Brother Quattro 3 User Manual
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9 HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 explain your sewing machine’s basic operation procedures for someone who is using the sewing machine for the first time. If you want to sew utility stitches or character/ decorative stitches, read Chapter 1 and Chapter 2, then go on to Chapter 3 (Utility Stitches) or Chapter 4 (Character/ Decorative Stitches). When you are ready to begin using the embroidery function after reading Chapter 1 and Chapter 2, proceed to Chapter 5 (Embroidery). Once you understand the steps explained in Chapter 5, go on to Chapter 6 (Embroidery Edit) for an explanation about the embroidery edit functions. In the screens appearing in the step-by-step instructions, the parts referred to in the operations are marked with . Compare the screen in the directions with the actual screen, and carry out the operation. If, while using the machine, you experience something you do not understand, or there is a function you would like to know more about, refer to the index at the back of the operation manual in conjunction with the table of contents to find the section of the manual you should refer to. To sew utility stitches To sew character or decorative stitches To do machine embroidery Chapter 1Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 1 Chapter 2Chapter 5 Chapter 6
CONTENTS 10 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ..................................................1 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS .................1 OUTSTANDING FEATURES ..................................6 WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH THIS MACHINE ......8 HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL ..............................9 NAMES OF MACHINE PARTS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS ......................................................... 13 Machine ................................................................................ 13 Needle and Presser Foot Section ........................................... 14 Embroidery Unit .................................................................... 15 Operation Buttons ................................................................. 15 Using the Flat Bed Attachment .............................................. 16 Using the Accessory Case...................................................... 16 Storing Bobbin Clips.............................................................. 17 Using the Embroidery Unit Carrying Case ............................. 17 Included Accessories ............................................................. 17 Options ................................................................................. 20 Using the Spool Stand ........................................................... 21 Using the Pen Tablet ............................................................. 23 Chapter 1 Getting Ready25 TURNING THE MACHINE ON/OFF....................26 LCD SCREEN .......................................................28 USB Connectivity .................................................................. 32 Using the Machine Setting Mode Key ................................... 35 Using the Sewing Machine Help Key ................................... 44 Using the Operation Guide Function..................................... 45 Using the Sewing Guide Function ......................................... 46 Using the Pattern Explanation Function ................................. 47 LOWER THREADING ..........................................48 Winding the Bobbin .............................................................. 48 Setting the Bobbin ................................................................. 54 Pulling Up the Bobbin Thread ............................................... 55 UPPER THREADING............................................57 Upper Threading ................................................................... 57 Using the Twin Needle Mode................................................ 60 Using the Spool Stand ........................................................... 63 Using Threads that Unwind Quickly ..................................... 64 CHANGING THE PRESSER FOOT .......................65 Removing the Presser Foot .................................................... 65 Attaching the Presser Foot ..................................................... 65 Attaching the Walking Foot ................................................... 66 CHANGING THE NEEDLE ...................................67 About the Needle .................................................................. 69 Fabric/Thread/Needle Combinations ..................................... 69 Chapter 2 Sewing Basics 71 SEWING ..............................................................72 Sewing a Stitch ...................................................................... 72 Sewing Reinforcement Stitches .............................................. 74 Sewing Curves....................................................................... 74 Changing Sewing Direction ................................................... 75 Sewing Heavyweight Fabrics ................................................. 75 Sewing Hook-and-Loop Fastener ........................................... 76 Sewing Lightweight Fabrics ................................................... 