Brother PR600 owner's manual: Other basic procedures

OTHER BASIC PROCEDURES

3 Touch OK.

① Touch to continue embroidering. ② Touch to cancel embroidering and display the pattern type selection screen to select a new pattern.

► The embroidering screen displayed before the machine was turned off appears.

4 Touch -/+.

► The stitch navigating screen appears.

5 Touch -1 two or three times to go back two or three stitches.

① Each touch of this key moves one stitch back through the stitching. • Check that the needle drop point is positioned where stitches have already been sewn.

6 Touch OK.

► The embroidering screen appears again.

7 Touch LOCK, and then press the start/stop button to continue embroidering.

Memo

• The machine can be stopped at any time, even while it is embroidering; however, if the machine is stopped when the thread color is changed, it is not necessary to go back through the stitching when embroidering is continued. The machine can also be set to stop when the thread color is changed. (For details, refer to "Setting the Machine to Stop at Color Changes" on page 90.)

Adjusting the Thread Tension

The following procedure describes how to adjust the thread tension if the correct thread tension as described on page 44 was not used. After adjusting the tension of the bobbin thread, adjust the tension of the upper thread for each needle bar.

Note

• Be sure to adjust the tension of the bobbin thread before adjusting the tension of the upper thread.

Adjusting the tension of the bobbin thread

1. Tie the included weight to the end of the thread extending from the bobbin case.

2. As shown in the illustration, hold the bobbin case against a smooth vertical surface.

• If the thread with the weight attached is slowly pulled out, the thread tension is correct.

3. Use the included standard screwdriver to turn the tension-adjusting screw and adjust the thread tension.

① Tension-adjusting screw ② Tighter ③ Looser

4. After making the adjustments, try embroidering with all needle bars to check the thread tension.

Memo

• In the built-in embroidery patterns, one pattern is used for checking the thread tension. By sewing this pattern, the thread tension can easily be checked. For details, refer to page 160.

Adjusting the Thread Tension 83

OTHER BASIC PROCEDURES

Adjusting the tension of the upper thread

1 Turn the thread tension knobs.

① Thread tension knobs ② Tighter ③ Looser ④ Mark

Upper thread is too tight The tension of the upper thread is too tight, resulting in the bobbin thread being visible from the right side of the fabric.

(Right side) (Wrong side)

Turn the knob in the direction of the arrow to decrease the tension of the upper thread.

① If the red line is visible, the thread tension cannot be decreased any further. Increase the tension of the upper thread.

Note

• If you decrease the thread tension further than the red line, the tension knob may be dis-assembled.

Upper thread is too loose The tension of the upper thread is too loose, resulting in a loose upper thread, loose thread locks or loops appearing on the right side of the fabric.

(Right side) (Wrong side)

Turn the knob in the direction of the arrow to increase the tension of the upper thread.

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4 Embroidering Settings

This chapter contains descriptions on the various embroidering settings, which make operation easier.

• Automatic Lock Stitch Setting ........ 86
• Starting/Ending Position Settings ........ 87 Repeatedly sewing a pattern along a diagonal / 88
• Maximum Sewing Speed Setting ........ 89
• Setting the Machine to Stop at Color Changes ........ 90 Stopping the machine at the next color change / 90 Specifying pause locations before embroidering / 90
• Temporary Needle Bar Setting ........ 92
• Reserved Needle Bar Settings ........ 94

Automatic Lock Stitch Setting

The machine can be set to automatically sew lock stitches, for example at the beginning of the pattern, before sewing each thread color change, and before trimming the thread.

When the embroidery machine is purchased, this function is set to "on".

■ Specifying that lock stitches be sewn at the beginning of the pattern, at the beginning of sewing each thread color change and at the beginning of sewing after the thread trim.

1 Touch [icon] so that it changes to [icon]. Touch [icon] (or [icon]) to select the desired setting.

• Each touch of the key turns the setting either on or off.

[icon] [icon] Automatic lock stitch setting turned on Automatic lock stitch setting turned off

Memo

• If the first stitch length is less than 0.8 mm, the lock stitch won't be inserted.

■ Specifying that lock stitches be sewn before the thread is trimmed.

1 Touch [icon] so that it changes to [icon]. Touch [icon] (or [icon]) to select the desired setting.

• Each touch of the key turns the setting either on or off.

[icon] [icon] Automatic lock stitch setting turned on Automatic lock stitch setting turned off

Memo

• The automatic lock stitch setting stays the same until the key is touched to turn it off. The setting specified before the machine is turned off remains selected the next time that the machine is turned on.

