Brother QC1000 owner's manual: Chapter 2: Sewing Basics

Chapter 2

Sewing Basics

• SEWING ........ 40
• Sewing a Stitch ........ 40
• ■ Using the Foot Controller ........ 41
• ■ Using the Knee Lifter ........ 42
• Sewing Reinforcement Stitches ........ 42
• Sewing Curves ........ 42
• Changing Sewing Direction ........ 43
• ■ Sewing a Seam Allowance of 0.5 cm or Less ........ 43
• Sewing Heavyweight Fabric ........ 43
• ■ If the Fabric Does Not Fit under the Presser Foot ........ 43
• ■ If the Fabric Does Not Feed ........ 43
• Sewing Lightweight Fabric ........ 43
• ADJUSTING STITCH SETTINGS ........ 44
• Adjusting the Stitch Width ........ 44
• Adjusting the Stitch Length ........ 44
• Adjusting the Thread Tension ........ 45
• ■ Correct Thread Tension ........ 45
• ■ Upper Thread Is Too Tight ........ 45
• ■ Upper Thread Is Too Loose ........ 45
• USEFUL FUNCTIONS ........ 45
• Automatic Reinforcement Stitching ........ 45
• Automatic Thread Cutting ........ 46
• Pivoting ........ 47
• Automatic Fabric Sensor System ........ 48
• Locking the Screen ........ 49

SEWING

SEWING

CAUTION

• To avoid injury, pay special attention to the needle while the machine is in operation. Keep your hands away from moving parts while the machine is in operation.
• Do not stretch or pull the fabric during sewing. Doing so may lead to injury.
• Do not use bent or broken needles. Doing so may lead to injury.
• Take care that the needle does not strike basting pins or other objects during sewing. Otherwise, the needle may break and cause injury.
• If stitches become bunched, lengthen the stitch length setting before continuing sewing. Otherwise, the needle may break and cause injury.

Sewing a Stitch

1. Turn on the machine, and then press the “Needle Position” button to raise the needle.

2. Select a stitch.

→ The symbol for the correct presser foot appears in the upper-left corner of the LCD.

3. Install the presser foot (see “CHANGING THE PRESSER FOOT” on page 34).

CAUTION

• Always use the correct presser foot. If the wrong presser foot is used, the needle may strike the presser foot and bend or break, possibly resulting in injury.

4. Place the fabric under the presser foot, hold the fabric and thread ends with your left hand, and then turn the handwheel to lower the needle into the fabric at the starting point of the stitching.

   • The black button on the left side of presser foot “J” should be pressed only if the fabric does not feed or when sewing thick seams (see page 43). Normally, you can sew without pressing the black button.

5. Lower the presser foot lever.

Memo You can start sewing without pulling up the bobbin thread.

6. Slide the sewing speed controller to adjust the sewing speed.

Memo The sewing speed can also be adjusted during sewing.

① Slow ② Fast

7. Lightly place your hands on the fabric to guide it, and then press the “Start/Stop” button to start sewing.

SEWING

8 To stop sewing, press the “Start/Stop” button again.

9 Press the “Thread Cutter” button to trim the threads.

→ The needle automatically stops in the raised position, and the feed dogs are lowered.

CAUTION

• Do not press the “Thread Cutter” button after the threads have been cut. Doing so could tangle the thread or break the needle and damage the machine.
• Do not press the “Thread Cutter” button when there is no fabric set in the machine or during machine operation. The thread may tangle, possibly resulting in damage.

Note When cutting thread thicker than #30, nylon thread or other decorative threads, use the thread cutter on the side of the machine.

10 Raise the presser foot and remove the fabric.

Memo When the “Thread Cutter” button is pressed, the feed dogs are automatically lowered so the fabric can easily be removed, and then they are raised when sewing is started.

Note This machine is equipped with a bobbin thread sensor that warns you when the bobbin thread is almost empty. When the bobbin thread is nearly empty, the machine stops automatically and a message appears in the screen. When this message appears, change the bobbin with one full of thread. However, if the “Start/Stop” button is pressed, a few stitches can be sewn.

■ Using the Foot Controller You can also use the foot controller to start and stop sewing.

CAUTION

• Do not allow fabric pieces and dust to collect in the foot controller. Doing so could cause a fire or an electric shock.

Memo When the foot controller is being used, the “Start/Stop” button has no effect on sewing.

