Brother 180D user guide: Thread tension adjustment

THREAD TENSION ADJUSTMENT

Use this procedure when changing the thread tension.

Upper thread tension dial 1 Upper thread tension setting 2 Weak (Decrease thread tension) 3 Strong (Increase thread tension)

A– To tighten the upper thread tension, adjust the dial to the right. B– To loosen the upper thread tension, adjust the dial to the left.

• The standard position is between “4” and “6”. However, a sewing test should always be done to check for the proper thread tension. Thread tension may need to be adjusted with the use of different thread, fabric or stabilizer fabric.

Correct thread tension

Adjust so that the lower thread stitch width on the reverse surface of the fabric is about one-third of the total width. Correct tension is important because too much or too little tension will cause poor quality embroidery or your fabric to pucker.

1 Top surface of fabric 2 Reverse side of fabric

If upper thread tension is too strong

The lower thread will be visible on top surface of the fabric. Decrease the upper thread tension.

1 Top surface of the fabric 2 Reverse side of the fabric

If upper thread tension is too weak

The upper thread will be loose. Increase the upper thread tension.

1 Top surface of fabric 2 Reverse side of fabric

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ADJUSTING THE LCD SCREEN CONTRAST

To adjust the brightness of the LCD screen

❶ “BASIC OPERATION” key

1. Press “BASIC OPERATION”.
2. Touch “NEXT”, “BRIGHTNESS OF LCD” and “NEXT”.

To adjust the contrast of the LCD screen

❶ “Dull” Touch this key to make contrast less (lighter). ❷ “Sharp” Touch this key to make contrast greater (darker). ❸ Touch “END” to return to the screen which was previously being displayed.

• If the contrast is adjusted too far, the display screen becomes invisible. Reset it by turning the power switch off and then on again.

I f the LCD is hard to see when the power is turned on

1. While touching the LCD (anywhere is OK), turn the power off and then back on again.

2. Touch any one of the lower two selection keys (BASIC OPERATION, MODIFY & ADVISE). The LCD will become darker each time one of these keys is touched. If you would like to make the LCD lighter, touch the upper selection key (CHARACTERS & DESIGNS).

3. After you have finished adjusting, turn the power off and back on again once more.

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CHANGING THE NEEDLE

Set the needle securely.

❶ “BASIC OPERATION” key

1. Turn the power switch off and lower the presser foot lever. Turn the balance wheel to raise the needle to its highest position.

2. Loosen the needle screw with a screwdriver.

3. Slide the needle out.

4. Insert the new needle into the needle shaft as far up as it will go with the flat side of the needle facing away from you. Secure it by firmly tightening the screw with a screwdriver.

5. Turn the power switch on.

Checking for a bent needle ❶ Place the needle on a flat surface and check whether the space is parallel or not. ❷ Flat surface (Needle-plate, glass, ruler etc.) If the space is not parallel then the needle is bent and should be thrown away to prevent damage to your project or the machine.

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EMBROIDERING

CHAPTER 2

EMBROIDERY

❶ “BASIC OPERATION” key

1. Thread the upper thread following the solidline and numerical sequence marked on your machine. Be sure to attach the spool felt as shown in the illustration.

   ❶ Spool felt (See page 16 – 17)

2. Thread the lower (bobbin) thread. (See page 15)

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3. Place the fabric in the embroidery frame and then attach the frame to the machine. (See page 20 – 22)

1 Carriage (embroidery arm) 2 Embroidery frame

NOTE Do not push down the carriage too hard as you attach the hoop. Use caution so as not to move the carriage sideways.

• It is easier to move the embroidery frame under the presser foot if the presser foot lever is raised higher than its normal “up” position.

1 Normal presser foot lever “up” position 2 Presser foot lever pushed up 3 Presser foot lever down position

4. Turn on the power. The light will shine when the power is turned on.

5. Select a pattern.

6. Lower the presser foot lever and press the “START/STOP” button to start the machine.

1 “START/STOP” button

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Start embroidering

1. After threading the needle, pass the thread from the top to the bottom through the hole of the presser foot, and gently pull the end of the thread.

