Brother Computerized Sewing Machine Instruction Manual Page 1

US_low_coverENPANTONE 285BlackEnglish885-V12XE2426-1012Printed in ChinaOperation ManualComputerized Sewing MachineGETTING READYSEWING BASICSUTILITY ST

8IntroductionThank you for choosing this product.Before using this sewing machine, carefully read “Important Safety Instructions”, and then study this

APPENDIX ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————98Operation beepEach time a key i

99IndexNumerics1/4 inch quilting foot...121/4 inch quilting foot with guide ...

100smocking...79spool cap ...

US_low_coverENPANTONE 285BlackEnglish885-V12XE2426-1012Printed in ChinaOperation ManualComputerized Sewing MachineGETTING READYSEWING BASICSUTILITY ST

9Needle and presser foot sectiona Needle threader leverUse the needle threader to thread the needle.b Buttonhole leverLower the buttonhole lever when

10Operation panelThe operation panel, located on the front of the sewing machine, allows you to select a stitch and specify how the stitch will be sew

11AccessoriesAfter opening the box, check that the following accessories are included. If any item is missing or damaged, contact your dealer.Include

12Optional accessoriesThe following are available as optional accessories.Memo● To obtain optional accessories or parts, contact the nearest authorize

1311 GETTING READYTurning the Machine On/OffThis section explains how to turn the sewing machine on and off.Power supply precautionsBe sure to observe

GETTING READY ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————14Turning on the machinePrepare t

151Preparing for Upper and Lower ThreadingWinding the bobbinWind the thread onto the bobbin.aTurn on the sewing machine.bPlace the bobbin on the bobbi

GETTING READY ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————16fSlide the spool cap onto the s

171jWhile using your left hand to hold the thread that was passed through the bobbin-winding thread guide, use your right hand to wind the end of the

GETTING READY ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————18Installing the bobbinInstall th

191eLightly hold down the bobbin with your right hand, and guide the thread through the slot, and then pull it toward you to cut it with the cutter.a

GETTING READY ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————20Threading the upper threadIn th

211cPress (needle position button) once or twice to raise the needle.a Needle position button• If the needle is not at the correct height, the sewin

GETTING READY ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————22fSlide the spool cap onto the s

231jSlide the thread into the thread take-up lever from the right to the left.a Thread take-up leverMemo● If the needle is not raised, the thread take

GETTING READY ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————24pRaise the presser foot lever,

251Using the twin needleWith the twin needle, you can sew two parallel lines of the same stitch with two different threads. Both upper threads should

GETTING READY ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————26hAttach zigzag foot “J”.• For d

271Replacing the NeedleThis section provides information on sewing machine needles.Needle precautionsBe sure to observe the following precautions conc

1IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONSPlease read these safety instructions before attempting to use the machine.DANGER - To reduce the risk of electric shock

GETTING READY ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————28Needle types and their usesThe

291Checking the needleSewing with a bent needle is extremely dangerous since the needle may break while the machine is being operated.Before using the

GETTING READY ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————30dLoosen the needle clamp screw

311Replacing the Presser FootPresser foot precautionsBe sure to observe the following precautions concerning the presser feet.Replacing the presser fo

GETTING READY ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————32ePlace the presser foot to be i

331 Attaching the presser foot holderaAlign the presser foot holder with the presser bar.a Presser barb Presser foot holderbHold up the presser foot

GETTING READY ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————34cLower the presser foot lever,

351Useful FunctionsFunctions useful in improving sewing efficiency are described below.Changing the needle stop positionNormally, the sewing machine i

GETTING READY ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————36Changing the initial needle pos

371Sewing Cylindrical or Large PiecesWhen sewing cylindrical or large pieces of fabric, remove the flat bed attachment. Stitching cylindrical piecesRe

24 Always keep your work area clear:• Never operate the machine with any air openings blocked. Keep ventilation openings of the sewing machine and foo

GETTING READY ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————38cInstall the wide table.Keeping

3922 SEWING BASICSStarting to SewBasic sewing operations are described below.Before operating the sewing machine, read the following precautions.Sewin

SEWING BASICS ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————40Selecting a stitchSelect each s

412cPress “+” or “–” side of (stitch width key) to adjust the stitch width.a Stitch width keyb Stitch widthc Narrowd WideMemo● When the stitch lengt

SEWING BASICS ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————42dWhile holding the end of the t

432bPress (start/stop button) once.a Start/stop buttonThe machine starts sewing.• If you continue pressing the (start/stop button) immediately aft

SEWING BASICS ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————44eOnce you are ready to start se

452cAfter sewing 3 to 5 stitches, press (reverse/reinforcement stitch button).Keep (reverse/reinforcement stitch button) held down until you reach

SEWING BASICS ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————46Cutting the threadaWhen you wis

472eAfter reaching the end of the stitching, press the reverse/reinforcement stitch button once.a Reverse/reinforcement stitch button• This step is no

38 For repair or adjustment:• If the Light unit (light-emitting diode) is damaged, it must be replaced by authorized dealer.• In the event a malfuncti

SEWING BASICS ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————48Useful Sewing TipsVarious ways

492 If thick seams are being sewn and the fabric does not feed at the beginning of stitchingZigzag foot “J” is equipped with a feature that keeps the

SEWING BASICS ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————50Pulling up the bobbin threadWhe

5133 UTILITY STITCHESOvercastingSew overcasting along the edges of cut fabric to prevent them from fraying. Six stitches are available for overcasting

UTILITY STITCHES ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————52Sewing overcasting stitches using zigzag foot “J”aTurn on the m

533Basic StitchingStraight stitches are used for sewing plain seams. Three stitches are available for basic stitching.The values below “Auto” are set

UTILITY STITCHES ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————54Blind Hem StitchingThe bottoms of skirts and pants are hemmed.