76 Sewing Stretch Fabrics........................................................... 77 STITCH SETTINGS ...............................................78 Setting the Stitch Width ......................................................... 78 Setting the Stitch Length ........................................................ 79 Setting the Thread Tension .................................................... 79 USEFUL FUNCTIONS ..........................................81 Automatic Reinforcement Stitching ....................................... 81 Automatic Thread Cutting ..................................................... 82 Using the Knee Lifter ............................................................. 83 Pivoting ................................................................................. 84 Automatic Fabric Sensor System (Automatic Presser Foot Pressure) ............................................................................... 85 Needle Position – Stitch Placement....................................... 86 Locking the Screen ............................................................... 86 Checking the Needle Location in the Screen......................... 87 Chapter 3 Utility Stitches 89 SELECTING UTILITY STITCHES .......................... 90 Selecting a Stitch .................................................................. 91 Saving Your Stitch Settings .................................................... 92 SEWING THE STITCHES ..................................... 94 Straight Stitches .................................................................... 94 Dart Seam............................................................................. 99 Gathering ............................................................................. 99 Flat Fell Seam ..................................................................... 100 Pintuck ............................................................................... 101 Zigzag Stitches.................................................................... 102 Elastic Zigzag Stitches ......................................................... 104 Overcasting ........................................................................ 105 Quilting .............................................................................. 110 Blind Hem Stitches ............................................................. 122 Appliqué............................................................................. 125 Shelltuck Stitches ................................................................ 126 Scallop Stitches................................................................... 127 Crazy Quilting .................................................................... 127 Smocking Stitches ............................................................... 128 Fagoting.............................................................................. 128 Tape or Elastic Attaching .................................................... 129 Heirloom ............................................................................ 130 One-step Buttonholes ......................................................... 132 Four-step Buttonholes ......................................................... 136 Bar Tacks ............................................................................ 140 Button Sewing .................................................................... 142 Eyelet.................................................................................. 144 Multi-directional Sewing (Straight Stitch and Zigzag Stitch)..... 145 Zipper Insertion .................................................................. 146 Edge Sewing ....................................................................... 148 Chapter 4 Character/Decorative Stitches 155 SELECTING STITCH PATTERNS ........................ 156 Selecting Decorative Stitch Patterns/7mm Decorative Stitch Patterns/Satin Stitch Patterns/7mm Satin Stitch Patterns/ Cross Stitch/Utility Decorative Stitch Patterns ..................... 158 Alphabet Characters ........................................................... 158 SEWING STITCH PATTERNS ............................ 161 Sewing Attractive Finishes .................................................. 161 Basic Sewing ...................................................................... 161 Making Adjustments ........................................................... 162 EDITING STITCH PATTERNS ............................ 164 Changing the Size ............................................................... 166 Changing the Length (for 7mm Satin Stitch Patterns Only).... 166 Creating a Vertical Mirror Image ......................................... 166 Creating a Horizontal Mirror Image .................................... 167 Sewing a Pattern Continuously ........................................... 167 Changing Thread Density (for Satin Stitch Patterns Only) .... 167 Returning to the Beginning of the Pattern ............................ 168 Checking the Image ............................................................ 168 COMBINING STITCH PATTERNS ..................... 170 Before Combining............................................................... 170 Combining Various Stitch Patterns ...................................... 170 Combining Large and Small Stitch Patterns ......................... 171 Combining Horizontal Mirror Image Stitch Patterns ............ 172 Combining Stitch Patterns of Different Length ..................... 173 Making Step Stitch Patterns (for 7mm Satin Stitch Patterns Only)..... 174 USING THE MEMORY FUNCTION .................. 176 Stitch Data Precautions ....................................................... 176 Saving Stitch Patterns in the Machine’s Memory ................. 177 Saving Stitch Patterns to USB Media ................................... 178
