Brother NC21SE Setting the Thread Tension , CAUTION

STITCH SETTINGS

50

Example:

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.

Setting the Thread Tension

You may need to change the thread tension,

depending on the fabric and thread being used.

Follow the steps below to make any necessary

changes.

■ Proper Thread Tension

The upper and lower threads should cross near the

center of the fabric. If the thread tension is not

properly set, the seam may have a poor finish or the

fabric may pucker.

aWrong side

bSurface

cUpper thread

dBobbin thread

■Upper Thread is Too Tight

If the bobbin thread can be seen on the surface of

the fabric, press .

aBobbin thread

bUpper thread

cSurface

dLocks appear on surface of fabric

■Upper Thread is Too Loose

If the upper thread can be seen on the wrong side of

the fabric, press .

aUpper thread

bBobbin thread

cWrong side

dLocks appear on wrong side of fabric

Memo

•Using the Image Key, you can check

changes made to the stitch.

•Press to return the stitch length to the

original setting.

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.

Memo

•Press to return the thread tension to

the original setting.

c

a

d

b

b

a

d

c

c

a

b

d

Contents

Main Operation Manual K XX Page i IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS DANGER - WARNING - SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS This machine is intended for household use. ii FOR USERS IN THE UK, EIRE, MALTA AND CYPRUS ONLY IMPORTANT iii Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Declaration of Conformity (For USA Only) iv CONGRATULATIONS ON CHOOSING OUR MACHINE PLEASE READ BEFORE USING THIS MACHINE Page vi WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH THIS MACHINE Page 225 Page 235 Chapter 8 Utility Stitches Character/Decorative Stitches Chapter 1 Getting Ready Sewing Basics Embroidery Embroidery Edit HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL Contents viii CONTENTS Chapter 1 Getting Ready 9 LOWER THREADING..........................................23 UPPER THREADING ...........................................29 CHANGING THE PRESSER FOOT....................... 37 ix Chapter 6 Embroidery Edit 197 Chapter 7 MY CUSTOM STITCH 225 Chapter 8 Appendix 235 Page NAMES OF MACHINE PARTS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS e d c m Needle and Presser Foot Section b ab c d e f Embroidery Unit Operation Buttons CAUTION Included Accessories *Included Accessories 33-36 are contained in the embroidery unit carrying case. Page Options Page Chapter 1 Getting Ready TURNING THE MACHINE ON/OFF receptacle, then insert the plug into a wall outlet. off the machine. on the machine. WARNING LCD SCREEN Page Page Screens Operations Performed Using a USB Mouse Clicking a key Changing pages Using the Machine Setting Mode Key Sewing settings General settings Embroidery settings Adjusting Screen Brightness and to adjust the screen brightness. Choosing the Display Language Using the Machine Operation Mode Key Example: Displaying information about upper threading Using the Pattern Explanation Key Example: Displaying information about LOWER THREADING Winding the Bobbin l o 7, 8 Page Using the Spool Pin 2 3 4 l o 1 Setting the Bobbin CAUTION Page Pulling Up the Bobbin Thread UPPER THREADING Threading Using the Automatic Threading Button CAUTION 7 6 2 3, 4 8 Page Threading Manually CAUTION Page Page Using the Twin Needle Mode CAUTION Page mode. Using Threads that Unwind Quickly Using the Spool Net Using the Vertical Spool Pin winder shaft. that order, and then thread the upper thread. CHANGING THE PRESSER FOOT Removing the Presser Foot Attaching the Presser Foot CAUTION Attaching the Walking Foot CAUTION CHANGING THE NEEDLE Page About the Needle Fabric/Thread/Needle Combinations Page Chapter 2 Sewing Basics STITCH SETTINGS...............................................................................49 USEFUL