2. Lower the presser foot and press the “START/STOP” button to start the machine. After sewing 5 – 6 stitches, stop the machine and raise the presser foot again. Trim off any excess thread at the edge of the design. After trimming, lower the presser foot and press the “START/STOP” button again to start the machine. 3. The machine will stop sewing when it has completed all the stitching with the current thread color.

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CONTENTS MACHINE KNOWLEDGE EMBROIDERING MAINTENANCE ERROR MESSAGE TROUBLESHOOTING PATTERNS EMBROIDERING USING A SMALL FRAME (OPTIONAL.) EMBROIDERING USING A EXTRA-SMALL FRAME (OPTIONAL.) EMBROIDERING USING A LARGE FRAME (OPTIONAL.)

Embroidering advice

• The recommended lower (bobbin) thread is #60 – #90 synthetic thread.
• For thin and stretch fabrics which are difficult to embroider, attach the fabric to non-woven stabilizer fabric before embroidering.
• If embroidering on a thick fabric with stabilizer (see page 18), it is recommended that a stronger 90/14 home sewing machine needle be used.

HOW TO SELECT PATTERNS

Selecting built-in embroidery patterns

A

Select the type of built-in embroidery patterns you wish to embroider.

• If the power is turned on without a memory card inserted, the display shown at the left will appear.

B

• If the power is turned on with a memory card inserted, the screen corresponding to the memory card will appear. (Example: No.2 The Flower card) To select built-in patterns press the “CHARACTERS & DESIGNS” key.

❶ “CHARACTERS & DESIGNS” key

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Selecting alphabetic characters

Alphabetic characters

ABCabc0-9&? ABCabc0-9&? ABC 0-9

Three different fonts are available for alphabetic characters. Touch the key that corresponds to the typeface you would like to use.

Example: To select the characters to form the word "BUS"

1. Touch " ABCabc0-9&? ".

2. Touch "B".

3. Touch "NEXT".

4. Touch "U".

5. Touch "S".

❶ Screen A – The operation of each key shown on this screen is described on the following page.

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Screen A

1. Touch this key to have the machine sew a reinforcement stitch and stop for the changing of thread each time a new character is embroidered. (Refer to page 34.)
2. Touch this key to check the character selected. (Refer to page 34.)
3. Touch this key to return to the previous screen character choices.
4. Touch this key to display the next character screen in the sequence.
5. Touch this key to switch between uppercase and lowercase. (Refer to page 32.)
6. Touch this key to change the character size to one of three different sizes. (Refer to page 33.)
7. Touch this key if you would like to change the character position, character size and thread density, or if you would like to use the Help function. To change the character position: (Refer to page 43) To change the character size: (Refer to page 47) To change the thread density: (Refer to page 47) To use the Help function: (Refer to page 54)
8. Touch this key to clear the selected characters one by one. (Refer to page 33.)

Uppercase & lowercase

The characters to be selected can be switched from uppercase to lowercase and vice versa by touching "A/a".

1. Touch "A".

2. Touch "A/a" to switch to lowercase.

3. Touch "a".

Changing the character size to one of three different sizes

The size of the characters can be changed by touching the “L/M/S” key. Each time it is pressed it changes as shown below. (L → M → S → L ...) The size of all characters will be changed to the last character size selected.

ALPHABETIC CHARACTERS

Actual size

1 Large (L) 2 Medium (M) 3 Small (S)

Correcting characters

One character can be cleared with a backspace each time “CLEAR” is touched.

Example: If “Giel” has been entered instead of “Girl”.

