SINGER 5511 Heavy Duty Interactive Manual
Interactive instruction manual by Singer Sewing Outlet

Live Sewing Advisor - free for our customers: ask any sewing question about your 5511 and get an answer straight away, 7 days a week. Log in to your order page to use it, or get 30 days' instant access for a one-off £10.

Log in30 days - £10 one-off

Your SINGER 5511 Heavy Duty

Singer's instructions rewritten in plain English, with every setting kept exactly as Singer intended, and with tips from our team added along the way. Stuck on something? Ask the Live Sewing Advisor at any point.

This manual applies to UK spec machines.

SINGER Heavy Duty 5511
SINGER Heavy Duty 5511

Watch Singer’s owner’s class

A full walk-through of your machine from Singer - setting up, threading, winding the bobbin and your first stitches. Short videos for each step are in the sections below.

Please note: the model number shown in the video may vary, as it was made in the US, but the functions are the same as your model.

Important - please read: getting the best out of your machine

The questions our customers ask us most - worth two minutes before you start.

  1. 🔄
    Always turn the handwheel towards you
    Turning it away from you can knock the timing out.
  2. ⚡
    Switch off before you thread or change anything
    Turn the power switch to O (off) before threading, changing the needle or foot, or taking out the bobbin.
  3. 💡
    Buttonholes: raise the needle before each step
    The 5511 sews buttonholes in 4 steps, set with the pattern selector dial. Always make sure the needle is fully raised before you turn the dial to the next step.
  4. 📦
    Keep the box and packaging
    Please keep the box and packaging for your machine, should it ever need to be sent away for servicing or repair.

  5. From Singer Sewing Outlet

    Slower and gentle speed control - Meet Turtle

    The 5511 is a powerful machine - up to 1,100 stitches a minute. If the machine sews quicker than you'd like (especially the starting speed), Turtle is our own foot control, built by our technical team to give you fine control from the very first stitch. Press gently and the needle moves stitch by stitch; press harder and the speed builds smoothly - never sudden, never jerky.

    • Starts as slow as 1 stitch per second - as gentle as you like
    • Smooth, gradual speed across the whole pedal - never jerky
    • Same top speed and full power when you want it
    • Plug and play: swaps straight in for your 5511 pedal, no tools
    • Perfect for beginners, topstitching, applique, free motion quilting and thick layers
    “This Turtle foot is a game changer!! I have the Singer Heavy Duty machine and OMG it's totally changed my sewing.”Linda, one of our first Turtle customers
    £49.99Shop Turtle
    Turtle foot control for Singer sewing machines
  6. 🔍
    Needle not in the centre?
    This is the question we are asked most - it is a setting, not a fault. When you are on a straight stitch, make sure the WIDTH dial is set to 0 and the needle will sit in the centre.
  7. 🔍
    Fabric not moving?
    If the fabric stays in one place, the feed dogs (the teeth that pull the fabric through) have been lowered - it is a setting, not a fault. Switch the drop feed switch back to normal mode, then turn the machine's handwheel towards you until the feed dogs pop up.
  8. 🔄
    Stitching problems? Rethread first
    If you ever have an issue with stitching, tension, looping or jamming, the first thing to do is rethread the machine. If the issue persists, change the needle and bobbin, clean out the bobbin area, and make sure no thread is stuck anywhere in the thread path or in the bobbin area. If you have tried all of these and are still having issues, please do get in touch with our support team.
  9. 🧹
    Keep the bobbin area clean
    We recommend you clean out your bobbin area with a brush or cotton bud every 4 to 6 bobbin changes, to keep your machine free of lint and debris.
  10. 🔄
    Change your needle
    To keep your machine stitching perfectly, we recommend changing your needle every 6 to 8 hours of sewing. We supply needles in different sizes and for different types of materials - including stretch, jeans/denim, leather, and multiple sizes of universal needles to suit the weight of the fabric.
  11. 🧵
    Use good thread
    Always try to use good quality branded threads such as Gutermann, Coats, Hemline or Mettler. Avoid non-branded threads, such as ones found in supermarkets or on some online marketplaces.
  12. ✅
    Use the correct bobbin
    With very few exceptions, Singer machines use Class 15 plastic bobbins. Always use the type that came with your machine - we recommend genuine bobbins only. Even slight differences in bobbin size or weight can cause the machine not to stitch correctly.
  13. ⚙
    Let the machine feed the fabric
    Modern machines have extremely good feeding mechanisms, designed to pull the fabric through the machine for you. Try to avoid pulling the fabric through to the point of bending the needle, as this can cause the needle to strike the bobbin case or needle plate.
  14. 💬
    We are here to help
    Always feel free to message us for help and advice on how to get the best out of your machine.

