79 - Sewing machine PFAFF - Free user manual and instructions

USER MANUAL 79 PFAFF

Front view of a vintage sewing machine (no visible text or labels)

Vintage sewing machine with needle and control panel (no visible text or symbols)

PFAFF

78

PFAFF

79

Instructions

PFAFF

78 and 79

Decorative Stitch Zigzag Sewing Machine

Foreword

Your new Pfaff sewing machine will enable you to master a large variety of sewing, embroidering and darning jobs easily and quickly.

With the built-in decorative stitch mechanism you also can sew various functional seams as are used on non-elastic as well as stretch fabrics, such as tricot, jersey and Helanca.

This instruction book has been compiled in order to familiarize you thoroughly with all the sewing jobs coming up in a home.

We suggest that you try out the various sewing techniques discussed in this book so that you will become well acquainted with your machine.

If you have any sewing problems, please do not hesitate to contact your Pfaff dealer who will be glad to help you at any time. We hope you will always enjoy sewing with your Pfaff.

Needle and Thread Chart

Type of Fabric	Thread		Needle
	Type	Size	Size	Point Style
Bed linenFine linenMuslin	Cotton	40	8070 - 8070 - 80	130 R
Dress fabrics, such as brocade,satin ottoman, taffeta, georgette,crepe, chiffon, batiste, blousefabrics and poplin shirting	Silk	50	70 - 80
	Cotton or mercerizedcotton	50
Suitings and mantlings	Silk	40	80 - 90
Twill, denim	Cotton	40	90 - 100
Heavy linen	Cotton	40	90 - 100
Burlap	Cotton or linenLinen	4040	90 - 100110
Terry cloth, chenille goods,knitted pile fabric for bath-robes, corduroy	Cotton	40	80 - 90
	Silk	50
Cotton, rayon staple fabrics	Cotton	50	70 - 80
Jersey fabrics (synthetic)	Synthetic	50	70 - 80	130 ses
	Cotton	50
Lastex, Helanca fabrics	Synthetic	50	70 - 90	130 ses
	Silk	50
Foambacks	Synthetic	40	70 - 80	130 R
	Silk	40	90
Jersey fabrics (wool)Woolens	Silk	50	80	130 ses
	Mercerized cotton	50	70 - 80	130 R
Cotton curtainsSynthetic curtains	Mercerized cotton	40	70 - 80	130 suk
	Synthetic thread	40	70 - 80
Acella, leatherette, oilcloth	Cotton	40	80	PCL
Elastic corsetry fabrics, Firmcorsetry fabrics, corset satin	Synthetic thread	40	70 - 90	130 ses
	Cotton	40	90
Leather	CottonLinen	4040	110	130 Lr
Decorative stitching	Embroidery thread	30 - 50	70	130 R
	Heavy embroidery thread		90 - 100
	Buttonhole silk		90 - 100
	Embroidery anddarning thread	30	80
		50	70 - 80
	Silver-gold threadSilver thread	70	80 - 100

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 17 20 18 19 PFAFF 70 10 21 22 23 16 15 14 13

0 Face cover
1 Take-up lever
2 Thread guide
3 Top cover
4 Thread retainer stud
5 Spool pins
6 Stitch control
7 Bobbin winder
8 Balance wheel
9 Stop motion knob
10 Motor disengaging mechanism
11 Stitch length control
12 Reverse feed control
13 Bed cover
14 Transverse rotary hook (below bedplate)
15 Needle plate
16 Sewing foot thumb screw
17 Light switch
18 Stitch width control
19 Needle position lever
20 Needle thread tension
21 Presser bar lifter (on back of machine arm)
22 Needle set screw
23 Sewing foot

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 17 20 18 19 21 22 13 23 16 15 14 PFAFF 75 9 10 11 12

0 Face cover
1 Take-up lever
2 Thread guide
3 Top cover
4 Thread retainer stud
5 Spool pins
6 Stitch control
7 Bobbin winder
8 Balance wheel
9 Stop motion knob
10 Motor disengaging mechanism
11 Stitch length control
12 Reverse feed control
13 Free arm
14 Free arm cover (enclosing transverse rotary hook)
15 Needle plate
16 Sewing foot thumb screw
17 Light switch
18 Stitch width control
19 Needle position lever
20 Needle thread tension
21 Presser bar lifter (on back of machine arm)
22 Needle set screw
23 Sewing foot

Push plug A into the receptable on the back of the machine and the plug at the other end of the cord into wall outlet.

Close-up of hands using a tool to cut electrical wires (no visible text or symbols)

To switch on the sewlight, push the button on the face cover (see ill.).