1. Touch “CLEAR” twice.

2. Enter the correct characters.

CONTENTS MACHINE KNOWLEDGE EMBROIDERING MAINTENANCE ERROR MESSAGE TROUBLESHOOTING PATTERNS EMBROIDERING USING A SMALL FRAME (OPTIONAL) EMBROIDERING USING A EXTRA-SMALL FRAME (OPTIONAL) EMBROIDERING USING A LARGE FRAME (OPTIONAL) 33

Checking the characters input

Touch “CHECK” to check the characters which have been selected.

Example: If the characters “abcdefghijk” have been selected in lowercase characters

The display appears as shown in the illustration at left after the “k” is touched.

• The machine will not accept your next character if it exceeds the embroidery area. To continue the word or phrase change to a smaller size character.

By touching “CHECK”, the display will scroll through all the characters from the first character selected.

• If all the characters selected appear on the display at once, then the display will not move.

Changing the color of single characters

If “MULTI COLOR” is selected before embroidering starts, the machine will stop after each character is sewn so that you can change the thread.

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Selecting frame patterns

• Frame patterns are created by combining the desired frame and type of stitch.

Example

1. Touch “”.

   • If another type of pattern such as characters or if a memory card has been inserted, press “CHARACTERS & DESIGNS” first and then touch “”.

2. Select the desired shape for the frame. ❶ If you touch “NEXT”, additional frame shapes will be displayed. (There are a total of 10 different frame shapes available.)

3. Select the desired type of stitch to form the frame. ❷ If you touch “NEXT”, additional stitch types will be displayed. (There are a total of 12 different stitch types available.)

4. The combined pattern is then shown on the LCD screen. ❸ Screen A – The operation of each key shown on this screen is described on the following page.

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CONTENTS MACHINE KNOWLEDGE EMBROIDERING MAINTENANCE ERROR MESSAGE TROUBLESHOOTING PATTERNS EMBROIDERING USING A SMALL FRAME (OPTIONAL) EMBROIDERING USING A EXTRA-SMALL FRAME (OPTIONAL) EMBROIDERING USING A LARGE FRAME (OPTIONAL)

Screen A

❶ Touch this key if you would like to change the pattern position, pattern size and thread density, or if you would like to use the Help function. To change the pattern position: (Refer to page 43) To change the pattern size: (Refer to page 47) To change the thread density: (Refer to page 47) (It may not be possible to change the thread density for some patterns.) To use the Help function: (Refer to page 54) ❷ Touch this key to return to the pattern selection screen.

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Selecting one-point mark patterns

Example

1. Touch “ ”.

2. Select the desired pattern to be embroidered. (Example: Touch the giraffe)

❶ Touch this key to display all available patterns on the screen. You can then select the desired pattern by touching it.

❷ Touch this key to return to the previous pattern screen.

❸ Touch this key to move to the next pattern screen.

3. The pattern is now selected.

❹ Screen A – The operation of each key shown on this screen is described on the following page.

❶ This indicates the order of color changes. ❷ Touch this key to display the total time required for embroidering the pattern and the time remaining until the pattern is finished. The time taken to change the threads is not included in these times. (The time is calculated after the key is touched, and is then displayed.) (Refer to page 39.) ❸ Touch this key to switch between the multicolor mode and single-color mode. (It is not possible to change between multi color mode and single color mode if “MULTI COLOR” is not displayed on the screen). ❹ Touch this key if you would like to change the pattern position, or if you would like to use the Help function. To change the pattern position: (Refer to page 43) To use the Help function: (Refer to page 54) ❺ Touch this key to change the size of the pattern. (It is not possible to change the size of patterns if “L/S” is not displayed on the screen.) ❻ Touch this key to return to the pattern selection screen. ❼ The total number of colors and the number of the color currently being sewn will be displayed. ❽ Touch this key to change the display in ❶ to the color name (reference). (Refer to page 39.) ( It is not possible to display the color name if “THREAD COLOR” is not displayed on the screen.)

Displaying the embroidery time for one-point patterns

❶ “BASIC OPERATION” key

If you would like to know the time it takes to embroider a pattern, touch the time display key (“⏳”). The time required will then be calculated and displayed. The time taken to change the threads is not included. This function can also be used with some of the patterns on the memory cards, but in such cases the time displayed may be somewhat different from the time given on the pattern sheet for that memory card.

