MODEL REFERENCE

Tivax SewSimple Handheld

1 troubleshooting topic · 11 guides

Tivax SewSimple Handheld

The checks and guides below come from the official manuals for this model.

Troubleshooting

Find the problem you are experiencing
Radio or television interference4 checks
Receiving-antenna position
If switching the equipment off and on confirms harmful radio or television interference, try one or more of the listed measures: reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Equipment and receiver separation
If switching the equipment off and on confirms harmful radio or television interference, try one or more of the listed measures: increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
Shared power circuit
If switching the equipment off and on confirms harmful radio or television interference, try one or more of the listed measures: connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from the receiver circuit.
Further assistance
If switching the equipment off and on confirms harmful radio or television interference, try one or more of the listed measures: consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Guides

Safety information

Instructions from the manual
Safety Information16 steps
  1. Use this machine only for household sewing.
  2. Keep it away from children: it is not a toy and is not meant to be used by or near children.
  3. Never sew clothing while someone is wearing it.
  4. Switch off before touching the needle.
  5. Disconnect the adapter and remove batteries before changing needles or threading.
  6. Check threading before sewing; incorrect threading or bobbin placement can damage the machine.
  7. Guide fabric gently without pulling: pulling can break the needle and damage the machine.
  8. Never open the main motor case: its mechanism is factory adjusted.
  9. Never submerge the machine or any part in water.
  10. With the adapter connected, do not operate with wet hands, without shoes, or while standing in water or on a wet surface.
  11. Use only the manufacturer-recommended adapter.
  12. Do not use a damaged cord or plug; keep the cord away from heat and do not close doors on it or pull it around sharp edges.
  13. Unplug by grasping the plug with dry hands, never by pulling the cord.
  14. Never leave the machine unattended while plugged in.
  15. When not in use, switch off, unplug the adapter and remove batteries.
  16. Remove batteries for long storage to protect the machine and preserve battery life; keep spare batteries available for projects.

Threading the top thread

Instructions from the manual
Threading the top thread10 steps
  1. Switch off, then remove batteries or unplug the adapter before replacing top or bobbin thread.
  2. Correct threading is essential; check carefully and make one practice stitch before sewing.
  3. Place a spool or bobbin on the short thread spindle.
  4. Insert the spindle with the thread running counterclockwise.
  5. Pass the thread through the first thread guide shown in the reviewed threading diagram.
  6. Pass thread over the tension discs, then pull it down between both metal discs.
  7. It must be wedged between the discs, rather than lying across their tops.
  8. Pass through the next thread guide.
  9. Thread the take-up lever from front to back, then pass through the lower thread guide.
  10. Thread the needle eye from left to right; threading in the other direction may prevent sewing.
Top-thread route. Switch off and disconnect the power source before threading; pass through both tension discs and thread the needle left to right.
Top-thread route. Switch off and disconnect the power source before threading; pass through both tension discs and thread the needle left to right.

Diagram key

  • 1: Put the spool or bobbin on the thread spindle with thread running counterclockwise
  • 2: Pass thread through the first thread guide
  • 3: Pass thread over the tension discs and pull down between both metal discs, rather than resting on top
  • 4: Pass thread through the next thread guide
  • 5: Thread the take-up lever from front to back
  • 6: Pass thread through the lower thread guide
  • 7: Thread the needle eye from left to right

Inserting the bottom bobbin

Instructions from the manual
Inserting the bottom bobbin9 steps
  1. Switch off and disconnect the power source before replacing the bobbin thread, following the threading safety warning.
  2. Press the bobbin cover and pull it toward you.
  3. Put the new bobbin in its case with thread running counterclockwise and leave about 5 cm of thread hanging out.
  4. Hold the top thread loosely in the left hand.
  5. Turn the handwheel in its marked-arrow direction with the right hand until the needle goes down and returns to its highest position.
  6. Lightly pull the top thread so the bobbin thread appears through the needle-plate slot.
  7. Pull the bobbin thread the rest of the way through the slot.
  8. Bring both threads together toward the back, under the presser foot.
  9. Replace the bobbin cover.

Connecting the ac/dc adapter

Instructions from the manual
Connecting the AC/DC adapter6 steps
  1. Use only a compatible manufacturer-recommended 6 V, 1000 mA adapter.
  2. Use either batteries or the adapter; never both at the same time.
  3. Check that the power switch is OFF before connecting the adapter.
  4. Connect its power cord to the machine DC input socket, then connect its plug to the power outlet.
  5. If the machine malfunctions, switch off immediately and remove batteries or unplug the adapter to prevent accidental startup.
  6. After repair, turn the handwheel to make several practice stitches before starting powered sewing.
Machine malfunctions1 check
Machine malfunction
Immediately switch off and remove batteries or unplug the adapter. After repair, make several practice stitches with the handwheel before sewing.

Installing/removing the batteries (not included)

Instructions from the manual
Installing and removing batteries11 steps
  1. Use either batteries or the adapter, never both.
  2. Switch OFF before installing batteries.
  3. The compartment is inside the handle at the top right of the machine.
  4. Push up the end of the battery cover and remove it.
  5. Carefully pull out the battery-holding assistive device; it can be removed completely.
  6. Insert four AA batteries with the polarity marked inside the machine and replace the cover.
  7. To remove batteries, open the cover and carefully pull out the assistive device with the batteries.
  8. Remove the batteries, put the device back and replace the cover.
  9. When unused, switch off, unplug the adapter and remove all batteries.
  10. Do not mix old and new batteries or different battery types.
  11. Replace all four together; do not mix carbon-zinc, alkaline or rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries.

