How Do I Change The Needle - Encore sitdown User Manual

How Do I Change the Needle?

A 134RSAN needle (size 18) will be installed on your Encore 18x6
Sitdown model from the factory. When it is time to replace the
needle, you can easily install one. Be sure the power switch is off
on the machine. Remove the bobbin case.
To remove the needle, use the smaller screwdriver included with
your machine. Loosen the screw just above the thread guide on
the needle bar; the needle should fall out as you loosen the screw.
Look closely at the needle. Your home sewing machine needle
shank (top of the needle) has a flat side. The top of the long
arm machine needle is round. On the point end of the needle
there is a scarf, or notch, in one side. The scarf must face the
right of your machine. The long groove at the eye of the
needle faces left as you insert the needle.
Why does the scarf go to the right of the machine?
When the needle goes down through the fabric into the bobbin
case, the hook comes around behind the needle to pick up the
thread. The scarf has to be there to provide a way for the hook
to get between the needle and the thread in order to pick up the
thread.
Place the new needle up in the slot, making sure the needle is
up in the needle bar as far up as it will go. Make sure the scarf is
facing the right of your machine. Tighten the screw on the needle
bar while holding the needle up.
TIP: Use the old needle to hold the new needle in place while you tighten
the screw. By placing the point of the old needle into the eye of the new
needle, you can see how straight you are placing the scarf of the needle.
Before you turn your machine on, go to the back of the machine
and turn the hand wheel a complete turn making sure the needle
goes down in the center of the throat plate, and the hook in the
bobbin area rotates with the needle smoothly. Put the needle
down as far as possible. In the bobbin area, you should be able
to see you the eye of the needle. When the hook rotates, it picks
up the thread at the back of the needle, then the top thread pulls
the bobbin thread up to create a stitch. The scarf must face the
right of your machine.
Updated January 2019 | 17