CONTENTS 11 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Saving Stitch Patterns in the Computer ................................ 179 Retrieving Stitch Patterns from the Machine’s Memory ........ 180 Recalling from USB Media .................................................. 181 Recalling from the Computer .............................................. 182 Chapter 5 Embroidery185 BEFORE EMBROIDERING .................................186 Embroidery Step by Step ..................................................... 186 Attaching Embroidery Foot “W2” ........................................ 186 Attaching the Embroidery Unit ............................................ 188 SELECTING PATTERNS......................................190 Selecting Embroidery Patterns/Brother “Exclusives”/ Greek Alphabet Patterns/Floral Alphabet Patterns/ Utility Embroidery Patterns ................................................. 193 Selecting Alphabet Character Patterns ................................. 194 Selecting Frame Patterns ..................................................... 196 Selecting Patterns from Embroidery Cards ........................... 197 Selecting Patterns from USB Media/Computer ..................... 197 VIEWING THE SEWING SCREEN ......................198 PREPARING THE FABRIC ..................................200 Attaching Iron-on Stabilizers (Backing) to the Fabric ........... 200 Hooping the Fabric in the Embroidery Frame ...................... 202 Embroidering Small Fabrics or Fabric Edges ........................ 205 ATTACHING THE EMBROIDERY FRAME..........206 CONFIRMING THE PATTERN POSITION .........208 Aligning the Embroidering Position Using the Built-In Camera...... 208Display the Fabric While Aligning the Embroidering Position..... 211 Using the Built-In Camera to Align the Embroidering Position.... 213 Checking the Pattern Position ............................................. 216 Previewing the Completed Pattern ...................................... 217 SEWING AN EMBROIDERY PATTERN ..............218 Sewing Attractive Finishes ................................................... 218 Sewing Embroidery Patterns ................................................ 219 Sewing Embroidery Patterns Which Use Appliqué .............. 221 PRINT AND STITCH (COMBINING EMBROIDERY PATTERNS AND PRINTED DESIGNS) .........................................................223 Selecting a Pattern .............................................................. 224 Outputting the Background Image and Positioning Image ... 225 Printing the Background and Embroidery Position Sheet ..... 226 Sewing Embroidery Patterns ................................................ 227 ADJUSTMENTS DURING THE EMBROIDERY PROCESS ............................................................ 229 If the Bobbin Runs Out of Thread ........................................ 229 If the Thread Breaks During Sewing .................................... 230 Restarting from the Beginning ............................................. 231 Resuming Embroidery After Turning Off the Power ............. 231 MAKING EMBROIDERY ADJUSTMENTS ..........233 Adjusting Thread Tension ................................................... 233 Adjusting the Alternate Bobbin Case (with No Color on the Screw)................................................................................. 234 Using the Automatic Thread Cutting Function (END COLOR TRIM) ........................................................... 235 Using the Thread Trimming Function (JUMP STITCH TRIM).... 236 Adjusting the Embroidery Speed ......................................... 237 Changing the Thread Color Display .................................... 237 Changing the Embroidery Frame Display ............................ 238 REVISING THE PATTERN ..................................240 Moving the Pattern .............................................................. 240 Aligning the Pattern and the Needle .................................... 240 Changing the Size of the Pattern ......................................... 241 Rotating the Pattern ............................................................. 242 Creating a Horizontal Mirror Image .................................... 243 Changing the Density (Alphabet Character and Frame Patterns Only) ..................................................................... 244 Changing the Colors of Alphabet Character Patterns ........... 245 Embroidering Linked Characters ......................................... 245 Uninterrupted Embroidering (Using a Single Color) ............. 248 USING THE MEMORY FUNCTION...................249 Embroidery Data Precautions .............................................. 249 Saving Embroidery Patterns in the Machine’s Memory ........ 251 Saving Embroidery Patterns to USB Media ........................... 252 Saving Embroidery Patterns in the Computer ....................... 