Brother ULT2003D owner's manual: Chapter 4 Sewing Character/Decorative Stitches

Chapter 4 Sewing Character/Decorative Stitches

SELECTING A STITCH PATTERN

1. Press Character Decorative Stitch to display the screen at left.
2. Press the key of the type of pattern you want to sew to select that category.

CAUTION

If the settings on this screen are locked (🔒), no key other than 🔒 or Utility Stitch Character Decorative Stitch Embroidery Embroidery Edit can be operated.

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Decorative Stitch Patterns

1. Press [icon: Character/Decorative Stitch button], then press [icon: stitch pattern grid] to display the screen at left.

2. Press [icon: right arrow] to view the next screen.

Press [icon: left arrow] to view the previous screen.

There are a total of 9 selection screens.

3. Press the key of the stitch pattern you want to sew.

To select a different stitch pattern, press [icon: DELETE button]. When the current stitch pattern is erased, select the new stitch pattern.

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7mm Decorative Stitch Patterns

1. Press Character Decorative Stitch then press to display the screen at left.

2. The stitch pattern selection method is the same as for decorative stitch patterns.

Satin Stitch Patterns

1. Press Character Decorative Stitch then press to display the screen at left.

2. The stitch pattern selection method is the same as for decorative stitch patterns.

7mm Satin Stitch Patterns

1. Press Character Decorative Stitch then press to display the screen at left.
2. The stitch pattern selection method is the same as for decorative stitch patterns.

Cross Stitch

1. Press Character Decorative Stitch then press to display the screen at left.
2. The stitch pattern selection method is the same as for decorative stitch patterns.

Utility Decorative Stitch Patterns

1. Press Character Decorative Stitch then press to display the screen at left.
2. The stitch pattern selection method is the same as for decorative stitch patterns.

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Alphabetical Characters

There are three types of fonts for alphabetical character stitches. The selection process is the same for all three fonts. We are using the Gothic font in the example below.

1. Press Character Decorative Stitch then press ABC to display the screen at left.

2. Press ABC, abc, 0~9 &?!... , ÅÅä... to change the selection screen.

3. Press the keys to select the letters you want to sew.

Example: Enter the word “Bus”

1. Press B.

2. Press abc.

3. Press u.

4. Press s.

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■ If You Make a Mistake Selecting the Character

Press DELETE to delete the selected character. When you are combining patterns, the patterns are deleted in order, starting from the last selected character entered, each time you press the key.

After the mistaken character is erased, select the correct character.

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SEWING CARACTER/DECORATIVE STITCH PATTERNS

Sewing Attractive Finishes

• To achieve attractive results when sewing character/decorative stitches, check the table below for the proper fabric/needle/thread combinations.
• Other factors, such as fabric thickness, stabilizer material, etc., also have an effect on the stitch, so you should always sew a few trial stitches before beginning your project.
• When sewing satin stitch patterns, there may be shrinking or bunching of stitches, so be sure to attach a stabilizer material.
• Guide the fabric with your hand to keep the fabric feeding straight and even during sewing.

\begin{tabular}{|l|p{0.7\textwidth}|} \hline Fabric & When sewing on stretch fabrics, lightweight fabrics, or fabrics with coarse weaves, attach stabilizer material as an option. If you do not wish to do so, place the fabric on a thin paper such as tracing paper. \ & \ & ① Fabric \ & ② Stabilizer \ & ③ Thin paper \ \hline Thread & #50 - #60 \ \hline Needle & With lightweight, regular, or stretch fabrics: the Ball point needle (golden colored) \ & With heavyweight fabrics: home sewing machine needle 90/14 \ \hline Presser foot & Monogramming foot "N". \ & Using another presser foot may give inferior results. \ \hline \end{tabular}

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Basic Sewing of Character/Decorative Stitches

1. Select a stitch pattern.

2. Attach monogramming foot “N”.

3. Place the fabric under the presser foot, pull the upper thread out to the side and then lower the presser foot.

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

CAUTION When sewing 7 mm satin stitch patterns and the stitches are bunched, lengthen the stitch length. If you continue sewing when the stitches are bunched, the needle may bend or break. (See “Setting the Stitch Length”. )

• If the fabric is pulled or pushed during sewing, the pattern may not turn out correctly. Also, depending on the pattern, there may be movement to the left and right as well as front and back. Therefore, guide the fabric with your hand to keep the fabric feeding straight and even during sewing.

5. Press the “Start/Stop” button to stop sewing, then press the “Reverse/Reinforcement Stitch” button to sew reinforcement stitches.

When Sewing Character Stitches

When sewing is finished, the machine will automatically sew reinforcement stitches, then stop.

Note When sewing character stitches, the machine automatically sews reinforcement stitches at the beginning and end of each character.

