Singer 347

[creativeaccents]

Well, I am raring to go! I have some beautiful fabric, a pattern with instructions, and am more than ready. I even found a Singer 347 which I have oiled well and thoroughly cleaned..bought with maple cabinet for 17.00 U.S.. Even bought an encyclopedia on how to use a sewing machine. Though it gives every conceivable thing you can do with a machine, it doesn't address the basics. I can't do this by hand..at 57 the hands just don't work so well for extended periods on small details, the fingers first cramp and then I have to unsnap them when they lock.

There are two things that I can't identify; on the foot pedal there are two switches...one is for start and stop, but have no idea about the other. On the top, left, back side of the head of the machine there is an adjustable round knob that may to be linked a setting on the left side of the head that is colored plastic with numbers and a sliding guage inside.

The machine seems to be in a mode that allows freehand sewing in any direction rather than just front and back. Then there are all the other settings such as the tension of the thread, length and width. Manual won't be here for a week to ten days. Any idea of the best default settings for simple, plain stiching front to back?

[Mark Keeney]

Does the second switch on the foot pedal really move? Moms machine has a foot pedal that looks like it has two switches but the one on the right doesn't move. That helps keep control of how far you push the switch and control the speed.

Is the dial on the left the tension gauge of the top thread?

A picture of the parts in question might help.

[auld argonian]

I'd wonder if it wasn't either a switch to put it in reverse or a lock to keep the other footswitch locked when it was depressed...sort of like the shift lock key on a typewriter (remember those?).

Best

AA

[creativeaccents]

Actually, it is just some weird styling on the foot pedestal. What looks like a switch is really just an inch square cube. Had to put on my glasses and get down on the floor!

I did finally find a GREAT source for sewing machine service and instruction manuals: Russell McCoy, P.O. Box 21612, Bullhead City, AZ 86439 Good quality and fast shipment

The manuals are a lot of help. Now I just need to do some experimenting with the various controls to get the feel for the thing. However, the manuals are a very good place to start for indications of what kind of settings to use for what fabrics. Just wish I had some more specific info on the kind of heavy suiting wool I have. My guess would be fairly short stiches and not too much pressure on the foot. The trouble with the Encyclopedia of sewing that I found on Amazon is that it covers every possible style of decoration and virtually nothing on the fundamentals of using a machine. Thanks all!