FUNCTIONS..........................................................................51 SEWING Sewing a Stitch CAUTION sewing. the threads. Using the Foot Controller on the machine. Sewing Reinforcement Stitches Sewing Curves Changing Sewing Direction Sewing a Seam Allowance of 0.5 cm or Less Sewing Heavyweight Fabrics If the Fabric does not Fit under the Presser Foot If the Fabric does not Feed CAUTION Sewing Lightweight Fabrics Sewing Stretch Fabrics STITCH SETTINGS Setting the Stitch Width Setting the Stitch Length Setting the Thread Tension Proper Thread Tension Upper Thread is Too Tight Upper Thread is Too Loose CAUTION USEFUL FUNCTIONS Automatic Reinforcement Stitching Automatic Thread Cutting Using the Knee Lifter Pivoting CAUTION Page Automatic Fabric Sensor System (Automatic Presser Foot Pressure) Locking the Screen CAUTION Page Chapter 3 Utility Stitches SELECTING UTILITY STITCHES......................58 SEWING THE STITCHES.................................63 Page Selecting a Stitch category you want. Using the Mirror Image Key Using the Image Key Saving Your Stitch Settings Saving Settings Retrieving Saved Settings Using the Sewing Type Selection Key Example: Displaying information about overcasting SEWING THE STITCHES Straight Stitches ab aLeft needle position bMiddle needle position aReverse stitch bReinforcement stitch Page Changing the Needle Position (Left or Middle Needle Position Stitches Only) Example: Left/Middle needle position stitches Needle Plate and Needle Plate Cover Marks Using the Straight Stitch Needle Plate and the Straight Stitch Foot Page Basting Dart Seam Gathering Flat Fell Seam Pintuck Page Zigzag Stitches bAttach presser foot J. aSelect a stitch. Overcasting (Using a Zigzag Stitch) aNeedle drop position Patchwork (for Crazy Quilt) Sewing Curves (Using a Zigzag Stitch) Cord Guide Bobbin Cover (Using a Zigzag Stitch) Elastic Zigzag Stitches bAttach presser foot J. aSelect a stitch. Tape Attaching Stretch the tape flat. While stretching the tape flat, sew the tape to the fabric. Overcasting a aGuide Overcasting Using Presser Foot G aSelect a stitch and attach presser foot G. Overcasting Using Presser Foot J aSelect a stitch and attach presser foot J. bSew with the needle dropping slightly off the edge of the fabric. aNeedle drop position Overcasting Using the Side Cutter By using the side cutter, you can do overcasting while cutting the fabric. b presser foot. bFollow the steps on page 37 to remove the Page When Sewing Straight Stitches While Using the Side Cutter Quilting Piecing J. the presser foot, and start sewing. Quilting foot to hold the fabric secure while sewing. Appliqu Quilting with Satin Stitches Free-motion Quilting Using Free-motion Quilting Foot C page 65). Page Page Echo Quilting Using the Free-motion Echo Quilting Foot E Page Page Blind Hem Stitches Select from these stitches to sew the hems or cuffs of dresses, blouses, pants, or skirts. baste the fabric. the presser foot. Position the fabric so the folded edge touches the guide of the presser foot. contact with the presser foot. Appliqu or a basting stitch to attach the appliqu to the fabric. needle drops slightly off the edge of the appliqu, then start sewing. Sewing Sharp Curves Shelltuck Stitches Scallop Stitches Top Stitching Smocking Stitches Fagoting Tape or Elastic Attaching CAUTION Heirloom Hemstitching (1) (Daisy Stitch) Example: Illustration of finished product Hemstitching (2) (Drawn Work (1)) CAUTION Hemstitching (3) (Drawn Work (2)) One-step Buttonholes With one-step buttonholes, you can make buttonholes appropriate to the size of your button. Page Page Sewing Stretch Fabrics gimp thread to remove any slack, and trim off any excess. Odd Shaped Buttons/Buttons that do not Fit into the Button Holder Plate Four-step Buttonholes ab Four-step buttonholes are sewn as shown below. aMark the position and length of the buttonhole on the fabric. Page Darning Use darning stitches for mending