Close-up of a vintage mechanical device with a rectangular housing and mounting bracket (no visible text or symbols)

4

Place the foot control within easy reach of your foot and press down the pedal. The harder you press, the faster the machine will run.

Illustration of a handheld device with a handle and spout, no visible text or symbols

The machines feature a lever (10) underneath the balance wheel which serves to swing the motor to its operative position. To engage the motor, flick this lever down. After you have completed sewing, flick this lever to its top position.

Close-up of a mechanical component with a circular hole and a curved shaft, mounted on a dark surface (no visible text or symbols)

R

To remove the bobbin case, turn the balance wheel until the needle is at the top of its stroke.

On the Pfaiff 78, remove bed cover (13), as illustrated. Lift latch k on the bobbin case and pull out the bobbin case with the bobbin.

The bobbin cannot fall out as long as you hold the case by its open latch. Upon releasing the latch, the empty bobbin drops out.

On the Pfaff 79, the bobbin case is removed just like on the Pfaff 78. To get at the bobbin case, however, you must first open free arm cover (14) swinging it toward the left.

6

For bobbin winding, disengage the sewing mechanism. Hold balance wheel (8) while turning stop motion knob (9) toward you (see ill).

To engage the sewing mechanism after the bobbin has been wound, turn the stop motion knob away from you (as indicated by the arrow in the ill.).

Pass the thread around thread retainer stud (2) in the direction indicated by the arrow. Place a bobbin on the bobbin winder spindle, making sure that key A at its base enters slot B in the bobbin (see ill.).

Wind a few turns of thread on the bobbin and push the bobbin toward the right. Start the machine.

When the bobbin is full, it is pushed toward the left and can be removed from the spindle.

Medical diagram showing a hand holding a device with labeled parts 8 and 9

Mechanical setup with three cylindrical components and a base, no visible text or symbols

7

the bobbin case.

Pull the thread into slot (2) and under spring (3). As you pull the thread, the bobbin should rotate clockwise (4). Leave about three inches of thread hanging from the bobbin case.

To insert the bobbin case into the machine, turn the balance wheel until the needle is at its highest point. Lift the latch and place the bobbin case on center stud s (see ill.), making sure its slot (white arrow) points up. Release the latch and press against the bobbin case until you hear it snap into place.

Mechanical sewing machine needle and cutting tool (no text or symbols visible)

1

To enlarge the sewing area of the Pfaff 79 for ordinary sewing operations, push the workplate onto the free arm as far as it will go (1). Then lock it in place by turning down the lever on the back of the machine (2) until the locking stud snaps into the hole in the free arm. Press the workplate support against the machine base until it snaps into place (3).

To remove the workplate, swing up its support and unlock it by pulling out and swinging up the lever on the back of the machine (see arrow in Fig. 2).

On machines having no carrying case base, the workplate support is pressed against the baseplate of the machine.

10

Mechanical component with directional arrows indicating motion or force (no text or symbols)

2

Mechanical device with clamping mechanism and mounting base (no visible text or symbols)

3

2

2 20

Upper threading as illustrated:

Please note that the thread is placed between any two of the tension discs (20), pulled clockwise around the tension stud and drawn toward the right with a jerk (see ill.). As you do this, hold on to the spool so that thread cannot unwind.

Thread the needle from front to back.

Illustration of hands using a tool to adjust a mechanical component, labeled with numbers 30 and 20 (no text or symbols on the diagram itself)

Technical line drawing of a mechanical device with labeled parts A and B (no text or symbols beyond labels)

Close-up of a sewing machine needle stitching fabric (no visible text or symbols)

The sewing foot is raised and lowered by operating the presser bar lifter (21) on the back of the machine (see ill.).

A = Presser bar lifter up

B = Presser bar lifter down

12

To draw up the bobbin thread, hold the needle thread and lower the sewing foot.

Turn the balance wheel toward you a full turn. Pull the needle thread to draw up the bobbin thread.

Place both threads back under the sewing foot after it has been raised again.

Fundamentals of Machine Operation

Turn stitch control (6) clockwise (as indicated by arrows in Fig. 1) until the symbol of the desired stitch is at the bottom.

For ordinary sewing, needle position lever (19) should be in its center position (Fig. 2).

Close-up of a circular mechanical component with internal flow arrows and a dashed line, no visible text or symbols.

1

19 PFAFF

2

Make sure take-up lever (1) is at highest point before you begin and after you have completed a seam (Fig. 3).

Always turn balance wheel (8) toward you (see arrow). As you do this, check to make sure stop motion knob (9) is tightened firmly (Fig. 4).

Close-up of a mechanical component with wires and a labeled part (no visible text or symbols)

3

Close-up of a hand holding a small mechanical component with a knob, showing a curved arrow labeled '8' (no text or symbols beyond the number)

4

13

pushed to the right as far as it will go.

