I have a Singer 3116 and I need to adjust the needle position to work with my zipper foot. How do I do that?

Um, not sure what presser foot you are using--there are several.

If it is the invisible zipper foot, there is a groove in the bottom of the presser foot that straddles one strip of zipper teeth which positions it close to the needle. Zipper foot #4 snaps to either side to enable the needle to be close to the zipper teeth. The Narrow Adjustable Zipper/Straight Stitch and the Non-Stick Zipper Feet are moveable left or right.

Pfaff Presser Feet

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When the needle is set on the center position, is it centered or is it slightly off center? If so, then the mechanism needs to be adjusted so that the needle is perfectly centered. When it is off-center, you will get the problem you are experiencing with hitting one side of the zipper foot. May want to take it in for service.

Just like the regular working foot, most zipper feet look the same regardless of machine. At least, the part of the foot that is actually in contact with the work: small, solid--no thread slot or needle well in the middle--and a small notch on each of the left and right sides.

http://www.singerco.com/uploads/download/438_3116.pdf see p. 52. You change the position of the zipper foot, not the position of the needle, with this machine.

It doesn't look like you can change needle position on this machine. Even the zipper foot for this machine is made so the foot itself moves to the right or left rather than having to change the needle position.

Here's a copy of your manual.
http://www.singerco.com/uploads/download/438_3116.pdf

Insert a new needle, (flat side facing rear of machine), now totally rethread. Try this, with presser foot up, pull top thread, it should pull smoothly, now lower presser foot, the thread should barely move. This should seat the thread in the tension discs. If that doesn't work, call Singer at 1-800-4singer.

Hi. Here's how to attached the zipper foot.

To Attach the Zipper Foot
1. Loosen the large screw at the left of the presser bar and remove presser foot (You do not need to remove the screw).
2. Hook the prongs of the Zipper Foot around the presser bar from the back, and tighten the presser-bar screw.
3. If the raised edge (zipper or cording) is to the right of the needle, adjust the Zipper Foot by loosening the thumb screw at the back of the foot and sliding foot to the left of the needle. If the raised edge is to the left, slide foot to right.
4. With presser foot down, check its position by lowering needle into side notch, making sure it just clears the foot.
5. Tighten thumb screw to lock foot into position.
When raised edge is placed to right -- adjust foot to left of needle.
When raised edge is placed to left -- adjust foot to right of needle.

The bobbin case and shuttle need to be cleaned and the machine oiled.

When you thread the machine, always have the presser foot up.

When sewing and you need to reposition the fabric, make sure the needle is down into the fabric before raising the presser foot.

When the presser foot is up, the tension opens and does not control the flow of the thread and you get a messy stitch or a jam.

Refer to page 84 of the manual for your machine. If you do not have a manual, download one free at the Singer Co. website. It is important to

follow the instructions in the manual.

janome machine feet should fit

I think you may have to make an adjustment on your blind hem foot, it also could be the wrong fit for your machine.