Your SINGER 9960 Quantum 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.
- 💡Red light on? The machine will not start
The light by the Start/stop button turns red when the presser foot is up, or when the buttonhole lever is not lowered for a buttonhole. Lower the foot (or the lever) and it turns green. - ⚡Foot control or Start/stop button - not both
When the foot control is plugged in, the Start/stop button does not work. Unplug the foot control to use the button. The speed slider sets the top speed for both. - 💡Thread cutter button - with fabric only
Only press the thread cutter button with fabric under the foot, and never for threads thicker than #30, nylon or speciality threads. Use the cutter on the side of the machine for those. - ⚡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. - 📦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 a sewing machine, basic safety precautions should always be followed, including the ones below. Read all the instructions before using this machine. This sewing machine is intended for household use.
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.
- 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 the power switch to O (off), then take the plug out of the socket.
- 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.
- 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 and so on.
- Always unplug the machine from the socket when removing covers, or making any other adjustment mentioned in this manual.
- Handle the foot control with care and do not drop it on the floor. Never put anything on top of it.
- Only use the handle to lift and move the machine.
- Do not leave the machine or its case in direct sunlight, and do not keep it somewhere very warm or damp.
- 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.
Servicing should be carried out by an authorised service representative.
Parts of the machine
- Handle
- Top cover
- Thread take-up lever (inside)
- Face plate
- Thread cutter button
- Speed control slider
- Needle up/down / slow button
- Reverse stitch button
- Start/stop button
- Accessory tray (Singer calls it the extension table) - holds the accessories
- Presser foot lifter
- Forward / reverse adjusting screw (underneath the machine)
- Foot control
- Power cord
- Handwheel
- Power switch
- Power socket
- Foot control socket
- Direct stitch selection buttons
- EDIT button
- Tack button
- Twin needle button
- Utility stitch button
- Decorative stitch and letter button
- LCD screen
- Function buttons (F1 - F5)
- Clear button
- Scroll buttons
- Cursor buttons
- Thread cutter
- Buttonhole lever
- Needle threader lever
- Needle threader
- Presser foot thumb screw
- Presser foot holder
- Presser foot
- Feed dogs
- Needle clamp screw
- Needle thread guide
- Needle
- Bobbin cover latch
- Bobbin cover
- Needle plate
- Drop feed lever
- Pattern chart
- Thread guide
- Thread guide
- Bobbin winder thread guide
- Thread tension regulator
- Spool stand
- Felt washer
- LCD contrast control
- Auxiliary spool holder
- Bobbin winder spindle
- Bobbin winder stop
Accessories
The accessories are kept in the accessory case inside the accessory tray (see Fitting the extension table).
Supplied with the machine
- Needle pack
- 4 bobbins (1 is in the machine)
- Seam ripper
- Brush
- Auxiliary spool pin with felt washer
- Screwdriver
- Needle plate screwdriver
- Thread cap (on the machine when delivered)
- Small thread cap
- Seam guide and screw
- Overcasting foot (C)
- Blind hem foot (D)
- Zipper foot (E)
- Rolled hem foot
- Button sewing foot
- Satin foot (B)
- Quilting bar
- Open toe foot
- Cording foot
- Straight stitch / patch quilting foot
- Darning / embroidery foot
- Even-feed (walking) foot
- Buttonhole foot (F) and under plate
- General purpose foot (A) (on the machine when delivered)
- Extension table (Singer calls it the extra wide table)
Dust cover
Cover the machine with the dust cover when you are not using it. You can keep the manual in the compartment in the cover - open the front of the cover towards you. Do not remove the polystyrene inside the cover.
Optional extras (not supplied)
- Twin needle (Singer recommends SINGER style 2025)
Twin Needle£4.99
Connecting to the power and the foot control
- Never leave the machine unattended while it is plugged in. Always unplug it from the socket straight after use and before maintenance.
- Do not unplug by pulling the cord. Hold the plug, not the cord.
- Put the machine on a stable table.
- Plug the power cord into the power socket on the machine.
- Plug the power cord into the wall socket.
- Turn on the power switch.
- The light comes on when the power is switched on.
- To disconnect, turn the power switch to O (off), then take the plug out of the socket.
Foot control
The foot control lets you start, stop and set the speed with your foot. When the foot control is plugged in, the Start/stop button does not work.
- Turn the power switch to O (off).
- Push the foot control plug into the socket on the machine.
- Put the foot control by your feet.
- Turn on the power switch. The light comes on.
- The harder you press the foot control, the faster the machine sews. Take your foot off and the machine stops.
- Turn off the power before connecting the foot control to the machine.
- Handle the foot control with care and do not drop it on the floor. Never put anything on top of it.
- Only use the foot control supplied with the machine, or one supplied by an approved SINGER retailer.
UK mains lead
The wires in the mains lead are coloured blue (neutral, N) and brown (live, L). If a 13 Amp (BS 1363) plug is used, a 3 Amp fuse must be fitted. If any other type of plug is used, a 5 Amp fuse must be fitted, either in the plug or adaptor or at the distribution board. Neither wire is to be connected to the earth terminal of a three-pin plug.
Buttons and controls
A. Start/stop button
Press it once to start the machine and again to stop. The machine starts slowly. The Start/stop button does not work when the foot control is plugged in.
Monitor light
- Green: ready to sew, or winding the bobbin.
- Red: the presser foot is not down, or the buttonhole lever is not lowered. While the light is red the machine will not start, even if you press the Start/stop button.
If the upper thread is not threaded, the machine stops after a few turns (upper thread sensor).
B. Reverse stitch button
The machine sews in reverse at low speed while you hold the button down, and stops when you let go. With the foot control plugged in, it sews in reverse while the button is held down, and forwards again when you let go.
C. Needle up/down / slow button
With the machine stopped, pressing this button moves the needle from down to up, or up to down. While sewing, pressing it slows the machine down. Press it again to go back to the normal speed.
D. Speed control slider
Slide it to the right to sew faster, to the left to sew slower. With the foot control plugged in, the slider sets the top speed.
E. Presser foot lifter
Raises and lowers the presser foot. The machine will not start while the presser foot is up (except for bobbin winding).
F. Thread cutter button
Press this after sewing to cut the upper and bobbin threads automatically.
- Do not press the thread cutter button when there is no fabric in the machine, or when you do not need to cut the threads. The thread may tangle and cause damage.
- Do not use the button for thread thicker than #30, nylon thread or other speciality threads. Use the thread cutter (H) instead.
G. Drop feed lever
The feed dogs come up through the needle plate under the presser foot and move the fabric along. For ordinary sewing, move the lever to the right - this raises the feed dogs to their highest position. For darning, free motion embroidery, or whenever you move the fabric by hand, move the lever to the left to lower the feed dogs.
H. Thread cutter
Use this cutter when you are not using the thread cutter button. Raise the presser foot and bring the fabric and threads to the back. Hook the threads into the cutter from back to front, then pull the fabric to cut them.
I. Top cover and J. Handwheel
To open the top cover, lift up its right side. Turning the handwheel raises or lowers the needle. Always turn the handwheel towards you.
The rest of this manual is for our customers
44 more sections, including step-by-step guides, stitch settings and troubleshooting.
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