Diagram of a mechanical component with zigzag lines and a labeled part (18), no readable text or symbols present.

11

To sew longer straight-stitch seams, turn stitch control (6) until the straight-stitch symbol is at the bottom (see ill.).

6

The stitch length is regulated by turning stitch length control (11). The number indicating the stitch length chosen should be opposite the dot on the left-hand side of the slot.

For ordinary sewing operations, set the stitch length control on "2".

Place the material under the sewing foot and lower the presser bar lifter.

Place the foot control within easy reach of your foot and press down the pedal. The harder you press, the faster the machine will run.

14

To sew in reverse or backtack the end of a seam, simply press down finger tip control (12).

12 18

For zigzag sewing, turn stitch control (6) until the zigzag-stitch symbol is at the bottom. Then regulate the stitch width by pushing stitch width control (18) toward the left, as desired.

Various zigzag sewing operations are discussed on page 26 and the following pages. Setting the machine for sewing the various design patterns is explained on page 34, while the following pages contain instructions for various sewing operations.

needle and bobbin threads interlock in the center of the material.

The bobbin thread tension is regulated by turning the small knurled screw on the bobbin case.

Turn this screw right (with your thumb nail) for a tighter tension, or left for a looser tension.

If the same size threads are used in the needle and on the bobbin, there is no need to adjust the bobbin thread tension.

This tension is set correctly if a slight resistance has to be overcome when pulling the thread.

Close-up of a hand holding a small electronic device with a clock face (no visible text or symbols)

bottom

Diagram of a mechanical joint or fastener with labeled 'top' (no other text or symbols)

Upper tension too tight or lower tension too loose.

Close-up of a gloved hand adjusting a mechanical dial (no visible text or symbols)

bottom

Diagram of a mechanical joint or clamping mechanism with no visible text or symbols

bottom

Technical line drawing of a corner joint with textured fill (no text or symbols)

Both tensions correctly balanced.

Numbers 0 to 10 indicate different degrees of tension on the upper tension dial. The higher the number, the tighter the tension. For ordinary sewing operations, the upper tension should be set at about 5.

Please note: Ease both tensions somewhat for sewing synthetic fabrics.

16

The accessory box which belongs to your machine contains several sewing feet for special sewing operations.

To change the sewing foot, bring the needle to its highest point and raise the foot. Turn screw (16) until the sewing foot can be removed, tilting it sideways (see Figs. 1 & 2). The new foot is attached in the reverse order.

For sewing elastic fabrics, attach ordinary sewing foot No. 93-838 954-00 rather than clear-view sewing foot No. 93-100 179-00.

Close-up of hands operating a sewing machine with a numbered label '16' on the side (no other text or symbols visible)

1

22

3

Close-up of a sewing machine needle stitching fabric, with no visible text or symbols

2

To change the needle, bring the needle bar to its highest point and lower the sewing foot. Loosen needle set screw (22) and pull the old needle out of the needle clamp.

Insert new needle and push it up as far as it will go (Fig. 3), making sure that the flat side of its shank faces toward the back. Tighten screw (22) securely.

Use System 130 R needles only.

Replace the ordinary sewing foot by darning foot No. 93-102 826-91, attaching it from the rear so that spring clip c rests on needle set screw (22). Tighten sewing foot thumb screw (16). Lower the presser bar lifter.

Now drop the machine feed. On the Pfaff 78, this is done by removing bed cover (13) and pressing the drop feed lever down slantwise, as indicated by the white arrow.

To raise the machine feed, press this lever down and let it return to its original position.

On the Pfaff 79, the machine feed is dropped by simply turning the thumb screw on the underside of the free arm. To raise the machine feed again, turn this screw in the opposite direction.

C 22 16

18

Close-up of a mechanical component with no visible text or symbols

Close-up of a sewing machine needle stitching fabric, hands operating it (no visible text or symbols)

Darning sheer and soft materials is greatly facilitated by placing them in dark hoops. Draw up the bobbin thread and hold both threads lightly with your left hand while the first stitches are being made. Trim the threads and start stitching back and forth across the hole in sewing direction. Make sure the threads are anchored in the unworn area around the hole.

Turn the fabric at right angles and sew back and forth over the preceding work with short stitches.

Select the darning hoops in a size matching the darning job to be performed.

If the needle thread should break, the upper tension is too tight.

Mechanical component with a rotating arrow indicating rotation (no text or symbols visible)

Close-up of a sewing machine needle stitching a circular component (no visible text or symbols)

Attach zipper foot without quilting gauge.

Stition length: 1.5 to 2

it. Stitch close to the left edge of the zipper for about 1 inch, guiding the right edge of the foot along the zipper teeth (1). Leave the needle in the material, raise the zipper foot and close the zipper (2).