1 Insert the foot controller plug into its jack on the machine.

① Foot controller ② Foot controller jack

2 Slowly press the foot controller to start sewing.

Memo The speed set using the sewing speed controller is the foot controller’s maximum sewing speed.

3 Release the foot controller to stop the machine.

Memo (For U.S.A. only) Foot controller: Model T This foot controller can be used with model QC-1000.

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SEWING

■ Using the Knee Lifter Using the knee lifter, you can raise and lower the presser foot with your knee, leaving both hands free to handle the fabric.

1 Align the tabs on the knee lifter with the notches in the jack, and then insert the knee lifter as far as possible.

Note If the knee lifter is not pushed into the mounting slot as far as possible, it may come out during use.

2 Use your knee to move the knee lifter to the right in order to raise the presser foot. Release the knee lifter to lower the presser foot.

Note When the presser foot is in raised position, move the knee lifter further to the right for the presser foot to lower.

CAUTION

• Be sure to keep your knee away from the knee lifter during sewing. If the knee lifter is pushed during machine operation, the needle may break or the thread tension may loosen.

Sewing Reinforcement Stitches

Generally stitching must be secured at the beginning and end with reverse/reinforcement stitches. Press the "Reverse/Reinforcement Stitch" button to sew reverse/ reinforcement stitches. Depending on the selected stitch, reverse or reinforcement stitches are sewn while the "Reverse/ Reinforcement Stitch" button is kept pressed. With reinforcement stitches, 3 to 5 stitches are sewn at the same place. With reverse stitches, the stitching is sewn at a low speed in the opposite direction. In addition, this machine can be set to sew reinforcement stitches (or reverse stitches) automatically. For details, see "Automatic Reinforcement Stitching" on page 45.

Sewing Curves

Sew slowly while keeping the seam parallel with the fabric edge as you guide the fabric around the curve.

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SEWING

Changing Sewing Direction

Stop the machine with the needle in the fabric at the point where you want to change the sewing direction, and then raise the presser foot lever. Using the needle as a pivot, turn the fabric, lower the presser foot lever, and then continue sewing.

The pivot setting is useful when changing the sewing direction. When the machine is stopped at the corner of the fabric, the machine stops with the needle in the fabric and the presser foot is automatically raised so the fabric can easily be rotated (see “Pivoting” on page 47).

■ Sewing a Seam Allowance of 0.5 cm or Less Baste the corner before sewing, and then, after changing the sewing direction at the corner, pull the basting thread toward the back while sewing.

① 0.5 cm

Sewing Heavyweight Fabric

■ If the Fabric Does Not Fit under the Presser Foot The presser foot lever can be raised to two different positions. If the fabric is too thick to fit under the presser foot, raise the presser foot lever to its highest position so that the fabric can be placed under the presser foot.

■ If the Fabric Does Not Feed If the fabric does not feed when starting to sew or when sewing thick seams, press the black button on the left side of presser foot “J”.

1. Raise the presser foot lever.
2. While keeping the black button on the left side of presser foot “J” pressed in, lower the presser foot lever.

• The presser foot remains level, enabling the fabric to be fed. Once the trouble spot has been sewn, the presser foot will return to its normal operation.

! CAUTION

• Do not forcefully push fabrics more than 6 mm (approx. 1/4 inch) thick through the sewing machine. This may cause the needle to break and cause injury.

Memo When “AUTOMATIC FABRIC SENSOR SYSTEM” in the machine settings screen is set to “ON”, the thickness of the fabric is automatically detected by the internal sensor so the fabric can be fed smoothly for best sewing results.

Sewing Lightweight Fabric

Iron the fabric with starch or place thin paper or tear away stabilizer under thin fabrics to make sewing easier. Gently tear off the paper or the stabilizer after sewing.

① Thin paper

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ADJUSTING STITCH SETTINGS

ADJUSTING STITCH SETTINGS

When a stitch is selected, the most appropriate stitch width, stitch length, and upper thread tension are automatically set. However, if needed, you can change any of the settings as described in this section.

Note

• Settings for some stitches cannot be changed (See “STITCH SETTING CHART” at the end of this manual).
• If a stitch setting is changed, but not saved, the stitch setting returns to its default when the machine is turned off or a different stitch is selected.

Adjusting the Stitch Width

The stitch width (zigzag width) can be adjusted to make the stitch wider or narrower.