Sewing Character/Decorative Stitches 4-9

When sewing is completed, trim any excess thread.

CAUTION When sewing some patterns, the needle will stop in the raised position while the fabric is fed due to the operation of the needle bar separation mechanism, which is used in this machine. At such times, a clicking sound different from the sound generated during sewing will be heard. This sound is normal and is not the sign of a malfunction.

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Making Stitch Pattern Adjustments

Your stitch pattern may sometimes turn out poorly, depending on the type or thickness of fabric, the stabilizer material used, sewing speed, etc. If your sewing does not turn out well, sew trial stitches using the same conditions as the real sewing, and adjust the stitch pattern as explained below. If the pattern does not turn out well even after making adjustments based on the pattern, make adjustments for each pattern individually.

1. Select a stitch pattern to adjust. ① Press Character Decorative Stitch, then press . ② Select on P.9 of this stitch pattern menu.

2. Attach monogramming foot “N” and sew the pattern.

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Correct pattern

3. Compare the finished pattern to the illustration of the correct pattern at the left. ① Sewing direction

4. Press [icon: document with lines] to display the screen at the bottom left.

5. If the pattern is bunched: Press [+] in the Fine Adjust Verti. display. The displayed value increases each time the button is pressed and the pattern will lengthen.

If the pattern has gaps: Press [-] in the Fine Adjust Verti. display. The displayed value decreases each time the button is pressed and the pattern will shorten.

If the pattern is skewed to the left: Press [+] in the Fine Adjust Horiz. display. The displayed value increases each time the button is pressed and the pattern will slide to the right.

If the pattern is skewed to the right: Press [-] in the Fine Adjust Horiz. display. The displayed value decreases each time the button is pressed and the pattern will slide to the left.

6. Sew the stitch pattern again.

• You can sew with the screen at left on the display.

7. If the stitch pattern still comes out poorly, make adjustments again. Adjust until the stitch pattern comes out correctly.
8. When the stitch pattern is sewn correctly, stop making adjustments. Press [CLOSE] to return to the original screen.

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EDITING CHARACTER/DECORATIVE STITCH PATTERNS

You can create just the finish you want using the editing functions. Make patterns larger or smaller, make mirror images, etc.

① Use this key to check large combination patterns.

② Stitch editing keys: Use the pink keys to edit the pattern when you select it. Use the green keys to make adjustments when sewing.

CAUTION Some editing functions can not be used with certain stitch patterns. If the key display is light gray, that function can not be used with the selected stitch pattern.

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Key Functions

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Changing the Size of the Stitch Patterns

Select a stitch pattern, then press L S to change the size of the stitch pattern. The stitch pattern will be sewn in the size highlighted on the key. If you continue entering stitch patterns after changing the size, those patterns will also be sewn in that size.

Note You can not change the size of combined stitch patterns once the stitch pattern is entered.

Actual Stitch Pattern Size

L S

L S

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Changing the Stitch Pattern Length (for 7mm Satin Stitch Patterns Only)

When stitch patterns are selected, press [icon: button with '3' and vertical arrows] to choose from 5 automatic length settings, without changing the stitch zigzag width or stitch length settings.

[icon: button '1'] [icon: button '2'] [icon: button '3'] [icon: button '4'] [icon: button '5']

Creating a Vertical Mirror Image

To create a vertical mirror image, select a stitch pattern then press [icon: button with horizontal arrows].

[icon: button with horizontal arrows] [icon: button with horizontal arrows]

Creating a Horizontal Mirror Image

To create a horizontal mirror image, select a stitch pattern then press [icon: button with vertical arrows].

[icon: button with vertical arrows] [icon: button with vertical arrows]

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Sewing Pattern Continuously

Press [icon] to select continuous sewing or single stitch sewing.

[icon] [icon]

Note To finish a complete motif while sewing the pattern continuously, you can press the [icon] key while sewing. The machine will automatically stop when the motif is finished.

Changing Thread Density (Only for Satin Stitch Patterns)

After selecting the pattern, press [icon] to select your preferred thread density.

[icon] [icon]

▲ CAUTION If the stitches bunch when thread density is changed to [icon], return the thread density to [icon]. If you continue sewing when the stitches are bunched, the needle may bend or break.

• Even if you select a new pattern after changing the thread density, the thread density remains the same until you change it.
• You can not change thread density for a combined pattern after the combination is finished.

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COMBINING STITCH PATTERNS

You can combine many varieties of stitch patterns, such as character stitches, cross stitches, satin stitches, etc. You can also combine stitch patterns of different sizes, mirror image stitch patterns, and others.

Before Combining Stitch Patterns

Single stitch sewing is automatically selected for sewing combined patterns. If you want to sew the pattern continuously, press [icon] after finishing the stitch pattern combination.