Changing the needle

Instructions from the manual
Changing the needle8 steps
  1. Switch off and remove batteries and/or disconnect the adapter to prevent accidental startup.
  2. Turn the handwheel to bring the needle to its highest position.
  3. Hold the old needle and loosen its clamp screw.
  4. Remove the needle and discard it responsibly.
  5. Insert the new needle with its flat side facing the right side of the machine.
  6. Push it fully into the clamp before tightening.
  7. Tighten the clamp screw securely.
  8. Correct needle direction and secure tightening prevent incorrect installation and the needle falling out.

Adjusting tension

Instructions from the manual
Adjusting tension6 steps
  1. Inspect both sides of the stitching.
  2. Normal top and bottom threads look even, neither too tight nor too loose, as in figure A.
  3. If the bottom thread looks like a straight line, the top thread is too loose.
  4. Slowly turn the tension dial clockwise to increase tension until stitching returns to normal, as in figure B.
  5. If the top thread looks like a straight line, the top thread is too tight.
  6. Slowly turn the dial counterclockwise to reduce tension until stitching returns to normal, as in figure C.

Winding the bobbin

Instructions from the manual
Winding the bobbin11 steps
  1. Switch off and remove batteries or disconnect the adapter before unthreading the needle.
  2. Remove all fabric and unthread the needle before winding: the needle moves during bobbin winding.
  3. Find the bobbin-winding pin in the accessory bag.
  4. Align the thin-end slot of the pin with the two positioning ribs inside the bobbin-winding hole on top of the machine.
  5. Insert the pin downward.
  6. Put an empty bobbin on the winding pin and pass the thread tail through any hole in the bobbin.
  7. Switch on to wind.
  8. Guide thread between the fingers while it is in midair between spool and bobbin.
  9. Do not touch moving machine parts and do not wind beyond the bobbin edge.
  10. When full, switch off to stop.
  11. Remove the bobbin and winding pin, then cut the thread.
Bobbin-winding pin and installed bobbin. Remove fabric and unthread the needle before winding: the needle moves while winding.
Bobbin-winding pin and installed bobbin. Remove fabric and unthread the needle before winding: the needle moves while winding.

Diagram key

  • Thin end: Align the thin-end slot with the two positioning ribs in the bobbin-winding hole
  • Bobbin winding hole: Insert the aligned pin downward into this hole on top of the machine
  • Fig. 1: Fit the bobbin-winding pin before adding the empty bobbin
  • Fig. 2: Place the empty bobbin on the pin and put the thread tail through any bobbin hole

Sewing

Instructions from the manual
Sewing9 steps
  1. Turn the handwheel in its marked-arrow direction to raise the needle to its highest position if necessary.
  2. Raise the presser-foot lifter, put fabric under the foot, then lower the lifter.
  3. Turn the handwheel in the marked-arrow direction two or three times to lower the needle into the fabric.
  4. Push the power switch to begin sewing.
  5. Guide gently without pulling the fabric.
  6. After sewing, push the switch to turn off.
  7. Turn the handwheel to raise the needle fully, raise the presser-foot lifter, remove the fabric and cut the thread.
  8. If fabric is difficult to remove, turn the handwheel back and forth; do not pull hard on fabric or thread.
  9. To draw more thread through the needle, first pull from above the needle to create slack, then pull through the eye.
Fabric is difficult to remove1 check
Fabric or thread resists removal
  1. After sewing, switch off and turn the handwheel to raise the needle fully.
  2. Raise the presser-foot lifter.
  3. If fabric is difficult to remove, turn the handwheel back and forth without pulling hard on fabric or thread.
  4. Create slack above the needle before pulling more thread through its eye.

Controls and parts

See the manual diagrams 1 diagram
SewSimple Handheld controls and parts — complete 14-number key.
SewSimple Handheld controls and parts — complete 14-number key.

Diagram key

  • 1: Take-up lever
  • 2: Upper thread tension dial
  • 3: Thread guides; both leaders carrying this number identify guides
  • 4: Short thread spindle
  • 5: Power switch
  • 6: Battery cover
  • 7: Separate battery box, shown in the open-handle inset
  • 8: Needle
  • 9: Presser foot
  • 10: Bobbin cover
  • 11: Hand wheel
  • 12: Power jack
  • 13: Presser foot lifter
  • 14: Needle clamp screw, shown in the needle-area inset

Model details

Model and compatibility

Adapter
Manufacturer-recommended compatible 6 V, 1000 mA adapter; use separately from batteries.
Battery supply
Four AA batteries, not included; never use batteries and adapter together.
Needle threading
Thread the needle eye from left to right.

Included accessories

Full bobbins
2
Empty bobbins
2
Needle threader
1
Supplied needle
#14, quantity 1
Adapter
1
Bobbin-winding pin
1

Related reviewed instructions

Manuals and sources

  1. Tivax operation manual
  2. Tivax model support and details
  3. Tivax manual download listing
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