Memo If the foot controller is connected, the sewing speed controller can be used to adjust the zigzag width (see page 61)..

Each press of [−] makes the zigzag stitch narrower.

Each press of [+] makes the zigzag stitch wider.

Press [RESET] to return the setting to its default.

Adjusting the Stitch Length

The stitch length can be adjusted to make the stitch longer or shorter.

Each press of [−] makes the stitch shorter.

Each press of [+] makes the stitch longer.

Press [RESET] to return the setting to its default.

CAUTION

• If the stitches get bunched together, lengthen the stitch length and continue sewing. Do not continue sewing without lengthening the stitch length. Otherwise, the needle may break and cause injury.

Adjusting the Thread Tension

The default thread tension, which is automatically set, can normally be used regardless of the type of thread or fabric being sewn. However, with some fabric and thread combinations, the thread tension may need to be adjusted.

Correct Thread Tension

The upper thread and the bobbin thread should cross near the center of the fabric. If the thread tension is incorrectly set, the seam may have a poor finish or the fabric may pucker.

① Wrong side of fabric ② Surface of fabric ③ Upper thread ④ Bobbin thread

Upper Thread Is Too Tight

If the bobbin thread can be seen on the surface of the fabric, press [−]. Each press of the key reduces the setting and decreases the thread tension.

① Surface of fabric ② Upper thread ③ Bobbin thread ④ Locks appear on the surface of the fabric.

Upper Thread Is Too Loose

If the upper thread can be seen on the wrong side of the fabric, press [+]. Each press of the key increases the setting and increases the thread tension.

① Wrong side of fabric ② Locks appear on the wrong side of the fabric. ③ Upper thread ④ Bobbin thread

Press [RESET] to return the setting to its default.

USEFUL FUNCTIONS

Automatic Reinforcement Stitching

After selecting a stitch, turn on the automatic reinforcement stitching setting before sewing, and the machine will automatically sew reinforcement stitches (or reverse stitches, depending on the stitch) at the beginning and end of sewing.

1 Select a stitch.

2 Press [icon] to select the automatic reinforcement/reverse stitching setting.

Memo

The automatic reinforcement/reverse stitching setting is already selected with some stitches, such as buttonholes and bar tacks.

→ The key appears as [icon].

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USEFUL FUNCTIONS

3 Place the fabric under the presser foot with the needle at the starting point of the stitching, and then press the “Start/Stop” button. The machine will automatically sew reverse stitches (or reinforcement stitches), and then begin sewing.

① Reverse stitches (or reinforcement stitches)

Memo If you press the “Start/Stop” button to pause sewing, then press it again to continue, reverse stitches (or reinforcement stitches) will not be sewn.

4 If the “Reverse/Reinforcement Stitch” button is pressed, the machine automatically sews reverse stitches (or reinforcement stitches), then stops.

① Reverse stitches (or reinforcement stitches)

Memo To cancel the automatic reverse/reinforcement stitching setting, press [icon] again so that it appears as [icon].

Automatic Thread Cutting

If the automatic thread cutting setting is selected before sewing, the machine will automatically sew reinforcement stitches (or reverse stitches, depending on the selected stitch) and cut the thread when the “Reverse/Reinforcement Stitch” button is pressed at the end of stitching. This is useful when sewing buttonholes and bar tacks.

Memo The automatic thread cutting setting can be selected when the automatic reinforcement/reverse stitching setting is selected.

1 Select a stitch.

2 Press [icon] to select the automatic thread cutting setting.

→ The key appears as [icon].

3 Place the fabric under the presser foot with the needle at the starting point of the stitching, and then press the “Start/Stop” button. The machine will automatically sew reverse stitches (or reinforcement stitches), and then begin sewing.

① Reverse stitches (or reinforcement stitches)

Memo If you press the “Start/Stop” button to pause sewing, then press it again to continue, reverse stitches (or reinforcement stitches) will not be sewn.

46

USEFUL FUNCTIONS

4 If the “Reverse/Reinforcement Stitch” button is pressed, the machine automatically sews reverse stitches (or reinforcement stitches), cuts the thread, then stops.

① Reverse stitches (or reinforcement stitches) → The feed dogs are automatically lowered.

Memo

• The feed dogs are raised when sewing is started.
• To cancel the automatic thread cutting setting, press again so that it appears as .

