Your SINGER 9100 Stylist

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.

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.

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Raising the feed dogs again
The feed dogs are lowered with the lever at the back of the machine (take the accessory tray off to see it). To raise them, slide the lever back, then turn the handwheel one full turn - they will not come up until you do.
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Foot control or Start/stop button - not both
The Start/stop button only works with the foot control unplugged. If the machine will not start, check which one you are using. The speed lever sets the top speed for both.
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Bobbin winder back to the left to sew
While the bobbin winder spindle is pushed to the right the machine will not sew and the buttons just beep three times. Push it back to the left.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.

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.
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.
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.
Keep your fingers away from all moving parts. Take special care around the needle.
Always use the correct needle plate. The wrong plate can cause the needle to 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, changing the light and so on.
Always unplug the machine from the socket when removing covers, oiling, or making any other adjustment mentioned in this manual.
Never drop or insert any object into any opening.
Do not use outdoors.
Do not use where aerosol (spray) products are being used or where oxygen is being given.
To disconnect, turn all controls to off (O), then take the plug out of the socket.
Do not unplug by pulling the cord. Hold the plug, not the cord.
The sound pressure level in normal use is 75dB(A).
Turn the machine off or unplug it if it is not working properly.
Never put anything on the foot control.
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.

NoteThis sewing machine is for household use only. Please keep these instructions. This manual can be printed.

Parts of the machine

Front

Tension dial
Face plate
Operation buttons (A)
Thread cutter
Buttonhole lever
Automatic needle threader
Needle plate cover
Accessory tray (Singer calls it the sewing table and accessory box)
Bobbin winder spindle
Speed limiting lever
LCD screen
Function buttons (B)
Selection buttons (C)
Pattern plates

Back and right-hand side

Horizontal spool pin
Hole for a second spool pin
Handle
Handwheel
Presser foot lifter
Main power switch
Power cord socket
Foot control socket
Drop feed lever

Machine control buttons

A. Operation buttons

Start/stop button - starts and stops the machine.
Reverse button - hold it down to sew in reverse, or to sew reinforcement stitches at low speed.
Auto-lock button - hold it down to sew locking stitches straight away, or at the end of the current pattern, and then stop automatically.
Needle up/down button - sets whether the needle stops up or down. It stays that way until you press the button again.

B. Function buttons

Mode selection button - chooses direct mode, utility and satin pattern mode, decorative pattern mode, block letters or script letters.
Stitch width buttons - adjust the width of the stitch.
Stitch length buttons - adjust the length of the stitch.
Twin needle button - limits the stitch width for sewing with a twin needle.
Mirror button - sews a mirror image of the pattern.
Elongation button - makes patterns 28 to 51 up to five times longer.

C. Selection buttons

Edit button - changes the settings of a pattern in a combination stored in the memory.
Memory button - opens the memory, to store or recall a combination of patterns.
Clear button - clears a wrongly chosen or stored pattern.
Direct pattern and number buttons - choose a direct pattern straight away, or key in the number of the pattern you want.
Speed limiting lever - slide it to change the sewing speed.

The LCD screen

The screen shows everything about the stitch you have chosen.

On the screen

The pattern and its number.
The suggested presser foot, as a letter (for example T for the all purpose foot).
The stitch width (and, for straight stitch, the needle position) and the stitch length.
The suggested tension - for example 3-5.
Symbols for reverse, auto-lock, twin needle, mirror, needle up or down, bobbin winding, buttonhole lever and sound on or off.

When you are using the memory, the screen also shows the memory group (M1 to M4), the number of the unit you are on and the total number of units. With elongation, it shows how many times the pattern has been lengthened (x1 to x5).

Accessories

Supplied with the machine

All purpose foot (T)
Zipper foot (I)
Buttonhole foot (D)
Overcasting foot (E)
Blind hem foot (F)
Satin stitch foot (A)
Button sewing foot
Rolled hem foot (K)
Darning / embroidery foot
Gathering foot
Brush / seam ripper
Spool holders (large and small)
Edge / quilting guide
Bobbins (3)
Screwdrivers (large and small)
Pack of needles
Spool pin felt
Auxiliary spool pin
Extension table
Soft cover

Optional extras (not supplied)

These are available to buy separately:

Cording foot (M)Cording Foot (M)£11.99
Quilting foot (P)Quilting Foot (P)£11.99
Twin needle (Singer recommends SINGER style 2025)Twin Needle£4.99
Walking footWalking Foot£29.99

Useful for this

10-piece Presser Foot Kit£29.99

Walking Foot (Even Feed)£29.99

Continue reading

Hold the thread lightly and turn the handwheel towards you until the needle reaches its highest point. Raise the presser foot and guide the thread through each point in turn, checking it sits in the tension discs.

Choose your setting, sew a few stitches on a scrap of the same fabric and look at both sides. Adjust a little at a time until the stitches lie flat and even.

Switch the machine off at the power switch.
Raise the needle and the presser foot.
Follow the guide for your model shown in the drawing.
Check the result before you start your project.

Next steps

Choose your setting, sew a few stitches on a scrap of the same fabric and look at both sides. Adjust a little at a time until the stitches lie flat and even.

Switch the machine off at the power switch.
Raise the needle and the presser foot.
Follow the guide for your model shown in the drawing.
Check the result before you start your project.

Choose your setting, sew a few stitches on a scrap of the same fabric and look at both sides. Adjust a little at a time until the stitches lie flat and even.

Switch the machine off at the power switch.
Raise the needle and the presser foot.
Follow the guide for your model shown in the drawing.
Check the result before you start your project.

The rest of this manual is for our customers

48 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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