Your SINGER 8500Q Modern Quilter
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.
- 💡Class 15J bobbins, turning anti-clockwise
Singer says to use SINGER Class 15J bobbins only - not standard Class 15 - and to drop the bobbin in so it turns anti-clockwise when you pull the thread. - 🔄Presser foot up before you thread
Always raise the presser foot lifter before threading the top thread, or the thread misses the tension discs. Singer gives a simple pull test to check it. - 💡Twin needle? Press Twin Needle Safety first
Press the Twin Needle Safety button before you choose a stitch. The machine then limits the stitch width and skips stitches that are not suitable, so the needle does not break. - 💡Foot control or Start/stop button - not both
When the foot control is plugged in the Start/stop button does not work. 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
When using an 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 it from the socket straight after use and before cleaning.
WARNING - to reduce the risk of burns, fire, electric shock or injury
- Do not let the machine be used as a toy. Take close care when it is used by or near children.
- 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. Children should be supervised to make sure they do not play with the machine.
- 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.
- 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.
- If the power cord is damaged, it must be replaced by the manufacturer, its service agent or a similarly qualified person, to avoid a hazard.
- 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.
- Never drop or insert any object into any opening.
- Indoor use only.
- Do not use where aerosol (spray) products are being used or where oxygen is being given.
- To disconnect, turn the power switch to O (off), then take the plug out of the socket.
- Switch off or unplug the machine when you leave it unattended, and unplug it before carrying out maintenance.
- Do not unplug by pulling the cord. Hold the plug, not the cord.
- Keep your fingers away from all moving parts. Take special care around the needle.
- Never sew with a damaged needle plate - it can make the needle break.
- Do not use bent needles.
- Do not pull or push the fabric while sewing. It can bend the needle and make it break.
- 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.
- Always unplug the machine from the socket when removing covers, oiling, or making any other adjustment mentioned in this manual.
- To avoid electric shock, never put the machine, the power cord or the plug into water or any other liquid.
- The LED light is rated at 0.3W maximum, DC 5V maximum. If the LED light is damaged, do not use the machine - send it to the manufacturer or service agent to be repaired or replaced straight away.
- To avoid injury, unplug the foot control when you leave the machine unattended, and before carrying out any maintenance.
CAUTION - moving parts
- To reduce the risk of injury, switch off before servicing. Close the cover before using the machine.
- Only use the foot control supplied with the machine, or one supplied by an approved SINGER retailer.
Parts of the machine
- Pre-tension guide
- Bobbin winding tension disc
- Threading lever
- Face cover
- Thread cutter / holder
- Extension table (accessory box)
- Bobbin winder spindle
- Bobbin winder latch
- Operation buttons
- Horizontal spool pin
- Handle
- Handwheel
- Power and light switch
- Cord socket
- Buttonhole lever
- Feed dog control
- Presser foot lifter
- Identification plate
- Thread guide
- Twin thread guide
- Presser foot screw
- Needle
- Bobbin cover plate
- Needle bar
- Alternate thread cutter
- Presser foot release button
- Needle clamp screw
- General purpose foot
- Feed dogs
- Needle plate
- Bobbin cover release button
- Power cord
- Foot control
- Instruction manual
Accessories
- Needles
- Bobbins (SINGER Class 15J bobbins)
- Auxiliary spool pin
- Spool pin felt discs
- Spool pin caps - mini, small and large
- Buttonhole opener / brush
- Screwdriver for the needle plate
- Screwdrivers - large and small
- Zipper foot
- Blind hem foot
- Satin foot
- Button sewing foot
- Buttonhole foot and underplate
- Thread spool nets - long and short
- Knee lifter
- Edge guide / quilting bar
- Darning / embroidery foot
- Even feed / walking foot
- Open toe foot
- Quarter inch foot with guide
- Large extension table
The foot fitted on the machine is the general purpose foot - you will use it for most of your sewing. The satin foot (14) is another very useful foot and should be used for most decorative sewing.
Optional extras (not supplied)
- Twin needle (Singer strongly recommends a SINGER brand 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.
Power cord and foot control
Set the power and light switch to O (off) first. Plug the power cord into the cord socket on the machine (1) and into the wall socket (2), as shown. Plug the foot control into the machine socket (3).
Power and light switch
The machine will not work until the power and light switch is turned on. The same switch controls both 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 or lights 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.
Spool pins
Horizontal spool pin - for normal spools
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 thread retaining slit, it goes to the right.
Vertical spool pin - for large spools
Fit the auxiliary spool pin. Put a felt disc over it, then put a spool of thread on the pin.
Control panel functions
1. LCD display
When you turn the machine on, straight stitch 00 is selected. For normal sewing the display shows the number of the selected stitch, a picture of the stitch, and the stitch width and length. It shows different information when you are creating a stitch program (see Programming the memory).
2. Direct selection buttons
Frequently used stitches have their own direct selection buttons. Press a button to choose that stitch.
3. Program mode button (ABC)
Press this button to go into Program Mode (see 4 and 5 below, and Programming the memory).
4. Stitch selection dial
There are two main kinds of stitches: utility and decorative stitches that are sewn continuously (buttonholes are included here), and stitches that are sewn in single repeats and can be programmed into longer sequences.
- Turn the dial to go through the stitches one by one.
- Press the centre of the dial to jump ahead 10 stitches. For example, to choose stitch 52, press the centre of the dial five times, then turn the dial two steps clockwise.
- After pressing the ABC Program Mode button, turning the dial goes through the letters and other stitches that can be programmed. A stitch chosen this way is sewn as one repeat only. Press the centre of the dial to add it to your program.
One cycle stitch function: when the red light is on, the machine sews one sequence of the memory and stops. For continuous sewing, press the button to turn the light off.
5. Stitch setting / scroll and delete program dial
In sewing mode the display shows the stitch width (the needle position for straight stitch) and the stitch length. Every stitch has a default width and length, set automatically when you turn the machine on. Default numbers are underlined.
- Press the centre of the dial to switch between stitch width and stitch length. A light shows which one is selected.
- Turn the dial to change the selected setting. The number changes on the display and the underline goes, showing the setting is no longer the default.
The settings you make for each stitch are kept until the machine is turned off.
In Program Mode, turning this lower dial scrolls through your programmed letters and stitches, showing the program as it will be sewn. Press the centre of the dial to delete the last stitch in the program. Press repeatedly, or hold it in, to keep deleting one at a time.
The rest of this manual is for our customers
39 more sections, including step-by-step guides, stitch settings and troubleshooting.
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