Pivoting

If the pivot setting is selected, the machine stops with the needle lowered (in the fabric) and the presser foot is automatically raised to an appropriate height when the "Start/Stop" button is pressed. When the "Start/Stop" button is pressed again, the presser foot is automatically lowered and sewing continues. This function is useful for stopping the machine to rotate the fabric.

CAUTION

• When the pivot setting is selected, the machine starts when the "Start/Stop" button is pressed or the foot controller is pressed down even if the presser foot has been raised. Be sure to keep your hands and other items away from the needle, otherwise injuries may occur.

Memo When the pivot setting is selected, the height of the presser foot when sewing is stopped can be changed according to the type of fabric being sewn. Press , and then display "PIVOTING HEIGHT" on p. 2 of the machine settings screen. Press or + to select one of the three heights (3.2 mm, 5.0 mm or 7.5 mm). To raise the presser foot further, increase the setting. (Normally, 3.2 mm is set.)

Note

• If "NEEDLE POSITION" in the machine settings screen is set to the raised position, the pivot function cannot be used. In that case, the key appears as a dotted line and is not available.
• When the setting is selected, the pivot function can only be used with stitches where presser foot J, N, C or O is indicated in the upper-left corner of the screen. If any other stitch is selected, the key appears as a dotted line and is not available.
• Since the presser foot is fully raised when the automatic thread cutting key is pressed, press the "Presser Foot Lifter" button to lower the presser foot, and then press the "Start/Stop" button to continue sewing.

2 Sewing Basics

47

USEFUL FUNCTIONS

1. Select a stitch.
2. Press [icon: presser foot with arrows] to select the pivot setting.

→ The key appears as [icon: presser foot with arrows].

3. Place the fabric under the presser foot with the needle at the starting point of the stitching, and then press the “Start/Stop” button. The machine will begin sewing.

Memo If you press the “Start/Stop” button to pause sewing, then press it again to continue, reverse stitches (or reinforcement stitches) will not be sewn.

4. Press the “Start/Stop” button to stop the machine at the point where the sewing direction changes.

→ The machine stops with the needle in the fabric, and the presser foot is raised.

5. Rotate the fabric, and then press the “Start/Stop” button.

→ The presser foot is automatically lowered, and sewing continues.

Automatic Fabric Sensor System

The thickness of the fabric is automatically detected and the presser foot pressure is automatically adjusted with an internal sensor while sewing, so the fabric can be fed smoothly. The fabric sensor system works continuously while sewing. This function is useful for sewing over thick seams (see page 43), or quilting (see page 59).

1. Press [icon: document/list]. → The machine settings screen appears.

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USEFUL FUNCTIONS

2 Press [icon: diagonal arrow] to display P. 2, and then set the “AUTOMATIC FABRIC SENSOR SYSTEM” to “ON”.

3 Press CLOSE to return to the original screen.

Locking the Screen

If the screen is locked before starting to sew, the various settings, such as the stitch width and stitch length, are locked and cannot be changed. This prevents screen settings from accidentally being changed or the machine from being stopped while large pieces of fabric or other projects are being sewn. The screen can be locked while sewing utility stitches and character/decorative stitches.

1 Select a stitch. 2 If necessary, adjust any settings, such as the stitch width and stitch length. 3 Press [icon: lock]. → The key appears as [icon: locked padlock]. 4 Sewing begins. 5 When you are finished sewing, press [icon: locked padlock] to unlock the screen.

Note

• When the screen is locked ([icon: locked padlock]), no key other than [icon: locked padlock] and the [icon: Utility Stitch] [icon: Character/Decorative Stitch] keys can be operated. To select a different stitch or change the settings, press [icon: locked padlock] so that it appears as [icon: unlocked padlock] to unlock the screen.
• When the screen is locked, pressing any of the [icon: Utility Stitch] [icon: Character/Decorative Stitch] keys unlocks the screen.
• The screen is unlocked when the machine is turned off.

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USEFUL FUNCTIONS

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Chapter 3

Utility Stitches

• SELECTING A UTILITY STITCH ........ 52

• Stitch Selection Screens ........ 52

• Selecting a Stitch ........ 53

  • Using the Mirror Image Key ........ 53

• Saving Stitch Settings ........ 53

• Using the Sewing Type Selection Key ........ 54

• SEWING THE STITCHES ........ 56

• Quilting ........ 56
  • Piecing ........ 58
    • Piecing Using the 1/4" Quilting Foot with Guide ........ 58
  • Quilting ........ 59
  • Using the Quilting Guide ........ 60
  • Appliqués ........ 60
  • Quilting with Satin Stitches ........ 61
  • Free-motion Quilting ........ 62
  • Echo Quilting ........ 64
• Straight Stitches

SELECTING A UTILITY STITCH

SELECTING A UTILITY STITCH

I Stitch Selection Screens

Press [icon of diagonal arrows] to display the previous or next page.