and other applications. Darning is performed by sewing from the front of the presser foot to the back as shown below. aReinforcement stitches aSelect a stitch, and attach buttonhole foot Page Bar Tacks Use bar tacks to reinforce areas that will be subject to strain, such as pocket corners. scale to the length of the bar tack you wish to sew. towards you during sewing. the presser foot. Bar Tacks on Thick Fabrics Button Sewing CAUTION Attaching 4 Hole Buttons Attaching a Shank to the Button Eyelet Multi-directional Sewing (Straight Stitch and Zigzag Stitch) Zipper Insertion Centered Zipper CAUTION Inserting a Side Zipper Page Page Chapter 4 Character/ Decorative Stitches SELECTING STITCH PATTERNS SELECTING STITCH PATTERNS Press to display the screen below. Stitch Selection Screens Alphabet Characters Deleting Characters SEWING STITCH PATTERNS Sewing Attractive Finishes Basic Sewing CAUTION Making Adjustments Page EDITING STITCH PATTERNS EDITING STITCH PATTERNS EDITING STITCH PATTERNS Changing the Size LS Actual Stitch Pattern Size Page Changing Thread Density (for Satin Stitch Patterns Only) Returning to the Beginning of the Pattern CAUTION Checking the Image COMBINING STITCH PATTERNS Before Combining Combining Various Stitch Patterns Page Page COMBINING STITCH PATTERNS Combining Stitch Patterns of Different Length Making Step Stitch Patterns (for 7mm Satin Stitch Patterns Only) More Examples USING THE MEMORY FUNCTION Stitch Data Precautions Types of Stitch Data that can be Used Types of USB Devices/Media that can be Used Computers and Operating Systems with the Following Specifications can be Used Trademarks Saving Stitch Patterns in the Machines Memory USING THE MEMORY FUNCTION Saving Stitch Patterns to USB Media (Commercially Available) Saving Stitch Patterns in the Computer USING THE MEMORY FUNCTION copy the file to the computer. Retrieving Stitch Patterns from the Machines Memory Do not turn off the machine while the Sav- ing screen is showing. You may lose the data. Recalling from USB Media Recalling from the Computer Chapter 5 Embroidery BEFORE EMBROIDERING............................144 SELECTING PATTERNS.................................149 VIEWING THE SEWING SCREEN.................155 PREPARING THE FABRIC.............................157 BEFORE EMBROIDERING Embroidery Step by Step Follow the steps below to prepare the machine for embroidery. Attaching Embroidery Foot W CAUTION buttons. Attaching the Embroidery Unit About the Embroidery Unit the flat bed attachment. CAUTION the machine connection port. Push lightly until the unit clicks into place. Removing the Embroidery Unit . embroidery unit away from the machine. SELECTING PATTERNS Copyright Information Page Page Selecting Alphabet Character Patterns Selecting Frame Patterns Selecting Patterns from Embroidery Cards About Embroidery Cards (Sold Separately) Selecting Patterns from USB media/Computer VIEWING THE SEWING SCREEN Embroidery VIEWING THE SEWING SCREEN VIEWING THE SEWING SCREEN Using these keys, you can change the size of the pattern, rotate the pattern, etc. PREPARING THE FABRIC Attaching Iron-on Stabilizers (backing) to the Fabric CAUTION PREPARING THE FABRIC Hooping the Fabric in the Embroidery Frame Types of Embroidery Frames aCan be used bCannot be used ab CAUTION Inserting the Fabric Using the Embroidery Sheet Embroidering Small Fabrics or Fabric Edges Embroidering Small Fabrics Embroidering Edges or Corners Embroidering Ribbons or Tape ATTACHING THE EMBROIDERY FRAME Removing the Embroidery Frame CONFIRMING THE PATTERN POSITION Checking the Pattern Position CAUTION Previewing the Completed Pattern SEWING AN EMBROIDERY PATTERN Sewing Attractive Finishes Embroidery Needle Plate Cover CAUTION Sewing Embroidery Patterns When Threading Manually Sewing Embroidery Patterns Which Use Appliqu Page ADJUSTMENTS DURING THE EMBROIDERY PROCESS If the Bobbin Runs Out of Thread If the Thread Breaks During Sewing Restarting