Your SINGER 7285Q Patchwork
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.
Important - please read: getting the best out of your machine
The questions our customers ask us most - worth two minutes before you start.
- 💡Tension dial on AUTO
Singer says 90% of your sewing is done with the tension dial on top of the machine set to AUTO. Only nudge it up or down a little if the stitches need it. - 💡No drop feed - use the darning plate
The 7285Q has no lever to lower the feed dogs. For sewing on buttons and free motion work, clip the darning plate over the needle plate instead. - 💡Class 15 J bobbins, turning anti-clockwise
Use Class 15 J bobbins only, and drop the bobbin in so it turns anti-clockwise as you pull the thread. If it turns clockwise it can unthread and cause sewing problems. - 💡Foot control or Start/stop button - not both
The Start/stop button only works when the foot control is unplugged. The speed slider sets the top speed for both. - 📦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. - 🔄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. - 🧹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. - 🔄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. - 🧵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. - ✅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. - ⚙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. - 💬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
Read all the instructions before using this sewing machine. These are the safety points Singer gives in the 7285Q manual.
- Always disconnect the machine from the power by taking the plug out of the wall socket.
- When servicing the machine, or changing needles and so on, the machine must be disconnected from the power.
- Turn the power switch to O (off) before connecting the power cord and the foot control.
- Before cleaning the hook area and feed dogs, always take the plug out of the wall socket.
- Clean the machine and foot control with dry cloths only, to avoid electric shock.
- Only use the foot control supplied with the machine, or one supplied by an approved SINGER retailer.
- With a twin needle, set the stitch width to 3.5 or less, or the needle may break.
- Use only SINGER sewing machine oil - never "all purpose" oil.
Parts of the machine
- Bobbin winding tension disc
- Thread take-up lever
- Thread tension dial
- Face cover
- Thread cutter
- Removable accessory tray (Singer calls it the extension table / accessory box)
- Bobbin winder spindle
- Bobbin winder stop
- Sewing speed control
- Pattern number reference guide
- Operation buttons
- Horizontal spool pin
- Handle
- Handwheel
- Power and light switch
- Power socket
- Identification plate
- Presser foot lifter
- Buttonhole lever
- Thread guide
- Automatic needle threader
- Thread guide
- Thread guide
- Presser foot screw
- Needle
- Bobbin cover plate
- Needle bar
- Thread cutter
- Foot release lever
- Needle clamp screw
- Presser foot
- Feed dogs
- Needle plate
- Bobbin cover release button
- Large extension table
- Power cord
- Foot control
- Instruction manual
Accessories
- Needles
- Bobbins (4 in total - 1 is in the machine)
- Auxiliary spool pin
- Spool pin felt discs (2)
- Spool pin caps - mini, small and large
- Buttonhole opener / seam ripper and brush
- Needle plate screwdriver
- Darning plate
- Zipper foot
- Satin stitch foot
- Blind stitch foot
- Buttonhole foot
- 1/4" foot
- Overcasting foot
- Darning and embroidery foot
- Gathering foot
- Rolled hem foot
- Even feed / walking foot
The foot fitted on the machine is the general purpose foot - you will use it for most of your sewing. The satin stitch foot is the other really useful one, and should be used for most decorative sewing.
Optional extras (not supplied)
- Twin needle (Singer strongly recommends a SINGER 3mm style 2025 twin needle)
Twin Needle£4.99
Setting up and the power switch
Wipe off any spare oil from the needle plate area before using your machine for the first time.
Using the power cord only
Plug the power cord into the socket on the machine (1) and into the wall socket (2), as shown (A).
Using the power cord and the foot control
Plug the power cord into the socket on the machine (1) and into the wall socket (2), as shown (B). Plug the foot control into the machine socket (3).
Set the power and light switch to O (off) before connecting.
Power and light switch
The machine will not work until the power and light switch is turned on. The same switch controls the power and the light.
- Always disconnect the machine from the power by taking the plug out of the wall socket.
- When servicing the machine, or changing needles and so on, the machine must be disconnected from the power.
- Only use the foot control supplied with the machine, or one supplied by an approved SINGER retailer.
- If you are unsure how to connect the machine to the power, ask a qualified electrician.
Spool pins and the presser foot lifter
Horizontal spool pin
Put the spool on the pin and hold it in place with a spool cap so the thread flows smoothly. If the spool has a slit to hold the thread end, put that end to the right.
Choose the spool pin cap to suit the type and size of spool. The cap should always be bigger than the spool.
Vertical spool pin
Fit the auxiliary spool pin and put a felt disc over it. Put a spool of thread on the pin.
Presser foot lifter
The presser foot has three positions:
- Lowered, to sew.
- Raised to the middle position, to put in or take out fabric and to change the presser foot.
- Lifted to its highest position, for thicker fabrics.
The rest of this manual is for our customers
35 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.
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