553ePosition the fabric with the edge of the folded hem against the guide of the presser foot, and then lower the presser foot lever.a Wrong side of f

UTILITY STITCHES ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————56Buttonhole StitchingButtonholes can be sewn. Five stitches are

573Buttonholes with a maximum length of 30 mm (1-3/16 inches) (diameter + thickness of the button) can be sewn.Buttonholes are sewn as shown below.a R

4FOR USERS IN THE UK, EIRE, MALTA AND CYPRUS ONLY IMPORTANT• In the event of replacing the plug fuse, use a fuse approved by ASTA to BS 1362, i.e. car

UTILITY STITCHES ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————58aUse chalk to mark on the fabric the position and length of the

593hPull down the buttonhole lever as far as possible.a Buttonhole leverThe buttonhole lever should be positioned behind the bracket on the buttonhole

UTILITY STITCHES ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————60 Changing the stitch widthPress the “+” or “–” side of the sti

613Button sewingButtons can be sewn on with the sewing machine. Buttons with 2 or with 4 holes can be attached.aMeasure the distance between the holes

UTILITY STITCHES ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————62iStart sewing.Set the sewing speed controller to the left (so t

633Zipper InsertionA zipper can be sewn in place.The values below “Auto” are set when the pattern is selected. The setting can be adjusted to any valu

UTILITY STITCHES ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————64eAlign the seam with the center of the zipper, and then baste t

653aTurn on the machine.bAttach zigzag foot “J” and sew straight stitches up to the zipper opening.• With the right sides of the fabric facing each ot

UTILITY STITCHES ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————66iSew the zipper to the piece of fabric with the extra 3 mm (1/8

673Sewing Stretch Fabrics and Elastic TapeStretch fabrics can be sewn and elastic tape can be attached.The values below “Auto” are set when the patter

5

UTILITY STITCHES ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————68cWith the pattern selection dial, select stitch .dAttach zigza

693Appliqué, Patchwork and Quilt StitchingEight stitches are available for sewing appliqués and patchwork quilts.The values below “Auto” are set when

UTILITY STITCHES ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————70Appliqué stitchingaCut out the appliqué, leaving a seam allowan

713PiecingSewing together two pieces of fabric is called “piecing”. The fabric pieces should be cut with a 6.5 mm (1/4 inch) seam allowance.Sew a piec

UTILITY STITCHES ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————72 Presser foot holderbAdjust the stem of the quilting guide so

733dHold the quilting foot in place with your right hand, and then tighten the presser foot holder screw using the enclosed screwdriver in your left h

UTILITY STITCHES ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————74Reinforcement StitchingReinforce points that will be subject to

753Bar tack stitchingBar tacks are one type of reinforcement stitching used to strengthen points subject to strain, such as pocket corners and opening

UTILITY STITCHES ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————76gPull down the buttonhole lever as far as possible.a Buttonhole

773Decorative stitchingVarious decorative stitches can be sewn with this sewing machine.Stitch NamePatternPresser FootApplicationStitch Width[mm (inch

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————6ContentsImportant Safety Instructions ...

UTILITY STITCHES ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————78FagotingStitching across an open seam is called “fagoting”. It

793SmockingThe decorative stitch created by stitching or embroidering over gathers is called “smocking”. It is used to decorate the front of blouses o

UTILITY STITCHES ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————80eSew while making sure that the needle drops slightly off the e

813dAttach monogramming foot “N”.eStart sewing. Drawnwork (Example 1)The fabric is turned and sewn twice.aPull out several threads from the fabric.bA

UTILITY STITCHES ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————82cSelect stitch .• For details, refer to “Selecting a stitch” (

833Using the side cutter (optional)By using the optional side cutter, overcasting stitching can be sewn while the edge of the fabric is cut off.The va

UTILITY STITCHES ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————84fPosition the side cutter so that the side cutter pin is aligne

853kLower the presser foot lever, and then start sewing.X A seam allowance is cut while the stitching is sewn.If stitch is sewn, the seam allowance

UTILITY STITCHES ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————86

8744 APPENDIXStitch settingsApplications, stitch lengths and widths and whether the twin needle can be used are listed for utility stitches in the fol

7Useful Sewing Tips ...48Trial sewing ...

APPENDIX ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————88Overcasting stitchGOvercasting

894Joining stitchJPatchwork stitch-ing and decorative stitching 4.0(3/16)0.0–7.0(0–1/4)1.2(1/16)0.2–4.0(1/64–3/16)Yes(J)No ReinforcementJPatchwork sti

APPENDIX ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————90Buttonhole stitchAHorizontal bu

914MaintenanceSimple sewing machine maintenance operations are described below.Cleaning the machine surfaceIf the surface of the machine is dirty, lig

APPENDIX ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————92hInsert the bobbin case so that

934TroubleshootingIf the machine stops operating correctly, check for the following possible causes before requesting service.If the problem persists,

APPENDIX ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————94The upper thread breaks.The upp

954The thread ten-sion is incorrect.The upper thread is incorrectly installed.Correct the upper threading. page 20The bobbin thread is incorrectly ins

APPENDIX ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————96The thread does not pass throug

974Error messagesIf the sewing machine is incorrectly operated or if the sewing machine malfunctions, an error message appearsin the LCD.The message c