from the Beginning Resuming Embroidery After Turning Off the Power Page MAKING EMBROIDERY ADJUSTMENTS Adjusting Thread Tension Correct Thread Tension Upper Thread is Too Tight Upper Thread is Too Loose Using the Automatic Thread Cutting Function (END COLOR TRIM) Using the Thread Trimming Function (JUMP STITCH TRIM) Selecting the length of JUMP STITCH not to trim Adjusting the Embroidery Speed Changing the Thread Color Display MAKING EMBROIDERY ADJUSTMENTS Changing the Embroidery Frame Display change the embroidery frame display mode. REVISING THE PATTERN Changing the Pattern Position CAUTION Aligning the Pattern and the Needle ABC Example: Aligning the lower left side of a pattern and the needle Changing the Size REVISING THE PATTERN Rotating the Pattern screen. Page Changing the Colors of Alphabet Character Patterns USING THE MEMORY FUNCTION Embroidery Data Precautions Types of Embroidery Data that can be Used Types of USB Devices/Media that can be Used CAUTION Computers and Operating Systems with the Following Specifications can be Used Precautions on Using the Computer to Create and Save Data Tajima (.dst) Embroidery Data Trademarks Saving Embroidery Patterns in the Machines Memory Page Saving Embroidery Patterns to USB Media (Commercially Available) Saving Embroidery Patterns in the Computer Retrieving Patterns from the Machines Memory Recalling from USB Media Recalling from the Computer Page EMBROIDERY APPLICATIONS Using a Frame Pattern to Make an Appliqu (1) Using a Frame Pattern to Make an Appliqu (2) Page Chapter 6 Embroidery Edit USING THE MEMORY FUNCTION...................................................223 EDITING PATTERNS..........................................................................203 COMBINING PATTERNS...................................................................219 EXPLANATION OF FUNCTIONS SELECTING PATTERNS TO EDIT SELECTING PATTERNS TO EDIT See page 150 for more information on each categorys selection screen. Page Page Page EDITING PATTERNS If a key display is light gray, you cannot use that function with the selected pattern. Page Moving the Pattern aPress . Rotating the Pattern bSelect the angle by which the pattern is rotated. Changing the Size of the Pattern Deleting the Pattern Changing the Configuration of Alphabet Character Patterns Changing Alphabet Character Spacing Reducing Character Spacing Changing the Color of Each Alphabet Character in a Pattern Changing the Thread Color Creating a Custom Thread Table Adding a Color to the Custom Thread Table from the List Choosing a Color from the Custom Thread Table color from the custom thread table. Designing Repeated Patterns Sewing Repeated Patterns Page Repeating One Element of a Repeated Pattern repeat. pattern will be cut. Assigning Thread Marks After Editing Color Sorting Repeated Patterns COMBINING PATTERNS Editing Combined Patterns Example: Combining alphabet characters with an embroidery pattern and editing Page characters. Press . characters. Selecting combined embroidery patterns Sewing Combined Patterns Page Page Page DESIGNING A STITCH DESIGNING A STITCH MY CUSTOM STITCH Examples of Custom Stitches ENTERING STITCH DATA ENTERING STITCH DATA Page Moving a Point Moving Part or All of the Design Inserting New Points USING STORED CUSTOM STITCHES Storing Custom Stitches in Your List USING STORED CUSTOM STITCHES Retrieving Stored Stitches Chapter 8 Appendix CARE AND MAINTENANCE Cleaning the LCD Screen Cleaning the Machine Casing Cleaning the Race CAUTION on the bobbin case aligns with the spring. into the needle plate, and then slide the cover back on. ADJUSTING THE SCREEN Screen Visibility is Low Touch Panel is Malfunctioning Page TROUBLESHOOTING Page Page ERROR MESSAGES Page Page Page Page Alarm Sounds SPECIFICATIONS SPECIFICATIONS UPGRADING YOUR MACHINES SOFTWARE Upgrade Procedure Using USB Media Upgrade Procedure Using Computer Page STITCH SETTING CHART Page Page Page Page Page Page Index