Continue stitching until you reach the end of the zipper. Then stitch across this end (3) and up to the other side.

The finished zipper closure is shown in Fig. 4.

1 2 3 4

20

Close-up of a hand operating a sewing machine needle (no visible text or symbols)

Close-up of a sewing machine needle stitching fabric (no visible text or symbols)

Black-and-white photo of a traditional Chinese-style jacket with vertical ribs and pleated front panel (no text or symbols visible)

Close-up of a sewing machine needle stitching a textured tiled surface (no text or symbols visible)

Flat Felled Seams

Attach felling foot

No. 93-847 561-00.

Stitch length: 1.5 to 2

Flat felled seams are used to durably join two pieces of fabric and are usually straight-stitched.

First Seam: Lay pieces together with the right sides facing and the bottom piece protruding about 18 inch. Make sure the fabric enters the felling foot evenly and the bottom fabric is folded over the edge of the top piece (see ill. at left), but the top piece is not folded.

Open the two pieces.

Second Seam: Lightly flatten the fabric by pressing it against the needle plate in front of the foot. Insert the seam ridge into the felling foot and stitch down (see ill. at right).

Quilting

Use zipper foot No. 93-847 600-00 with quilting gauge for sewing parallel seams over the entire surface of the fabric.

No. 93-487 551-00

Stitch length: 1.5 to 2

long. I have the material under the hemmer and lower same.

Make 3 to 4 straight stitches to secure the folded edge in place.

Draw the fabric into the hemmer by pulling both threads backwards, as shown in the drawing.

Feed the fabric edge into the hemmer scroll with your right hand (see ill.), making sure that the scroll is well filled with fabric at all times and the fabric does not slip sideways under the right half of the foot.

To produce an elastic hem on soft fabrics, use zigzag stitches. Set the stitch width, as instructed on page 25.

Illustration of hands operating a sewing machine on a fabric (no text or symbols visible)

22

Close-up of a sewing machine needle stitching fabric (no visible text or symbols)

Cording

Use ordinary sewing foot No. 93-836 954-00, and insert a twin needle (which can be obtained from your Pfaff dealer).

Stitch length: 1.5 to 2.

Cording is made with two needle threads. When threading the needles, make sure to lead each thread between a separate pair of tension discs (see ill.).

To render your cording more prominent, insert a filler cord. Select the twin needle gauge and the size of the filler cord to suit the type of material used. The thicker the fabric the wider the needle gauge.

Lace the filler cord through the hole in the needle plate, as illustrated.

Hold both needle threads lightly and turn the balance wheel to draw up the bobbin thread.

The smallest distance between cording seams made with the ordinary sewing foot is approx. 14 inch. For narrower cording, use one of the cording feet listed below.

To make different size cording, the following twin needles and cording feet can be supplied at extra cost:

Twin needles for needle distances of 1.2 (3/64"), 1.6 (1/16"), 1.8, 2.0 (5/64"), 2.5 (3/32"), 3.0 and 4.0 (5/32") mm.

Cording foot No. 93-847 671-00, with 3 grooves is used for heavy materials,

cording foot No. 93-847 675-00 with 5 grooves for medium-heavy fabrics, and

ccording foot No. 93-847 680-00 with 7 grooves for lightweight materials.

Close-up of a sewing machine needle and base (no visible text or symbols)

Pfaff 78

Piaff 79

Simple line drawing of a device with a cable and a clip, no text or symbols present

Line drawing of a mechanical component with curved surfaces and internal features (no text or symbols)

Use transparent sewing foot No. 93-100 179-00

Stitch length: 2 to 2.5

Scanned document with dense text, tables, and a grid of handwritten or typed notes

Use a thread which is not too heavy and matches the material being hemstitched (preferably a No. 50 embroidery thread).

Insert a twin hemstitch needle.

Make sure the needle and bobbin threads are the same size. The threading procedure is the same as for cording work. Slightly increase the needle thread tension.

The hemstitching effect is produced by the left wing needle penetrating the fabric. Turn the fabric by half a turn and sew the second seam, guiding the material so that the wing needle enters the needle holes it has made in the fabric previously.

You can produce a nice hemstitching effect along the hemmed edge of the fabric (see ill.) by guiding the material so that the left needle stitches into the fabric close to the hem.

Close-up of a textured surface with repeating dark and light spots, no visible text or symbols

24

Zigzag-Stitching

Turn stitch control (6) clockwise until the zigzag-stitch symbol is at the bottom.

The stitch width is regulated by pushing stitch width control (18) toward the left, as far as is desired.

Never change the stitch width setting unless the needle is outside the fabric.