253 Retrieving Patterns from the Machine’s Memory .................. 254 Recalling from USB Media .................................................. 255 Recalling from the Computer ............................................... 256 EMBROIDERY APPLICATIONS ......................... 258 Using a Frame Pattern to Make an Appliqué (1)................... 258 Using a Frame Pattern to Make an Appliqué (2)................... 259 Sewing Split Embroidery Patterns ........................................ 261 Chapter 6 Embroidery Edit 263 EXPLANATION OF FUNCTIONS ...................... 264 SELECTING PATTERNS TO EDIT ...................... 265 Selecting Embroidery Patterns/Brother “Exclusives”/ Greek Alphabet Patterns/Floral Alphabet Patterns/ Utility Embroidery Patterns/Frame Patterns .......................... 266 Selecting Alphabet Character Patterns ................................. 266 EDITING PATTERNS ......................................... 268 Moving the Pattern .............................................................. 270 Rotating the Pattern ............................................................. 270 Changing the Size of the Pattern .......................................... 270 Changing the Pattern Size While Maintaining the Desired Thread Density (Stitch Recalculator) .................................... 270 Deleting the Pattern............................................................. 272 Displaying Patterns in the Screen Magnified by 200% ......... 272 Changing the Configuration of Alphabet Character Patterns..... 273 Changing Alphabet Character Spacing ................................ 273 Reducing Character Spacing................................................ 274 Separating Combined Character Patterns ............................. 275 Changing the Color of Each Alphabet Character in a Pattern.... 276 Embroidering Linked Characters .......................................... 277 Changing the Thread Color ................................................. 277 Creating a Custom Thread Table ......................................... 278 Choosing a Color from the Custom Thread Table ................ 282 Find New Color Schemes With the Color Shuffling Function...... 283 Designing Repeated Patterns ............................................... 285 Embroidering the Pattern Repeatedly ................................... 291 Duplicating a Pattern........................................................... 293 After Editing ........................................................................ 294 COMBINING PATTERNS .................................. 295 Editing Combined Patterns .................................................. 295 Sewing Combined Patterns .................................................. 298 VARIOUS EMBROIDERING FUNCTIONS ........ 299 Uninterrupted Embroidering (Using a Single Color) ............. 299 Basting Embroidery ............................................................. 299 Creating an Appliqué Piece ................................................. 300 USING THE MEMORY FUNCTION .................. 306 PRINT AND STITCH (COMBINING EMBROIDERY PATTERNS AND PRINTED DESIGNS) ........................................................ 306 Chapter 7 How to Create Bobbin Work 307 ABOUT BOBBIN WORK................................... 308 PREPARING FOR BOBBIN WORK.................... 309 Required Materials .............................................................. 309 Upper Threading ................................................................. 310 Preparing the Bobbin Thread ............................................... 310 CREATING BOBBIN WORK (SEWING) ............ 314 Positioning the Fabric and Sewing ....................................... 314 Bobbin Work Free Motion Sewing ....................................... 317 CREATING BOBBIN WORK (EMBROIDERY)....... 318 Selecting the Pattern ............................................................ 318 Start Embroidering ............................................................... 320 ADJUSTING THE THREAD TENSION ............... 322 TROUBLESHOOTING ...................................... 323 Chapter 8 MY CUSTOM STITCH 325 DESIGNING A STITCH ..................................... 326 ENTERING STITCH DATA ................................ 328 USING STORED CUSTOM STITCHES............... 334
CONTENTS 12 Storing Custom Stitches in Your List .................................... 334 Retrieving Stored Stitches .................................................... 335 Chapter 9 Appendix337 CARE AND MAINTENANCE ..............................338 Restrictions on oiling ........................................................... 338 Precautions on storing the machine ..................................... 338 Cleaning the LCD Screen .................................................... 338 Cleaning the Machine Casing .............................................. 338 Cleaning the Race ............................................................... 338 Cleaning the Cutter in the Bobbin Case Area ....................... 340 About the Maintenance Message ......................................... 341 ADJUSTING THE SCREEN .................................342 Adjusting the Brightness of the Screen Display .................... 342 Touch Panel is Malfunctioning ............................................ 342 TROUBLESHOOTING .......................................343 Frequent troubleshooting topics .......................................... 