When changing sizes, creating mirror images, or making other adjustments to a combined stitch pattern, be sure to edit the selected stitch pattern before selecting the next one. You can not edit a stitch pattern once the next stitch pattern is selected.

Combining Decorative Stitch and Character Stitch Patterns

1. Select [image of stitch 6-043]. The screen at left will display.

2. Press CLOSE after choosing the stitch pattern.

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3. Return to the stitch selection screen.

• The screen displays the presser foot for the selected stitch.

4. Select the character stitch design (for example, press ABC).

5. Select the characters (example; TREE).

• If you want to sew the pattern continuously, press [icon of three stars with arrows].
• You can press CHECK to view the completed pattern (see page 4-26).

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Combining Large and Small Stitch Patterns

1. Press [image of stitch 6-032] to select the stitch pattern (the stitch will be selected in large size).

2. Press [image of stitch 6-032] again, then press [L S button] to select the small size.

• If you want to sew the pattern continuously, press [continuous stitch button].

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Combining Horizontal Mirror Image Stitch Patterns

1. Press [Image of button 6-074].

2. Press [Image of button 6-074] again, then press [Image of horizontal mirror image button] to create a horizontal mirror image of the stitch pattern.

• If you want to sew the pattern continuously, press [Image of continuous stitch button].

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Combining Stitch Patterns of Different Lengths

1. Select 9-11 .
2. Press [3] to select a stitch pattern length setting of [4] .

3. Select 9-11 again.
4. Press [4] 3 times to select a stitch pattern length setting of [2] .

• If you want to sew the pattern continuously, press [icon].

Making Step Stitch Patterns (for 7mm Satin Stitch Patterns Only)

You can use the keys with 7mm satin stitch patterns to create a step effect.

Stitch patterns sewn so that they create a step effect are called step stitch patterns.

Press to move the stitch pattern a distance equal to half of the stitch pattern's size to the left.

Press to move the stitch pattern a distance equal to half of the stitch pattern's size to the right.

Example: Sewing

1. Press .
2. Press to move the next stitch pattern to the right.

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3. Press [icon: 9-11] again.

4. Press [icon: left arrow] to move the next stitch pattern to the left.

5. Press [icon: stars] to sew the pattern continuously.

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CONTENTS

1 — 2 — 3 — 4 — 5 — 6 — 7 — 8 — 9 —

■ More Examples

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Index

Checking Combined Stitch Patterns

1. Press CHECK.

2. The entire selected stitch pattern appears on the LCD.

3. After checking the combined pattern, press CLOSE to return to the original screen.

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MEMORY FUNCTIONS

Saving Stitch Patterns

You can save often used stitch patterns for easy retrieval. The machine memory can hold up to 20 stitch patterns.

Example: Saving “Happy birthday”

1. Create the pattern combination (see the previous section).

2. Press [MEMORY button icon].

3. The screen at left will display. The machine will automatically save the stitch pattern and return to the original screen.

Note It takes about 10 seconds to save a stitch pattern.

CAUTION Do not turn off the machine while the “Saving” screen is showing. You may lose the data.

See page 4-31 for information about how to retrieving a saved stitch pattern.

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If You Can Not Save the Stitch Pattern

If you see this screen after pressing MEMORY, the machine’s memory is full and can not save the currently selected stitch pattern. To save the stitch pattern in the machine’s memory, you have to delete a previously saved stitch pattern.

• If you decide not to save the stitch pattern, press CANCEL.

Deleting a Previously Saved Pattern

1. Press DELETE.

2. The screen at left appears on the LCD.

   • represents a pocket holding a saved stitch pattern.
   • Press . The stitch pattern saved in that pocket appears below the presser foot display.
   • Press CLOSE if you decide not to delete the stitch pattern.

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3. Press [icon of a stitch pattern] to choose a stitch pattern to delete.

• If the entire saved stitch pattern is not displayed by touching [icon of a stitch pattern], press CHECK to view the entire stitch pattern.

4. Press DELETE.

5. Press OK.

• If you decide not to delete the stitch pattern, press CANCEL.

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6. The machine deletes the stitch pattern, then automatically saves the new stitch pattern.

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Retrieving Saved Stitch Patterns

1. Press [Icon: Pocket with ABC].

2. The screen at left appears on the LCD.
   • [Icon: Pocket] represents a pocket holding a saved stitch pattern.

Sewing Character/Decorative Stitches 4-31

3. Press to display the saved stitch pattern, then press RETRIEVE.

• If you select a combined character stitch pattern and the entire pattern does not display, press CHECK to view an entire pattern.

4. The pattern will be recalled, and the sewing screen will be displayed.

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CONTENTS 1 — 2 — 3 — 4 — 5 — 6 — 7 — 8 — 9 — Index