Close-up of a circular mechanical component with internal blades and motion arrows, no visible text or symbols

1

Diagram showing a mechanical or electrical component with waveform and directional arrow, likely illustrating a signal or motion process.

18

11

3

The stitch length is regulated by turning stitch length control (11), as illustrated in Fig. 3.

2

Turn stitch control (6) to zigzag-stitch symbol.

Stitch length: 2

Stitch width (see below)

To overcast the edges of light and medium-weight fabrics, set the machine for its maximum stitch width.

Soft and flimsy fabrics are best overcast with a zigzag stitch of medium width.

Make sure the needle takes one stitch into the fabric and the other over its edge. This will cover the fabric edge securely.

Close-up of hands operating a sewing machine needle on fabric (no visible text or symbols)

26

Inserting Patches

Attach ordinary sewing foot. Stich width: medium.

Abstract textured background with a central white square and dark border (no text or symbols)

Larger holes can be patched quickly. Trim away the ragged edges around the hole, cutting exactly along the fabric yarns.

Cut a patch about 12 inch larger than the hole and place it under the hole, matching its grain to that of the fabric.

Set the stitch length control on "1" and the stitch width control in the middle of its slot and stitch along the edge of the patch.

Set the stitch length control on "0.5" and the stitch width control at the extreme left of its slot and sew over first seam.

At the corners, stop the machine with the needle down in the material on the right of its throw. Then turn the fabric so that the corners are stitched twice (see ill.). Trim away the excess material on the wrong side.

Elastic materials are patched in the same manner.

Scanned text of contract clauses with dense handwritten or printed characters

Scanned page with dense handwritten Chinese text and a sketch of a hand holding a pen, likely from a historical or technical document.

Place the lace on the material and stitch it down with straight stitches on both sides (1).

Cut the fabric open under the lace insertion (2) and iron it on both sides of the lace.

Turn the fabric to the right side and sew over the edges of the lace with short zigzag stitches of medium width (3).

Trim the fabric edges away on the wrong side (4).

28

Microscopic view of a porous cellular structure with irregular black and white voids, embedded in a textured gray panel (no text or symbols)

Microscopic view of a porous material structure with irregular voids and pores (no text or symbols)

3

4

Appliqué Work

Use transparent sewing foot No. 93-100 179-00.

Close-up of a sewing machine stitching a square fabric with zigzag stitching (no text or symbols visible)

Close-up of a sewing machine needle stitching fabric (no visible text or symbols)

1

2

To make applique, proceed as follow:

1. Trace the design on the right side.
2. Set the stitch length control on "1" and stitch along the outlines.
3. Sew the fabric to be appliqued to the right side with long stitches (1).
4. Follow the outlines of the design on the wrong side with a narrow zigzag stitch (stitch length control on "1"), as shown (2).
5. Trim the excess material close to the seam on the right side (3).
6. Sew over the edges of the applique with closely packed zigzag stitches (stitch length: 0.2; stitch width: medium), as illustrated (4).

Close-up of scissors cutting a textured fabric with a circular hole (no text or symbols visible)

Close-up of a sewing machine needle stitching a heart-shaped fabric, with a leaf visible (no text or symbols)

3

4

29

Monogram Embroidery

Regulate the stitch width to suit the size of the monogram.

Remove the sewing foot and drop the machine feed. Lower the presser bar lifter. Trace the monogram on the fabric and place the material in darning hoop.

Let the needle stitch into the fabric at the beginning of the design and draw the bobbin thread up through the fabric. Hold both thread ends and start your machine.

Slowly move the hoops in "writing" direction, without turning them, while the machine is running at high speed.

To give your monogram dimensional quality, embroider the outlines twice.

Illustration of a sewing machine needle stitching a rope, with hands operating it (no text or symbols visible)

Sewing Curtains

Stitch length: 2.5 to 3 Stitch width: medium

Use a thin needle (see Needle and Thread Chart).

Ease the needle thread tension somewhat. Hold synthetic materials a little taut while sewing.

30

Close-up of hands operating a sewing machine with fabric (no visible text or symbols)

Changing the Needle Position

Some special sewing jobs are made with the needle switched to the right or left of the needle plate slot. This is done by moving lever (19) to the right and left, respectively.

The needle position lever is indispensable for sewing on buttons and sewing button-holes, for instance.

19 PFAFF

Lever at left center right

Button Sewing

Attach transparent sewing foot No. 93-100 179-00.

Flick the needle to its right position and drop the machine feed.

Place the button under the foot and align so that needle will enter the right hole.

Raise the needle, but retain the foot in its lowered position. Turn the stitch control to the zigzag-stitch symbol and regulate the stitch width until the needle alternately stitches through both holes. Sew on the button.