343 Upper thread is too tight...................................................... 343 Tangled thread on wrong side of fabric ............................... 344 Incorrect thread tension....................................................... 346 Fabric is caught in the machine and cannot be removed ..... 347 List of Symptoms ................................................................. 350 ERROR MESSAGES ............................................354 SPECIFICATIONS ..............................................362 UPGRADING YOUR MACHINE’S SOFTWARE.......363 Upgrade Procedure Using USB Media................................. 363 Upgrade Procedure Using Computer ................................... 364 STITCH SETTING CHART ..................................365 INDEX ...............................................................374
NAMES OF MACHINE PARTS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS 13 NAMES OF MACHINE PARTS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS The names of the various parts of the sewing machine and their functions are described below. Before using the sewing machine, carefully read these descriptions to learn the names of the machine parts. Machine ■Front View a Top coverOpen the top cover to thread the machine and wind the bobbin.bPre-tension diskPass the thread around the pre-tension disk when winding the bobbin thread. (page 48) cThread guide for bobbin windingPass the thread through this thread guide when winding the bobbin thread. (page 48) dSpool pinPlace a spool of thread on the spool pin. (page 57)eSpool capUse the spool cap to hold the spool of thread in place. (page 57)fSupplemental spool pinUse this spool pin to wind the bobbin thread, or to sew with the twin needle. (page 48, 60) gBobbin winderUse the bobbin winder when winding the bobbin. (page 48)hLCD (liquid crystal display)Settings for the selected stitch and error messages appear in the LCD. (page 28) iKnee lifterUse the knee lifter to raise and lower the presser foot. (page 83)jKnee lifter slotInsert the knee lifter into the slot. (page 83)kOperation buttons (6 buttons) and sewing speed controller Use these buttons and the slide to operate the sewing machine. (page 15) lFlat bed attachment with accessory compartmentStore presser feet and bobbins in the accessory compartment of the flat bed attachment. When sewing cylindrical pieces, remove the flat bed attachment. (page 16) mThread cutterPass the threads through the thread cutter to cut them. (page 59) nThread guide platePass the thread around the thread guide plate when threading upper thread. (page 57) ■Right-side/Rear View a HandleCarry the sewing machine by its handle when transporting the machine. bPresser foot leverRaise and lower the presser foot lever to raise and lower the presser foot. (page 65) cMain power switchUse the main power switch to turn the sewing machine ON and OFF. (page 26) dMulti-function foot controllerVarious sewing machine operations can be programmed into the multi-function foot controller. (Operation Manual Addendum.) ePower cord receptacleInsert the power cord into the machine receptacle. (page 26)fAir ventThe air vent allows the air surrounding the motor to circulate. Do not cover the air vent while the sewing machine is being used. gFoot controller jack and external portInsert the foot controller plugs where indicated. (page 73, Operation Manual Addendum) hSpeaker i USB port for computer In order to import/export patterns between a computer and the machine, plug the USB cable into the USB port. (page 32, 179, 253) jUSB port for mouse (page 32) k Primary (top) USB port for media In order to send patterns from/to USB media, plug the USB media directly into the USB port. (page 178, 252) lTouch pen holderUse the touch pen holder to hold the touch pen when not in use.mHandwheelRotate the handwheel toward you (counterclockwise) to raise and lower the needle. The wheel should be turned toward the front of the machine.
NAMES OF MACHINE PARTS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS 14 Needle and Presser Foot Section aButtonhole leverThe buttonhole lever is used with the one-step buttonhole foot to create buttonholes. (page 132) bPresser foot holderThe presser foot is attached to the presser foot holder. (page 65) cPresser foot holder screwUse the presser foot holder screw to hold the presser foot in place. (page 66) dPresser footThe presser foot consistently appl ies pressure to the fabric as sewing takes place. Attach the appropriate presser foot for the selected stitch. (page 65) e Feed dogsThe feed dogs feed the fabric in the sewing direction.fBobbin coverOpen the bobbin cover to set the bobbin. (page 54, 103)gNeedle plate coverRemove the needle plate cover to clean the race. (page 97, 219) hNeedle plateThe needle plate is marked with guides to help sew straight seams. (page 96) iNeedle bar thread guidePass the upper thread through the needle bar thread guide. (page 57) jNeedle clamp screwUse the needle clamp screw to hold the needle in place. (page 66) Measurements on the needle plate, bobbin cover (with mark) and needle plate cover The measurements on the bobbin cover are references for patterns with a middle (center) needle position. The measurements on the needle plate and the needle plate cover are references for stitches with a left needle position. aFor stitches with a middle (center) needle position b For stitches with a left needle position c Left needle position on the needle plate d Left needle position on the needle plate e Middle (center) needle position on the bobbin cover (with mark) f Left needle position on the needle plate cover