Starting/Ending Position Settings

The machine can set the start point and the ending point separately from the 9 points of the pattern. Those are upper-left corner, upper-center, upper-right corner, center-left, center-center, center-right, lower-left corner, lower-center and lower-right corner. These settings can be used to repeatedly sew a pattern along a diagonal.

The starting/ending position settings are specified from the embroidering settings screen. When the embroidery machine is purchased, both the starting position and the ending positions are set to the center of the pattern.

1 Touch [icon].

► The starting/ending position settings screen appears.

① Specifies the starting position ② Specifies the ending position Touch a key to select the setting. The highlighted key shows the currently selected setting.

Example

This key is selected.

③ Touch this key to close this screen.

■ Specifying the starting position

2 Touch the key for the desired starting position setting.

► When a starting position is selected, the ending position is automatically set to the same position.

► The embroidery frame moves to the starting position.

■ Specifying the ending position

3 Touch the key for the desired ending position setting.

4 After selecting the desired settings, touch OK.

► The embroidering settings screen appears again.

Memo

● The starting/ending position settings do not change until the key for a new setting is touched. The settings specified before the machine is turned off remain selected the next time that the machine is turned on.

Embroidering Settings

Repeatedly sewing a pattern along a diagonal

Example

1 Specify the upper-left corner as the starting position and the lower-right corner as the ending position.

Touch [icon] in the embroidering settings screen to display the starting/ending position settings screen.

For the starting position, touch [icon] so that it changes to [icon]. For the ending position, touch [icon] so that it changes to [icon].

Touch OK to close the starting/ending position settings screen.

2 Sew the first embroidery pattern.

Touch [SEWING icon] to display the embroidering screen, and then touch [LOCK icon] and press the start/stop button.

①

②

① Starting position ② Ending position

3 After embroidering is finished, the machine stops at the lower-left corner of the pattern.

4 Repeat steps 2 and 3 three times.

Memo

• If the starting position and ending position settings are changed, instead of sewing the patterns in a fixed direction, various pattern designs are possible.

88

Maximum Sewing Speed Setting

The maximum sewing speed can be set to one of five levels at every 100 rpm between 600 and 1000 rpm. If the cap frame is used, the maximum sewing speed can be set to one of five levels at every 50 rpm between 400 and 600 rpm.

Maximum sewing speed

The maximum sewing speed setting is specified from the embroidering settings screen or the embroidering screen.

When the embroidery machine is purchased, the maximum sewing speed is set to 600 rpm (Cap frame for 400 rpm).

1. To increase the sewing speed, touch +. To decrease the sewing speed, touch -.

► The value between - and + changes.

Memo

• Decrease the sewing speed when embroidering on thin, thick or heavy fabrics. In addition, the machine embroiders more quietly at a slower sewing speed.
• The sewing speed can be changed while embroidery is being sewn.
• The maximum sewing speed setting does not change until a new setting is selected. The setting specified before the machine is turned off remains selected the next time that the machine is turned on.
• Decrease the sewing speed to 600 rpm, when using a weak thread like a metallic thread.

Embroidering Settings

Setting the Machine to Stop at Color Changes

The machine can be stopped at any time; however, if the machine is stopped while it is embroidering, it is better to go back a few stitches before continuing sewing to overlap the stitching. If the machine stops at a color change, it is not necessary to go back through the stitching before continuing embroidering.

Stopping the machine at the next color change

The machine can be set to stop before sewing the next color.

1. While sewing the color before the point where you wish to stop the machine, touch RESERVE STOP so that it changes to RESERVE STOP.

2. After finishing sewing the area for the current color, the next needle bar moves into position and the machine stops before sewing the next color.
   • RESERVE STOP changes back to RESERVE STOP.
   • If the machine is temporarily turned off, you will be asked if you wish to continue sewing or select a new pattern when the machine is turned on again.

Touch OK to continue embroidering. (Refer to "Resume Embroidering After Turning Off the Machine" on page 81.)

Specifying pause locations before embroidering

Pause locations can be specified in the change thread color screen, displayed by touching [icon].

1. Touch [icon] in the pattern editing screen or the embroidering settings screen.

• The change thread color screen appears.

2. Touch [icon] and [icon] so that the color at the top of the thread color sequence display is the color where you wish to stop the machine before sewing it.