1. After selecting the pattern, touch “⏳”. ❶ Time display key
2. The embroidering time will then be calculated. ❷ Touch this key to cancel the calculation.
3. The required time and the remaining time will be shown on the display. ❸ Remaining time ❹ Total required time
4. The time remaining will change at the end of each color embroidery.

Displaying the color names for one-point patterns

❶ “BASIC OPERATION” key

If you touch “THREAD COLOR”, the color names (reference) of the different threads to be used will be displayed in order.

1. After selecting the pattern, touch “THREAD COLOR”. ❶ “THREAD COLOR” key
2. The color names will then be displayed.
   • If you touch “THREAD COLOR” once more, the display will return to the previous screen.
   • It is not possible to display the color name if “THREAD COLOR” is not displayed on the screen.

Selecting patterns from a memory card

Be sure to turn off the power switch before inserting or removing the memory cards.

1. Turn the power switch off.

2. Insert the memory card into the card slot according to the direction of the arrow mark on the memory card. ❶ Direction arrow on memory card

3. Turn the power switch on.

IMPORTANT

• If the card is inserted in a direction other than that indicated by the arrow on the card, the connector in the card slot will become damaged.
• Insert so that the card appears as shown in the illustration at left. If you try to push the card in any further, the connector will become damaged.
• Be sure to turn the power switch off before removing the card. Pull the card straight out from the slot.
• Always keep the memory cards in their proper case when they are not in use.

4. The pattern selection screen for the inserted memory card will be displayed. (The illustration shows the pattern selection screen for the No. 2 Flower card.) The selection process from this point is the same as for selecting built-in patterns.

• If you use a selection key to display another screen, you can return to the above pattern selection screen by touching "CARD". ❷ "CARD" key

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MEMORY

Up to 5 different pattern combinations can be saved and retrieved from memory.

❶ “BASIC OPERATION” key

Saving a pattern combination in memory

Example: To save the “Girl” pattern in memory address 1.

1. Enter the characters to form the word or monogram.

2. Press “MEMORY”. ❶ “MEMORY” key

3. Touch “MEMORY 1”. ❷ If any patterns have already been saved, they will be displayed on the screen. Touch “NEXT” to look for an empty memory space if MEMORY 1 has been used.

   • If the new pattern is saved to a space where an old pattern has already been saved, the old pattern will be deleted.
   • Do not turn off the power while a pattern is being saved (while “Saving” is displayed).

4. The pattern is now saved in memory.

5. For the next example press “CHARACTERS & DESIGNS”, touch “ABCabc0-9&?” to select desired font style and enter characters to create the pattern “Boy”. Press “MEMORY”, touch “NEXT” and “MEMORY 2” to save the pattern.

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Retrieving a pattern which has been saved

Example: To recall the “Boy” pattern saved in memory space 2

1. Touch “MEMORY”. ❶ “MEMORY” key

2. Touch “NEXT”.

3. Touch “RETRIEVE 2”.

4. The pattern retrieved will appear on the screen. Press “START/STOP” button to embroider the pattern.

• Patterns which are saved from an embroidery card can only be retrieved if the memory card containing that pattern has been inserted into the card slot of the machine.

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CHANGING THE SETTINGS FOR THE SELECTED PATTERN

Moving the position (LAYOUT)

The position for embroidering the pattern can be changed by touching the “LAYOUT” key. This is useful if you want to embroider a pattern somewhere such as in the corner of the fabric or if you want to align a pattern away form the center of the embroidery area of frame.

Touch “SET” and then “LAYOUT” to display the above screen.

