JC Penny Penncrest 2601
05-23-2017, 06:15 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 8
JC Penny Penncrest 2601
Hello everyone, I was recently gifted the sewing machine my mom received as her wedding present in 1987. It's a JC Penny Penncrest 2601 and made in Japan. The manual is missing and I can't seem to find any information online about it. Before anyone says google it, I've spent DAYS looking and contacting sewing shops. The only manuals are for different models that don't look similar. Is anyone familiar with one of these?
My mom showed me how to do a straight stitch, reverse and thread the bobbin. That is all she could really help me with since it's been 15+ years since she has done any projects. It has quite a few different stitches and even does buttons. I'm just not sure how to access everything.
It is currently in the shop getting its first tune-up in over 15 years, maybe ever. It's working fine though. The tech said it was a Singer made but Penncrest branded machine and Singer never put one out that looked like it.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]573544[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]573545[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]573546[/ATTACH]
I haven't figured out what the H L toggle does, possibly speed? The 1 2 tab will lift up but wants to be in the lower position. Under the second knob it says stretch stitch. I'm thinking I need to match color? with the knob in the pic below to change the stitch. The lever will slide and stay to either side. The current settings were giving me a straight stitch.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]573547[/ATTACH]
Has anyone worked with one of these?
My mom showed me how to do a straight stitch, reverse and thread the bobbin. That is all she could really help me with since it's been 15+ years since she has done any projects. It has quite a few different stitches and even does buttons. I'm just not sure how to access everything.
It is currently in the shop getting its first tune-up in over 15 years, maybe ever. It's working fine though. The tech said it was a Singer made but Penncrest branded machine and Singer never put one out that looked like it.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]573544[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]573545[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]573546[/ATTACH]
I haven't figured out what the H L toggle does, possibly speed? The 1 2 tab will lift up but wants to be in the lower position. Under the second knob it says stretch stitch. I'm thinking I need to match color? with the knob in the pic below to change the stitch. The lever will slide and stay to either side. The current settings were giving me a straight stitch.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]573547[/ATTACH]
Has anyone worked with one of these?
05-24-2017, 04:48 AM
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Maryland
Posts: 2,576
How many attachments did your mom have? Are there any cams with the machine? Possibly they may be built into the machine. If that's the case, your sewing machine repair person may be able to point them out and help you learn how to change stitch settings without damage. I agree with chance that the H-L may be to raise/lower the feed dogs. I think it's a great machine that will be easy to maintain after the initial servicing and I hope it sews well for you. Have fun Katie!!
05-24-2017, 05:52 AM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Saskatchewan
Posts: 838
That looks like a nice machine. Definitely ask your service guy if he can help you out with it.
I'm just guessing, but here are my thoughts:
I think the H-L switch is for motor speed. It's on the motor housing, and there is a knob on the machine bed that will raise and lower the feed dogs. The low speed setting might give more power for thicker fabric, or might just allow for slower sewing.
The top dial on the right sets the stitch length (in millimeters). Press the R in the middle to reverse.
The slider at the top engages the internal cams for fancy stitches. When it is in the left position (like it is now) it will do straight stitch or zigzag. Move it to the right for fancy stitches, and rotate the knob right next to it to choose the stitch set. Then turn the lower knob on the right to choose the stitch pattern from within the set. That lower right hand knob will also set the stitch width of the zigzag (if top slider is at the left).
I haven't figured out what the 1-2 switch at the top would do... I don't recall seeing anything like that before.
I don't think it was made by Singer... Singer typically didn't sell machines under other names. I could be wrong, though. If you take the machine out of the case base and look at its underside, are there any other markings or numbers? That might help narrow down who made it. Let us know how it sews!
I'm just guessing, but here are my thoughts:
I think the H-L switch is for motor speed. It's on the motor housing, and there is a knob on the machine bed that will raise and lower the feed dogs. The low speed setting might give more power for thicker fabric, or might just allow for slower sewing.
The top dial on the right sets the stitch length (in millimeters). Press the R in the middle to reverse.
The slider at the top engages the internal cams for fancy stitches. When it is in the left position (like it is now) it will do straight stitch or zigzag. Move it to the right for fancy stitches, and rotate the knob right next to it to choose the stitch set. Then turn the lower knob on the right to choose the stitch pattern from within the set. That lower right hand knob will also set the stitch width of the zigzag (if top slider is at the left).