90

3 Touch [Hand Icon] so that it changes to [Hand Icon].

► The [Hand Icon] mark appears to indicate where the machine will stop.

① [Hand Icon] mark

4 Repeat steps 2 and 3 for each pause that you wish to specify. • Any number of pauses can be specified.

5 After specifying the desired settings, touch OK.

► The screen that was displayed before [Button Icon] was touched appears.

• If the machine is temporarily turned off when it is stopped at the specified location after embroidering, you will be asked if you wish to continue sewing or select a new pattern when the machine is turned on again.

Touch OK to continue embroidering. (Refer to “Resume Embroidering After Turning Off the Machine” on page 81.)

Memo

● If the machine is temporarily turned off, the settings to stop the machine at color changes specified before the machine was turned off are not cancelled. However, the settings are cancelled if a new pattern is selected.

● If a pattern with the settings to stop the machine at color changes is saved, the settings to stop the machine at color changes are also saved.

Setting the Machine to Stop at Color Changes 91

Embroidering Settings

Temporary Needle Bar Setting

After embroidering begins, the machine can be stopped at a color change and a different needle bar can be specified for the next color to be sewn. By substituting upper thread already threaded on a different needle bar, the time for sewing can be saved. For example, similar color thread can be substitute as temporally use.

1 While sewing the color before the one that you wish to change, touch RESERVE STOP so that it changes to RESERVE STOP.

► After the color currently being sewn is finished, the threads are trimmed and the machine stops.

• The start/stop button can be pressed at the color change to stop the machine, but, in that case, stop the machine after the threads are trimmed.

2 Touch .

► The temporary needle bar setting screen appears.

3 Touch the key for the needle bar threaded with the thread that you wish to embroider with.

4 Touch OK.

► The embroidering screen appears again.

5 Touch LOCK , and then press the start/stop button to begin embroidering.

► Embroidering continues with the specified needle bar.

Memo

• The thread color (needle bar) change specified as described above only applies until the next color change. If the pattern contains another area with the same color or when the same pattern is sewn the next time, the area is sewn with the original color.
• The thread color (needle bar) can be changed with this procedure even when the machine has been stopped with a specified pause or at the time of spool change.
• If the start/stop button was pressed to stop the machine while an area was being sewn, a temporary needle bar setting cannot be applied. The thread color (needle bar) cannot be changed in the middle of an area that is being sewn.

4

Temporary Needle Bar Setting 93

Reserved Needle Bar Settings

Normally, the machine automatically assigns thread colors to the needle bars; however, a specific thread color can be manually assigned to a certain needle bar. If a needle bar is specified, that needle bar is removed from the machine's automatic assignments and the specified color remains assigned to it. By specifically assigning often used thread colors to certain needle bars, the trouble of changing the thread spools can be reduced.

Once a manual needle bar setting is specified, it remains applied until the setting is cancelled. The manual needle bar settings can be specified in the third page of the settings screen.

1 Touch [icon], and then touch [icon] and [icon] to display the third page of the settings screen.

2 Touch 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 for the number of the needle bar that you wish to specify.

① Indicates the number of the selected needle bar

3 Select the color to be assigned to the needle bar.

Touch [icon], [icon], [icon] and [icon] until the color that you wish to select from the thread table appears enlarged.

① The color that appears enlarged is the color that is selected. ② Displays the color that is selected and its name ► Highlighting a color square moves in the direction of the arrow on the key that is touched.

4 Touch SET.

► The color selected in step 3 is specified. ① The selected color of thread and the anchor appear on the spool.

■ Cancelling the setting

To change the setting, first cancel it, and then select the new setting.

1 Touch 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 for the number of the needle bar whose setting you wish to cancel.

① Indicates the number of the selected needle bar

2 Touch RESET.

① The anchor disappear from the thread spool.

► This cancels the manual needle bar setting.

Reserved Needle Bar Settings 95

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Embroidering Settings

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5 Selecting/Editing/Saving Patterns This chapter provides details on selecting, editing and saving embroidery patterns.

