20 Most Recent Singer 3116 Simple - Page 3 Questions & Answers

Sounds to me that your machine is out of time. I recommend you take it to your local repair center.

385 just means it's a Janome badged for Sears. The actual model number is the first 4 or 5 digits after the 385 portion.. like 385.1234567890 Machines that don't reverse are often dirty or the lubricants are gummed up (try running the machine in 15 minute bursts, full throttle, with the needle out; sometimes that helps.) Otherwise: https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091124135216AAUyR3H

It could be a matter of timing. Try taking the needle out and then turn the wheel forward. Using the foot pedal without the needle will give you an idea as to how much off the timing is. It might just need to go to a machine mechanic.

Dear VeeVeeV,
when I've had that problem it was due to incorrect threading of the top thread. Sometimes it "jumps" out of one of the thread guides, particularly the round one with the tension spring. The bottom thread looping & the machine not sewing is my first clue sometimes that it's done that. good luck, Georgia

I could not follow your question

To pull the thread through the material the thread tension for the top and bottom is too tight.

Try removing the metal plate covering the bobbin case and clean out that area. I use a small paint brush. Sometimes if that area is dirty, the feeders won't move, and therefor won't pull the fabric.

Go to You tube. There are a lot of videos to show you how.

I see a lot of these come in my shop. The cost of repairing outweighs the cost of a new machine. Either find a working model at a garage sale, or commit to purchasing a quality machine. The Janome Magnolia 7330 is the least expensive/best quality on the market. Baby Lock A Line Series are also good machines.

Singer website has many manuals available as pdfs including yours, oiling is shown in this image after you remove the hook race cover and hook. Most front loading bobbin design machines are like this. http://www.singerco.com/uploads/download/438_3116.pdf

If your machine keeps running when you let up on the foot control you need to have the foot control repaired or replaced. The on/off switch only controls the light. It will stop running if you disconnect the power line at the sewing machine but this will become a headache..

Pull needle pie out from below: Take out bobbin case Get hold of needle with needle nose pliers While holding needle, loosen screw up above Pull needle piece down and out.

Is the bobbin upside-down? Is there something else in there? Try rotating the bobbin some.

The first thing you need to do is check with your user's manual on to make sure that your needle is inserted correctly--flat side to the back, and it is all the way UP in the holder. I find a small needle nose pliers helpful to hold the needle for this. If you don't have it, you can download it free at the Singer Sewing machine website--I just did before I answered this. Next, make sure you have correctly threaded your machine, and when you did so, the presser foot was UP (ALWAYS thread with the presser foot UP--on ANY machine anywhere!). The next part is on page 20 of your user's manual, and there are drawings. Then, insert your bobbin, with the lever on the case DOWN (it's the only time you can insert and remove a bobbin; with the tab on the case open, the bobbin is locked into place. Make sure the bobbin is inserted the correct way. In your case, when you hold the bobbin up vertically the thread should be unwinding from the left, or clockwise. After you have inserted the bobbin, take a look at the right side of the bobbin case towards the top; you will see a slot the thread needs to go into. Once it's in the slot, hold your finger on the bobbin so it that can't unwind, and pull the thread so that it is in the slot at the top of the shot you put it in. This part exerts tension on the bobbin thread, and it's VERY important that you get it in there. . Then open the tab or lever and put it into the bobbin basket (holds the bobbin case), with the projecting part on the top. A length of bobbin thread should be projecting outside the case at this point--you will be drawing it up to the needle plate. How, hold the top thread end pull the hand wheel TOWARDS you (ALWAYS towards you--on any machine) at least one revolution and possibly two revolutions, then pull on the top thread and the bobbin thread will come up. When starting to sew on fabric, hold your hand on the top thread for the first two or three stitches.

If you are using knit fabric and a regular needle, then your machine will skip stitches. Can you give me more details on what you are sewing or trying to sew>

The maker wants you to take it to a repair shop. There is a chance that you'll muck something up inside; kinda like a watch in there.

Format it.

You may download a copy of the manual at http://www.singerco.com/uploads/download/438_3116.pdf