Quilting Stitches

Straight/Overcasting/Quilting Stitches

Decorative Stitches/Heirloom Stitches

Buttonholes/Bar tacks

Multi-Directional Sewing

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SELECTING A UTILITY STITCH

Selecting a Stitch

1 Turn on the machine, and then lightly press the display.

→ Depending on the setting, either “Q-01 Piecing stitch (Middle)”, “1-01 Straight stitch (Left)” or “1-03 Straight stitch (Middle)” is automatically selected.

2 Press [icon] to display a screen of the stitches in the selected category, and then select a stitch.

Utility Stitch P.1 P.3 WIDTH 00 mm LENGTH 2.5 mm TENSION 400 RESET MEMORY

→ An image of the selected stitch is displayed below the symbol of the appropriate presser foot.

Memo For details on the stitches, refer to “STITCH SETTING CHART” at the end of this manual.

■ Using the Mirror Image Key

Press [icon] so that it appears as [icon]. A mirror image of the selected stitch is created.

Note If [icon] appears as [icon] after a stitch (buttonholes, multi-directional sewing patterns, etc.) is selected, a mirror image of the selected stitch cannot be created.

Saving Stitch Settings

This machine is preset with the default settings for the stitch width (zigzag width), stitch length, thread tension, automatic thread cutting, automatic reverse/ reinforcement stitching, etc. However, if you wish to save specific settings for a stitch so that they can be used later, press MEMORY after changing the settings to save the new settings with the selected stitch.

Example: Using a stitch length of 2.0 mm for the straight stitch

1 Press [icon], and then select a straight stitch.

Memo The default stitch length is 2.5 mm.

2 Set the stitch length to 2.0 mm.

Utility Stitch P.1 P.3 WIDTH 00 mm LENGTH 2.5 mm TENSION 400 RESET MEMORY

3 Press [MEMORY].

• To reset the selected stitch to its default settings, press RESET, and then press MEMORY.

Utility Stitch P.1 P.3 WIDTH 00 mm LENGTH 2.0 mm TENSION 400 RESET MEMORY

3 Utility Stitches

53

SELECTING A UTILITY STITCH

Memo

• The next time that the same straight stitch is selected, the stitch length is set to 2.0 mm.
• All stitch settings (stitch width, stitch length, thread tension, automatic thread cutting, automatic reverse/reinforcement stitching, and mirror image, and twin needle settings) are saved, not just the setting that was changed. When the same stitch is selected, the last settings saved are displayed even if the machine was turned off. If the settings are changed again and MEMORY is pressed, or if RESET is pressed to reset the setting to its default, the new settings are not saved unless MEMORY is pressed another time.

Using the Sewing Type Selection Key

By pressing , a stitch can also be selected according to its desired use. When you are not sure which stitch to select for your application or when you need information on how certain stitches are used, press , select the appropriate stitch for your project, and then follow the instructions to sew the selected stitch. We recommend that beginners use this method to select stitches.

Memo

P. 1 appears if is pressed while a quilting stitch selection screen is displayed, and P. 2 appears if is pressed while any utility stitch selection screen is displayed.

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SELECTING A UTILITY STITCH

Example: Displaying information about piecing.

1. Press [icon].

→ The sewing type selection screen is displayed.

2. Press PIECING .

→ The stitch selection screen for piecing is displayed.

3. Select a stitch.
   • Press CLOSE to return to the previous screen.

→ Directions for sewing the selected stitch are displayed.

4. Follow the directions to sew the stitch.
   • Press ▲ or ▼ to scroll the page.
   • Press [icon] to display the next page.
   • Press CLOSE to return to the previous screen.

5. When you have finished sewing, press CLOSE .

Memo

The feed dogs are automatically raised or lowered depending on the stitch selected from the sewing type selection screen. For example, when a stitch from the following sewing types is selected, the feed dogs are automatically lowered: FREE-MOTION QUILTING, QUILTING, ECHO QUILTING, and BUTTONS.

3 Utility Stitches

55