• Embroidery Data Precautions ........ 98
• Selecting an Embroidery Pattern ........ 99 General pattern selection / 99 Embroidery patterns / 101 Renaissance Alphabet Patterns / 102 Floral alphabet patterns / 103 Appliqué alphabet / 104 Frame patterns / 105 Alphabet patterns / 106 Embroidery patterns stored in the machine / 108 Embroidery cards (optional) / 109 Computer (USB) / 111 CompactFlash cards (purchase at local retailers) / 114 Floppy disks (commercially available) / 116
• Editing the Embroidery Pattern (Pattern Editing Screen) ........ 118 Combining patterns / 118 Selecting the pattern to be edited / 119 Moving a pattern / 119 Flipping a pattern horizontally / 120 Changing the size of a pattern / 120 Rotating a pattern / 121 Changing the text arrangement of a character / 122 Changing the character spacing / 123 Changing the thread density (only for some character and frame patterns) / 124 Specifying multi-color text / 125 Changing the colors of the pattern / 126 Deleting a pattern / 127
• Editing the Embroidery Pattern (Embroidering Settings Screen) ........ 128 Rotating the entire pattern / 128 Creating a repeating pattern / 129 Changing the colors of the pattern / 130
• Editing a Combined Pattern ........ 131
• Saving Embroidery Patterns ........ 135 If the Embroidery Pattern Cannot Be Saved / 136

Embroidery Data Precautions

Observe the following precautions when using embroidery data other than that created and saved in this machine.

CAUTION

• While using embroidery data other than our original patterns, the thread or needle may break when sewing with a stitch density that is too fine or when sewing three or more overlapping stitches. In that case, use one of our original data design systems to edit the embroidery data.

Types of embroidery data that can be used

• Only .pes, .phc and .dst embroidery data files can be used with this machine. Using pattern data other than those saved using our data design systems or sewing machines may cause the embroidery machine to malfunction.

Types of media that can be used

• Pattern data can be saved to or recalled from CompactFlash cards and floppy disks. Use media that meets the following specifications. CompactFlash cards: 32 MB, 64 MB or 128 MB Floppy disks: 1.44 MB MS-DOS/Windows format

Precautions on using the computer to create and save data

• If the file name of embroidery data cannot be identified, for example, because the name contains special characters, the file is not displayed. If this occurs, change the name of the file.
• If embroidery data larger than 200 mm (H) × 300 mm (W) (7-7/8 inches (H) × 11-3/4 inches (W)) is selected, a message is shown at the right asking if you wish to rotate the pattern 90 degrees.

Even after being rotated 90 degrees, embroidery data larger than 200 mm (H) × 300 mm (W) (7-7/8 inches (H) × 11-3/4 inches (W)) cannot be used. (All designs must be within the 200mm(H) × 300mm(W) (7-7/8 inches (H) × 11-3/4 inches (W)) design field size.) For more details, refer to page 110.

• .pes files saved with the number of stitches or the number of colors exceeding the specified limits cannot be displayed. Use one of our original data design systems to edit the embroidery pattern so that it meets the specifications (maximum number of stitches: 500,000 stitches; maximum number of color changes: 500; maximum number of combined patterns: 100).
• Do not create folders in floppy disks. If embroidery data is stored in a folder, that embroidery data cannot be displayed by the embroidery machine.

Tajima (.dst) embroidery data

• .dst data is displayed in the pattern list screen by their file names. (The actual image cannot be displayed.) Only the first eight characters of the file name can be displayed.
• Since Tajima (.dst) data does not contain specific thread color information, it is displayed with our default thread color sequence. Check the preview and change the thread colors as desired. For more details, refer to page 163.

Selecting an Embroidery Pattern

Various embroidery patterns are built into this machine. Other than the built-in patterns, various other patterns can be selected from embroidery cards (sold separately), CompactFlash cards (through electronic retail store) and from the computer.

General pattern selection

The procedure for selecting a pattern differs depending on the type of pattern; however, the general procedure for selecting a pattern is described below.

1 In the pattern type selection screen, touch the key for the desired category.

Pattern type selection screen

① Embroidery patterns ② Frame patterns ③ Alphabet patterns ④ Renaissance alphabet patterns ⑤ Floral alphabet patterns ⑥ Appliqué alphabet patterns ⑦ Embroidery patterns stored in the machine ⑧ CompactFlash cards ⑨ Floppy disks (On models without a built-in floppy disk drive, this appears only when the optional floppy disk drive is installed) ⑩ Computer (USB) ⑪ Embroidery cards

2 In the pattern list screen, which appears next, touch the desired pattern to select it.

Pattern list screen

① Pattern keys • Touch a pattern to display the following information of the pattern. ⑤ Vertical length of the pattern ⑥ Horizontal width of the pattern ⑦ Number of thread color changes • If there is more than one page, touch ② and ③ until the desired page is displayed. • To change the category, touch CANCEL ④ to return to the pattern type selection screen. • After selecting the pattern, touch SET ⑧. The selection of the pattern is confirmed and the pattern editing screen appears.