Move stitch width control (18) toward the right and make two or three tying stitches.

Black-and-white illustration of a sewing machine needle stitching several circular components (no text or symbols visible)

Apply buttonhole foot No. 93-847 616-00

Attach buttonhole foot to the machine and set the slide on the buttonhole gauge to the buttonhole length desired (Fig. 1). The number indicating the buttonhole length should be in line with the right edge of the slide. The buttonhole is the right length when the beginning of the first seam reaches the red end of the slide indicator (see arrow).

Flick needle position lever (19) to the left (Fig. 2) and put stitch width control (18) in notch R 1 (Fig. 3).

Turn stitch control (6) to zigzag-stitch symbol. When using No. 50 embroidery thread, set the stitch length control so that both dots are opposite each other (Fig. 4).

For heavier threads, slightly increase the stitch length.

To obtain more prominent buttonholes, place a filler cord of medium size in the left groove of the sewing foot.

All-purpose sewing foot No. 91-100 179-00 may also be used for this operation.

32

Close-up of a sewing machine needle stitching fabric, with a white arrow pointing to the needle (no text or symbols visible)

1

Diagram of a tool emitting motion lines, showing a rectangular block with arrows indicating direction (no text or symbols)

2

Pure mechanical diagram showing a shaft and block assembly with no text or symbols

R2
R1
3

Simple line drawing of a mechanical device with a spring-like element mounted on a base (no text or symbols)

4

Sew the first seam over the filler cord. When the buttonhole is the right length, leave the needle in the fabric on the right of its throw (1).

Lift the sewing foot, turn the fabric around clockwise by half a turn, place the filler cord around the needle and pull it forward, placing it in the left groove of the foot.

Lower the foot and let the needle descend on the left of its throw (3).

Move stitch width control (18) to the second notch R 2, make 4 to 6 bartack stitches, slightly holding the materials to reduce the length of bar (4).

Push stitch width control (18) back to the first notch R 1 and sew the second button-hole seam, stopping about 116 inch from the end of the first seam.

Push stitch width control (18) to the second notch R 2 and sew the second tack, slightly holding the material to reduce the length of bar. Flick the stitch width control all the way to right and make 3 to 4 fastening stitches.

Slightly pull the filler cord and trim t close to the bar (5).

Open the buttonhole with your seam ripper which is included in the accessory box.

Diagram illustrating five steps of hairpin application: cutting, threading, forming, and cutting with scissors.

To set the machine for decorative-stitch sewing, turn control (6) clockwise (as indicated by arrows) until the symbol of the desired stitch is opposite the dot at the bottom (see ill.).

The stitch width is regulated by moving control (18) to the right or left, as may be desired. The stitch width recommended for the various utility-stitch sewing operations is indicated in the respective instructions.

6

34

Zigzag seam

Elastic seam

Blindstitch seam

"Pinnacle" seam

"Lamp-shade" seam

Ordinary zigzag seams.

Sewing on elastic, inserting patches in knitted fabrics, automatic darning of rips and worn areas, finishing edges in lightweight fabrics.

Blindstitch seam, shell edging, joining knitted fabrics, borders.

Sewing terry cloth, inserting patches, sewing stockings with elastic thread, attaching lace edging, couching.

Elastic edge finishing, inseams of Helanca slacks, sewing on braiding and borders.

Blindstitching

Apply transparent sewing foot No. 91-100 179-00.

Turn stitch control (6) to blindstitch symbol (see page 34)

Stitch length: 2-3

Simple line drawing of two folded sheets with a label '1' and an arrow, no text or symbols present.

Basting seam

Simple line drawing of a stack of papers with one sheet and one spine, no text or symbols present

Fold

Baste the hem about 316 inch from the fabric edge, as illustrated (1).

Reduce the needle thread tension by one grade.

Fold the hem (2) and place the fabric under the sewing foot so that the folded edge is in line with the left groove of the foot (see ill.).

Regulate the stitch width at top so that the needle takes the left stitch exactly in the folded edge, catching merely one fabric yarn.

Please note:

Fold the hem of heavy woolens only once (3) and finish the raw edge with zigzag stitches before it is hemmed.

Close-up of a sewing machine needle stitching fabric, showing mechanical components and fabric layers (no text or symbols visible)

Close-up of a textured surface with a dark vertical edge and a horizontal line, no visible text or symbols

Attach transparent sewing foot

No. 93-100 179-00 or ordinary sewing foot No. 93-838 954-00.

Turn stitch control (6) to blindstitch symbol.

Push stitch width lever (18) to the left as far as it will go (maximum stitch width).

Stitch length: 0.5 to 2

Shell edging makes a nice trimming on lingerie or garments made of delicate, soft fabrics or tricot.

