE: Since these screws are extremely small, it is necessary to use great care so as not to lose them.

Grap center hook between thumb and forefinger, and turn the balance wheel gently until the lower case slips out. Clear out the dirt with a cloth, and put a drop of oil on the running surface under the case. Replace lower bobbin case. Do not force it, as it will damage the part. Replace the hook bow, and screw the three screws back into position. If this is difficult, do not force it – call for your mechanic. Parts damaged by force will not be replaced free of charge.

13. To regulate pressure of the presser foot

Screw or unscrew the bushing (V), (Fig. 4), to increase or decrease pressure of the presser foot, and to regulate it for the type of material used.

14. Adjusting the tension of the thread controller spring

For embroidering and darning, ease the tension of the thread controller spring a little more than in the case of sewing. When working on thick or hard materials, the tension should be tighter. To tighten the tension, turn the lever of the tension sleeve as shown in Fig. 4.

1. indicating the position for darning and embroidering;
2. indicating the normal position;
3. indicating the position for sewing thick and hard materials.

The direction for turning the lever is indicated by “L” for loose (light) and “F” for fast (tight).

15. The needle

Make sure that you use the PFAFF needles designed for your machine – Needle Series 130R. These are finely machined, tempered and polished steel, and are available in sizes 7 to 11, for the most delicate to the heaviest sewing.

16. To lower the feed

For darning and embroidering, the feed can be lowered by turning the knob (X), (Fig. 6), on the front right-hand side of the bed plate. Turn it right to lower the feed; turn it left to raise the feed.

NO ATTACHMENTS ARE NEEDED for all normal sewing and most types of fancy sewing. The PFAFF comes equipped with a hinged presser foot, No. 44088 (Fig. 14), which is used for these purposes. This should remain on your machine most of the time. To remove it, loosen the screw, and lift the presser foot out to the left. To replace it, slip it back into position, holding it firmly in place between the thumb and forefinger of the right hand and tighten the screw.

For plain sewing the standard type of presser foot, No. 45037, (Fig. 15), is included for those who prefer to use it.

17. Sewing on buttons (fig. 16 and 17)

Use foot No. 46120 for sewing on two- or four-hole buttons, for snaps, hooks, and small bone or metal rings. (Fig. 18). Lower lever H of the Dial-A-Stitch into position III with dial set to as far as the right as possible. Lower the feed.

With stitch regulator set between 1 and 2, place button on fabric, under button foot, so that needle passes through center of right hole of the button. Then adjust the zigzag stitch with the dial so that the needle passes through the center of the left hole of the button.

To fix the button to the fabric, four or five double stitches will do. When stitching on buttons having four holes, place the fabric with the button as far back as necessary to permit fastening the second pair of holes, too.

At the last stitch, leave the needle at the right and adjust the machine for straight stitches of which a few will suffice to lock the stitch.

18. Buttonholes (Fig. 19 and 20)

Screw on buttonhole foot, No. 42297, (Buttonholes can be made with or without cord. The cord used can be varied, depending on your choice, from the finest to Pearl Cotton No. 5).

For corded buttonhole, draw the cord through the hole in the buttonhole foot, towards the rear. The tension of the supper and under thread must be tightened to obtain a well drawn-in stitch.

The length of the buttonhole should be marked in pencil on the fabric.

With Dial-a-Stitch lever H in position I, (Fig. 12), adjust stitch regulator between zero and one. Adjust the fineness of the zigzag stitch with screw B, t the left of

the dial, according to the heaviness of cording used. If the zigzag is set at number two, this is adequate for most cordings.

After the preparations, the first edge is sewn to the marked length. When this is done, leave the needle at the right side of this edge in the fabric. Now, rise the presser bar and swing the fabric half around, clockwise, so that the edge now lies at the right of the needle, parallel to the cord guide. Keep the work clean. Cut off excess cord. This makes neater buttonholes. Then lower the presser bar and allow the needle to make one more stitch to the left.

