Brother ULT2003D owner's manual: Chapter 2 Getting Ready to Sew

Chapter 2 Getting Ready to Sew

TRIAL SEWING

Basic 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.

1. Turn on the main power switch, and push the “Needle Position” button to raise the needle.
2. Press a stitch selection key to select a stitch.
3. Install the correct presser foot. The symbol of the correct presser foot will be displayed in the upper left corner of the LCD display.

▲ 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, resulting in injury.

4. Set the fabric under the presser foot. Hold the fabric and thread ends in your left hand, and turn the balance wheel to set the needle in the sewing start position.
   • 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. Normally, you can sew without pressing the black button (See page 2-4).

5. Lower the presser foot.
   • You do not have to pull up the bobbin thread.
6. Adjust the sewing speed with the speed control lever.
   • You can use this lever to adjust sewing speed during sewing. ① Slow ② Fast

Getting Ready to Sew 2-1

7. Press the “Start/Stop” button to begin sewing.

• Guide the fabric lightly by hand.

8. Press the “Start/Stop” button again to stop sewing.

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

• The needle will return to the up position automatically.

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.

CAUTION

• Do not press the “Thread Cutter” button when there is no fabric set in the machine or during machine operation. The thread may tangle, resulting in damage.
• When cutting thread thicker than #30, nylon thread, or other decorative threads, use the thread cutter on the side of the machine.

10. When the needle has stopped moving, raise the presser foot and remove the fabric.

Note This machine has a display to warn you when the bobbin thread has run out. If the warning displays, re-thread the machine immediately.

2-2 Getting Ready to Sew

Sewing Reinforcement Stitches

Reverse/reinforcement stitches are generally necessary at the beginning and end of sewing. You can use “Reverse/Reinforcement Stitch” button to sew reverse/reinforcement stitches manually (see page 1-4).

On the screen if the automatic reinforcement stitch key is selected, reverse stitches (or reinforcement stitches) will be sewn automatically at the start of sewing when pressing the “Start/Stop” button. Press the “Reverse/Reinforcement Stitch” button to sew reverse stitches (or reinforcement stitches) automatically at the finish of the sewing (see page 2-14).

Changing Sewing Direction

Stop the machine. Leave the needle in the fabric, and raise the presser foot. Using the needle as a pivot, turn the fabric so that you can sew in the new direction. Lower the presser foot lever and start sewing.

When edge stitching a short stitch length and close to the edge of the fabric, the presser foot may not cover enough fabric for proper feeding. Before you begin to sew, sew a basting thread at the corner point. When you change direction at the corner, start sewing as you pull the basting thread toward the back.

① 5 mm (3/16 inch)

Sewing Curves

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

Sewing Heavyweight Fabrics

The sewing machine can sew fabrics up to 6 mm(1/4 inch) thick. If the thickness of a seam causes sewing to occur on an angle, help guide the fabric by hand and sew on the downward slope.

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

If the presser foot lever is in the up position, and you are sewing heavyweight or multiple layers of fabric which does not fit easily under the presser foot, raise the presser foot lever as high as possible by hand to bring the presser foot to its highest position. The fabric will now fit under the presser foot.

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.

3. The presser foot remains level, enabling the fabric to be fed. After continuing sewing, the presser foot will return to its normal position.

Sewing Lightweight Fabrics

Place thin paper under thin fabrics to make sewing easier. Gently tear off the paper or the stabilizer for embroidery after sewing.

① Thin paper

2-4 Getting Ready to Sew

Using the Twin Needle Mode

The twin needle can only be used for patterns that show [icon] after being selected. Before you select a stitch pattern, make sure the stitch can be sewn in the twin needle mode (see page 3-1 “Quick Reference Table”).

CAUTION

• Use only twin needles made for this machine (part code X59296-001). Other needles could break, resulting in damage.
• Be sure to set the twin needle mode when using the twin needle. Using the twin needle while the machine is in single needle mode could cause the needle to break, resulting in damage.
• Do not sew with bent needles. The needle could break and cause injury.
• When using the twin needle, be sure to use presser foot “J” only. Refer to chart on page 3-1 through 3-8 for proper presser foot “J”.

1. Turn the main power switch to OFF, and install the twin needle (see page 1-43 “Changing the Needle”).

2. Do the upper threading. Follow the steps for threading a single needle for the first threading (see page 1-32 “Upper Threading”).

3. Pass the thread through the needle clamp thread guide on the needle bar, then thread the needle on the left side.

CAUTION The needle threader lever can not be used. Thread the twin needle by hand, from front to back. Using the needle threader lever may result in damage to the machine.

4. Pull up the supplemental spool pin and set it in the up position.

5. Place additional spool of thread on the supplemental spool pin, so that the thread unrolls from the back. Then insert a spool cap onto the spool pin all the way in, to secure the thread spool. ① Spool pin ② Spool cap ③ Additional spool of thread

6. Hold the thread from the spool with both hands, and set the thread in the thread guide.

• Do not set the thread in the bobbin winding thread guide.

7. Set the thread around the thread guide plate, then pass the thread through the groove according to threading sequence (numbers) indicated on the machine.

2-6 Getting Ready to Sew

8. Do not set the thread in the needle clamp thread guide on the needle bar. Thread the needle on the right side.

CAUTION The needle threader can not be used. Thread the twin needle by hand, from front to back. Using the needle threader may result in damage to the machine.

9. Select a stitch pattern. Refer to chart on page 3-1 through 3-8 for proper presser foot “J”.

CAUTION If the [icon] key is light gray after selecting the stitch, the selected stitch can not be sewn in twin needle mode.

