I have a Singer sewing machine model 9117. Every time I use the zig zag stitch the machine jams and I cannot continue sewing. Any ideas?

Hello, Annelien -

Unless your manually operated sewing machine has switches to realign your sewing machine needle to make zig zag stitching, as is demonstrated in this YouTube video (starting at around 6:30 minutes in the video):
https://www.fearlessmakers.com/manual-sewing-machine-works/
you cannot. Note: The machine in the video is a Necchi brand sewing machine.

Without knowing the model number of your manually operated Singer sewing machine, I cannot try to find operating instructions for it to determine if your machine has zig zag stitching potential.

Best wishes.

Provide detail of your machine, make & model No. Download Instruction Manual from below website for free if your machine is Singer, may be it helps:
http://www.singerco.com/uploads/download/448_5_6_8_10_slide.pdf

try a new needle--one for the fabric being sewed

could be a problem with the cam that does the zig zag, you might need to have the machine checked

if your sewing with light weight fabric also try using stablizer

singer has a manual that should show how to adjust the zig zag ,, but the manual is not free,, but it costs the less
Instruction Manuals

you may have to put your model number to get it

From the pattern selector (the bigger dial), select the zig-zag stitch. Then, using the stitch length dial (the smaller dial), adjust the stitch length. The closer your stitch length is to "0", the more dense will your zig-zag stitch be.

From the pattern selector (the bigger dial), select the zig-zag stitch. Then, using the stitch length dial (the smaller dial), adjust the stitch length. The closer your stitch length is to "0", the more dense will your zig-zag stitch be.

try moving it with the stitch width set to #1

it would probably be a good idea to take the machine in to see if there is any broken or worn parts, since it will not do a zig zag stitch

You have the machine set for blind hem stitching. Change the stitch selector to stretch stitch, which is a single, in line stitching zig zag stitch.

Cheers,
Embroidery Services
San Diego, CA

By turning the bottom dial on the righthand side of the machine, you can change type of stitch. For zig zag, you need to set it to B (seen on the front of the machine). You can adjust the width of the zig zag using the same dial.