The needles is now in the fabric at the left of the cord. Raise the needle and push lever G into its second groove by turning it to the left. In this way, the wider zigzag stitch for the first bar tack is set. To make the bar, four to fice zigzag stitches are necessary, and while doing thses, the fabric must be held somewhat to reduce the forward feeding. On making the last stitch of the bar, leave the needles in the favric to the left. Then, bring the needle up and push lever G back into its first groove in the posiiton in which you sewd the first edge. Now sew edge two. Readjust the lever into the second groove to make the second bar tack, being sure that the needles is raised before switching the zigzag lever. This second bar tack made, again raise the needle and push lever G back to the farthest position on the right and make some plain stitches to lock the threads.

The cutting of the buttonhole is made with the buttonhole knife. This must be performed with care to avoid damaging the buttonhole threads. Insert either the narrow or the broad blade into the holder and fasten it by tightening the screw.

19. Ornamental seams

For plain and straight ornamental seams use the normal presser foot. For parallel seams use the edge stitcher with ruler, No. 41350. By skillfully alternating straight and zigzag stitches of varying width and length, you can make any number of attractive patterns – especially interesting as dress decorations. (Fig. 21)

An additional variety of effects is produced by alternating seams to the right and left of centers. (Fig. 22). To sew left of center, push lever H up; to sew right of center, push lever H down.

Colored thread is often used to enhance the appearance of the work.

20. Overedged hems

Overedged hems are very popular for trimming ladies and children’s dresses, underwear, etc. Fold the edge as required and baste if necessary. Then cover the folded edge with zigzag stitches, small to medium-small, at a stitch length of 1/16th inch. Cut the projecting edge off carefully with a pair of scissors.

A additional ornamental seam, parallel to the edging, adds a handsome effect. (Fig. 23).

21. Applique work

Trace the design on both fabrics, with the cloth to be appliqued extending 1/16th inch beyond the edge of the design. Place the cutting on the fabric so it corresponds to the pattern, and baste it on.

Follow the lines of the design with a narrow and not too dense zigzag stitch, and cut the projecting edges off the cutting. Then reinforce the seam with a wider and more dense zigzag seam (See Fig. 24 and 25).

If a card is to be appliqued, or a more raised effect is desired, use the special cording foot No. 41621. (Fig. 26). This is available at extra cost.

22. Running on lace

This is done with the regular sewing foot, unless cord is to be used. If so, use foot No. 41621. (Fig. 26).

With strong fabric such as linen, shirting, etc, the lace is applied 1/16th inch from the edge, and basted on if necessary. The edge of the lace is then covered with zigzag stitches and the projecting fabric cut off.

In the case of finer fabrics such as voile and cambric, the lace is sewn on with straight stitch as above described.

Then the projecting edge of the fabric is folded under, the double edge is covered with zigzag stitches, and the projecting fabric cut off. In this manner, opening of the fabric is made impossible.

If special, clean-edge lace borders are desired for sewing curtains, bed linens, etc., a special foot, No. 41746, is available at extra cost. This curls the edge of the fabric under as the lace is sewn on. (Fig. 27). By holding the lace back, or letting it go forward, lace borders can be shirred or sewn on flat.

Even hems (Fig. 30)

Even hems are sewn by using hemming foot, No. 41246, (Fig. 28), or with the larger hemming foot, No. 41248, (Fig. 29), with the machine set for straight zigzag stitch. With light tension and medium-sized zigzag stitches, the rolled edge of the fabric remains even and smooth. With tight tension and broad zigzag stitches on undulating rolled hem is obtained, especially desirable in the case of knitted silk goods. Special effects are obtained by using thread of different shades.

Felling (Fig. 32)

For felling, use rhe felling foot No. 41242. (Fig. 31). Place the two fabrics together so that the lower layer projects about ¼" on the right side. Then guide the two pieces into the feller, just as when hemming. The lower fabric is then folded once, and sewn to the top piece. Now infold the two pieces of cloth as shown in Fig. 32, flatten the seam, and once more guide the edge thus formed through the feller. When felling, using the straight lock stitch, except for thin or elastic fabrics and knitted goods, which require a medium-sized zigzag stitch for good strong seamd.