I haven't figured out what the 1-2 switch at the top would do... I don't recall seeing anything like that before.
I don't think it was made by Singer... Singer typically didn't sell machines under other names. I could be wrong, though. If you take the machine out of the case base and look at its underside, are there any other markings or numbers? That might help narrow down who made it. Let us know how it sews!
Last edited by Jennifer23; 05-24-2017 at 05:56 AM.
05-24-2017, 09:19 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 327
Here is a link to a manual for a machine similar to yours.
http://www.sewusa.com/Sewing_Machine_Manuals/JC_Penney_Manuals/3400_Instruction_Manua.htm
The 1/2 button says "buttonhole lever". The "H/L" says "speed for two-speed motor".
The 3400 has cams but yours looks like the cams are built-in.
http://www.sewusa.com/Sewing_Machine_Manuals/JC_Penney_Manuals/3400_Instruction_Manua.htm
The 1/2 button says "buttonhole lever". The "H/L" says "speed for two-speed motor".
The 3400 has cams but yours looks like the cams are built-in.
05-24-2017, 09:52 AM
#9
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Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 8
Originally Posted by QuiltMom2
How many attachments did your mom have? Are there any cams with the machine? Possibly they may be built into the machine. If that's the case, your sewing machine repair person may be able to point them out and help you learn how to change stitch settings without damage. I agree with chance that the H-L may be to raise/lower the feed dogs. I think it's a great machine that will be easy to maintain after the initial servicing and I hope it sews well for you. Have fun Katie!!
05-24-2017, 10:07 AM
#10
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Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 8
Originally Posted by PatPitter
Here is a link to a manual for a machine similar to yours.
http://www.sewusa.com/Sewing_Machine_Manuals/JC_Penney_Manuals/3400_Instruction_Manua.htm
The 1/2 button says "buttonhole lever". The "H/L" says "speed for two-speed motor".
The 3400 has cams but yours looks like the cams are built-in.
http://www.sewusa.com/Sewing_Machine_Manuals/JC_Penney_Manuals/3400_Instruction_Manua.htm
The 1/2 button says "buttonhole lever". The "H/L" says "speed for two-speed motor".
The 3400 has cams but yours looks like the cams are built-in.
Originally Posted by Jennifer23
That looks like a nice machine. Definitely ask your service guy if he can help you out with it.
I'm just guessing, but here are my thoughts:
I think the H-L switch is for motor speed. It's on the motor housing, and there is a knob on the machine bed that will raise and lower the feed dogs. The low speed setting might give more power for thicker fabric, or might just allow for slower sewing.
The top dial on the right sets the stitch length (in millimeters). Press the R in the middle to reverse.
The slider at the top engages the internal cams for fancy stitches. When it is in the left position (like it is now) it will do straight stitch or zigzag. Move it to the right for fancy stitches, and rotate the knob right next to it to choose the stitch set. Then turn the lower knob on the right to choose the stitch pattern from within the set. That lower right hand knob will also set the stitch width of the zigzag (if top slider is at the left).
I haven't figured out what the 1-2 switch at the top would do... I don't recall seeing anything like that before.
I don't think it was made by Singer... Singer typically didn't sell machines under other names. I could be wrong, though. If you take the machine out of the case base and look at its underside, are there any other markings or numbers? That might help narrow down who made it. Let us know how it sews!
I'm just guessing, but here are my thoughts:
I think the H-L switch is for motor speed. It's on the motor housing, and there is a knob on the machine bed that will raise and lower the feed dogs. The low speed setting might give more power for thicker fabric, or might just allow for slower sewing.
The top dial on the right sets the stitch length (in millimeters). Press the R in the middle to reverse.
The slider at the top engages the internal cams for fancy stitches. When it is in the left position (like it is now) it will do straight stitch or zigzag. Move it to the right for fancy stitches, and rotate the knob right next to it to choose the stitch set. Then turn the lower knob on the right to choose the stitch pattern from within the set. That lower right hand knob will also set the stitch width of the zigzag (if top slider is at the left).
I haven't figured out what the 1-2 switch at the top would do... I don't recall seeing anything like that before.
I don't think it was made by Singer... Singer typically didn't sell machines under other names. I could be wrong, though. If you take the machine out of the case base and look at its underside, are there any other markings or numbers? That might help narrow down who made it. Let us know how it sews!
Last edited by KatieD; 05-24-2017 at 10:10 AM.
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