NAMES OF MACHINE PARTS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS 15 Embroidery Unit aCarriageThe carriage moves the embroidery frame automatically when embroidering. (page 188) bRelease button (located under the embroidery unit)Press the release button to remove the embroidery unit. (page 189) cEmbroidery frame holderInsert the embroidery frame into the embroidery frame holder to hold the frame in place. (page 206) d Frame-securing leverPress the frame-securing lever down to secure the embroidery frame. (page 206) eEmbroidery unit connectionInsert the embroidery unit connection into the connection port when attaching the embroidery unit. (page 188) Operation Buttons a“Start/Stop” button Press this button and the machine will sew a few stitches at a slow speed and then begin sewing at the speed set by the sewing speed controller. Press the button again to stop the machine. Hold the button in to sew at the machine’s slowest speed. The button changes color according to the machine’s operation mode. b“Reverse/Reinforcement Stitch” button Use this button to sew reinforcement stitches at the beginning and end of sewing. Press this button, and the machine sews 3 stitches in the same spot and stops automatically. For straight and zigzag stitch patterns that take reverse stitches, the machine will sew reverse stitches at low speed only while holding down the “Reverse/Reinforcement Stitch” button (the stitches are sewn in the opposite direction). c“Needle Position” button Use this button when changing sewing direction or for detailed sewing in small areas. Press this button to raise or lower the needle position. With this button, you can lower and raise the needle to sew a single stitch. d“Thread Cutter” button Press this button after sewing to automatically trim the excess thread. e“Presser Foot Lifter” button Press this button to lower the presser foot and apply pressure to the fabric. Press this button again to raise the presser foot. fSewing Speed controller Use this controller to adjust the sewing speed. Move the slide to the left to sew at slower speeds. Move the slide to the right to sew at higher speeds. Beginners should sew at a slow speed. g“Automatic Threading” button Use this button to automatically thread the needle. CAUTION After the embroidery frame is set in the frame holder, be sure the frame-securing lever is correctly lowered. Green: The machine is ready to sew or is sewing. Red: The machine cannot sew. CAUTION Do not press the thread cutter button after the threads have been cut. The needle may break and threads may become tangled, or damage to the machine may occur.
NAMES OF MACHINE PARTS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS 16 Using the Flat Bed Attachment Pull the top of the flat bed attachment to open the accessory compartment. Using the Accessory Case ■Opening the Accessory Case Fully slide the bar on each side of the accessory case, and then lift off the lid to open the case. The case can only be opened or locked correctly if both bars are slid in the same direction. a Bars ■Closing the Accessory Case aFully slide the bar on each side of the accessory case lid to align the notches in the lid with the notches in the bars. bPlace the lid on top of the case so that the notches in the lid align with the tabs on the case, and then slide the bar on each side back to the center of the accessory case. a Bars ■Using the Accessory Trays Two presser foot storage trays are stored in the included accessory case. One is for presser feet for utility sewing, and the other is for presser feet for embroidery and machine quilting. a For presser feet for utility sewing b For presser feet for embroidery and machine quilting For your convenience, a presser foot storage tray can be stored in the accessory compartment of the flat bed attachment.
NAMES OF MACHINE PARTS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS 17 aStorage space of the flat bed attachment b Presser foot storage space of the flat bed attachment c Presser foot storage trays Storing Bobbin Clips Bobbin clips can be stored inside of the accessory case cover. Using the Embroidery Unit Carrying Case Included accessories 45-48 are contained in the embroidery unit carrying case. To open the embroidery unit carrying case, raise each lock and move the latches out of position. To re-hook the latches and securely close the case, position the latch on the catch of the unit lid and lower the lock till it snaps. aLatches Included Accessories See table on the next page about included accessories. Memo Placing bobbin clips on bobbins helps pre- vent the thread from unwinding from the bobbin. In addition, snapping bobbin clips together allows the bobbins to be conve- niently stored and prevents them from rolling around if they are dropped. a
NAMES OF MACHINE PARTS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS 18 1234567 8 9 1 011121 3141 5 16 171819 2021 22 23 2425 2627 2829 30 31 323334 3536 37 38 3940 4142 4344 45 * 46*47*48*4950 5152 53 54 5556 57 58 **5960 *Included Accessories 45-48 are contained in the embroidery unit carrying case. 75/11 2 needles 90/14 2 needles 90/14 2 needles: Ball point needle (gold colored) 2.0/11 needle75/11 2 needles