Fold the fabric along the line which is to be enhanced by shell edging. Sew along this folded edge with the needle alternately taking one stitch into the fabric and the other over its edge. As the threads are interlocked outside the fabric, the fabric edge is drawn inwardly thus producing a shell edging effect.

foot.

Turn stitch control (6) to blindstitch symbol.

Maximum stitch length: 0.5

Set stitch width lever (18) for a zigzag stitch of medium to maximum width.

The blindstitch seam is ideally suited for sewing knit underwear and finishing the edges of the fabric.

Place the two pieces of material to be joined one on top of the other and sew along the edge so that the needle alternately stitches into the fabric and over its edge (see drawing).

Close-up of a sewing machine stitching a patterned fabric (no visible text or symbols)

36

Close-up of a sewing machine needle stitching fabric, no visible text or symbols

Diagram of a folded paper or sheet with a shaded triangular section and wavy edge (no text or symbols)

Inserting Patches

Apply the ordinary sewing foot.

Turn stitch control (6) to the symbol of the "pinnacle" seam (see page 34).

Maximum stitch length: 0.5 Stitch width: maximum

Abstract pattern of jagged black lines on a dotted grid background (no text or symbols)

Cut the patch a little larger than the damaged area and place it over the thin spot so that its grain matches the rest of the fabric.

Sew the patch down by stitching along its edges. Turn the material over and trim close to the seams.

The seam which joins the patch to the fabric is highly elastic.

Empty rectangular frame with a coiled spring pattern at the bottom (no text or symbols)

Attach the ordinary sewing foot.

Turn stitch control (6) to the symbol of the "pinnacle" seam.

Stitch length: 0.5

Stitch width: maximum

(1). Sew down one cut edge, then turn fabric and stitch down second cut edge.

If the seam is exposed to great stress, lay the two fabric edges together, one over the other, and join them with straight stitches (setting both the stitch length and stitch width controls on 1.5 to 2). Press the seam open, then sew the raw edges down with one of the decorative-stitches (2).

Close-up of a sewing machine needle stitching fabric (no visible text or symbols)

Two overlapping sheets with a wavy line inside, no text or symbols present

1

Close-up of a sewing machine needle stitching fabric (no visible text or symbols)

Diagram of layered materials with zigzag patterns, no text or symbols present

38

Darning Rips

Apply the ordinary sewing foot.

Turn stitch control (6) to the symbol of the "pinnacle" seam.

Maximum stitch length: 0.5

Stitch width: maximum

Close-up of a sewing machine needle stitching a grid-patterned surface (no text or symbols visible)

Place a suitable piece of material under the rip and close the rip with the needle stitching alternately into the material on the right and left. If the edges of the rip are ragged, sew along the first seam on the right and left of the rip, overlapping the seams.

Abstract geometric pattern composed of repeating zigzag lines on a textured background (no text or symbols)

A B

Bull Seaming

Use the ordinary sewing foot.

Turn stitch control (6) to the symbol of the "pinnacle" seam.

Maximum stitch length: 0.5

Stitch width: maximum

Lay both law edges about to wrong side and press. Lay both pieces under the needle with their folded edges abutting and sew together with decorative stitches (see ill.). Trim excess material on wrong side.

If the fabric has a firm selvaged edge, the edges need not be folded and pressed. Simply place both pieces under the sewing foot so that the abutted edges are centered under the needle and join them, as instructed above.

Close-up illustration of a sewing machine needle stitching fabric (no text or symbols visible)

Mending Hems

Apply the ordinary sewing foot.

Turn stitch control (6) to the symbol of the elastic seam.

Maximum stitch length: 0.5

Stitch width: maximum

Rip open the section of the hem seam opposite the damaged area. Take a piece of suitable material in the right size, fold it on the double and press. Then insert this piece in the hem so that its folded edge is in line with the folded edge of the hem.

Sew it down with decorative stitches, overlapping the seams.

Close-up of a sewing machine needle stitching fabric (no visible text or symbols)

40

Sewing on Elastic

Attach the ordinary sewing foot.

Turn stitch control (6) to the symbol of the elastic seam (see page 34).

Stitch length: 1

Stitch width: maximum

Lay the elastic on the fabric edge, stretching it with both hands, as illustrated. Then sew the stretched elastic down.

The more you stretch the elastic. the more the fabric will be gathered.

Close-up of a fabric with a wavy seam and a small mark, no visible text or symbols

Illustration of a hand holding a tool next to a textured surface, with a ruler partially visible on the right side (no text or symbols)

Use the ordinary sewing foot.

Turn stitch control (6) to the symbol of the "lamp-shade" seam.

Stitch length: 0.5

Stitch width: minimum

Close-up of a sewing machine needle and screwdriver (no visible text or symbols)

Apply the ordinary setting foot.

