Oct 10, 2010 - Manuals and free owners instruction pdf guides. Find the user manual and the help you need for the products you own at. View and Download Singer 6038 manual online. 6038 Sewing Machine pdf manual download.
I am very happy with my new machine. It's the first new sewing machine I've had in 42 years, and it is just as good as my trusty, and wonderful, old Singer 'portable' machine. It is even more lightweight, probably because of the outside plastic case. I find it to be very simple to use. The automatic threader works beautifully, and is a great feature. The machine was easy to learn to use by watching the video and reading quickly through the instruction booklet.
My only complaint is minor: the bobbin does not fill up more than half way before it automatically stops. I've learned to fill up two bobbins at a time, just because they seem to run out quickly while I do my machine quilting. I've made several quilted tote bags and one baby quilt so far, and it has been excellent for those jobs. My sewing is limited to hems, and items for my house, including pillow shams and duvet covers. Although I don't sew often, my standards are high. I use good quality materials, and want my seams to the straight and even. I expect a sewing machine to be heavy-duty enough to sew through two layers of upholstery fabric, plus trim or cording, including where the trim overlaps for tidy joinder.
I found the Singer 6038 was not up to these, and other tasks. Specifically, the automatic needle threader did not work after I changed the needle the second time, it was not sturdy enough to sew through overlapping trim or cording, even when I tried to urge it along manually, and I was never able to get the one-step buttonhole feature to work, despite repeated attempts. The machine has a cheap appearance, being made out of plastic, and I am wondering if Singer makes a model with all of the new features, but also with their former sturdy construction. I did like the convenient storage in the base of the machine, the push-button reverse, and the ease of changing needle position, stitch, and pressure foot. However, overall, I have not been satisfied with this machine, and, after working with it for two years, have given it to my mother. I am now seeking to buy a model that will sew through more than two layers, and has a buttonhole feature that works.
I recommend spending a little more for a better quality machine. UPDATE 03.2014.
I have had this machine almost 10 years now. It's still go some real quirks. I can't make the buttonhole attachment work at all. It has some issues from time to time with sewing that seems like the feed isn't working properly. Cleaning it helps a little, but doesn't solve the problem.
I have done a bit of sewing with it over the last 10 years and it still mostly works for simple straight seam sewing. Some day I'll replace it, but overall, I'd say I got more than my money's worth out of it.Updated Info. I will post the update BEFORE the review I posted a while ago. I think it will be more helpful that way. The problem that some people are having with this machine might be the same one I had. The booklet has a misprint in it about the type of bobbin this machine uses. It says it takes a class 15 bobbin.
This is NOT true. The real bobbin type needed is a class 66.
And I must say, to Singer's credit, their customer service department has been very nice throughout this whole ordeal. Once the bobbin mix-up has been cleared up, I have no complaints with this machine. I'll leave the first review here, in case anyone has similar problems to the ones I had, so you'll know how to fix it. Everyone with problems should check their booklets, it might be attributable to same misprint in the fold out pamphlet, page 9, in the parts list section. Use class 66 bobbins, not 15s.Old Review.
I have been sewing for a LONG time. I've always used Singers. My first sewing machine was my grandmother's 1902 pedal model. There have been numerous sewing machines in my past.
This is by FAR the worst one I've ever had the misfortune of trying to use. I HAVE followed all the istructions for threading both the top & the bobbin. This machine will not maintain it's tension. It starts out sewing a seam beautifully, but at random times during the seam will change its tension from too loose to too tight and back to normal, thus producing a totally unusable seam. No adjustment seems to make it happy. It does this regardless of thread or fabric involved.
The main trend I've noticed in the reviews here: the novices to sewing think this is a great machine. They obviously have little or nothing to compare it to.
The people who sew more have less good things to say about it. It's a very easy machine to learn to use. It would be nice if it actually worked once you've learned how. It only sewed properly for me on 3 garments. After that, it started having it's problems.
Personally, I've not had a problem at all with the automatic threader. It's one of the few things that works correctly on this machine. It's certainly less frustrating than actually SEWING with it.
The bobbin winder works fine. It's not difficult to thread. I have had a problem getting the thread to go into the bobbin case slots, it's very difficult to get in sometimes. Overall, I wish I had not wasted my time and money on this machine.
![Free Free](http://www.sewingparts.co.uk/machines/70x50/singer-fm-17c.jpg)
It's been more frustrating than productive. So far, it's produced only 5 pair of pajama pants & 1 Halloween costume, and most of that was accomplished with much coaxing and constant adjustments.
The decorative stitches don't all work properly either. If you've sewn in the last 10 years, or sew regularly, buy something else. It's a cute machine, colorfully different. Sometimes being cute isn't what matters. My sewing is limited to hems, and items for my house, including pillow shams and duvet covers.
Although I don't sew often, my standards are high. I use good quality materials, and want my seams to the straight and even.
I expect a sewing machine to be heavy-duty enough to sew through two layers of upholstery fabric, plus trim or cording, including where the trim overlaps for tidy joinder. I found the Singer 6038 was not up to these, and other tasks.