1. Indicates the current pattern size. Note: Characters and patterns may sometimes be displayed in slightly larger than actual size.
2. Touch this key to rotate the selected pattern in 90° steps. (Refer to page 45)
3. Indicates the area which can be embroidered.
4. Indicates the current center needle drop position.
5. Indicates the embroidering position and embroidering area for the current pattern and size selected.
6. Touch these keys to move the embroidering position within the embroidery area. (Refer to page 44)
7. If you touch this key, the embroidering position will be returned to the center of the embroidery area.
8. This moves the needle position to the middle of the pattern or to the sewing start position. Use it when you would like to set the embroidering position. (Refer to page 45)
9. If you touch this key, the embroidery frame will move to trace the area required for the selected design, so that you can check the embroidering position.(Refer to page 44)
10. Touch this key to return to the previous selection screen.
11. If you touch this key, the display will change from the layout screen back to the original screen.
12. If you touch this key, the pattern will be reversed horizontally (mirror imaged). This function cannot be used with some patterns. (Refer to page 46)

Changing the embroidery position

Touch the arrow key that corresponds to the direction in which you would like to move the pattern. The embroidery position will then move.

• If you touch the “CENTER” key, the embroidery position will return to the center.
• Use the hole on the embroidery foot as a guide, and never lower the needle while it is moving.

Example: To move the embroidery position to the upper right corner

Touch the “↗” key.

• The embroidery position or area display can be moved by touching the corresponding arrow key. If the arrow key is touched once, the frame and display will move one step; if the key is touched continuously, the frame and display will move continuously.

Checking the embroidery area

If “TRIAL” is touched, the embroidery frame will move and the presser foot will trace the embroidery area to be used for the currently selected pattern and size.

• Do not lower the needle. Use the hole of the presser foot as a guide instead.

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Embroidering from a specific starting point

1. Make a mark at the starting position on the fabric in the frame as shown in the illustration. The mark cannot be too close to the edge of the frame as the presser foot prevents the needle from getting very close to the frame.

2. Touch “START/CENTER” to select “START” and then touch the arrow key to align the hole of the presser foot with the mark.

3. Embroider the pattern.

Changing the pattern direction

The pattern will be rotated clockwise in 90° steps as shown in the illustration at left each time “90° clockwise” is touched.

ABC → ABC (rotated) → CBA (upside down) → ABC (rotated) → ABC

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Mirror imazing patterns

1. Touch the “” key to reverse the pattern horizontally.

• If the “” key appears on the display in reverse mode, it indicates that the pattern has been reversed horizontally showing a mirror image.
• The “” key will not be displayed for some patterns.

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CONTENTS MACHINE KNOWLEDGE EMBROIDERING MAINTENANCE ERROR MESSAGE TROUBLESHOOTING PATTERNS EMBROIDERING USING A SMALL FRAME (OPTIONAL.) EMBROIDERING USING A EXTRA-SMALL FRAME (OPTIONAL.) EMBROIDERING USING A LARGE FRAME (OPTIONAL.)

Changing the size of characters and frame patterns

• The sizes of characters and frame patterns can be changed as desired.

1. Touch “SET”.
2. Touch "ENLARGE/REDUCE"
3. Touch “ENLARGE” to make the character or frame pattern larger, and touch “REDUCE” to make it smaller. If you touch “RESET”, the pattern size will return to the original size. ❶ “ENLARGE” key ❷ “RESET” key ❸ “REDUCE” key

• Characters can be enlarged and reduced to sizes ranging from “L” to “S”.
• The enlargement sizes for frame patterns will vary according to the pattern.
• Refer to page 43 for instructions on how to use other keys in this screen.

Changing thread density of the stitch on characters and some frame patterns

The thread density adjustment is not available for all patterns. Patterns other than the characters and some frame patterns are not adjustable.

1. Touch “SET”.
2. Touch “THREAD DENSITY”.
3. The thread density of the stitches will become farther apart (coarser) each time “–” key is touched. The thread density of the stitches will become closer together (finer) each time “+” key is touched.

❶ STD (standard) ❷ + (stitches closer together) ❸ – (stitches farther apart)

• The normal setting is “STD” (standard).