Turn stitch conirol (6) to the symbol of the elastic seam.

Maximum stitch length: 0.5

Stitch width: maximum

The same procedure is applied as is used for inserting patches with a "pinnacle" seam (see page 37).

Abstract geometric pattern with intersecting diagonal lines and shaded regions (no text or symbols)

Sew the two pieces of material together with the machine set as indicated above then press the seam open. This seam is particularly well suited for stretch fabrics. When sewing synthetic stretch fabrics, please note the instructions given for regulating the tension on page 16.

The same machine setting is used for closing inseams of trousers.

42

Reinforcing Hems in Knit Underwear

Attach the ordinary sewing foot.

Turn stitch control (6) to the symbol of the "lamp-shade" seam (see page 34).

Maximum stitch length: 0.5

Stitch width: maximum

Ornamental Seams

Apply transparent sewing foot No. 93-100 179-00.

Turn hem allowance and baste. Set the machine as indicated above and stitch the raw edge of the hem (see ill.).

Close-up of a fabric with a wavy seam and a dotted line at the bottom (no text or symbols)

All the different stitches will also be used to make exciting fashion-stitch designs, using threads in different sizes and colors.

Some of the designs that can be made are illustrated on the right.

Set stitch length and stitch width to suit the desired pattern.

Abstract geometric pattern with repeating hexagonal and star-like shapes (no text or symbols)

To change the light bulb, remove the face cover by pulling it in the direction indicated by the arrow.

Push the light bulb into its socket, turn left and pull out. Insert the new bulb so that its pins slide into the socket slots. Press the bulb in and turn right.

As you replace the face cover, slip tip d into slot c, then push against the face cover until it snaps into place.

Close-up of a vintage mechanical device with a flat top and scroll wheel (no visible text or symbols)

44

Close-up of hands operating a sewing machine needle (no visible text or symbols)

Close-up of a sewing machine needle and screwdriver (no visible text or symbols)

Machine Care

Longevity and smooth machine performance are dependent on regular cleaning and proper oiling. Since your Pfaff sewing machine has been made from high-grade materials, there are only a few oiling points left.

The raceway in the sewing hook is the most important oiling point. From time to time, put a drop of oil into the hook raceway (see ill. at left and center).

To get at the sewing hook of the Pfaff 78, tilt the machine back.

Pfaff 78

Close-up of mechanical components including a bearing and clamping mechanism (no visible text or symbols)

Pfaff 79

Close-up of a mechanical device with internal components and no visible text or symbols

Close-up mechanical assembly of a precision optical instrument (no visible text or symbols)

The other oiling points in the machine are illustrated above. (Remove the face cover as instructed on page 44).

Contents

	Page		Page
Applique Work	29	Machine Care	45
Blindstitching	35	Mending Hems	40
Button Sewing	31	Monogram Embroidery	30
Butt Seaming	40	Motor Disengaging Mechanism	5
Changing the Light Bulb	44	Oiling	45
Changing the Needle	17	Ornamental Seams	43
Changing the Needle Position	31	Overcasting Edges	26
Changing the Sewing Foot	17	Pressed-open Seams	42
Cleaning	46	Quilting	21
Cording	23	Raising and Lowering the Sewing Foot	12
Darning	18	Regulating the Stitch Length	14
Darning Foot	18	Regulating the Thread Tensions	16
Darning Rips	39	Reinforcing Hems in Knit Underwear	43
Drawing Up the Bobbin Thread	12	Removing the Bobbin Case	6
Dropping the Machine Feed	18	Removing the Face Cover	44
Electrical Equipment	4	Removing the Top Cover	46
Engaging and Disengaging the Sewing Mechanism	7	Reverse Sewing	15
Essential Parts of the Pfaff 78	2	Sewing Buttonholes	32
Essential Parts of the Pfaff 79	3	Sewing Curtains	30
Flat Felled Seams	21	Sewing Knit Underwear	36
Foot Control	5	Sewing on Elastic	41
Foreword	1	Shell Edging	36
Fundamentals of Machine Operation	13	Stitching Terry Cloth	38
Hemming	22	Straight Stitching	14
Hemstitching	24	Trouble Shooting	47
Inseams	42	Upper Threading	11
Inserting a Full Bobbin	8	Decorative Stitch Seams	34
Inserting Lace	28	Winding the Bobbin	7
Inserting Patches with Zigzag Stitches	27	Workplate of the Pfaff 78	10
Inserting Patches with Decorative Stitches	37, 42	Workplate of the Pfaff 79	10
		Zigzag Stitching	25
		Zipper Insertion	20
Inserting the Bobbin Case	9

PFAFF