Specifically, the automatic needle threader did not work after I changed the needle the second time, it was not sturdy enough to sew through overlapping trim or cording, even when I tried to urge it along manually, and I was never able to get the one-step buttonhole feature to work, despite repeated attempts. The machine has a cheap appearance, being made out of plastic, and I am wondering if Singer makes a model with all of the new features, but also with their former sturdy construction. I did like the convenient storage in the base of the machine, the push-button reverse, and the ease of changing needle position, stitch, and pressure foot. However, overall, I have not been satisfied with this machine, and, after working with it for two years, have given it to my mother. I am now seeking to buy a model that will sew through more than two layers, and has a buttonhole feature that works.
I recommend spending a little more for a better quality machine. 14 Years Later: I've continued to use this machine sporadically, and it's been generally reliable. My biggest frustration was always the sketchy speed control. Press a little and it groans and barely moves, press a little harder and it's suddenly zooming through the line. I just almost finished my first quilt, but when trying out the decorative stitches to finish my binding, the drive train was periodically binding up, even without fabric.
I took the machine cover apart to try to see why, and while I was poking around, half a plastic gear fell out! Now the needle won't move sideways at all. I found a parts diagram book on Singer's website in hopes of fixing it myself (a shop visit would be nearly as expensive as a new machine!), but it seems they no longer make the part I need (disc driving gear). Guess I'm buying a new machine. I thought I'd written and submitted a review for this, but it never showed up. I'll try again. This machine and I got off on a bad foot, but overall it's OK.
The bad: - included oil bottle leaked all over the accessories compartment during shipping. I took apart and dried off everything I could, but it all still reeks of oil. I'm leery of putting the bottle back in the compartment, 'cause it'd have to go on its side again. This then becomes a storage issue. bobbin loading didn't work like I thought.
I assumed it would pop over when full as other machines I've used do, but instead the 'stopper' just sort of almost stops the full bobbin from turning. drive belt came off during shipping. I was able to remove the small side panel and wiggle my fingers in and get it repositioned (which was relatively easy, thankfully), but opening the plastic casing any more would have required removing all of it, which would have required a very long thin screwdriver that exceeded the contents of my decently-stocked toolbox. needle threader doesn't line up if the needle is fully seated. However, the needle can be pulled down a fraction of an inch before tightening the screw, and the threader will line up properly. I haven't yet watched the video, but the manual is good and the operations are fairly straightforward if you've used another machine before.
Changing stitches and stitch widths is pretty easy and straightforward. The machine isn't very fast even at full speed (my old White was faster), but it gets the job done and there are some handy accessories, including button sewers and buttonholers and a few different specialty feet. I had no problems with the variable-speed pedal control (it's more sensitive than that old White, at any rate). Other people have complained about the plastic body, but it's really just a plastic shell over a metal body, so the core of the thing is sturdy enough without all the extra weight of an all-metal machine (like my old one).
The bad thing in my eyes is that the case Amazon recommended to go with this (Singer 611 - you can read my review of that on its product page) is little more than a sturdy dustjacket. I'm used to a case that allows the machine to be integrated in and only the top has to be removed to use the machine, but this combo doesn't get that privilege. The integral carry handle on the machine is pretty nice, though, and actually more comfortable to carry than the case. Overall, not a bad machine. Not a great machine, either, but for the price you get a pretty good amount of functionality.
I am very happy with my new machine. It's the first new sewing machine I've had in 42 years, and it is just as good as my trusty, and wonderful, old Singer 'portable' machine. It is even more lightweight, probably because of the outside plastic case. I find it to be very simple to use.
The automatic threader works beautifully, and is a great feature. The machine was easy to learn to use by watching the video and reading quickly through the instruction booklet.
My only complaint is minor: the bobbin does not fill up more than half way before it automatically stops. I've learned to fill up two bobbins at a time, just because they seem to run out quickly while I do my machine quilting. I've made several quilted tote bags and one baby quilt so far, and it has been excellent for those jobs. You can count on Singer to produce the same basic, simple sewing machine they have for over 100 years, but the contemporary version has some nice features: a device to thread the sewing needle, a nice range of stitches, an easy button-hole stitcher, and even a way to sew buttons on. The price is amazingly low for what I consider to be a fine machine - lightweight, easy to use (although I do recommend watching the video before starting - I didn't and found I missed a few things, and the manual is not very clearly written). All in all, a 5-star recommendation.
AFter struggling for years, with my old machine, (Breaking needles, breaking thread, problems with the bobbins, etc.), this Singer 6038 is a dream for me! Being quite a novice, I was up and sewing in about 15 minutes.
At first, the threading instructions were a little confusing, but I put down the manual after my 2nd time, as I got the hang of it! The drop-in bobbin feature saves so much time and hassles!
The automatic threader is wonderful, and the machine has been problem-free for me. I highly recommend this machine for beginners and ocassional sewing projects!