Getting to know your machine

Important safety instructions

When using any electrical appliance, basic safety precautions should always be followed, including the ones below. Read all the instructions before using this sewing machine.

DANGER - to reduce the risk of electric shock

  • Never leave the machine unattended while it is plugged in.
  • Always unplug the machine from the socket straight after use and before cleaning.
  • Always unplug the machine before changing the light bulb. Replace the bulb with the same type, rated 15 watts.

WARNING - to reduce the risk of burns, fire, electric shock or injury

  1. Do not let the machine be used as a toy. Take close care when it is used by or near children.
  2. Only use the machine for its intended purpose, as described in this manual. Only use attachments recommended by the manufacturer, as listed in this manual.
  3. Never use the machine if the cord or plug is damaged, if it is not working properly, or if it has been dropped, damaged or dropped into water. Take it to your nearest authorised dealer or service centre to be examined, repaired or adjusted, electrically or mechanically.
  4. Never use the machine with any of its air openings blocked. Keep the ventilation openings of the machine and the foot control free from lint, dust and loose cloth.
  5. Keep your fingers away from all moving parts. Take special care around the needle.
  6. Always use the correct needle plate. The wrong plate can cause the needle to break.
  7. Do not use bent needles.
  8. Do not pull or push the fabric while sewing. It can bend the needle and make it break.
  9. Turn the power switch to O (off) when making any adjustments in the needle area - threading the needle, changing the needle, threading the bobbin, changing the presser foot and so on.
  10. Always unplug the machine from the socket when removing covers, oiling, or making any other adjustment mentioned in this manual.
  11. Never drop or insert any object into any opening.
  12. Do not use outdoors.
  13. Do not use where aerosol (spray) products are being used or where oxygen is being given.
  14. To disconnect, turn all controls to off (O), then take the plug out of the socket.
  15. Do not unplug by pulling the cord. Hold the plug, not the cord.
  16. The sound pressure level in normal use is 75dB(A).
  17. Turn the machine off or unplug it if it is not working properly.
  18. Never put anything on the foot control.
  19. If the cord fixed to the foot control is damaged, it must be replaced by the manufacturer, its service agent or a similarly qualified person, to avoid a hazard.
  20. This machine is not intended for use by people (including children) with reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities, or without experience and knowledge, unless they are supervised or have been given instruction on its use by a person responsible for their safety.
  21. Children should be supervised to make sure they do not play with the machine.
NoteThis sewing machine is for household use only. Please read these instructions. This manual can be printed.

Parts of the machine - front

  1. Thread tension dial
  2. Presser foot pressure adjustment
  3. Thread take-up lever
  4. Reverse sewing lever
  5. Thread cutter
  6. Presser foot
  7. Needle plate cover
  8. Removable accessory tray (accessory storage)
  9. Three needle position dial
  10. Bobbin stopper
  11. Stitch width dial
  12. Stitch length dial
  13. Pattern selector dial
Drawing from the SINGER manual

Parts of the machine - back

  1. Horizontal spool pin
  2. Bobbin winding spindle
  3. Hole for a second spool pin
  4. Handwheel
  5. Buttonhole stitch balance adjustment slot
  6. Power and light switch
  7. Main plug socket
  8. Bobbin thread guide
  9. Upper thread guide
  10. Face plate
  11. Carrying handle
  12. Presser foot lifter
  13. Drop feed control
  14. Foot control (speed)
  15. Power cord
Drawing from the SINGER manual

The rest of this manual is for our customers

25 more sections, including step-by-step guides, stitch settings and troubleshooting.

The full manual and our Live Sewing Advisor come free with every machine we sell.

Order a Singer 5511 Heavy DutyAlready a customer? Log in

Bought your machine somewhere else? Get the full manual, plus our Live Sewing Advisor for any sewing question, for 30 days.

Get 30 days' access - £10 one-off

A one-off payment of £10 for 30 days - no subscription. Instant access by email, including every interactive sewing machine manual we have.