Sewing Machine

Janome 3160 QDC

Make: Janome

Model: 3160QDC

Serial Number: 8H2036666 / 8H2036653

Ace: Brooke Frisk (bfrisk24@georgefox.edu).

Location: The Hub

Safety First

Here are some safety instructions for the Sewing Machine. Remember ... SAFETY FIRST!!!

Sharp Hazard – needles are very sharp and can pierce your skin. Turn off the sewing machine when inserting/removing needles to avoid bumping the foot pedal and moving the needle assembly. Never place your fingers directly underneath the needle.
Crush Hazard – be aware of all moving parts and keep your fingers away from any pinch points.
Entanglement – ensure that loose clothing, long hair, or any other dangling/loose items do not become entangled in the machine. Hair that extends below the collar should be tied up.
Eye Injury – needles can break if they hit a solid object while sewing. The broken tip can fly off and become lodged in your eye. Eye protection is recommended when using the sewing machines.
Do not sew over pins. This can break or bend the needle.
Ensure the needle you are using is undamaged before you begin sewing.
Make sure the needle is installed correctly. Well seated with the needle clamp screw tightened.
Verify that you are using the correct presser foot. When changing out the presser foot, manually check that the needle’s travel will clear the foot by turning the handwheel one full rotation toward--not away from--you before using the foot pedal.
Do not run thick fabrics or many layers of fabric through a standard sewing machine. Use the industrial sewing machine for these applications.
When you finish using the sewing machine, disconnect the power cable and the foot pedal from both the machine and the wall outlet/power strip. Coil the power cable and foot pedal cords neatly, and stow on the free arm beneath the dust cover.

Description

There are currently four Janome 3160 QDC sewing machines available for use in the Maker Hub. This model features 60 different stitch patterns. It has automatic fabric feeding, one hand needle threader, and easy to follow instructions, making it an ideal machine for first time sewers. Some of its more advanced features include buttons for lock stitch, needle up or down, and automatic thread cutting. It has an extension table that can be attached to make sewing larger projects a breeze.

Two machines are kept in the Tool Room on shelf 10. Accessory feet are also kept in the Tool Room, and may be checked out as needed by qualified students. A reference copy of the manual is in the top drawer of the storage unit in the sewing area. There are phone stands in that same drawer for use while following tutorials or reading the copy of the manual available on this page on a phone or tablet. The extension tables for the two machines in the sewing corner are in the third drawer of the storage unit.

Here is an example of this piece of equipment being used.

Documentation

Sewing Machine User Manual

Product Home Page

Terminology

Spool pin - Holder used for thread.
Bobbin - Cylinder on which is wound thread that comes from beneath the work
Presser foot - piece of metal that presses the fabric against the feed dogs when sewing.

Training

All information on these specific machines can be found in the User Manual and on the Product Home Page

How to set up the machine. This video shows a similar set up process to our machines, but be sure to compare to the manual.

A quick video on basic stitching techniques:

YouTube is a great resource for learning new things. If you are new to sewing, try watching a few videos to get a general understanding before jumping into sewing.

For more pro tips on sewing visit this website that explains stitch length.

Operation

Winding the bobbin

Once you picked the type/color of thread spool, first get some of it loose and out and secondly place it on the large spool holder (skinny tub). Then, add the spool cap. It's side will depend on the type/ style of thread spool you picked.
As you follow the guide images, put the thread around the metal knob (upper thread guide). Then slide the thread through one of the holes in the bobbin and place it in the bobbin winder spindle (small metal tube) that its on the right top of the machine. Slide the bobbin winder shaft over to lock it.
Hold the thread for couple seconds at the beginning as you press the foot pedal gently and slowly. Once it becomes even or uniform, you can let go of the thread and go faster with the foot pedal.
Cut the thread once you are done and place the bobbin in the bobbin case. The drop in bobbin is covered by a plastic cover that you can remove by gently pulling the hook cover release button. Drop the bobbin and wrap the thread around a the clip under the plastic cover. Then, put the cover on.

Threading the machine

Grab onto the thread from the thread spool and run the thread through the knob and going down then up, following the image guide around and make sure it is catching all parts. At the end thread the needle.

Demonstration

The demonstration will include several steps. Demonstrate you can safely setup the sewing machine, which includes winding the bobbin, threading the machine, and removing/replacing the needle. Finally, sew a mini pillow.

General Procedure

Wind the bobbin and thread the machine
Pick two pieces of fabric and turn them right sides together (flip them) because the raw edges will be inside the pillow which will protect them from fraying. Line the two pieces up.
Sew three sides using a straight stitch.
As you approach the corner, it's better to shorten the stitch length at the end of each side and stitch off the edge of the fabric. It makes a more durable corner--the bulk can be trimmed out of the corner, too, which makes a cleaner (pointy-er) corner. Press stop and wait until the machine stops. Make sure the needle is down and put the kickstand up. Rotate the piece and then put the kickstand down again and continue. Do the same thing to do the last side and press stop. Wait until the machine stops and you are done. Lift the presser foot to remove the work. Break the thread tails on the thread cutter, or clip with scissors.
Press seams flat. Turn and press. Turn raw edges to the inside 1/4", and press.
Stuff. Sew open side shut by stitching with straight stitch close to pressed edges.

(Note: you can use pins to hold things in place, but you need to remove the pins as you stitch. Never sew over pins. It breaks or bends needles, and can mess up the rotation/timing of the bobbin's oscillations.)

Certification

Complete The Hub - Sewing Machine Module at the link below to gain access to the Sewing Machine. The Maker Hub Canvas course pertains to all facilities and equipment contained in the Maker Hub; simply complete the quizzes for the facilities/equipment you wish to use in the Maker Hub. Please email makerhub@georgefox.edu if you have any questions.

Maker Hub Canvas Course

Troubleshooting

There are many different types of problems you can have while using a sewing machine, but here are a few basic problems.

The needle thread breaks: Check the threading of the needle as it may not be threaded properly. It is also possible that the needle needs to be changed. Learn this skill from one of the sewing volunteers or aces so that you can perform a needle change when needed.
The needle breaks: Make sure the needle is installed correctly and is tight. Verify you are using the correct pressure foot.
Machine does not run smoothly: Verify the hook race and bobbin holder are free from lint.
Clearing a thread jam: Because the rotation of the bobbin in the bobbin case is pretty sloppy, thread jams can happen fairly frequently. Use the screwdriver keys that came with the sewing machines to open the needle plate (a.k.a. the throat plate) and access the bobbin case.

Maintenance

General maintenance

Keep the sewing machine clean and free from lint. Make sure to reset the space when you are done sewing.

Specific Maintenance Tasks

Maintenance Procedure	Frequency	Done By
Lubricate mechanisms	Semester	Tech
Clean machine interior	Monthly	Tech
Change the needle	As Needed	Users