10. Press [icon] to select twin needle mode. ① The [icon] appears next to the bobbin thread display.

⚠ CAUTION Be sure to set the twin needle mode when using the twin needle. Using the twin needle while the machine is in single needle mode could cause the needle to break, resulting in damage.

11. Start sewing.

Sample of Twin Needle Sewing

Getting Ready to Sew 2-7

STITCH SETTINGS

Setting Stitch Width for Zigzag Stitch Patterns

You can change the stitch width of each zigzag stitch. Normally, the machine automatically sets an appropriate zigzag stitch pattern width when the stitch pattern is selected. Follow the steps below when you want to change the zigzag stitch pattern width.

Note It is not possible to change the width of some stitches (see page 2-10 for reference ).

Press $-$ to narrow the zigzag stitch pattern width. The value in the display gets smaller.

Press $+$ to widen the zigzag stitch pattern width. The value in the display gets bigger.

Note For an alternate method of changing stitch width using the speed controller (see page 3-34).

2-8 Getting Ready to Sew

Setting the Stitch Length

Your machine automatically sets the stitch length when you select a stitch. However, there may be times when you want to change the stitch length. With this machine, you can change the length of each individual stitch in a seam.

Note It is not possible to change the length of some stitches (see page 2-10 for reference).

Press [−] to shorten the stitch length. The value in the display gets smaller.

Press [+] to lengthen the stitch length. The value in the display gets bigger.

▲ 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.

Getting Ready to Sew 2-9

Stitch Pattern Width/ Stitch Length Settings Table

2-10 Getting Ready to Sew

Getting Ready to Sew 2-11

*— : Non - adjustable

2-12 Getting Ready to Sew

Setting the Thread Tension

Your machine will automatically set the thread tension when you select a stitch. However, you may need to change the thread tension, depending on the fabric and thread being used.

■ Proper Thread Tension

The upper and lower threads should cross near the center of the fabric. If thread tension is not properly set, the seam may have a poor finish or the fabric may pucker. ① Reverse side ② Surface ③ Upper thread ④ Bobbin thread

If the upper thread tension is too strong (the bobbin thread can be seen on the top side of the fabric), press the key. ① Bobbin thread ② Upper thread ③ Surface Locks appear on surface of fabric

If the upper thread tension is too weak (the upper thread can be seen on the bottom side of the fabric), press the + key. ① Upper thread ② Bobbin thread ③ Reverse side ④ Locks appear on reverse side of fabric

Note If you change the thread tension setting, but turn off the power or select another stitch afterwards, the thread tension will return to the default setting.

MACHINE FUNCTION SETTINGS

Automatic Reinforcement Stitching

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

1. Select a stitch pattern.

2. Press [icon] to set the automatic reinforcement stitching function. The key will display as [icon].

Note Some stitches, such as buttonholes and bar tacks, require reinforcement stitches at the beginning of sewing. If you select one of these stitches, the machine will automatically turn on this function (the key appears as [icon] when the stitch is selected).

3. Set the fabric in the start position and start sewing. The machine will automatically sew reverse stitches (or reinforcement stitches) and then continue sewing. ① Reverse stitches (or reinforcement stitches)

Note If you press the “Start/Stop” button to pause sewing, press it again to continue. The machine will not sew reverse reinforcement stitches again.

4. Press the “Reverse/Reinforcement Stitch” button. The machine will sew reverse stitches (or reinforcement stitches) and stop.

To turn off the automatic reinforcement stitching function, press [icon] again, so it appears as [icon].

① Reverse stitches (or reinforcement stitches)

2-14 Getting Ready to Sew

Using the Automatic Thread Cutter

After selecting a stitch pattern, turn on the automatic thread cutting function before sewing, and the machine will automatically sew reinforcement stitches (or reverse stitches, depending on the stitch pattern) at the beginning and end of sewing, and trim the threads at the end of sewing. This function is useful when sewing buttonholes and bar tacks.

1. Select a stitch pattern.
2. Press [icon] to set the automatic thread cutting function. The key will display as [icon].

Note This function is set automatically when sewing embroidery.

3. Set the fabric in the start position and start sewing. The machine will automatically sew reverse stitches (or reinforcement stitches) and then continue sewing. ① Reverse stitches (or reinforcement stitches)

Note If you use the “Start/Stop” button to pause sewing, press the same button again to continue. The beginning reverse/reinforcement stitches will not be sewn again.

4. Press the “Reverse/Reinforcement Stitching” button. The machine will sew reverse stitches (or reinforcement stitches), then trim the thread. To turn off the automatic thread cutting function, press the [icon] again, so it appears as [icon].

① Sews reverse stitches (or reinforcement stitches) and automatically trims the thread.

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 settings on the screen from accidentally being changed or the machine from being stopped during sewing when large pieces of fabric or projects are being sewn. The screen can be locked while sewing utility stitches and character decorative stitches.

1. Select a stitch pattern.
2. If necessary, adjust any settings, such as the stitch width and stitch length.
3. Press [icon] to lock the screen settings. The key appears as [icon].
4. Sew your project.
5. When you are finished sewing, unlock the screen settings. Press [icon] again so that it appears as [icon].

CAUTION

• When the key appears as [icon], no key other than [icon] or [Utility Stitch Character Decorative Stitch Embroidery Edit icon] can be operated. To change the pattern or any other setting, press [icon] so that it appears as [icon] before trying to change any setting.
• After the screen is locked, operating any of the [Utility Stitch Character Decorative Stitch Embroidery Edit icon] keys unlocks the settings.
• The settings are unlocked after the machine is turned off, then on again.