Selecting an Embroidery Pattern 99

Selecting/Editing/Saving Patterns

• When a pattern is selected, the following keys at the right side of the screen allow you to edit the pattern.

① Changes the size of the pattern ② Flips the pattern horizontally ③ Flips the pattern vertically

■ Changing the size of the pattern Each touch of the key changes the setting as shown below.

Large Medium Small

If the key appears as L M S, the size of the pattern cannot be changed.

■ Flipping the pattern horizontally Each touch of the key turns the setting either on or off.

Horizontal flip turned off Flipped horizontally

If the key appears as [icon], the pattern cannot be flipped horizontally.

■ Flipping the pattern vertically Each touch of the key turns the setting either on or off.

Vertical flip turned off Flipped vertically

If the key appears as [icon], the pattern cannot be flipped vertically.

100

Embroidery patterns

1 Touch .

► The list of embroidery patterns appears.

2 Select an embroidery pattern. Touch the desired pattern.

► The selected pattern appears in the pattern display area.

• If the wrong pattern was selected or you wish to select a different pattern, touch the desired pattern.

3 If necessary, edit the pattern.

① The pattern can be flipped horizontally. ② The pattern can be flipped vertically.

4 Touch SET. This confirms the pattern selection. ► The pattern editing screen appears.

Selecting an Embroidery Pattern 101

Selecting/Editing/Saving Patterns

Renaissance Alphabet Patterns

1 Touch [Image of AB button].

[Image of pattern selection screen]

► The list of renaissance alphabet patterns appears.

2 Select an embroidery pattern. Touch the desired pattern.

[Image of pattern selection screen with 'A' highlighted]

► The selected pattern appears in the pattern display area.

[Image of pattern editing screen with 'A' in display area]

• If the wrong pattern was selected or you wish to select a different pattern, touch the desired pattern.

3 If necessary, edit the pattern.

[Image of pattern editing screen with callouts 1, 2, 3 on the right side buttons]

① Touch this key to change the size. ② The pattern can be flipped horizontally. ③ The pattern can be flipped vertically.

4 Touch [Image of SET button].

This confirms the pattern selection. ► The pattern editing screen appears.

102

Floral alphabet patterns

1 Touch ABC.

► The list of floral alphabet patterns appears.

2 Select an embroidery pattern. Touch the desired pattern.

► The selected pattern appears in the pattern display area.

• If the wrong pattern was selected or you wish to select a different pattern, touch the desired pattern.

3 If necessary, edit the pattern.

① The pattern can be flipped horizontally. ② The pattern can be flipped vertically.

4 Touch SET. This confirms the pattern selection. ► The pattern editing screen appears.

Selecting an Embroidery Pattern 103

Selecting/Editing/Saving Patterns

Appliqué alphabet

1 Touch [Image of AB button].

► The size selection screen appears.

2 Select the text size. Touch the key for the desired text size.

• The character will have the following vertical length when the corresponding size is selected. ① Large: 122mm (4-13/16 inches) ② Medium: 68mm (2-11/16 inches) ③ Small: 49mm (1-15/16 inches) ► The list of appliqué alphabet patterns appears.

3 Select an embroidery pattern. Touch the desired pattern.

① Touch this button to change the character size.

► The selected pattern appears in the pattern display area.

• If the wrong pattern was selected or you wish to select a different pattern, touch the desired pattern.

4 If necessary, edit the pattern.

① The pattern can be flipped horizontally. ② The pattern can be flipped vertically.

5 Touch [Image of SET button]. This confirms the pattern selection. ► The pattern editing screen appears.

Memo

• For details on sewing appliqués, refer to "Sewing appliqué patterns" on page 156.

104

Frame patterns

1 Touch [icon of circle, square, heart].

► The list of frame patterns appears.

2 In the upper half of the screen, select the desired shape for the frame. Touch the desired frame shape.

► The available frame patterns appear in the lower half of the screen.

3 Select a frame pattern. Touch the desired pattern.

► The selected pattern appears in the pattern display area.

• If the wrong pattern was selected or you wish to select a different pattern, touch the desired pattern.

4 If necessary, edit the pattern.

① The pattern can be flipped horizontally. ② The pattern can be flipped vertically.

5 Touch [SET button icon]. This confirms the pattern selection. ► The pattern editing screen appears.

Selecting an Embroidery Pattern 105