Brother XL 5500 - 42 Stitch Sewing Machine Instruction Manual

Operation Manual

93Put a different presser foot on the needle plate so that the bar on the presser foot is in line with the slot on the shank. 4Lower the presser foot

KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE —————————————————————————————————————————10THE CONTROLSPattern Selection DialTo choose a stitch, simply turn the pattern

11Recommended Widths and Lengths for Stitches 21 StitchesPattern Stitch NameRecommended Width[mm (inch)]Recommended Length[mm (inch)]Page in Instruct

KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE —————————————————————————————————————————12 17 Stitches 15 StitchesPattern Stitch NameRecommended Width[mm (inch)]Recom

13Stitch Length DialDepending on the selected stitch, you may need to adjust the stitch length for best results. The numbers marked on the stitch leng

KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE —————————————————————————————————————————14If different types of fabric or thread are used or the pattern does not have t

15THREADING THE MACHINEWinding the Bobbin1Put the spool of thread on the spool pin and pass the thread around the bobbin-winding tension disc.1 Bobbin

KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE —————————————————————————————————————————16Lower Threading1Raise the needle to its highest position by turning the balanc

173Unwind about 10 cm (4") of thread from a full bobbin and insert the bobbin into the bobbin case. (See fig. A-1.) Pull the trailing thread into

KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE —————————————————————————————————————————18Upper Threading1 Spool pin2 Thread guide3 Tension discs4 Thread take-up leverS

1IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONSWhen using this machine, basic safety precautions, including the following, should always be taken:Read all instructions

196Bring the thread down and pass it behind the thread guide.1 Thread guide7Thread the needle from front to back and pull out about 5 cm (2") of

KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE —————————————————————————————————————————205While lightly holding the thread, turn the needle threader lever toward the f

21Drawing up the lower thread1Raise the presser foot and the needle to their highest positions.2While lightly holding the end of the upper thread, slo

KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE —————————————————————————————————————————22 Twin Needle ThreadingYou should thread each needle separately.1Threading the

23Correct tensionCorrect tension is important as too much or too little tension will weaken your seams or cause puckers on your fabric.1 Reverse2 Surf

KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE —————————————————————————————————————————24CHART OF SEWING FABRICS, NEEDLES AND THREAD COMBINATIONSNote● Select the corre

25Please Read Before SewingStraight Stitching*Turn the stitch width dial to adjust the needle position. Setting the dial to “5” selects the left needl

KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE —————————————————————————————————————————262Raise the presser foot and turn the fabric to its new direction using the nee

27Blind Hem StitchingYou can use the Blind Hem Stitch to finish the edge of a project, like the hem of a pair of trousers, without the stitch showing.

KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE —————————————————————————————————————————28Elastic StitchingYou can use the Elastic Stitch for mending, sewing elastic or

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————2FOR USERS IN THE UK, EIRE, MALTA AND CYPRUS ONLYIf this machine is fitted with a three-pi

29Double Action StitchingThis stitch is used for joining two pieces of fabric, for example, when making patchwork. Set the pattern selection dial to t

KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE —————————————————————————————————————————30The stitch will prevent the fabric from unravelling.Triple Zigzag Stretch Stit

315Lower the buttonhole lever and push it back slightly.6While gently holding the upper thread, start the machine.7The bar tacks of the buttonhole are

KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE —————————————————————————————————————————323You need to sew the front bar tack first. Line the bar tack mark under the ce

33Adjusting Buttonholes If the stitching on the two sides of the buttonhole is not the same, you can make the following adjustments.1Set the stitch le

KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE —————————————————————————————————————————344Put a button between the foot and the fabric and make sure that the needle en

355Sew from the bottom of the zipper toward the top on both sides. The needle should be positioned on the zipper side of the foot for best results. 6T

KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE —————————————————————————————————————————36AppliquésYou can create an applique by cutting a different piece of fabric int

37Note● After sewing without feeding, prepare for the next seam by returning the drop feed lever to the down position so that the feed dogs are raised

KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE —————————————————————————————————————————38MAINTENANCEChanging the Light Bulb1Remove the power supply plug from the outle

3CONTENTSIMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS ...1CONNECTING PLUGS AND MAIN POWE

39Cleaning Removing the Shuttle Hook1Raise the needle to its highest position and unplug the machine.2Remove the extension table and open the shuttle

KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE —————————————————————————————————————————40Performance ChecklistWhenever sewing difficulties are encountered, first revie

41No No No NoNoNoNoNo NoNo NoNoNoFABRIC DOESNOT FEEDPROPERLYMACHINE ISNOISY OR SLOWNoNEEDLEBREAKSMACHINE DOESNOT STARTPower supplyplug is removedfrom

KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE —————————————————————————————————————————42Repacking the MachineKeep the carton and packing materials for future use. You

43INDEXNumerics1-Step Automatic Buttonhole ... 4, 5, 11, 12, 304-Step Buttonhole ... 5, 12,

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————44SSatin Stitch ...26Sca

English885-458XC7363-021Printed in China

KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE —————————————————————————————————————————4PRINCIPAL PARTS1 Bobbin-winding assembly (page 15)This winds the thread onto th

5ACCESSORIES1 Buttonhole foot (1 pc.)2 Zipper foot (1 pc.)3 Button sewing foot (1 pc.)4 Needle pack (regular single needle HAX130) (3 pcs.)5 Twin need

KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE —————————————————————————————————————————6USING YOUR SEWING MACHINEConnecting Plugs1Connect the power cord plug to the ma

7Note● When leaving the machine unattended, the main switch of the machine should be switched off or the plug must be removed from the socket outlet.●

KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE —————————————————————————————————————————82Raise the needle bar to its highest position.3Lower the presser foot.4If a nee