Embroidering and darning

Remove the presser foot and lower the feed. Raise the presser bar, place wire clamp (A) with its bent end around the shank of foot screw (B); and with the short end into hole © of the face plate. (Fig. 33). By lowering the presser bar lever, the thread tension is re-established. It is helpful to use an embroidery ring in any convenient size. For darning, use soft, mercerized cotton No. 40 to 80, depending on the thickness of the fabric.

If large parts are to be mended, we recomment cutting out the damaged pieces, inserting a fresh piece of fabric, and fastening it with zigzag stitches, as shown in Fig. 34

26. Covered cords

Covered cords are made with the feed cover plate and cord guide No. 41842, in addition to the cording foot, N. 41319 with five grooves. All of these are available at a slight extra cost.

Embroidery yarn No. 40, sewing silk, or standard sewing cotton, may be used. Crocht yard No. 3 or 5 can serve as cord.

Pass the crochet yarn through the cording guide, and place the fabric under the presser foot. Sew the cord on the line you have traced, with a medium zig-zag stitch.

Soft cording effects can be obtained by using a filler thread. This, (as shown in Fig. 35), is done with smaller zigzag stitches.

27. Ruffling

Ruffling is done with thr same type of cording mentioned above. (See Fig. 36).

Fasten one end of the filler thread, and tighten it after completing the seam. The fabric can now be puckered together for uniform ruffling. The opposite end of the card must be fixed, to prevent the ruffling from becoming undone.

28. Hemstitching (Fig. 37)

First draw the threads according to the pattern, just as if hemstitching by hand. The two edges where the threads have been drawn must now be sewn with narrow zigzag stitches, using the regular presser foot. The length of stitch depends on the effect you wish to obtain. When sewing the second edge, make sure that the same threads are covered, and that the length of stitch is the same as on the first edges, to assure a uniform appearance. For this work an embroidery ring is very useful.

29. Picot edging

Picot edging is obtained by cutting the above hemstitched hem along the center. (Fig. 38). This type of edging is used to prevent the unravelling of the plain cloth-edge.

30. Rolled hems

Rolled hems are produced with the aid of sewing foot No. 46261 × 1,5 (Fig. 39). use small zigzag stitches to ensure a neat effect.

31. Scalloped rolled hems (Fig. 41)

Scalloped rolled hems on knitted goods are made with foot N. 46261 × 3, available at extra cost. The scalloped form of the hem is the result of the wide zigzag stitch sewn with firm tension.

32. Scalloped edge (Fig. 42)

On neck pieces and lingerie straps of heavy knit goods, the rolled hem described above is too thick. In this case, the making of a scalloped edge with edge stitcher No. 41350 and the ruler with cording guide, No 26862, is recommended. The latter on is available at slight extra cost.

V. Mechanical Adjustments

1. Setting the height of the needle bar

Remove the face plate. Make sure dial is set on zero, and lever (H) is set in center. Turn hands wheel until needle bar is at lowest point. Loosen needle-bar clamp lockscrew. Lower needle-bar until the top of the eye of the needle is level with the top of the base of the hook. Hold needle bar so that it does not move, and lock with needle-bar clamp lock-screw.

Now the height of the needle bar is set, and you can proceed with the timing of the hook.

2. Timing of the Hook

Set zigzag dial on Position 4( widest stitch). Loosen the two lock-screws of the hook and take off base stop. Turn hand wheel until needle bar is on extreme left, and at the lowest point. Bring the point of the hook around to the needle. Hold it there and turn hand wheel in direction of rotation (towards front of machine) until the top of the eye of the needle is approximately 1/32" below the bottom of the point of the hook. Bring the hook as close as possible to the needle without touching the needle, and lock the hook in position on the hook shaft. Replace base stop, and push it towards the front of the machine until you’ve got a least 1/32\“ or more clearance between the base stop and the base. Now the hook is timed.